Godless Dave

Cats are great like that.

openeyes

It seems to me from these past postings regarding prayer and religious folk verses non-religious, that it isn't one's religious beliefs that make a difference, but rather the personality of the individual and their capacity for empathy. We all seem to be muddlers for the most part when it comes to helping others. We want to be helpful, but we're not sure how to do it. If we're living full lives, we probably already have a full plate of responsibilities and can't afford to give much more, at least not in an extended way. If we are at a place in our lives that we can offer a helping hand to someone in need, then we should do something. A lot of little contributions adds up to something. Ideally perhaps, we'd try to not overfill our lives with our personal requirements, so that we have some capacity left for community involvement.

In any case, if you find yourself always only offering words that may ring empty with no action, maybe you should rethink your approach. False promises are worse than nothing.

Gemma Terese wrote:
And as a theist, Gemma Terese will probably never see the value or beauty of getting to the heart of the matter without having to try to bounce it off the "heavens" first.

Gemma Therese

Openeyes, you overlook that I was once an atheist.

Gemma Therese

openeyes

You're correct, Gemma Terese, I was not aware of that. Since I find that most people who are atheists unable to imagine a god-influenced world, since the absence of that belief seems so much more sensible and useful, that I'm surprised you've bought into religion in such a big way, especially Catholicism. (Incidently, that was the tradition in which I was raised, but I don't have a bigger beef against the "Church" than any religious tradition).

Sorry if I'm inquiring into what may be many others' common knowledge, but were you raised atheist? Why the conversion?

Amos

Openeyes, it is obvious that your eyes are still shut or you would not write such a thing. Have you ever noticed that there is no peace in the protestant church or they would have monasteries?

If I was Gemma, I would never tell you because you would never understand, for if you did, you would not ask.

Gemma Therese

Amos -- Great line!

Openeyes -- I sent you a private message, but in short, I believe of all religions Catholicism bears the closest relationship to the Truth.

Gemma Therese

seebs

Openeyes, I've known a handful of people who converted from atheism to Catholicism. It's not unheard of. Can't speak to their reasons, except in the sense of "came to believe otherwise".

Your incredulity about someone adopting a theistic model seems similar to the incredulity I occasionally see people express about deconversion; it's very hard to understand how someone who agrees with you could change his mind.

Amie

to some the "heart of the matter" involves the "heavens".

Arrowman

So - if a stranger believes, for example, that they are the Son of Satan and entitled to worship, this belief is open to ridicule. But if a deceased family member believed the same thing, that belief is immune to ridicule?

This is the all-too-common special pleading about religious beliefs.

Amos

Right on Amie and only "the heavens" can change the "human heart."