Atheists & Agnostics

DBoon

(23,059 posts)

30. I think sometimes things just happen

Mon Jan 1, 2024, 05:05 PM

Jan 2024

We can't discern causes, and a cause may not exist

There is a pagan notion of fate that supersedes the powers of the gods. Belief in fate was a comfort we lost when Europeans began to believe in a God that tracked our thoughts and actions, and doled out rewards and punishment.

We like to think that things happen because they deserve to happen, and that out thoughts and verbalization's can change the course of events.

Sometimes good people die young, and very evil people become president of the United States.

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My evangelical cousin is at death's door. [View all] Croney Jan 2024 OP

I wonder if any of the prayer circle lapfog_1 Jan 2024 #1

You gotta wonder if any of them would slightlv Jan 2024 #35

prayer is like this... Shakespeare called it. lapfog_1 Jan 2024 #37

no prayer circles have ever beaten death in the long run. rurallib Jan 2024 #2

No prayer circle has ever accomplished anything PJMcK Jan 2024 #5

For a person of faith, having people pray for you helps lessen stress. TigressDem Jan 2024 #36

Thanks! Militant athiests are as arrogant as any Christian nationalist - and I'm not even a big god guy. johnnyplankton Jan 2024 #55

Most atheists I have met aren't militant about it and logic is something they respect. TigressDem Jan 2024 #81

Thank you. stage left Jan 2024 #63

Well said. TigressDem Jan 2024 #82

That's a reasonable point PJMcK Jan 2024 #69

I'm often of two minds myself. TigressDem Jan 2024 #83

I'm really sorry you have to put up with being teased. Trueblue Texan Feb 2024 #96

Actually some studies clearly show that religious Farmer-Rick Jan 2024 #87

You did not read my full response to OP - IF the prayer allows a person to let go of stress, it helps. TigressDem Jan 2024 #89

Having people pray for some adds more stress. Farmer-Rick Jan 2024 #91

"Positive therapeutic benefits of intercessory prayer in a cardiac care unit" TheRickles Jan 2024 #51

Well, I've heard (and read) the exact opposite... robbob Jan 2024 #62

Yes, you're right - that's how science proceeds. TheRickles Jan 2024 #65

Sugar pills k55f5r Jan 2024 #66

In these prayer studies, people don't know which group they're in - the prayed-for group, or the control group. TheRickles Jan 2024 #68

Exactly prayers can be stressful for some Farmer-Rick Jan 2024 #88

Nothing works in all cases. TigressDem Jan 2024 #84

Witch doctors also got positive results. (in their patients that did not die) Chainfire Jan 2024 #79

But why pray to be saved from death when it's supposed to bring eternal glory? Trueblue Texan Feb 2024 #95

I was in a bereavment support group 12 years ago after my wife died. Girard442 Jan 2024 #3

Yes, I certainly sympathize with their loss, but Croney Jan 2024 #4

I've seen it over and over with COVIDiots. If they make it, it was God and the prayers. No thanks to the brewens Jan 2024 #77

Excellent observation about grief (n/t) PJMcK Jan 2024 #6

Me to. After my wife died, I also found solace and compassion in a bereavement group. And yes, being with others... machoneman Jan 2024 #50

One thing that sucks about being human is losing loved ones. Hurts no matter what. TigressDem Jan 2024 #86

In my area, all the bereavement groups were all Christian Farmer-Rick Jan 2024 #90

I Guess They Didn't Pray Hard Enough Deep State Witch Jan 2024 #7

My Talibangelical mother had a grand mal seizure and her doctor told her she couldn't OMGWTF Jan 2024 #61

Glad your brother put you mom's & the public's safety ahead of being polite & going along with myths Attilatheblond Jan 2024 #64

God answers all prayers. cloudbase Jan 2024 #8

Maybe God just answers "Who IS this?" FailureToCommunicate Jan 2024 #15

We're sorry. The number you have dialed was never and is not today, in service. jaxexpat Jan 2024 #18

or the number showed up on God's cellphone as "suspected spam" DBoon Jan 2024 #26

New Angels Deep State Witch Jan 2024 #72

Sorry vercetti2021 Jan 2024 #9

I always ask who has the best batting average. Probatim Jan 2024 #10

Sorry to hear that she is gravely ill, however: TeamProg Jan 2024 #11

Martin Luther must be rolling in his grave over contemporary mega churches DBoon Jan 2024 #27

Hey you should add Aimee Semple McPherson NJCher Jan 2024 #76

You are not worthy of God's healing mercy. Many others are. (God's will) (Called you home) keithbvadu2 Jan 2024 #12

Practicing Episcopalian here bernieb Jan 2024 #13

Same here wryter2000 Jan 2024 #45

I can't explain it therefore god. Voltaire2 Jan 2024 #47

And yet during my time of watching not one human tradition or belief system has demonstrated that it can tap into that HelpImSurrounded Jan 2024 #53

It's there NJCher Jan 2024 #78

And... I've just gotten word that she has received her heavenly reward. Croney Jan 2024 #14

Which, if I understand the theology correctly, she would have gotten any way. progressoid Jan 2024 #28

Sorry to hear. James48 Jan 2024 #16

Praying, wishing, casting spells JoseBalow Jan 2024 #17

Depends what you ask for Ksout Jan 2024 #19

All I know is almost every pwb Jan 2024 #20

"jesus crist would you hurry up"? ret5hd Jan 2024 #40

No it was always pleasurable. pwb Jan 2024 #43

it seems important to you that we have this information. ret5hd Jan 2024 #71

Or maybe she has completed her mission on this planet judesedit Jan 2024 #21

No, there is no joy. Her family is devastated. Croney Jan 2024 #24

There will be joy with her soul family. I'm sure her family here will miss her judesedit Jan 2024 #73

And the Easter Bunny flies at midnight. Croney Jan 2024 #74

Lol judesedit Jan 2024 #75

Seriously? Voltaire2 Jan 2024 #48

Who do you think they're praying to? RedSpartan Jan 2024 #22

People who are in good health are terrified of death Warpy Jan 2024 #23

Yes I agree, it's a fine line. With my own mother, who died at 98, Croney Jan 2024 #25

I had an armed truce with my own RCC parents Warpy Jan 2024 #31

I am in good, make that excellent, health, and I am not terrified of death. PoindexterOglethorpe Jan 2024 #44

Would it be wrong to form a prayer circle to stop Putin's heart? Frasier Balzov Jan 2024 #29

It would be ineffective. Voltaire2 Jan 2024 #49

I think sometimes things just happen DBoon Jan 2024 #30

Adenocarcinoma is a broad term for Lifeafter70 Jan 2024 #32

She died this afternoon. I had never heard that she was ill. Croney Jan 2024 #33

My condolances Lifeafter70 Jan 2024 #38

I am sorry about your cousin. LoisB Jan 2024 #34

I hope she is feeling no pain Skittles Jan 2024 #39

She died this afternoon, so her pain is over which is good. Croney Jan 2024 #41

OH my. How are you doing? TigressDem Jan 2024 #85

May your family have peace. colorado_ufo Jan 2024 #42

I like omnipotent beings that get it right the first time. czarjak Jan 2024 #46

When gawd wads die it's gawd's grand design. LakeArenal Jan 2024 #52

You guys know that Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister, right? johnnyplankton Jan 2024 #54

This is the Atheists and Agnostics forum so yes, we can absolutely disagree with Croney Jan 2024 #56

When my mother was within a week of her death, she asked me no_hypocrisy Jan 2024 #57

Brilliant. I will endeavour to remember that! . . . . .nt Bernardo de La Paz Jan 2024 #59

Perfect Farmer-Rick Jan 2024 #93

I usually defer to family wishes in these situations. NNadir Jan 2024 #58

"Healed in heaven" The Blue Flower Jan 2024 #60

So sorry for your loss. bernieb Jan 2024 #67

So very sorry for your loss. May you find peace and comfort in whatever niyad Jan 2024 #70

Holding your breath is NOT a good idea. Ferrets are Cool Jan 2024 #80

The Lord needs her home? LiberalFighter Jan 2024 #92

When I was working in home health, my head would nearly explode... Trueblue Texan Feb 2024 #94

That reminds me of this classic joke JoseBalow Feb 2024 #97

That's terrible! Trueblue Texan Feb 2024 #98