Personal recourse to God (funeral, experience, atheist, pray, blessing)

[bigvindaloo]

I can understand that a parent with a child suffering from cancer might discard belief in a merciful God if their child dies, particularly if they held belief and prayed for their offspring's survival. This however is an example of an extreme circumstance which is the subject of this thread. I find that people question God generally when they find themselves in troubled waters: they find in religious belief either hope or solace in times of personal tragedy/inconvenience. Does the same recourse to God apply when things are going along swimmingly in one's life, when good fortune reigns supreme?

[Bouncing Ball]

Originally Posted by bigvindaloo

I can understand that a parent with a child suffering from cancer might discard belief in a merciful God if their child dies, particularly if they held belief and prayed for their offspring's survival. This however is an example of an extreme circumstance which is the subject of this thread. I find that people question God generally when they find themselves in troubled waters: they find in religious belief either hope or solace in times of personal tragedy/inconvenience. Does the same recourse to God apply when things are going along swimmingly in one's life, when good fortune reigns supreme?

I changed my religion in a time where I was very happy. from christian to atheist. So you could say I questioned God without troubled waters. Yet, I was very young so it is to question if I was really a christian at all..

[Happier]

Originally Posted by bigvindaloo

I can understand that a parent with a child suffering from cancer might discard belief in a merciful God if their child dies, particularly if they held belief and prayed for their offspring's survival. This however is an example of an extreme circumstance which is the subject of this thread. I find that people question God generally when they find themselves in troubled waters: they find in religious belief either hope or solace in times of personal tragedy/inconvenience. Does the same recourse to God apply when things are going along swimmingly in one's life, when good fortune reigns supreme?

I would say a baseless or shallow 'faith' would surely be discarded at such times of extreme testing; it will be replaced by real faith, or real cynicism. Conversely a close relationship with God will only be strengthened during such times and then extend out into the person's day to day life later.


A friend of ours is a funeral director. He's one of those people who walk into a room and everyone there turns to him, he just has this presence that everyone is attracted to. He's also one of the most deeply compassionate people I've ever met; his empathy and intuition at times is -- weird. Uncanny. He was well into his 40's before he found his true calling and it suits him perfectly. His very presence is like a comforting embrace.


Anyway we were deep in discussion on this very matter. He said when families make arrangements for a loved one who just died, he knows without asking whether they are believers. He said there is a palpable, unmistakeable difference. With unbelievers he's seen much grief bordering on insanity, mourning so raw, angry and overwhelming that people become violent and have to be restrained; others so depressed as to border on the catatonic, and everything seems shrouded in a spirit of hopelessness. He went on to say though the Christian families mourn there seems to be a calming, otherworldly peace (and even a unity they may not experience as a family normally), and a presence he calls the Comforter.


Some of the stories he told us corresponded to what happened within our own family when my Mom passed away, my husband's Dad, and then my Dad not long ago. It's difficult to share such powerful subjective experiences, but all I can say is now I know why they call the HS the Comforter. There really IS a "peace surpasses all human understanding," and it is possible to experience the deepest joy in the midst of sorrow.

(Keep in mind, this is what a trusted friend told us, and he lives in a place where he will probably never see a Hindu, Buddhist or Muslim family).

Just offered for your consideration humbly,
-- H.

[michel]

Originally Posted by bigvindaloo

I can understand that a parent with a child suffering from cancer might discard belief in a merciful God if their child dies, particularly if they held belief and prayed for their offspring's survival. This however is an example of an extreme circumstance which is the subject of this thread. I find that people question God generally when they find themselves in troubled waters: they find in religious belief either hope or solace in times of personal tragedy/inconvenience. Does the same recourse to God apply when things are going along swimmingly in one's life, when good fortune reigns supreme?

I can understand that a parent with a child suffering from cancer might discard belief in a merciful God if their child dies

I would dispute that (for me, personally) Without having experienced it.

The point is, I don't for a moment believe that the child's healt problems would be solved by God (I say would, because I wanted to make the distinction from could). We are here to lead our lives the way we do, to meet the challenges, as they appear; it is all part of the 'learning process'.

I actually make a big effort to count my blessings (even though it seems hard to think of them), and to thank God for them (which I suppose is illogical if I say that I wouldn't expect him to 'step in' for a dying child).

never thought of that.

[bigvindaloo]

Originally Posted by michel

I would dispute that (for me, personally) Without having experienced it.

The point is, I don't for a moment believe that the child's healt problems would be solved by God (I say would, because I wanted to make the distinction from could). We are here to lead our lives the way we do, to meet the challenges, as they appear; it is all part of the 'learning process'.

I actually make a big effort to count my blessings (even though it seems hard to think of them), and to thank God for them (which I suppose is illogical if I say that I wouldn't expect him to 'step in' for a dying child).

never thought of that.

Thanks Michel, you have identified something here. Yes it would be logical for someone thanking God for their blessings to also turn to him in their hour of need. The OP is asking whether the reverse is true. It would be a bit unfair on God and illogical to turn to him in desperation and ignore him when il fait beau.