I am an atheist, but I have recently had urges to pray. Can atheists pray? To know more of what I am talking about, check out my blog: Praying Atheist: Old Habits Die Hard | Mhiggs's Blog
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Can an Atheist Pray?
- Thread starter mhiggs
- Start date
jmvizanko
Uber Tool
Well I am a weak atheist, so I think there is the possibility that there is a god. On a few occasions, I have asked whatever god there might be for help, since I figured it couldn't hurt.
FlyingTeaPot
Irrational Rationalist. Educated Fool.
Sure you can. I pray to the sun. Plus its good to meditate now and then.
Alceste
Vagabond
I once spent Christmas with a family of very devout Christians - young earth creationists, even. Teetotalers - no rum and eggnog. They were the family of a good friend though, and all nice people. However, at one point they started going around the table and praying aloud, one by one. "God, help auntie so-and-so with her bunions" type of stuff. I was thrown into a bit of a panic, to be honest, because my friend had let me know if I didn't come across as a believer her parents would give her grief about hanging out with me.
Anyway, while I was waiting for my turn I tried to craft something that would not compromise my integrity as a non-believer but still pass for a prayer for anyone who wanted to think I believed in their god. I came up with sincere feelings of gratitude and good fortune I felt I could talk about. Safe ground, really. Fits into the context of things people recognize as prayer. I even thought of a way to start off without mentioning any gods. (Forget what that was now though.)
I never got a turn, though. They skipped me, and to be honest I was a little disappointed because my feelings were sincere and I wanted to get them off my chest. I don't do that much - let my feelings out in front of other people.
Anyway, the healthiest expression I've seen of whatever psychological need prayer addresses was in a First Nations sweat lodge. The feather goes around and whoever holds it gets whatever they want to say (or sing, or whatever) off their chest. Sometimes people refer to a god, sometimes they don't. The character is distinctly spiritual but not inherently theistic.
To answer the question, can an atheist pray - an atheist can do whatever she damn well pleases.
Anyway, while I was waiting for my turn I tried to craft something that would not compromise my integrity as a non-believer but still pass for a prayer for anyone who wanted to think I believed in their god. I came up with sincere feelings of gratitude and good fortune I felt I could talk about. Safe ground, really. Fits into the context of things people recognize as prayer. I even thought of a way to start off without mentioning any gods. (Forget what that was now though.)
I never got a turn, though. They skipped me, and to be honest I was a little disappointed because my feelings were sincere and I wanted to get them off my chest. I don't do that much - let my feelings out in front of other people.
Anyway, the healthiest expression I've seen of whatever psychological need prayer addresses was in a First Nations sweat lodge. The feather goes around and whoever holds it gets whatever they want to say (or sing, or whatever) off their chest. Sometimes people refer to a god, sometimes they don't. The character is distinctly spiritual but not inherently theistic.
To answer the question, can an atheist pray - an atheist can do whatever she damn well pleases.
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
Indeed they can. And, it's just as effective as when theists do it.
javajo
Well-Known Member
Praying may seem irrational to an atheist who is trying to be rational, but it never hurts to try. To be open to something outside our 'box', is good. In the Bible its says that God says to seek me with all your heart and I'll draw near to you, and that he is not far from any of us.
jmvizanko
Uber Tool
Well with all due respect, when, if ever, I pray, it certainly isn't to the god of the bible.
painted wolf
Grey Muzzle
I'm reasonably sure every atheist has prayed at least once... even if just to say "oh god not again".
wa:do
wa:do
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
At times I like to hold conversations with the universe. Being there is no real separation and distinction, I know the conversations are always beneficial in some manner. So yes, I pray. -NM-
I checked our rule book.
You're allowed to pray, but you must say 10 hail Darwins afterward.
linwood
Well-Known Member
Sure, why not?
I talk to myself all the time.
It helps me step outside of myself to gain a better understanding of the situation.
Danmac
Well-Known Member
I suppose the best prayer that an atheist could pray would be for God to prove himself to that particular atheist. He will accept the challenge.
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Fully agree. Thats exactly why I'm an Atheist. -NM-
Danmac
Well-Known Member
What's an atheist?
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Easy. No God equals no response, so naturally there is no such belief to worry about or to get concerned and wrapped up over with. I think that qualifies one as Atheist well enough. -NM-
Danmac
Well-Known Member
So you give labels to non beliefs?
Twig pentagram
High Priest
If that is considered praying then I do it too. I call it Magic though.