by minimus 26 Replies latest jw friends
Paul was talking about the Greek altar to the "unknown god", so, for the deists, agnostics, giving thanks may not denote a total emptyness. and
one can always say "Gesundheit" as a well wish for a well covered sneeze, and give thanks in 'prayer' without naming names, for the familie's sake.
OneEyedJoe: Ahh, the ol' there are no atheists in foxholes argument. I'll admit that I sometimes "pray" but it's only with the purpose to calm my thoughts and focus my mind.
Joe, "mindfulness" is a far superior way to calm your thoughts and focus your mind. It's based on Buddhist practise, but in its own way Buddhism is atheistical also.
Mindfulness is "the intentional, accepting and non-judgmental focus of one's attention on the emotions, thoughts and sensations occurring in the present moment", which can be trained by meditational practices derived from Buddhist anapanasati.
Mindfulness (psychology) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mindfulness_(psychology)
and give thanks in 'prayer' without naming names, for the familie's sake.
Why would a family member disrespect somebody who doesn't belive in god by praying in their presence?
I can't remember where I heard it, but I think Richard Dawkins often signs his books "God bless", presumably in an ironic way.
The word "God" implies divinity, some deists do not believe in a "divine" god in a religious sense, so a family cluster around these lossely defined concepts at shared daily meals, to each it's own.
To the original post question, yes I do. I think maybe partly because I was so long not allowed to. I say God Bless, God Knows, Jesus Christ!, for God's sake...sort of like I say Good Luck! or why I propose a toast to friends and good times even though I don't believe in luck or the original purpose for toasting. Also I never miss a chance to say, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
When we really are troubled we can say this, I often do!
