DOES PRAYER WORK?

I just wanted to clarify my post about prayer from earlier this week. Does prayer work? …kinda.

 

 

At the age of thirteen, I had questions about God, but was unable to get answers. I searched for answers, and acted very aggressively towards anyone that tried to provide answers, but offered no proof.

I actively worked to debunk other people’s religions and pointed out numerous flaws in their stories. I managed to ruin many friendships while looking for answers. I went about it the wrong way and I’ve learned from that.

In hindsight, I ask myself, “Why would I try to take away someone’s source of strength?” That’s quite an asshole thing to do.

Growing up, I thought that religion held all of the answers. I decided to become more conscientious, and take a less selfish, “I’m the center of the universe,” approach to it.

I turned to science for the answer. Why? Because science exists to disprove current truths, while searching to find the real truth. Religion, however, is convinced it’s found the truth, and (generally) considers it blasphemous to seek other truths.

I am currently more interested in philosophers.  I think that it’s important to seek perspective before seeking truth.

I digress.

My post was made from a neutral place.  It’s annoying to see people patting themselves on the back for a hash tag and feeling righteous for it.

Let me explain my interpretation of prayer, to foster a better understanding of my perspective.

There are two kinds of hope. The first type of hope is the hope that gives someone a reason to continue.  I’ve reached points in my life where I needed a specific event or thing to look forward to, and this gave me hope.  For example, seeing the half-mile marker would give me hope to finish that mile.

 

I don’t wear pink because I think that it will cure anything; I wear pink to show my support in hopes that it can serve as someone’s half-mile marker.

The second type of hope is the act of crossing your fingers, or making a wish. As great as this may feel, this is purely a selfish act. Prayer helps one find internal peace and comfort. Meditation and thoughts are a form of prayer. It puts a person at ease.

I’ve never understood witnessing both boxers praying before a fight. Does prayer better both of their chances of winning? Does prayer make both of either of the opponents weaker?  It was explained to me that prayer gives each boxer internal strength. Again, an act for self.

There is nothing wrong with prayer, but a boxer would never think that he can enter the ring with no training, pray really hard and based on prayer alone, win that match.

Saying a nightly prayer that hungry people are fed puts you at ease, but it doesn’t do shit for the hungry people.

If you want to tangibly help those people, you could donate money (although, I’m now more and more skeptical of that), volunteer, donate blood, and or, be present and offer comfort to those in need. Prayer would actually be effective if you met with those in need and shared your kind words with them. You can be someone’s half-mile marker.

Those people, who have messaged me about the “falseness” of my post, are doing so because they feel that they have been called out.

To those of you that are telling me that there is nothing wrong with prayer, I agree. If I believe that prayers work…great. If I believe that prayers don’t work…great. See, it doesn’t affect actual help at all.

If you want donate canned food and leave a note of prayer in it, by all means do so. I’m actually more in favor of that, than sending the food without one. I see the value in a moment of silence as an honor. I see the importance of bowing your head before a meal to express gratefulness.

If you respect and value a person more because of their religious beliefs, I offer a word of caution; remember that there is no vetting or qualifications for membership in that club. Even vegans have regulations that must be met before claiming their group.

If you respect and value a person less because of their religious beliefs, be warned, they are still capable of being innately good and doing good.

I think that there is no capability for love in a group that wishes death on those that don’t believe in their god. There is also no capability for love in a group that has been engaged in a constant and consistent battle with another group over who is right.

I’m not an atheist, BTW. I happen to think that they are more ridiculous than the religious people.

My personal goal is to find happiness and peace while bringing joy into another’s life. My personal goal is compassion for people and animals.

Will I share my views on God? Nope. Why? Because the two biggest reasons for death in this world have been attributed to invisible things that are interpreted by man, god, and borders.

My post was intended to remind and inform, that if you think your prayers alone are helping…it is not really helping.

 

Cam F Awesome
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Editor: Missy Fitzwater – www.boxingismyreligion.com