how do atheists explain this?

[Jonathan95]

My Christian counselor used to have cancer spots, but when he was at a Benny Hinn crusade in my country, he was healed, and he sat at the back and wasn't touched by Benny Hinn then (if he ever even were). However, it's not about Benny Hinn, but God is the healer.

 

[Gadarene]

I've fallen over before at a worship meeting. For me, I fell because I thought it was what I was meant to do to experience God. Shortly after I realised I had done it to myself. I expect some people don't have such thoughts when they fall though. I think it can easily be a psychological thing, of being made to expect something to happen, or responding to authority (like hypnosis perhaps), worship or a good preach could perhaps bring people to such a state of mind.

I've also gotten that shaking feelings before, and a hot rush, when I've been prayed for, or when I was praying for someone. Again, probably due to expectations, the way prays are said, or the frame of mind you get into when open to prayer. Right now I can replicate the shaking feeling by choice.

Good contribution, Para.

You've reminded me of something I read in John W. Loftus' unfortunately-titled anthology The Christian Delusion, which can be found on huffpo.

Valerie Tarico: Christian Belief Through the Lens of Cognitive Science: Part 4 of 6

In short, it talks about conversion experiences from the point of view of cognitive science. My own £0.01 on the issue would be that since entering therapy myself I've experienced essentially the same "religious experiences" I had in church, but this time (having been an atheist for a couple of years now) I was definitely not praying to anyone. Instead, I was intentionally trying to access repressed emotions - I think instead the language and atmosphere of church occasionally triggered those and correlation/causation fallacy took care of the rest.

It scarcely seems implausible to me that a church setting would provoke this too, religions thrive because they do touch on emotional needs. It is just unfortunate that so many of them tack a lot of baseless crap onto the process that you're required to believe.

 

[Gadarene]

My Christian counselor used to have cancer spots, but when he was at a Benny Hinn crusade in my country, he was healed, and he sat at the back and wasn't touched by Benny Hinn then (if he ever even were). However, it's not about Benny Hinn, but God is the healer.

cool story bro

 

[Jonathan95]

cool story bro

When I came to Jesus Christ, I was healed from anxiety, fear of darkness (I used to have the light on while sleeping, sometimes even TV too) and sleep disorder (used to take medication for sleeping issues).

I also believe I was healed from Asperger's syndrome.

My mum also told me the doctors didn't find these genes in me anymore when they took blood samples or such.

 

[Gadarene]

When I came to Jesus Christ, I was healed from anxiety, fear of darkness (I used to have the light on while sleeping, sometimes even TV too) and sleep disorder (used to take medication for sleeping issues).

I also believe I was healed from Asperger's syndrome.

My mum also told me the doctors didn't find these genes in me anymore when they took blood samples or such.

That's nice. Still anecdata.

 

[bhsmte]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOxVjbGvUpI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

How all the people fell down when the priest shouted? Do u think it was a set up?

The mind is a powerful thing.

This guy would make a great football coach, as long as he could only make players from the other team fall down at will.

 

[Jonathan95]

That's nice. Still anecdata.

How is it that? It can be confirmed by my own transformation and experience.

 

[Gadarene]

How is it that? It can be confirmed by my own transformation and experience.

Which we do not have access to - and I'm not about to believe something just because someone asserts it happened.

 

[bhsmte]

How is it that? It can be confirmed by my own transformation and experience.

Real to you does not equal verifiable evidence for others.

 

[Eudaimonist]

What are some tips u guys have for being happy as an atheist?

Sure. But what do you see as possible problems with being happy as an atheist?

Do u believe in fate?

Not as such. I do believe that personality traits can be fatal flaws or personal strengths, and that they help to shape one's life. Perhaps that is a kind of fate, but I don't think our futures are written for us.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[JGG]

When I came to Jesus Christ, I was healed from anxiety, fear of darkness (I used to have the light on while sleeping, sometimes even TV too) and sleep disorder (used to take medication for sleeping issues).

I also believe I was healed from Asperger's syndrome.

My mum also told me the doctors didn't find these genes in me anymore when they took blood samples or such.

The doctors didn't find the genes for anxiety, fear of darkness, "sleep disorder", or Asperger's? I assume that previously, they tested your blood and did find the genes for these conditions?

 

[Paradoxum]

Damn... I had same things happen....

Been watching more videos on YouTube how science has no evidence for chi and over the years science has disproven many claims made my religion

So it is all bull crap!!!! We should just die then cuz everything sucks and there's no hope for a better life

Life can get better as an atheist. Losing faith can b very hard. I know when I lost faith it hurt so much, and felt like such a great loss, but over time the pain goes away.

I changed my icon to atheist. I feel like a poser though cuz all atheists I see online are super educated and half the words they use I have no idea what they mean. I'm on mental disability for my illness and I feel like ten times a loser now cuz at least as a christian I thought my life had meaning, but now I'm just useless

What are some tips u guys have for being happy as an atheist?

Most atheists (or non-religious people) in the UK aren't super educated. Being non-religious is normal, not matter how intelligent you are.

I'm sorry you feel useless... the pain of deconversion goes away with time.

Do u believe in fate?

No.

Obviously the preacher in the first video was born with the soul of a dragon. Didn't you listen to the audio?

Ha!

Good contribution, Para.

You've reminded me of something I read in John W. Loftus' unfortunately-titled anthology The Christian Delusion, which can be found on huffpo.

Valerie Tarico: Christian Belief Through the Lens of Cognitive Science: Part 4 of 6

In short, it talks about conversion experiences from the point of view of cognitive science. My own £0.01 on the issue would be that since entering therapy myself I've experienced essentially the same "religious experiences" I had in church, but this time (having been an atheist for a couple of years now) I was definitely not praying to anyone. Instead, I was intentionally trying to access repressed emotions - I think instead the language and atmosphere of church occasionally triggered those and correlation/causation fallacy took care of the rest.

It scarcely seems implausible to me that a church setting would provoke this too, religions thrive because they do touch on emotional needs. It is just unfortunate that so many of them tack a lot of baseless crap onto the process that you're required to believe.

Thanks.

In my opinion psychology is one of the biggest (or the biggest) reasons to disbelieve in God.

 

[Ana the Ist]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOxVjbGvUpI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

How all the people fell down when the priest shouted? Do u think it was a set up?

It's the power of suggestion combined with group psychology. The first part of this interview can offer some insight...

Ex-Faith Healer Mark Haville Explains The Tricks of the Fake Faith Healing Trade | THE WORD on The Word of Faith (a GroupBlog)

There's actually numerous videos on the web demonstrating similar behavior without any religious aspect at all.

 

[Ana the Ist]

How is it that? It can be confirmed by my own transformation and experience.

No offense, but your description of events is inconsistent with reality.

 

[Albion]

Hey but what about this video where he does miracle healings and everyone cheers for him, can all these people be wrong? Did the lady not really have cancer?

The better question would be:

"What does one (or a few) showmen have to do with whether or not there is a God?" The answer is found below.






ans: Nothing.

 

[Lord Emsworth]

If i become an atheist can i still believe in heaven?

NDEs are not going to go away.

 

[Ken-1122]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOxVjbGvUpI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

How all the people fell down when the priest shouted? Do u think it was a set up?

I think the whole front row is in on it.

Ken

 

[Eudaimonist]

Derren Brown Exposing Faith Healing Scams - YouTube

 

[keith99]

Which we do not have access to - and I'm not about to believe something just because someone asserts it happened.

Someone who gives no name, no place, no time.

I can give one story about seeing into the future. It would be garbage, just one right call based on a completely foreseeable result. But I nailed it exactly.

And looking at it the claim is his mom told him, he has not even seen any documentation himself.

 

[keith99]

I think the whole front row is in on it.

Ken

Typically the front row is the most fanatic of the true believers. They would feel they are betraying their little demigod and themselves if they did not react the right way.