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how do atheists explain this?

Gadarene

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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.
 
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Gadarene

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cool story bro
 
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Jonathan95

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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.
 
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Gadarene

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That's nice. Still anecdata.
 
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bhsmte

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Eudaimonist

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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
 
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JGG

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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?
 
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Paradoxum

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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.


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!


Thanks.

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

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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.
 
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Albion

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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.
 
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keith99

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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.
 
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keith99

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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.
 
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