Throwing in the towel...

---

You wouldn't prescribe God for someone with a broken leg, or who was having a heart attack. Why would you prescribe God for someone who is depressed? An antidepressant would be a better bet.

After everything that's happened to me over the past few years, I have 100% confidence in the non-existence of "god" or any such related paraphenalia (heaven, hell, etc)I believe in Jesus, but only that he was a regular guy, like anyone else, who went on a power trip. Either that or the guy who wrote the bible had an extreme imagination.Anyhow, for the past 2 weeks I've been sleeping (unlike before), however every night I have a nightmare, and it always follows the same pattern.The general pattern is:I would be out somewhere minding my own business. At some point in the 'mare my ex-girlfriend approaches me with her new boyfriend, and then they spend the rest of the nightmare following me around, kissing and having sex in front of me, to make me feel miserable.It's the sort of thing she'd do too.I hate feeling like this. It's been over a year since we split up. It's been 2 months since I last saw/heard from her. Why must my mind be like this?

tell you the truth i would:P god is a great way for comfort....if you believe...you need to believe to recieve. gifts of healing is remarkable i've seen them first hand....my sister had cancer and she had lets just say a less then good chance of servival and then a blessing said she'ld be alright and now the cancer is all gone no sign what so ever....so yes i think it would be a good idea to find something to believe in. it's better then nothing right?

If truth and integrity have any value, then the answer is no. You suggest using God as a drug. If that's your drug of choice, so be it.I've been among several people who have had cancer, survivors and not, and no mytholological beliefs surfaced. I suppose some desperate people will grasp at any straw, but, in my experience, most won't jump into fairy tale land.

It's been 2 months since I last saw/heard from her.That is good. Hopefully you won't see her anytime soon. Unfortuanately, you are still fixated.It's good that you're sleeping, but I don't know how your daytime life is. It sounds like something that might be helped by in-person counseling, but if not, it would be quite silly not to give an antidepressant a go. Discounting antidepressants out-of-hand smacks of religious-think (i.e., it's not rational).Take a look at notsogood's post on his recent success with Celexa.

Well my mum had cancer and she died very suddenly way earlier than we had expected. Where was God then? If there is a God, I hate him.Next visit to the Doctor (which I predict will be sooner than later) I will mention my situation to her and hopefully she'll step it up a notch. The councelling I've been getting really hasn't been helping. She keeps telling me to cry, and it's not something I can do on command, and very rarely does it ever help me.I'm not normally an angry person, but tonight I've been feeling very, very hostile and angry. I actually managed to not have a nightmare last night, but instead thoughts of "her" have been plaguing me all day instead. I can't concentrate on anything.It's driving me crazy.

It's clearly an obsessive thing. Talk therapy may or may not help, but it doesn't sound like your current therapist is doing you much good. A psychaitrist has more tools at his disposal (viz, pharmaceuticals). I think that would be a better bet. I'm not an expert, but I think that an antidepressant might really help, evem if, right now, you don't feel specifically depressed. Please give it a shot.

There was this women in the Church that was going to die and was about to undergo a ricky operation. We all prayed in church and the next day she got suddenly better with no explanation.

No doubt it was from your praying. Why didn't you pray when Hurricane Katrina was heading for New Orleans? You let a thousand people die.Or maybe the doctors were wrong about her dying without the operation. Nah, doctors are infallible.

maybe you should pray that you one day get out of your house and off forums where you are being an ass 24/7

No doubt it was from your praying. Why didn't you pray when Hurricane Katrina was heading for New Orleans? You let a thousand people die.Sometimes things happen for a reason Steve, not even praying can solve all problems. Sometimes I wish you could let people have their religious beliefs. It's not harming you in any way so whats the problem? We all accept here that you are athiest and no ones tries to push you into believing in religion. Can you not let us who do believe in god/religion have our beliefs without having you push your athiest beliefs?Not trying to be rude I just don't see the harm in us believing is something you don't.Maybe it was the praying that helped the lady or maybe it wasn't. It's a mute point because no ones can give evidence to either side.

Sometimes things happen for a reason Steve, not even praying can solve all problems.OMFG, that's what it always boils down to. People who survive airplane accidents thank God for saving them, after 200 perfectly fine people have burned in the wreckage. You flip a coin and pray for heads, and heads still comes up 50% of the time. Not only does prayer not do anything, it gives people a twisted idea of how the universe works.> Sometimes I wish you could let people have their religious beliefs.I'm not stopping anyone. I'm not chaining myself to church entrances. I have, however, seen certain Christians chanining themselves to abortion clinic entrances. I've spoken to angry Catholics picketing in front of one of the top hospitals in Boston, because abortions are performed there. I'm glad those folks didnt' have guns. And it's never amusing to see kids of some arbitrary religion beating the crap out of kids of some other arbitrary religion, because of religious differences.> It's not harming you in any way so whats the problem?What country do you live in? Want to buy a morning-after pill over the counter? Forget it. The evangelicals heve prevailed. You want your kids to learn actual science rather than some creation myth parading as science? Not easy in some parts of the country, and it's a constant battle. Want to run as president if you're not Christian? Good luck. It's hard enough if you're Catholic. Forget about it if you're anything else. The Christian majority will not elect a non-Christian any time soon.> We all accept here that you are athiest and no ones tries to push you into believing in religion.Thankfully the missionaries don't come to the Sodom in which I live, but they used to visit me regularly when I lived in the Boston area. I wonder if any of those folks are posting here.Anyway, if you say God did this and God said that, you're saying I'm wrong. If I say that God doesn't exist, I say that you're wrong. How is one ruder than the other?> Can you not let us who do believe in god/religion have our beliefs without having you push your athiest beliefs?There are gobs and gobs of people pushing religious nonsense. All the time. All over the place. If you weren't within that mass of people, it would be more evident to you.Why do you always argue with Unforgetto, and push your ethics on him?> Not trying to be rude I just don't see the harm in us believing is something you don't.Not trying to be rude, but I just don't see the harm in my not believing what you believe. As for the harm in what you believe, it's been enumerated enough times. Pay attention.> Maybe it was the praying that helped the lady or maybe it wasn't. It's a mute point because no ones can give evidence to either side.Maybe it was Satan who helped her. Maybe it was the tooth fairy. You see, once you equate fantasy to reality, anything goes, and you can't say anyting about anything.Isn't it funny that God saves some lady, while a million people starve to death? I guess He's just so tied up helping those Southern football teams get touchdowns...

maybe you should pray that you one day get out of your house and off forums where you are being an ass 24/7You always have so much useful information to contribute. You should be very proud of yourself.(OK, now comes the time for you to curse me out. Another great Christian.)

Why do I bother? Everything with you turns into some political debating non-sense. Even when I am being polite, you come back with rudeness.>OMFG, that's what it always boils down to. People who survive airplane accidents thank God for saving them, after 200 perfectly fine people have burned in the wreckageEver thought it was time for the other people to die? Maybe it was just their time to go. Every action has a reaction. Those who lived still had business on earth to do or were meant to learn something from the accident. As sexuality, religion is not black and white either. You sometimes have to look deeper for the reason and answers. Not everything is spelled out for you.>Not only does prayer not do anything, it gives people a twisted idea of how the universe works.In your opinion.>I'm not stopping anyone. I'm not chaining myself to church entrances. I have, however, seen certain Christians chanining themselves to abortion clinic entrances..etc etcI have also seen Athiests pushing their beliefs on christans. I have seen them picket churches. So when does one make that better than the other. Also you are talking about extremists as well. Most christians are NOT extremists and most athiests aren't extremist. There will ALWAYS be people who are radicals, on every side of the fence.>What country do you live in? Want to buy a morning-after pill over the counter? Forget it.Same country as you bub. And personally I am glad you cannot get a morning after pill over the counter. It's not a religious reason but instead because it makes it to easily accessible to kids. Kids need to be more responsible instead of relying on the morning after pill to get them out of trouble.>You want your kids to learn actual science rather than some creation myth parading as science?In almost all science classes I have taken, high school level and college level, never involved religion. I learned about the Big Bang Theory and evolution. I studied it and took my tests, but doesn't mean I have to believe it.>Want to run as president if you're not Christian? Good luckPoint taken. But at the same time most people in this country are relgious and find comfort in knowing our leader is as well. Personally, might sound odd coming from a religious person, I wish we would elect a president who was athiest to a point. Religion does have a strong hold on things that I personally feel they shouldn't.>Anyway, if you say God did this and God said that, you're saying I'm wrong. If I say that God doesn't exist, I say that you're wrong. How is one ruder than the other?Kind of my point Steve! Neither one is better than the other, all I was saying was I think people need to respect each others religious views on the boards instead of down grading it.>There are gobs and gobs of people pushing religious nonsense. All the time. All over the place. If you weren't within that mass of people, it would be more evident to you.There are Gobs and Gobs of people pushing everything these days. But there are people like myself who have our faith who do dislike to hear people down grade it just because they don't believe it. I am fine with people that are athiest. hell my ex I was with for 5 years was athiest. But he never pushed his beliefs on me nor did I him.And I am not part of those mass of people, thank you.>Why do you always argue with Unforgetto, and push your ethics on him?It's called what he is doing is wrong, he is deliberately hurting two young girls because he's a dog. Do you feel what he is doing is wrong? Yes you do, you said so yourself. Call me pushing my ethics on him if you want, but it's more me trying to get him to understand basic right and wrong.>Not trying to be rude, but I just don't see the harm in my not believing what you believe. As for the harm in what you believe, it's been enumerated enough times. Pay attention. (BTW loved the touch of arrogance at the end)Again you missed the point. There is NOTHING wrong with what you believe in, i have said that over and over. My POINT is what we believe in is not wrong either and as we respect you on your decision you should respect ours as well. As for me doing harm in what I believe, that's pure arrogance on your side. I believe in god. I don't push it on you, I have never pushed religion on anyone in my life. It's my relationship with god that matters.. not yours. I won't get into heaven any faster by making you believe. So careful when you try and make it sound like all christians are bad people, because believe it or not, we're not. Most of us are no different than you, we work and have our families and simply try to live day by day.>Maybe it was Satan who helped her. Maybe it was the tooth fairy. You see, once you equate fantasy to reality, anything goes, and you can't say anyting about anything.Again your opinion it's fantasy. You're allowed to have it. I just wish you had more respect for people who don't view it as fantasy. But we know that won't happen, because you have proven over and over your lack of respect for anyone.>Isn't it funny that God saves some lady, while a million people starve to death? I guess He's just so tied up helping those Southern football teams get touchdowns... God is everywhere and anywhere. As I said above everything is done for a reason. I don't know what the reason is, we're not meant to. Do I feel bad for these people, yes. I pray for them like many people do. But from almost the beginning of civilization there have always been people starving or countries with hardships. It's nothing new.Steve I wish sometimes you could take my posts and not read them with hostility that I know you do. I'm not out to be rude or cause you grief. But as you once told me that if I post sometime that you think is wrong you'll tell me. That's all I am doing here. And no you're not wrong for your beliefs, just wrong in down grading everyone elses.

oh I am very proud of myself, Thank you for noticing

Why do I bother? Because you're an incorrigible arguer. This discussion had nothing to do with you, but you couldn't resist.> Even when I am being polite, you come back with rudeness.Your opinion.> Ever thought it was time for the other people to die? Maybe it was just their time to go.Yep, all those people supporting their families. All those children. Time to die. And who decides? The angry, willful, immature, violent being of the Old Testament? It may be a comforting thought...it was meant to happen. But it's foolishness.You're rejoinder will no doubt be that there are some things that transcend our understanding. A serial killer could use the same defense.> Those who lived still had business on earth to do or were meant to learn something from the accident.People raising small children have business to do. When parents die, it almost always has a detrimental effect on their children, that will last a lifetime. But God has to play his little games, right? "I think I'll pluck that guy! Bwa ha ha!"We ought to shut down the hospitals. Let the doctors get other jobs. We should not be screwing with God's plan. Or is life just a little game we play with the Deity?> And personally I am glad you cannot get a morning after pill over the counter. It's not a religious reason but instead because it makes it to easily accessible to kids. Kids need to be more responsible instead of relying on the morning after pill to get them out of trouble.There's no scientific reason that it shouldn't be available over-the-counter. It's gotten the same go-ahead that all other such drugs have gotten. The impediment is the evangelical one. This is not some crazy conspiracy theory. Administration officials have basically admitted as much.The problem is that adults are impeded from accessing the drugs. Should we stop selling all things over the counter that might harm kids? Drugs, alcohol, high-fat foods? Who made you and people like you our moral gatekeepers?>> You want your kids to learn actual science rather than some creation myth parading as science?> In almost all science classes I have taken, high school level and college level, never involved religion. I learned about the Big Bang Theory and evolution. I studied it and took my tests, but doesn't mean I have to believe it.I, I, I. Me, me, me. That's what it always boils down to. Well congratulations, I'm glad you weren't schooled in a madrassa. But it's a constant battle in a lot of religiously conservative parts of the country to keep science education scientific.> Kind of my point Steve! Neither one is better than the other, all I was saying was I think people need to respect each others religious views on the boards instead of down grading it.It's not an issue of "down grading", it's an issue of presenting an alternate viewpoint. Religious people tend to inherit their family's belief. It's a mindless process. In this country, especially in certain areas, being non-religious is like being black in Mississippi in 1950. Speaking of which, that's another situation where Southern Christians didn't exactly cover themselves with glory.> But he never pushed his beliefs on me nor did I him.I never started a thread about how wonderful it is to be an atheist or agnostic. I've responded to threads that have broached the topic of religion.>> Why do you always argue with Unforgetto, and push your ethics on him?> It's called what he is doing is wrong, he is deliberately hurting two young girls because he's a dog. Do you feel what he is doing is wrong? Yes you do, you said so yourself. Call me pushing my ethics on him if you want, but it's more me trying to get him to understand basic right and wrong.Then why can't I do the same? Or is it a matter of what you think is wrong?> Again you missed the point. There is NOTHING wrong with what you believe in, i have said that over and over.This may come as a surprise to you, but you are not the world. I'll bet them majority of people in the U.S. would disagree. It would be interesting to see what would become of a popular politician suddenly revealed that he was an atheist. Jesse Ventura didn't make his remark about religion being a crutch for weak people until after he was elected governor of Minnesota.> As for me doing harm in what I believe, that's pure arrogance on your side.This may come as a surprise to you, but you are not the world. You are righteous and wonderful, but you do not represent religious people as a whole. This discussion is not about you, as much as you try to make it so.> So careful when you try and make it sound like all christians are bad peopleNot all Christians are bad people. They're just saddled with a religion, as are the Jews, Moslems, Hindus, Zoroastrians, etc.>> Maybe it was Satan who helped her. Maybe it was the tooth fairy. You see, once you equate fantasy to reality, anything goes, and you can't say anyting about anything.> Again your opinion it's fantasy. You're allowed to have it. I just wish you had more respect for people who don't view it as fantasy. But we know that won't happen, because you have proven over and over your lack of respect for anyone.You're calling my belief fantasy, and you want my respect? But you don't respect me when I call the Christian view fantasy?>> Isn't it funny that God saves some lady, while a million people starve to death? I guess He's just so tied up helping those Southern football teams get touchdowns... > God is everywhere and anywhere. As I said above everything is done for a reason. I don't know what the reason is, we're not meant to. Well I could see that coming a mile away. We're not meant to know. God wants us to be stupid. Would you call such a belief anti-intellectual? Can't answer a question about something that makes no sense? "We're not meant to know."> Do I feel bad for these people, yes. I pray for them like many people do. Why are you messing with God's will? Doesn't he know what he's doing?> But from almost the beginning of civilization there have always been people starving or countries with hardships. It's nothing new.Yeah, so what's the point of the Heavenly Father idea? People will starve in massive numbers either way.

OK so er...whoa?What happened to my thread?Also can people please stop thrusting "god" down my throat?I don't believe in it. End of story. I'm not gonna change my ways in the hope that somehow it cures all my problems.

Now back to our regularly-scheduled thread...Sounds good to me.

Those who lived still had business on earth to do or were meant to learn something from the accident.People raising small children have business to do. When parents die, it almost always has a detrimental effect on their children, that will last a lifetime. But God has to play his little games, right? "I think I'll pluck that guy! Bwa ha ha!"We ought to shut down the hospitals. Let the doctors get other jobs. We should not be screwing with God's plan. Or is life just a little game we play with the Deity?The rivers are full of crocodile nastiesAnd he who made kittens put snakes in the grass.He’s a lover of life but a player of pawns ---Yes, the king on his sunset lies waiting for dawnTo light up his jungleAs play is resumed.The monkeys seem willing to strike up the tune.I know its bad, but damnit I just couldnt stop myself from throwing in the verse from the song. It just so so so so...FIT

Somebody bungled.