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philosophy
everyone
What does it feel like to be with God? I'm a lifelong atheist. I've never been religious. I'd like to know what it feels like to be with God, to talk to God (and to feel like someone is listening), to "feel His presence," etc.
I'm a lifelong atheist. I've never been religious. I'd like to know what it feels like to be with God, to talk to God (and to feel like someone is listening), to "feel His presence," etc.
I'm not even slightly interested (in this thread, anyway) in debating whether or not He exists. Whether He does or not, the FEELING of being with Him exists, and it's something I've never felt.
What's it like? Is it a vague feeling of being loved? Is it a very distinct feeling, like an actual person is in the room with you? Have you actually seen (or heard) God? What does He look like? What does his voice sound like? Is He like "energy" in a sci-fi or fantasy movie -- like a force? Is he like a ghost? Is he like a flesh-and-blood person?
My guess is it's very hard to put into words, but if you could give me even a metaphorical way to think about it, I'd be grateful.
Edit: I realize there's no one right answer. But there surely are answers that are correctly describe a particular person's experiences.
I'm not even slightly interested (in this thread, anyway) in debating whether or not He exists. Whether He does or not, the FEELING of being with Him exists, and it's something I've never felt.
What's it like? Is it a vague feeling of being loved? Is it a very distinct feeling, like an actual person is in the room with you? Have you actually seen (or heard) God? What does He look like? What does his voice sound like? Is He like "energy" in a sci-fi or fantasy movie -- like a force? Is he like a ghost? Is he like a flesh-and-blood person?
My guess is it's very hard to put into words, but if you could give me even a metaphorical way to think about it, I'd be grateful.
Edit: I realize there's no one right answer. But there surely are answers that are correctly describe a particular person's experiences.
philosophyeveryone
Who here remembers looking up on the Moon in the day time as a small child, and having the feeling that it's watching over you, following you whereever you go? That's comparable to what it's like. The sun's job is to provide sunlight, and unlike the Moon, the Sun has an indefinite schedule and is fickle when it's around. It can disappear as quick as the it can appear. The Moon is special, because it is by your side, and you know that it will always be there, looking out for you as you go.
Combine that with God's presence giving you some direction in life, and a sense of identity as you walk out the house to the train station to go somewhere, and then you can truly understand what it's like.
PS. I'm not the person to believe that good things happen in life because of God, or that someone dying is part of God's plan, like many Christians. I don't attribute bad things to the devil either. Because I am not locked into superstitious thinking, I'm not the person whose experience with God continually increases every day. It's a constant that can be tested, if ever my self motiviation goes.
It's up to those sort of religious Christians to give you their answer about what they feel, so you can get the full scope of the answers.
PPS. Now I'm an adult, I don't place so much importance on what God makes me feel; and I instead I focus on my self esteem, confidence, motivation, and trying to become a positive person.
PPPS. I have never talked to God, or have him say something to me. If anything, religion provides someone a moral code where it wouldn't exist, and reinforces it, where it does exist. (Ask those superstitious people who believe in "god's plan" about that.)