Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 3:55 pm  

peggy wrote:

Gods work?
I don’t really think so but when people are in times of desperation, confusion and fear is it any wonder they put their faith in “The Almighty” their intangible last hope?

I have made it a little larger for you, not sure if you under stood the first or second time perhaps third time lucky. People do irrational things out of desperation, confusion and fear.

I also said

peggy wrote:

The resident priest, vicar or whatever came to my bed and asked me if I wanted him to say a prayer and make my peace with God. I was surprised to hear myself say yes,

The prospect of death made me desperate and confused. I could have told him to Ferk off but what was the point "what harm can it do"?

For all we know (and we don't) there may be a God of Heaven and Earth just as much as there is a God of Rock?

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 4:01 pm  

Mintball wrote:

Because in certain times of desperation, you'll give anything a go.

I disagree. I'd be no more likely to pray to God than I would Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy, desperate or not.

Mintball wrote:

There is, however, a slightly interesting point in that meditation and prayer have been shown to be beneficial – boosting certain hormones etc. So perhaps they do very seriously help people, but just in the way some might think of hope? And indeed, that's without looking into the psychological aspect simply of saying/thinking something to 'someone'.

On this level, I understand it.

Most (all, I think) of the information I've read on the benefits of prayer, states that in properly-controlled experiments it's been shown to make no difference whatsoever. And I would have thought that the psychological aspect of saying 'something to someone' would be greatly improved if the person you were saying it to was real.

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 4:04 pm  

peggy wrote:

I have made it a little larger for you, not sure if you under stood the first or second time perhaps third time lucky. People do irrational things out of desperation, confusion and fear.

I also said
The prospect of death made me desperate and confused. I could have told him to Ferk off but what was the point "what harm can it do"?

Ok, let me make it easier for you. You said 'my heart is confused'. Not I was confused at the time, but now I am not. My heart is confused.

peggy wrote:

For all we know (and we don't) there may be a God of Heaven and Earth just as much as there is a God of Rock?

And there we have it.

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 4:25 pm  

Mintball wrote: There is, however, a slightly interesting point in that meditation and prayer have been shown to be beneficial – boosting certain hormones etc. So perhaps they do very seriously help people, but just in the way some might think of hope? And indeed, that's without looking into the psychological aspect simply of saying/thinking something to 'someone'. I think there are tremendous benefits to meditation, contemplation and the like. I can point to two friends who went from severely depressed to being in control of their lives by going down this route. It was meditation rather than an acceptance of prayer in both cases, but functionally I'm not sure there's much difference. If there is benefit for you then you should do it. I suspect cultural conditioning is going to be a major factor in what form feels most natural to you, whether that be acceptance or rejection of what you grew up with. It's not as good as swearing though. That helps a fsck-ton.

Mintball wrote: There is, however, a slightly interesting point in that meditation and prayer have been shown to be beneficial – boosting certain hormones etc. So perhaps they do very seriously help people, but just in the way some might think of hope? And indeed, that's without looking into the psychological aspect simply of saying/thinking something to 'someone'. I think there are tremendous benefits to meditation, contemplation and the like. I can point to two friends who went from severely depressed to being in control of their lives by going down this route. It was meditation rather than an acceptance of prayer in both cases, but functionally I'm not sure there's much difference. If there is benefit for you then you should do it. I suspect cultural conditioning is going to be a major factor in what form feels most natural to you, whether that be acceptance or rejection of what you grew up with. It's not as good as swearing though. That helps a fsck-ton.

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:12 pm  

Rock God X wrote:

I don't think Thor is even immortal, is he? I can't check, because Wikipedia is down today.

If my geek memory serves, according to the Offical Handbook Of The Marvel Universe, Thor and the other Asgardians aren't immortal, just incredibly long lived.

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Wed Jan 18, 2012 5:13 pm  

vbfg wrote: I think there are tremendous benefits to meditation, contemplation and the like. I can point to two friends who went from severely depressed to being in control of their lives by going down this route. It was meditation rather than an acceptance of prayer in both cases, but functionally I'm not sure there's much difference. If there is benefit for you then you should do it. I suspect cultural conditioning is going to be a major factor in what form feels most natural to you, whether that be acceptance or rejection of what you grew up with. It's not as good as swearing though. That helps a fsck-ton. I like that – I mean, I'd worked it out, but it's nice to read it.

vbfg wrote: I think there are tremendous benefits to meditation, contemplation and the like. I can point to two friends who went from severely depressed to being in control of their lives by going down this route. It was meditation rather than an acceptance of prayer in both cases, but functionally I'm not sure there's much difference. If there is benefit for you then you should do it. I suspect cultural conditioning is going to be a major factor in what form feels most natural to you, whether that be acceptance or rejection of what you grew up with. It's not as good as swearing though. That helps a fsck-ton. I like that – I mean, I'd worked it out, but it's nice to read it.

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Thu Jan 19, 2012 5:24 pm  

In my last 10 seconds, I am converting.

Just in case I am wrong

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Thu Jan 19, 2012 8:49 pm  

I realise the topic has moved on somewhat, but imo the crux of the issue isn't actually the midwifery staff - it's that cutbacks all over the shop means that women having terminations at the GG&C hospitals are being cared for in the maternity unit. If they didn't operate on the very minimum amount of staff then the midwifery staff wouldn't be asked to help out. If they didn't put women who'd had terminations (and miscarriages) onto normal maternity wards post operation because they've cut the other beds then not only would the staff not be making their current point, but the women involved might be treated better* as well.

*By better I mean they wouldn't be subject to something that I think is horrendous (putting them on a normal maternity ward) rather than their actual nursing care.

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Thu Jan 19, 2012 9:06 pm  

cod'ead wrote:

When I was a kid I spent years praying for a new bike without my prayers being answered. So I went and nicked a bike and prayed for forgiveness, that worked

I'm using this as my signature !

Re: Religion's influence in the UK : Fri Jan 20, 2012 12:32 pm  

vbfg wrote:

I think there are tremendous benefits to meditation,

I concur.