Out of curiosity, do you pray? I grew up very religious and prayer was always a part of my life. While my beliefs have changed over the years, I can't honestly say that I have the same religious beliefs I held before. But, just in case I am wrong, I always say a quick prayer to end my night. Is this crazy? common?

No I don't prey. I am not religious. I agree that there must be some kind of creator in order for our world and the universe to exist. But long ago I decided that I would never be able to figure that one out and I don't believe it hitting my head against a brick wall.

I don't believe in hell so I'm not afraid of going there. I strongly believe that if you live your life according to "The Golden Rule" you will be just as good as, perhaps even better than, people who go to church, pray and make a big show of their religion. All to often they come out of church on a Sunday morning, stand on the steps looking down while thinking "who can I screw next" - metaphorically speaking.

If I were to pray, just to hedge my bets, I would feel like a complete hypocrite.

I do pray sometimes. I think it's common and normal. My atheist friend prays to God whenever he needs comfort or help too but he says he doesn't believe in God. I can't understand that but I do many things against God in my life so I guess to him I'm crazy. Come to think of it it's interesting...

Out of curiosity, do you pray? I grew up very religious and prayer was always a part of my life. While my beliefs have changed over the years, I can't honestly say that I have the same religious beliefs I held before. But, just in case I am wrong, I always say a quick prayer to end my night. Is this crazy? common?

I may prey, but I rarely pray.

I pray every year when I'm waiting for the results of my annual check up.

Yes, I pray. It's always been something I do in my head right before I go to sleep. Something left over from my Catholic upbringing, I guess. And although I don't think I've ever told anyone this, I say the Hail Mary as a form of meditation (sans rosary beads). Again, it's from the Catholic school childhood. But it's something I've always done, and it works to calm my mind for meditating.

Yes I pray and have a strong and firm belief in God.

What I do not have a faith or strong belief in is religion. I think religion has given God a bad name. Too many people, I think especially many Gays, have a hard time seperating religion from God. Religion can be judgemental, hurtful, and sadly sometimes hateful but "God is Love."

I was also raised in the church and as such had many issues with that until I was able to seperate religion from God. So yes I pray, Daily.

KYTOP-

I agree with you. However, what I have a problem with is organized religions not religion itself. I think there is a difference. Bascially, what you said, a belief in God and a personal one, at that.

In other words, yes, I pray daily.

Best regards,

RA1

I never pray, because I don't believe in the traditional Judeo-Christian-Islamic God, the Big Daddy in the sky. If I did believe in Him, I wouldn't see any reason to pray, either, since His omnipotence would already know what's in my mind, and it wouldn't influence Him anyway. I have to laugh whenever I see athletes praying or thanking God, as though He would care enough who wins a game or would bother to do something about it. Praying only makes sense if God thinks, feels and acts like a human being, but then He wouldn't be very godlike, would he? Of course, if I'm wrong and there is a personal God, I hope he has the mind of the Dalai Lama in the body of Zeb Atlas.

On a related note, I suspect that for some men, the pursuit of the ideal escort is a search for a substitute god.

Well I was taught that praying was like having a conversation with God. I have many things wrong in my life but praying helps me find answers and solutions(? well at least helps me see where to start) to my problems. Praying comes me down. I do believe there is God.

Charlie PS-

What I pray for is acceptance, not any benefits or things. Just so I can get along in this life.

Best regards,

RA1

Yes, I pray because I have a deep and abiding faith. Not in "organized religions" nor in "churches". I have never had the "bolt of lightening", heard the deep booming voice, nor any other of the so-called manifestations of His existance, but I have had too many instances of His help when I needed it to deny Him. It has always been a matter of turning it over to Him when I have been at a loss as to what to do.