Guideposts

[Lynx]

I've been reading what is described as an inspirational, interfaith, non-profit magazine. The stories are reminiscent of Reader's Digest but follow the themes of hope and inspiration. The religious aspect is toned down, and what remains is basically a belief in positive thinking.

The attribution of fortuitous events to God represents most of what I would term 'the religious part'.

Why then, is this attribution necessary?
Why aren't fortuitous events simply seen as luck or the beneficial result of positive thinking and social networks?

[PigmerikanMao]

Because a lack of a higher being scares people.

[Decolonize The Left]

I've been reading what is described as an inspirational, interfaith, non-profit magazine. The stories are reminiscent of Reader's Digest but follow the themes of hope and inspiration. The religious aspect is toned down, and what remains is basically a belief in positive thinking.

The attribution of fortuitous events to God represents most of what I would term 'the religious part'.

Why then, is this attribution necessary?
Why aren't fortuitous events simply seen as luck or the beneficial result of positive thinking and social networks?

There are many reasons for this. To name a few:
- Religion is a cemented institution within much, if not most, if not all, of the world. Hence it is a "conventional" structure, and given that most people are trained to be conservative, conventional structures are maintained.
- Religion is easier than attributing these events to "positive thinking and social networks." It's 'god's will' after all...
- Religion can be applied to any scenario as it requires no rational or logical thought, hence it is easy to place the burden of proof upon science to "prove" that something happened in X fashion, or Y. If not, it was god.
- God is the ultimate fallback. Given that no one can prove or disprove the existence of a god, the seed of doubt is always present. Hence god is an idea which has been around for as long as we know, and will most likely exist in some fashion or another for quite a good deal of time. Given that god has been represented in a positive light by most religions, it makes sense that a 'positive thinking' magazine would associate a positive god with positive events.

That's a couple off the top of my head. I am happy to go into more detail if necessary.

- August

[Lynx]

I still don't get the rationale for the extra layer. I personally believe in positive thinking (don't always practice it) and don't feel the need or logic of adding God to the 'recipe'. Being grateful for any form of insight is comfort enough.

People ask God to forgive them... because they cannot forgive themselves?

The only 'reason' I can find for attributing positive events to God is to serve as a balance for when God does nothing in the face of tragedy. For example, following the 9/11 attacks, there was a crisis in faith. Some were asking "Where was God?"

[Killfacer]

people asked where is god? Freaks. God was not doubt wispering in one of the hijackers ears that he was gonna get aload of fit virgins when he blew himself into infinity.

[Decolonize The Left]

People ask God to forgive them... because they cannot forgive themselves?

Certainly.


The only 'reason' I can find for attributing positive events to God is to serve as a balance for when God does nothing in the face of tragedy. For example, following the 9/11 attacks, there was a crisis in faith. Some were asking "Where was God?"

This is a more practical reason perhaps, and indeed faith is often in need of reaffirmation in the sense of illogical attribution.

- August

[welshboy]

God was not doubt wispering in one of the hijackers ears that he was gonna get aload of fit virgins when he blew himself into infinity. __________________
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt_tv7t79WY&feature=related

[PigmerikanMao]

:laugh:

[mikelepore]

Why then, is this attribution necessary? Why aren't fortuitous events simply seen as luck or the beneficial result of positive thinking and social networks?

It's probably the other way around -- the set of superstitions that is the basis, and the sermons about positive thinking (and good deeds) tacked on later to make the movement seem productive.