Atheists Turn to Prayer for Comfort and Help
Despite the fact that most of them refuse to accept that God exists, a select group of Atheists still turn to the activity of prayer when they have a need or are looking for comfort.
Sigfried Gold, a 45-year old software designer and non-believer who was suffering from obesity began engaging in a prayer routine after joining a 12-step program for food addition that required those in attendance to believe in a "higher power." His actions brought impressive results as he remained consistent in his new prayer life for four years and lost a lot of weight in the process, according to a report from The Washington Post.
Gold prayed in the morning, at night and before each meal. However, he was not engaging the God of the Bible, but instead called out to a goddess he invented with a name and detailed appearance that to him didn't really exist.
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Even though he went to a made up character for help, Gold still saw results which he credits to the power of asking.
Gold's situation mirrors the climate and attitude of many Atheists who see the benefit in religious practices. Various organizations have created their own non-believing churches that meet on Sunday such as humanist chaplain Greg Epstein.
He began holding a godless church-like Sunday service at Harvard University each week recently. The group meets to discuss the importance of building a strong secular community while utilizing what they believe to be the positive aspects of faith and religion.
A similar movement was started in Baton Rouge, La by former evangelical minister Jerry DeWitt. Both men have stated that neither of their services are anti-religion and they welcome people from all walks of faith to attend.
"What we are looking at doing is different," said DeWitt. "If you are a religionist and you come and sit in our pew, the only way you can leave offended is because of what you don't hear and what you don't see. We won't be there to make a stance against religion or God."
