Thinking about God also makes me uncomfortable sometimes. I don’t recall ever being religious despite going to church sporadically growing up. The only time I can ever remember praying was when my mom was in the hospital dying of a sudden health issue. She entered the hospital Friday night and died in the last minutes of Sunday. I wanted to be religious afterward but I could not force myself. I couldn’t believe like would be necessary to find comfort in ideas like heaven or paradise. I felt somewhat scared and empty when I realized I couldn’t picture anything “after” death and that my relationship with mom was over forever.
]]>Other than that, your question made me reflect about the word “Christ”. Even though I’m not religious I use “Christ!” almost everyday. It’s probably a “cultural” thing, I usually use it to give either emphasis, or show exasperation. In my hometown people tend to call the patron’s saint name quite often and I guess it comes from there. I had to replace it with “Christ” I guess, because where I live now I get weird looks when telling “Oh come on now Saint Spyridon”
]]>Just an edit: The desire to discuss the concept does not compel me to actually do it. I don’t go around starting religious debates with everyone. The cencept just entertains me.
]]>I think it is probably classical paintings and culture in general – like movies, etc – that make this image exist in my head so vividly. I never remember believing in god, yet somehow I still get this image as the first thing that comes in mind. Probably also the depiction of god as a man and all the school propaganda that depicts god as a “HIM” and as “being the wisest” and “making man in his image” helps a lot build that. So, it’s always the cliche image of a white, bearded man somehow. It’s interesting.
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