Does God speak to you?

[Brundlefly]

"There's a difference, when Lincoln prayed, he talked to God.
When Bush prays, God talks to Bush."
--Mario Cuomo, to Bill Maher


One of the things that I used to find difficult to deal with when interacting with religious types is this idea of, "I need to find out God wants me to do about X"... To an outsider, these people sound crazy - "Are they hearing voices from God?" "How does God TELL you to do something?"

I believe that Christians hear a voice in their head , but it is their own conscience they hear - not God's voice, per se. Christians train themselves to live according to Scripture. So to whatever degree a given Christian is an expert on Scripture, it is to that degree that they will be able to discern Gods will for themselves.

Once a Christian is able to discern what God would want him or her to do in a given situation then, "God has spoken". But to hear "God has told me what to do" is very confusing to those who dont understand the religion...

p.s. I'm using "Christian" here, but these ideas could apply to any religion, I think.

[VetLegion]

A European politician making as many references to God as Bush does woudn't get past the local elections.

[DeathByTheSword]

what vetlegion said...over here the do talk about christian values but not about god

[Wezil]

He tells me I'm great.

[DeathByTheSword]

She tells me i'm hot.

[Pekka]

In here, only crazy people say that. Why? We don't have an open relationship to God. We are humble. Oh.. and how do you know if the person is crazy or if God is really talking to them? Easily. They are crazy, period. Sorry. That's the way it is. Just like saying someone really saw Elvis. You see what you want to see.

[Demerzel]

personally if i heard voices in my head i'd be rather worried... and would no doubt be visited by the men in white coats very soon after

[Combat Ingrid]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucinations

Auditory hallucinations (particularly of one or more talking voices) are particularly associated with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, and hold special significance in diagnosing these conditions. This does not mean that the experience of 'hearing voices' is necessarily a sign of mental illness and many people may have these or similar hallucinations without ever becoming impaired or distressed in any way.

[Pekka]

That's right, voices in the head aren't a normal thing. BESIDES, OK, I think it's more like a feeling, right, so people think God is speaking to them, letting them know, when they ask a question and then they feel something. Or maybe ask for a sign, but at that point it's what you want to see. Voices in the head = loonie person. Feelings.. yeah.. ok.. but still that's anyones game, hey, diabetes gives you feelings. Does it mean God is tired of you because you feel tired? Nah..

However, does God speak to people, I don't know. Maybe? Maybe God does that. I believe it's possible. But should we go on about saying God speaks to me directly? Sure. If they're coming to take you away hahaa...

[Patroklos]

I think it is more of a feeling than an actual voice.

[Wezil]

Nope, it's a voice.

[Bereta_Eder]

a voice with feeling

[Patroklos]

I can honestly say I have had no angels come down from heaven and speak to me in a booming heavenly voice.

I have just had "feelings" though that I attribute to religion, some of you others might just say its a secular concience, and others bowel movement workups.

[Demerzel]

I've often had a strong feeling to go talk to a girl after imbibing lots of alcohol... does that count?

[alva]

Originally posted by VetLegion
A European politician making as many references to God as Bush does woudn't get past the local elections.

A European politician making ANY references...