Castiel233 Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 To those of you who were once a Christian. Did you ever feel you *felt* God's presence in a real sense. If so what did it feel like. Former preacher Charles Templeton described it as a feeling of warmth through his being (or words to that effect). I have never felt it as such. What was it like to those of you who felt it (or thought you did) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storm Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 I have felt an overwhelming moment where I perceived that I was "feeling" god's presence. I would equate it with a warmth like Templeton described. It was when my father died unexpectedly and I was looking for comfort. It was an emotionally charged moment and I suspect that it was my brain that tried to fulfill a need for closeness at that moment. I don't know how else to describe it. When I was a Christian I believed it was god. But now that I am out, I believe it was just something that my mind made happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violetbutterfly Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 I don't know either. I have felt peace in nature and solitude. But I'm not sure if that's the same thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernweh Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 I felt god's presence at times when I felt it would be beneficial to feel god's presence. It was very real to me at the time but now I know it was all just a self projection and nothing more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 I would occasionally get a nice tingly type of feeling or a deep feeling of "everything is ok" when I was singing a hymn or praying on a beautiful day. I now know I was getting that feeling from focusing and getting into the song or beautiful day, as I can still experience the nice tingle or feeling, especially if I'm out walking on a sunny day or driving down the road singing along with the radio (non-xian). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdelsolray Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 The release of endorphins in the human body can cause many different feelings. This one is no different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super Moderator TheRedneckProfessor Posted August 13, 2014 Super Moderator Share Posted August 13, 2014 I "felt" god's "presence" in much the same way that a dog can be conditioned to salivate at the sound of a ringing bell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amateur Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Maybe it's the vitamin D from the sunshine that makes me tingle and feel good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EternalEquinox Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 I would get this sudden burst of feeling inside of me, like a shiver down your spine but throughout the whole body and goosebumps. I assumed Gobs but I know different now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreeThinkerNZ Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 I often felt like I could feel god's presence. It's hard to explain what that was like but I know that for me, being a xian was largely about emotion. As sdelsolray said, what is actually happening in the body at those times is the release of endorphins. I can get the same (actually better) effect now by exercising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bayard Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 No, and I never expected to. Always viewed that sort of thing as fundie nonsense, even as a Christian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orbit Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 I have absolutely felt at one with God, but was on psychedelics at the time, so... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midniterider Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 To those of you who were once a Christian. Did you ever feel you *felt* God's presence in a real sense. If so what did it feel like. Former preacher Charles Templeton described it as a feeling of warmth through his being (or words to that effect). I have never felt it as such. What was it like to those of you who felt it (or thought you did) Feels like....endorphins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pratt Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 in my christian days,,,,, god presence was in the madness of charismatic praise, his spirit was moving through and i can feel it,,,,,, god presence was in the stillness of the cathedral, as the pianist play to the tune if "as the deer panteth ,,,,,,," god presence was in the rain, as i walked in wetness enjoying the water by heavenly father,,,,, god presence was in the sunshine when i was baking on the beach,,,, god presence was with me when i meditate in silence,,,,, it felt the same when i was in the midst of direct marketing seminar, all the craziness it felt the same when i close my eyes when listening to "someone like you" it felt the same when i feel the rain drenching me,,,,,, it felt the same when the sun hits my face on a sunny day at the beach with my friends,,,, it felt the same, when in the same room just without the belief,,,, the feelings are still there, but it was not god presence,,,,,, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdelsolray Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 Attributing the release of endorphins to supernatural causation is a simple thinking error. It is no different, in essence, to attributing a bolt of lightening to supernatural agency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
♦ ficino ♦ Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 When I first spoke in tongues, I felt as though something had slammed into my chest and my mouth just started vocalizing. Later on it all seemed just psychological. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gall Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 To those of you who were once a Christian. Did you ever feel you *felt* God's presence in a real sense. If so what did it feel like. Former preacher Charles Templeton described it as a feeling of warmth through his being (or words to that effect). I have never felt it as such. What was it like to those of you who felt it (or thought you did) Whiskey is cheaper and gives roughly the same effect by the shot... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pratt Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 To those of you who were once a Christian. Did you ever feel you *felt* God's presence in a real sense. If so what did it feel like. Former preacher Charles Templeton described it as a feeling of warmth through his being (or words to that effect). I have never felt it as such. What was it like to those of you who felt it (or thought you did) Whiskey is cheaper and gives roughly the same effect by the shot... but whiskey may cause nakedness and hangover thereafter,,,,,, but both may feel guilty the day after Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
violetbutterfly Posted August 14, 2014 Share Posted August 14, 2014 To those of you who were once a Christian. Did you ever feel you *felt* God's presence in a real sense. If so what did it feel like. Former preacher Charles Templeton described it as a feeling of warmth through his being (or words to that effect). I have never felt it as such. What was it like to those of you who felt it (or thought you did) John Wesley also described the sensation as feeling strangely warmed. I think that's what his doctrine of personal sanctification is based on. I usually feel strangely warmed after an orgasm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CC91UK Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I've had those 'tingly' feelings when I ponder my state of ex-Christian-ness (I have them right now!), and I used to get them when praying. It must be a psychological thing originating in the 'religion' part of my brain! I don't think I was ever sure that I was 'feeling God's presence', though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thackerie Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 As a teenager trying to be a christian, I felt those warm tinglies sometimes when something good happened to me and I stupidly attributed it to God. But, all those former feelings pail in comparison to the sudden jolt of elation and excitement I got the moment I realized that the Bible is wholly man-made and that christianity, like all organized religions, is ridiculous. That's what freedom feels like. BTW, the moment I felt that jolt of freedom occurred as I was walking back to my dorm after a class on "The History of the Bible" where the discussion was on the conflicting genealogies for Jesus. That was 37 years ago. I still get jolts of elation and excitement sometimes, mainly when I overcome a big problem or accomplish something really good and realize "I did it!" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophrosyne Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I get how one could feel comfortable/at peace, and I'm aware that it's not proof of a deity. But speaking in tongues? holy laughter? How does one explain that? (I've never done either, but I know people who have, they say they strongly feel a presence guiding them) It's always confused me at how they experience it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreeThinkerNZ Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I get how one could feel comfortable/at peace, and I'm aware that it's not proof of a deity. But speaking in tongues? holy laughter? How does one explain that? (I've never done either, but I know people who have, they say they strongly feel a presence guiding them) It's always confused me at how they experience it. I don't know anything about "holy laughter" but "speaking in tongues" is nothing supernatural, it's just gibberish that anyone can do if they try it. It's called glossolalia. I can still speak in exactly the same way I used to when I attributed it to speaking in tongues. The reason people feel a "presence" "guiding" them is the same reason any of these "spiritual" feelings occur... the mind can easily imagine what it focuses on. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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