http://40yearoldatheist.com/atheist-superstition/2009/08/ Ramblings of a Middle Aged Guy Who Found Relief Through Non-Belief Thu, 30 Jun 2011 17:08:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://40yearoldatheist.com/atheist-superstition/2009/08/comment-page-1/#comment-410 Tony Tovar Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:39:36 +0000 http://40yearoldatheist.com/?p=352#comment-410 Very touching story, and one I could relate to.  I have a daughter with Down Syndrome and she has experienced more pain in her short life than any child should have to.  She's had several surgeries (and infections) and has had to endure years of pain.  So I, too, have often laid awake at night wondering if I was going to lose her. One big difference in our experiences is that I was raised atheist.  So it never occurs to me that I might be thinking "superstitiously" though, of course, I probably am.  And I think there's a difference between being superstitious and being emotional.  I think that being scared (emotional) is rational, provided you also realize that your fear is under your own control. Many people 'blame' their feelings on outside forces, beyond their control... Very touching story, and one I could relate to.  I have a daughter with Down Syndrome and she has experienced more pain in her short life than any child should have to.  She’s had several surgeries (and infections) and has had to endure years of pain.  So I, too, have often laid awake at night wondering if I was going to lose her.
One big difference in our experiences is that I was raised atheist.  So it never occurs to me that I might be thinking “superstitiously” though, of course, I probably am.  And I think there’s a difference between being superstitious and being emotional.  I think that being scared (emotional) is rational, provided you also realize that your fear is under your own control.
Many people ‘blame’ their feelings on outside forces, beyond their control…

]]> http://40yearoldatheist.com/atheist-superstition/2009/08/comment-page-1/#comment-409 Brent Rasmussen Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:22:56 +0000 http://40yearoldatheist.com/?p=352#comment-409 Great piece, Mark. I really enjoyed reading it! As an atheist father myself, I've struggled with similar superstitions in the past. I resolved the issue much like you have - by taking it out, examining it and the reasons why I was feeling it, then dismissing it as something that I do not need to worry about any longer. Confronting your fears and superstitions rationally, in the full light, without the shadow and darkness of self-deception, is the best way I've found to deal with them. Kudos to you, my friend! Your boy looks like a great kid! :) Great piece, Mark. I really enjoyed reading it!
As an atheist father myself, I’ve struggled with similar superstitions in the past. I resolved the issue much like you have – by taking it out, examining it and the reasons why I was feeling it, then dismissing it as something that I do not need to worry about any longer.
Confronting your fears and superstitions rationally, in the full light, without the shadow and darkness of self-deception, is the best way I’ve found to deal with them.
Kudos to you, my friend! Your boy looks like a great kid!

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