Question for Deconverts

This post is a bit different — no ranting. 😉 I’d just like some feedback from those of you who have left the faith on something that’s going on with me.

Life-long non-believers won’t really be able to answer my question, but of course, you’re welcome to add any input you might have.

Background

When I was a Christian and wanted something really bad to happen in my life, I always “prayed” and asked God to grant the desire of my heart. Sometimes (often) this meant “praying” a LOT in hopes of getting the answer I sought.

Occasionally, it felt like the prayer was “answered,” but more often things just continued to happen as they do in life and eventually the request, and the hoped-for response, was simply absorbed into everyday living.

Today

In my current life as a non-believer, I have something I really, really want (yea, need) to happen … but so far (even though I’ve done all the things I need to do to help things along), it hasn’t come to pass.

You probably know the saying “Old habits die hard,” and sure enough, I’ve actually found myself feeling the “urge” to ask someone/something (the universe?) for help in making this event become reality.

So, my question is this:

As someone who has left the faith and accepted/recognized that prayers to a non-entity are a waste of time, what have YOU done when in this type of situation?

Thanks!

P.S. This is not a medical emergency or anything like that.

A Message for Gun Owners

Inanimate Guns

Again and again we hear the mantra … “Guns don’t kill people … people kill people.” And often someone will add … “Guns are inanimate objects; they just lay there until someone picks one up and uses it.”

And while there is some merit to this reasoning, one cannot help but wonder … what if the gun were not there to pick up and use?

As I’ve stated before, I have no problem with responsible gun-owners who use their guns to hunt, target shoot, skeet shoot, collect, etc.

But where do we draw the line? How do we know the person who walks into the gun store to buy a gun is a “responsible” individual?

Background checks help. Waiting periods help. BUT, neither one seems to stop the senseless GUN KILLINGS that continue to affect our nation.

What’s the answer? Do we take away all the guns as other countries have done? I think most people would agree this will never happen in the U.S., primarily because of the Second Amendment, but also because the gun-loving populace (and the NRA lobbyists) would never let it happen.

Some have suggested more stringent gun-buying requirements, similar to car purchases. Others have suggested, at the very least, eliminating the availability of assault weapons (but what about those who already have them?). Still others have pushed for more and better mental health services.

Of course, the common response is that no matter what restrictions are placed on guns and/or gun purchases … the “criminals” will still be able to get and use a gun for their nefarious purposes. And unfortunately, there is much truth to this.

So what do we do? Do we continue to fight over this issue while our children and other innocent family members and friends lose their lives in unprovoked and senseless killings?

Below is a suggestion made by “The Other 98%” on Facebook. While it addresses the abortion issue as well (and is obviously tongue-in-cheek), I feel there is some merit behind the message as related to guns.

I bring this issue to the forefront of my blog because I live in Oregon, not too far from the Roseburg massacre. I did not know any of the killed or injured, but the proximity of the incident definitely has had an effect in our community.

I think we can all agree … there are no easy answers. But answers are something we urgently need to find. And soon.

P.S. I just came across this article. Unfortunately, nothing has changed.