I was watching a movie last night ('The Secret' actually), and I started thinking, that it works because you visualize what you want in your mind, and you act subconsciencly on your thought- something along those lines, can't be bothered explaining in detail, because that isn't the point of this thread.

The point is, when I thought about the 'Law of Attraction' I thought, maybe that is why prayers work, when you pray for something (well I do) you say what you want in your mind, visualise it, get the feeling of getting what you want, etc- just like the 'Law of Attraction'.

Heres the good bit- When I started thinking this, I thought what if 'god' got angry with me (I was raised a christian, but now consider myself an athiest) for thinking this. Then suddenly, my body felt like it had been taken over by some kind of 'invisible force', I was so scared, I was literally paralised- except for my breathing. I tryed to struggle, but I couldn't move and I could hear myself breathing and making noises (not being mean or anything) like a retarded person.

Now the thing is I was totally conscience and I could hear the movie and new where I was and all, and I could kind of see the interior of my room- just couldn't move anything, and I had this feeling over me like, I don't know how to put it, but it was as if 'god' was trying to punish me and make me realize that not believing in him any more was a sin or whatever.

But now being an athiest and all, I figure I was pretty tired and it was just an EXTREMELY lucid dream... Anyone had similar experiences?

Just for the record- I do not believe what happen was anything spiritual, but I am having doubts only because of my Christian upbringing.

That's something known as the Hand. You questioned self-reliance, and were paralyzed by righteous fear that is experienced when the Spirit enters your consciousness. You know as well as I do that it was God. Here's the important part: Are you going to pretend it wasn't?

TAre you going to pretend it wasn't?

Are you going to assume it was?

Using experience as unsubstantiated 'evidence' for something doesn't really work, because you put in your own intepretations as to the cause behind it.

Do you know how many people throughout history have done evil things like witch-burnings or the Crusades because they thought 'God' was telling them to?

There are, most likely, other more natural and plausible explanations. Perhaps something to do with your brain chemistry. More likely being this:

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

We shouldn't jump to conclusions and put our own spin on it and say "Oh, it must be God!" until there is more evidence to support that theory, lest we assume too much.

People thought God caused many natural occurances before modern rational science got into full swing. Why return to that primitive state with a 'God assumption'?

The OP is feeling the fear of God because of his upbringing; he seems to have been conditioned to fear because he was raised as a Christian. I think he realizes it.


Personally it doesn't make much sense to me...

What kind of all-loving, kind God would want everyone to be scared as hell for not believing in him, when he never bothered to give people enough reason to believe in him in the first place? And what of those millions who died in centuries past before ever hearing a word of the Bible?

Sounds more sadistic than anything. Yet Jesus is God (trinitarianism), and Jesus was a very compassionate person. I doubt any real God would punish those who through no fault of their own, could not believe as they were naturally inclined to skepticism. Especially as the Christian God is described as benevolent and loving.

Exactly. A kind and loving God who only wants the best for you then punishes you for not doing what your told reminds me more of an abusive relationship than deity worship.

God: "Hey babe, I had a rough day at the office, did you pray to me?"
Theist: "I did not have time to pray, my lord, I was too busy dealing with the cancer you blessed me with."
God: "You worthless sinning bitch!"

SMACK!!!

God: "I am the Alpha and Omega whore!"
Theist: "Please forgive me"
God: "Only cuz I love you babe" "Now go pray"

God Slaps theist playfully on the ass.

Being an athiest now, I'm going to take Whore of God's advice.

Actually, reading that wiki about sleep paralysis explained a lot of 'wierd' experiences in my life.

Like, when I was little, I was in the same situation- paralysed, but fully conscience. There were strange looking people with hairy faces, observing my body and talking (in english) about me. One was a female and I remember her saying something about feeling sorry for me cause I was just a child, and the male had the arrogant doctors attitude 'I know all, be quiet women'- that kind of thing.

At the time, I supsected it to be a dream. But when I got a bit older, and read some alien abductee stories, I thought I may have gotten abducted. But now that I read that sleep paralysis thing, I feel stupid, because that explains it- along with many other 'lucid' dreams i've had where I have been paralysed, yet fully aware and conscience.

Now this is exciting stuff, if only I can purposely get myself into this state at will- It would be like very potent, natural LSD, because when in this state, coming from experience, it is so scary sometimes, but absolutely amazing others and it feels real because you are conscience, and you can 'half see' objects in your real surroundings.

Interesting stuff

Read this, Phatmonkey.
http://www.totse.com/community/showthread.php?t=2031456

If i'm right, you're thinking the same as Obbe.

He thinks we're all an illusion created by his mind :P
And that when we do stuff, we are only imagining that we're doing it.

Heavy stuff indeed.

I could see him chopping people up and eating their brains for enlightenment.

Your mind needs something to get a hold on.
That's what keeps you going through the night
what fights inside you and says, 'come on, only a few hours..'
The tiny hope that there is some light at the end of that tunnel.