Is This A Sign...

[killi_man]

If somebody had been considering suicide and had sought help in the form of medication, counselling, family etc and was still in the same frame of mind, and as a last resort considered reading some religious stuff - being agnostic, bordering aetheist this may be quite a bold step! So having downloaded a few religion based books on their kindle, chooses one at random and opens it to discover the secrets of God and the universe etc. Although it, as far as memory serves, had never been opened or read before the page that was presented read "What are the implications of knowing where you are going? How would this knowledge change your life? Well, first of all, it would completely remove the fear of death! This is perhaps the greatest single fear in the world, and this knowledge could completely remove all doubts. No fear! Just as God says in 2 Timothy 1:7, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but rather a sound mind and a spirit of power and love?
Could this be a message from above or a random interpretation like how horoscopes seem to exactly fit individual circumstances?

[themorrigan]

Random interpretation, you are looking for something to relate to your situation. You could probably have opened any book at any page and found something you deemed relevant to your circumstances.

[factor-fiction]

Some will believe it's a message from above. Some will believe it was just coincidence you stumbled upon those words, or that you could just as easily have stumbled upon another relevant bit

[ummmm]

How much was dismissed before finding what you wanted to find?

[sandyRoe]

If they've found something that helps them fight of their depression and puts them in a better frame of mind, that can only be a good thing. Whether it's a sign or not isn't really that important.

[ummmm]

I agree Sandy.

[killi_man]

ummmm (hope I spelt that right..), that was the interesting thing, nothing had been dismissed, that was just where it opened, completely agree that most things can be interpreted to an individual situation, just one of life's coincidences I guess

[VHG]

Religion works on fear and ignorance.

During the time of Henry 8th and Elizabeth 1st the church deliberately kept most of the population ignorant so as to have more power over them.

For example it was against the law to produce a version of the bible in English that the peasants could read as they may read it themselves and start to challenge it.

It could be argued the Catholic church works the same way, keeping its congregation in ignorance so as to have more power over them.

So the more ignorant and susceptible you are the more likely you are to take solace in religion. And a person who is depressed is more open to believing religion is the answer.

I have always believed that many humans are "scared" of their position on the earth and are "scared" of death. They hate the thought that their close relatives die and that's it.

So humans have "made up" this concept of heaven and hell and a god to make it all seem so much more worth while.

In your question you said "could this be a message from above" as though there is some sort of "heaven" above us. Anyway in the whole universe what is "above" and what is "below"?.

What proof is there that a heaven exists, only what the religious leaders tell us.

If you are suffering, and religious text helps you, then accept it.

It does not make the religious text "right" but if it helps you then that is the main thing.

[LazyGun]

Is the somebody you refer to in your OP you? I only ask because of your last 6 posts, 2 of the more recent refer to suicide in one way or another, and that is a source of concern.

If you have not already done so, seek counselling and help. If you have, try again.

As to the question - I think that the mindset frames what you find. A self-professed atheist who starts reading religious texts is seeking -something, answers,meaning, something - that they feel is currently lacking in their life, so they are likely to find something profound and/or significant wherever random page they choose to browse.

So, not a sign from above, IMO anyway. As Sandy says though, if it brings you solace or uplift or positive thoughts, that can only be good.

[Old_Geezer]

If you find it helps you, then great. Different folk have different opinions regarding how to interpret what you've read. Chose your own opinion.

If, on the other hand, this thread is an attempt to recruit to a religion you already believe in, well then, best of luck here.

[killi_man]

Old geezer, no recruitment intended to any religion but interesting interpretation of the question!