Inner or outer strength?

[firstfloor]

Christians talk about God being present with them and describe their inner strength as coming from God. Of course, Christians are not alone in their ability to tap into something powerful at times of distress and stories about harnessing and sustaining great courage are universal across cultures and at different times in history. Such courage is not always attributed to a God. There are atheists in foxholes. Ordinary courage is commonplace and often silent.

So, I am curious to know what this experience of inner or outer strength is and to ask whether it is the same thing that is being described differently by theists and atheists.

This is just a get started question. I am not concerned how this thread develops from this point.

[seer]

So, I am curious to know what this experience of inner or outer strength is and to ask whether it is the same thing that is being described differently by theists and atheists.

For me inner strength is grounded in hope, hope of everlasting life in the presence of my God. That there is something tangible and perfect beyond this vale of tears. That we are not mere accidents of nature but that we have a purpose and meaning that transcends the mundane. That love and justice are universal and immutable concepts, not simply the result of a biological fluke. That I may in fact meet and make amends to many loved ones and friends that have passed on. Hope FF, hope...

[Cow Poke]

I started to respond, but don't really have the time right now it deserves....

[Jedidiah]

I started to respond, but don't really have the time right now it deserves....

You have actually given the subject all the time it does deserve.

[firstfloor]

For me inner strength is grounded in hope, hope of everlasting life in the presence of my God. That there is something tangible and perfect beyond this vale of tears. That we are not mere accidents of nature but that we have a purpose and meaning that transcends the mundane. That love and justice are universal and immutable concepts, not simply the result of a biological fluke. That I may in fact meet and make amends to many loved ones and friends that have passed on. Hope FF, hope...

[shunyadragon]

You have actually given the subject all the time it does deserve.

[Cow Poke]

You have actually given the subject all the time it does deserve.

Perhaps!

[shunyadragon]

Perhaps!

[firstfloor]

[Meh Gerbil]

I should think your question would be difficult to assess.
Consider the following example:

A man loses his wife of 50 years to cancer.
The man bids her a teary-eyed good-bye but otherwise seems strong and unaffected.

1: Was this man a Christian sustained by a great hope?
2: Was this man a Christian who disliked his wife and was glad she was gone?
3: Was this man an atheist who loved his wife but bravely accepts the inevitable?
4: Was this man an atheist who cannot wait to offer her remains to his demon god?

It is difficult to tell if the person is strong or merely unattached, if the person is exceptionally wise or foolish, if the person is the type to show a great deal of emotion or the type to bury it deep down inside.

[seer]

I should think your question would be difficult to assess.
Consider the following example:

A man loses his wife of 50 years to cancer.
The man bids her a teary-eyed good-bye but otherwise seems strong and unaffected.

1: Was this man a Christian sustained by a great hope?
2: Was this man a Christian who disliked his wife and was glad she was gone?
3: Was this man an atheist who loved his wife but bravely accepts the inevitable?
4: Was this man an atheist who cannot wait to offer her remains to his demon god?

It is difficult to tell if the person is strong or merely unattached, if the person is exceptionally wise or foolish, if the person is the type to show a great deal of emotion or the type to bury it deep down inside.

I vote for number four!

[firstfloor]

I should think your question would be difficult to assess.
Consider the following example:

A man loses his wife of 50 years to cancer.
The man bids her a teary-eyed good-bye but otherwise seems strong and unaffected.

1: Was this man a Christian sustained by a great hope?
2: Was this man a Christian who disliked his wife and was glad she was gone?
3: Was this man an atheist who loved his wife but bravely accepts the inevitable?
4: Was this man an atheist who cannot wait to offer her remains to his demon god?

It is difficult to tell if the person is strong or merely unattached, if the person is exceptionally wise or foolish, if the person is the type to show a great deal of emotion or the type to bury it deep down inside.

[Meh Gerbil]

The Bible defines God's presence for us in Galatians.
It is described as the Fruit of the Spirit.

I think it is something that a person learns about over time.

[firstfloor]

The Bible defines God's presence for us in Galatians.
It is described as the Fruit of the Spirit.

I think it is something that a person learns about over time.

Yes, but learns what? I would say he learns a Pavlovian association between the strong emotions generated in a church or churchlike setting with the idea of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

[Meh Gerbil]

Yes, but learns what? I would say he learns a Pavlovian association between the strong emotions generated in a church or churchlike setting with the idea of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

I think that is most often the case.
It would account for much of the nonsense we see with shrines/robes/ceremony.
It is brain washing, pure and simple brain washing.

BTW, you can get the same rush at a Nazi rally and you get free haircuts and free tattoos.

That all written, I wasn't talking about what is learned in a pep rally but rather what is learned in solitude.
I have no more faith in pep rally froth than you do.