A recent study found that although only approximately 60% of Britons believe in God, 96% said that they would pray to God if in mortal danger or near death.

Another interesting thing is how people who aren't religious at all tell people to pray for them, a situation, or someone who needs help. It is much more comforting, in my opinion, to hear someone say "I'll pray for you." instead of "Oh, I'll think about you."

The other day, I talked with my sort-of cousin in the States. Even though we're only related through marriage, we're like sisters. She has a lot of mental problems and she was telling me in tears about what happened (she had a kind of nervous/anxiety attack). She tried to commit suicide before. So I was talking to her on the phone and we got onto the topic of funeral services (kind of downer topic, I know).

I don't know if any of you have gone to an atheist funeral, but it is the most depressing thing I've ever experienced. The service I attended was basically like "Oh yeah, we'll remember Fred. He's always with us in our memories." This man was very much well-liked, and yet it was almost only a burial. There was no "he'll be reincarnated" or "he's in heaven" or "maybe he's reached nirvana" or wherever moslems go. It was just boom, it's over.

Humour and more

Why are funny things funny?

Comedy is quite an interesting thing. Humans seem to be designed to find humour in the most mundane things, but then there's also kind of advanced, complicated comedy plots on the telly or in theatrics. It seems that we need to find humour and laugh--whether we have developed this trait or if it comes naturally, I don't know.

One also might notice that humour develops as a person grows older. For example, little kids think things like poop are absolutely hilarious. Then there's the kind of pre-pubescent humour about sex and certain *ahem* body parts. And then as adults...?

There was a study recently that said people think different stuff is funny in each culture. So Brits might enjoy slapstick humour, Americans think gag jokes are hilarious, and Australians might like a more sarcastic type. In fact, this survey presented different comedic routines and jokes to different cultures, and found that a joke that really isn't funny at all in one country, is rated very highly in another. They found that changing the joke or skit slightly to relate to the audience better gained more favourable ratings.

This is a bit of a random post. I guess the point is that we need to laugh--at ourselves and otherwise--a bit more.

: )

Currently Listening Books By Belle & Sebastian see related

Selfishness

According to science, humans do what will benefit them.

Our decisions and actions are based on the "survival of the fittest."

We do what will make us stronger, smarter, more attractive, older, taller, produce more offspring, etc.

This is not what interests me. I can plainly see this in the rest of creation--dogs, rabbits, whatever.

What interests me are the "good deeds" that people do. The selfless acts of love that seem to be otherwordly, that do not make sense in terms of science and survival.

When people put themselves in extreme danger or die for their friends, their family, or complete strangers. When people sacrifice a part of that human selfishness, and it becomes love manifest.

Love of this type, I believe is quite rare. Unlike the "love" that is constantly thrown around in our culture, this kind of love is not based on one's own pleasure or the endorphins and rush that you get from sex, or even being attracted to someone. It's not even about you.

And there are those, of course, that will say this is only part of survival. There must be something messed up in these people that tells them it will benefit them in some kind of way.

I beg to differ.

Currently Listening Help! [UK] By The Beatles see related

The Pain is in your Head

Some of you may wonder where I have been the past 11 or so days. Or maybe not.

I was in the critical care unit at the hospital.

I have struggled with anorexia since I was 12. I was at the breaking point-literally.

I used to weigh 10 stone (140 lbs).

Now I am about 5'9'' and I weigh 81 pounds. I can see each of my ribs. My collarbones and kneecaps jut out. I can fit my hand around my upper thigh. I could go days without eating anything. I used to be proud of that.

I passed out last weekend and my mum rushed me to the hospital. My blood pressure was plummeting and my organs were failing because I had almost no body fat. They fed me through a tube. I tried to take the tube out when the doctors were not looking so that I wouldn't gain any more weight.

I think about food constantly. I love and loathe it--as myself. It is an obsession.

I knew how to put lead weights in my shoes during weigh-ins.

And the whole time, I wanted everyone to see how perfect I was. I was suffering inside, but no one could know. I was silently screaming for attention. I just wanted to be beautiful.

For any girls reading this: Don't ever put yourself through this. I would give ANYTHING to have a normal relationship with food. There is so much pressure on us to be thin and gorgeous. Don't give in.

For guys reading this: You have no idea how much cultural pressure there is to be thin. If you want a glimpse of this, pick up any women's fashion magazine. PLEASE, don't ever judge a woman by her body. Support your sisters, your friends, your girlfriends. You have no idea how much your approval, attention, and words will ever mean.

It will be a long road to recovery.

But I am determined to face it.