Comments for Graham Stoney: Writer, Speaker, Communicator

Comment on A Practical Guide to How Your Brain Works by Graham

Graham — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:15:55 +0000

Thanks Ralph. Yes, I definitely recommend Blink. Great book! Cheers, Graham

Comment on A Practical Guide to How Your Brain Works by Ralph

Ralph — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:45:14 +0000

Great post. You've described it in terms everyone can understand. Gladwell's "Blink" is another great book related to this subject.

Comment on How (and Why) I Went From Christian to Atheist by Muriel

Muriel — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:10:55 +0000

Hi Graham, fairies are way beyond my imagination but the question remains and I have to ask it what about your sin. Our moral conscience (as I'm sure you know) is Godly and by ourselves we have no power to deal with our sin we are defenceless against it. Before we have anything to do with God we are not very aware of it. Do you ever ask yourself if you are not being blinded now by another force which is more confortable as in conforming. Remember what the bible says about cleverness and God does not hold the wisdom of the world as something worth aiming for. Jeremiah 10 v12.to 14. In verse 23 he says it is not for man to direct his steps-our life is not our own. The greatest service I can do for someone is pray for them. Love comes only from God the creator of it. It is necessary to mention these things but painful to me as I can understand partly where you are - I too have a long history of living my own way it is less painful.

Comment on How (and Why) I Went From Christian to Atheist by Graham

Graham — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:46:49 +0000

Hey Muriel. I don't question your experience; just your interpretation of it. We routinely underestimate the power of our subconscious, because we're not conscious of it. Have you ever felt an emotion without really knowing why? That's your subconscious; and it's just the tip of the iceberg. Without understanding this, spiritual people attribute many things to the supernatural; when really they're just a result of how our brains work. I appreciate that this idea is unpopular with believers with an emotional attachment to a God; this has been part of my story in the past too. But ultimately I like to think that the real truth is what sets us truly free. I'll finish with my favourite Douglas Adams quote: "Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?"

Comment on How (and Why) I Went From Christian to Atheist by Muriel

Muriel — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:55:47 +0000

Hello Graham, thanks for replying. It seems you have built up quite a fortress for yourself against any light that might come piercing through a chink. Yes one reads all that you have said the info which is found in many self-help books the world is littered with. I too have done a lot of therapy, studied psychology, laughed with philosophers it is all very interesting. The funny thing is that when God converted me my life was very very good I was not searching nor did I believe I had a need for anything else neither had anyone informed me that I needed to be saved Jesus came to be and put it all in my heart and I didn't wake up thinking how wonderful I woke up in torment knowing there was something wrong. I'm sure I cd have directed my subconsciousness more positively? I had tremendous friends then and a very satisfying life. I mentioned when I was converted it was an amazing experience I think I am entitled to say that that and other experiences I have are certainly not from my subconscious imagination. I have never in my life been moulded nor have I ever conformed. I had a very unusual childhood which allowed me great expression and my schooling was explorative. 'Being moulded for me would mean listening to the general opinion of the world. I am reminded by yr reply of that beautiful passage you will know it when Nicodemus goes to Jesus at night to talk to him secretly and Jesus explains that spiritual things belong to the spiritual. As a writer you must surely be open to the supernatural. I finish by saying that C.S Lewis before his conversion often wished that there was a God. Faith is God's gift but I daily have to practise it and God reveals Himself to me in unexpected ways that are always so out of the ordinary.Peace to you Graham

Comment on How (and Why) I Went From Christian to Atheist by Graham

Graham — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 01:14:27 +0000

For me, dramatic conversion experiences are a testament to the power of emotional healing and the creative imagination in our subconscious, which we are often out of touch with; especially after going through the western education system and given the pressures we often feel both as children and adults, to conform to a societal mold. The thought of a loving God who truly cares for us and "lowered himself" to our level is particularly compelling when we feel bad about who we are. Dreams, visions and sensory-based perceptions generated in our brains create our view of reality. The emotional healing we get from imagining feeling truly loved, perhaps for the first time, is undeniable. I believe this is why the Christian message of love and forgiveness is so compelling and popular even though I don't believe the God behind it exists. Love comes from within ourselves, and from other people. The authors of the Bible just didn't realise that. All the more reason why I agree with your suggested endgame: to be there and care for each other. Thanks for your comment.

Comment on Wife Swap by Graham

Graham — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:59:18 +0000

Sounds like the right call. I have no doubt that going on the show is a life-changing experience, but I sometimes wonder "What were they expecting would happen? Didn't they realise what they were in for?" Cheers, Graham

Comment on Wife Swap by Jess

Jess — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:02:27 +0000

Hi Again,
Didn't end up going for it. We declined at the last minute. I am probably an extrovert, and my husband is 'busy'. As we live in a small, rural area, we figured it could cause long lasting damage if either of us was painted in an extreme of what we actually feel we are. I think it was the right decision for us.
Jess x

Comment on How (and Why) I Went From Christian to Atheist by Muriel

Muriel — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:36:54 +0000

I agree with everything you feel and I believe that you are probably on a journey inspired by God. But here's a thing, what about people who experience a lot at conversion. When I became a Christian I had personal one to one communication with a saviour who lowered himself to stand beside me and because of that vividity I cannot therefore every deny he exists. Now further to that I've had 2 divorces (both with christians), I came from a very broken home and 40 years later still trying to come to terms with the long term scarring. I have few friends, (mostly my fault), have been rejected by christians over and over again for being different - not fitting in. I am an open/sharing person and when I believe in something I don't shilly/shally. At the moment (I moved home a year ago, which I believe was God's will), I'm going through a v. difficult time finding a church that operates on an equal male-female basis and is warm and consistent. I have turned away from God many times because of hurts but when I have turned back he welcomes me home unreservedly. He is still dealing with me and I am still sinning but I believe this is part of the christian walk. People are always quoting text when they come up against a sinner to me there is no one rule. In my walk with God, he takes our whole personalities into perspective and moulds his theme around us. Good families do not give up on one another because of differences I would urge you to keep putting God to the test alongside your explorations, Furthermore, God is outside our dimensions. If the bible says he created the world in 6 days He did because he can do anything outside of time. We must see Him as the God of the Spirit which is not understood by natural mind. If I can still believe in Him after everything and if He can still care for me after all. I have put Him to the test so many times and experienced His love. I'm sorry I'm testing your'e patience her, and why? because one day (like me), you may desperately need help that cannot be found or you may be too helpless to find for yourself that help - if you are His then He will never let you go - you could say He waits, He is very patient but not forever.The Christian life is lonely - other christians often don't seem to care they all have their own agendas so God wants people like you and me to be there for others - that I suppose is the endgame. CHEERS.

Comment on How to Write and Present a Winning Speech by vivek

vivek — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 11:49:11 +0000

SIR ,THANK YOU VERY MUCH BECAUSE I REALLY NEED MOTIVATION WHICH I GOT FROM YOUR NOTES ON ''HOW TO WRITE A WINNING SPEECH''? AS I HAVE TO PARTIPATE IN STATE LEVEL SPEECH COMPETITION.....INSPIRE ME ALWAYS THANKS....