Atheists - you do ever..................................................?

Question

Do you ever catch yourself wondering if there is a higher power? Do you ever question your own beliefs? What made you come to the conclusion of no higher power?

For those few remarks, I am not questioning my Christianity, I am asking if an Atheist questions theirs. The question is directed to Atheists.

Answer 1

Boy, you're lucky. I was jsut about to go on a rant about the rampant lack of respect between . . . oops, rant almost slipped out.

Anyway, I'd like to thank you for your respect in asking this question. This site could use more people like you.

As for your question, I don't think it's possible for anyone to totally rule out the presence of a higher power. As an atheist, every day I wonder about this very subject. Anyone who does say, without a doubt, there is no higher power, is lying. I've just found it more likely that there isn't, but I'm not ruling it out. I think we would all get along better if others thought that way too.

Oh, look, that turned into a rant after all. Well, sorry, but thanks again.

Answer 2

I wonder if there is other life in the universe, but not as often as I used to. I have come to the realization that there are enough things to believe in that I know for sure, and I don't have time to believe things that are not provable. Any sane person questions their own beliefs, but in the case of Atheism, it is a matter of not having a belief, like not having a car. I could have one if I chose to, but I haven't seen enough reason to have a belief in some higher power. Everything that Life has done so far is explainable by natural means and evolution. Everything that religion has done is explainable by Marketing Theory 101 and "Selling Your Mother". To be specific, Mother Earth has been sold down the road of religious competition and power mongering.
There are more atheists out there than people realize. They just call themselves Christians so they don't feel left out, but in reality, how many people believe that they are going to go to some perfect world in the sky when they die? How many really believe that showing up on Sunday and putting money in a plate is going to change what happens to them when they die?
I can understand the 'just in case' mentality, but what I find most annoying is the word "Agnostic". People who say they are Agnostic are just too chicken to say they don't believe the marketing hype of the Funny Hat People.
And yes, there ARE Atheists in foxholes. They just don't stand out because it's not like they are praying to a NonGod or anything. If you can get them into a foxhole to start with, since someone who doesn't have Blind Faith in religious systems usually doesn't have Blind Faith in government or military or nationalism either. Questions don't fit into the uniform very well.

Answer 3

I spent most of my childhood with a strong belief in the Christian faith, but once I reached an age where I could REALLY read and understand what I was being taught, I realized that it didn't really make any sense. There are so many teachings that contradict each other. And once I had a chance to get a glimpse of various other religions, I realized they are all basically the same, with the same myths. The idea of a higher power was created by men in power as a way to solidify their standing. I have seen nothing on this earth or in history that can convince me otherwise.

Answer 4

A higher power, in my mind, isn't some personality that has the task of dominating humanity ( as most religions seem to purport). If there was one, as religions purport, I'd "quit my job and set up shop next door", if you get my meaning. Not to compete, not to put them out of business, but to be left alone and not be ruled-over.

When I think of higher power, I think of it as the power of the highest possibility of human potential, perhaps a path of evolution or perhaps a path of self-discovery. It's about living, here, on earth, doing earthly things and not feeling bad about it. It's about having standards, however; the higher power is simply the higher standard. I do not reject the idea that you can experience life spiritually, to feel something that almost seems mystical. But it is not mystical; you can be a spirit solving obstacles in a physical world. Once you realize you can attain any set of possibilities, a "higher power" that dominates and rules over you, doesn't seem to have much value anymore.

In the end, be any religion you wish, and leave others alone. Question why they believe (or don't) as they do for curiosity or for wisdom. Lose the attitude, it discredits you.

Answer 5

"No" and "no" to the first two questions.

The third question: It's not so much a conclusion that there isn't a higher power, but rather a conclusion that a higher power isn't necessary. Religious men "need" God to explain the universe they live in. They feel the universe has to have been created by some sentient omnipotent being.

The traditional view is that God "created" the universe, but that begs the question, where was God if there was no universe?? And where did God come from?

The way I see it, space and time are infinite, and if space and time are infinite there is simply no room left for a "creator."

Answer 6

Just think of the idea were faith in the after life came from. The fear of death. The only reason people would not fear it is because they believe that they are going to a magical place that will comfort them. But who would comfort them? That is were the idea of God came in. Now if you have ever read a book that deals in prehistory you would find out that the belief in the " One true God " either Jewish Christian or Muslim is not the oldest religion. There are much older religions out there. So why believe in a higher power that clearly human kind created to ease the mind on what happens after death.

Answer 7

I'm an agnostic....and I guess we are classified as athiests...

I wonder all the time. That's probably the difference between me and athiests. They believe absolutely that there is no god. They have no doubt...just like religous pepole have no doubt there IS a god.

As for me coming to my conclusion, I just got sick of being told to believe in god, when I never even truly came to terms with WHAT I believed in the first place. I just followed along, went to church, worshiped, and felt nothing. It never connected with me. No religous stuff did. I have my values, and try to be a good person. I just don't know about believing in a certain god.

Deciding that I had no idea what goes on after you die....(lol, kind of an oxymoron).....was the best thing I ever did. I question all the time, read up on all religions, and just live my life.

Answer 8

No to the first one. I am always ruthlessly questioning my own tenets; after all, it's skepticism that got me here.

The clincher for me was understanding some of the marvels of science and the humans that produce it and who also produce beauty and love. At some point it was as simple as putting away a relic of my youth in the proper drawer - a dear relic I'd talked to and saw as a wise friend and protector.

UPDATE: kyle11235:
Let's not attempt to speak for each other. Take my word for it. Some of us do NOT catch ourselves wondering if there is a higher power.

Answer 9

If there is a higher power, it is not totally positive and life-loving. I'd like to believe there is a fair higher power, such as the idea of god. But there are too many negative factors for that to be the case.

Answer 10

Why is it either Science or God, and not both? The possibility of the big bang theory doesn't rule out God. He works with in the laws of science. There also is no record in the bible that states how long Adam and Eve were on the earth prior to partaken the forbidden fruit, (which made them mortal). They could have been here for millions of years, while evolution was taking place with animals. I don't believe we are descendants of apes, but that doesn't rule out evolution of other creatures.