From an Atheist: Are you confusing why we became secular?

Question

I think Christians (and other "popular" religions) think Atheists & other secular-embracing people abandoned religion because it was too hard or because they feel like God doesn't care about their lives.

For me, that is not true. I've had a relatively happy life - nice family, not over-the-top religious, had everything that I needed, people who cared, food on the table, etc.

What makes me reject God, is that the God of just about every religion just looks mean - creating suffering, creating hell, creating sin, creating a devil, disapproves of using knowledge and one's brain/logic, created a test that, while I am glad this life has been not to bad, offers an afterlife full of pain and punishment. I just think - what a mean, mean, mean God. To create something to abuse, even after their body gives out. To create something with an amazing mind, but punish them for using it.

Seriously - don't some of you who've had an ok life, feel like your God of the afterlife is just horribly mean?

To my fellow Atheists:

Of course all the fairytale, make-believe, man-made subjective rules are part of the reason, but I'm also just trying to address a common misconception - that God has been so mean in this life, that we refuse to believe in it/her/him.

FYI - no, my life has not been perfect - a mother who died when I was 11, and a bi-polar, depressed father will attest to that! But by and large, compared to tragedies that people experience all around the world, I've been rather fortunate.

I'm really just concentrating on god as super-duper, mean in the afterlife - creating human beings to live without living, follow without using their capacity to rationalize - in essence, making a sin out of capacity. Creating humans prone to "sin" so he can punish them if he doens't love them - kind of a violent, moody god post-death, dontchathink?

Answer 1

For me, that's part of the reason, but the main reason I think religion is rejected by so many people is that there is simply no need for it any more. Humans used to understand very little about the universe so they naturally imagined intelligent entities behind the scenes controlling it all, but now we know that natural phenomena have natural causes, not supernatural ones. Belief in gods and goddesses and demons and angels and the whole menagerie of supernatural characters is simply pointless and unnecessary now. It belongs to our intellectual childhood and we should grow up and leave it behind us.

Answer 2

Hi.....I have had a similar life. No real serious complaints. I am loved, and have many that I love. It just seems clear to me that the concept of a GOD, was, and is (and probably always will be) manufactured by humans. I've thought about it alot. There are times when I have wished that I could believe in a God, and heaven, etc., but it just doesn't make any sense. I do know that if there is a GOD, then he's doing a terrible job. I agree with you, that if there is a GOD, and this god has any power over our lives at all, then he has to be mean, and cruel, and even sadistic. Also, why would he want to be worshiped? Why doesn't he show himself? And why give us such strong instincts that are sins? It doesn't make any sense. What DOES make sense is that humans need to feel like they know the answers, and have a purpose, and a meaning...etc. We're just animals that are cursed with the ability to judge ourselves. I do love some of the preachings of some of the religeons, though. My favorite one is, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Take care.

Answer 3

God is not mean, He is just. God does not hate, He loves. God did not create evil as a mean thing, it is a result of His master plan. You have to keep in mind that with even good thing there must be a bad. It's called balance, Ying and Yang, negative and positive, dark and light. Sin was a result of Eve being deceived and Adam's disobedience. God wants nothing more than to love his children, but as any father knows, there must be consequences for poor behavior. Otherwise we would know no boundaries. Yes there are people who are suffering, perhaps you are right this very moment, but remember, no matter how bad you think you have it somebody has it worse than you do. Thank God for what you do have and cease with the pitty party. Just remember what has been said about Atheists when they die: They're all dressed up with no where to go. God Bless.

Answer 4

There is two destinations for eternity and you are given the option of where to go. God is a Just God! He gives what people will deserve at the time of Justice. Right now is the time of Grace where you can still come to him. Pain, sickness, disease, where all brought into the knowledge of man after eating of the Tree of Knowledge.

If you believe in him or not the day will come when all will know him and every knee shall bow. If you didn't believe there was gravity and walked off a tall building you will die, gravity did not care you didn't believe it was there. If you step in front of a bullet because you didnt think it would go into you, the bullet doesn't care its still going in you. If you are a nonbeliever and do not think of a God or there is a hell, you will still be going there.

Answer 5

i understand atheist are great people. just because u believe in God doesn't make u stupid or unable to use ur brain.

EDIT: God doesn't want u to stop using ur brain. God wants u to use it more actually. so of the most inteligent people in the world know that there was a god or creator somewhere.create suffering how? not every war is started on religion. most were started because people want more land and more power.and God isn't mean, hes all about justice. where would the world be if we did have jugdes and jails and things for the rapist,serial kilers,and etc. not a very good place, because no one would be punished for doin wrong.

Answer 6

I believe many people who choose not of any belief defend their life by what doesn't happen in their lives. I find more atheists call anyone religious (especially Christians) foolish and gullible but the main inquiry asked is why would I be willing to bet my life on the Bible and, hoping it may never come to this, be willing to lay my life on the line for Jesus?
what I find through life is the age old question: what is the meaning of life. What does life have to offer me right now if it only comes to dying after a few meager years on earth? If all it came down to was nothing, then why go through the process? If the grave is my final destination, and I came into the world with nothing, and I cannot take anything with me, what is the worth of life?
I watched a debate between atheists and Christians a few years ago. One lady asked how can they disprove a miracle. This lady had dialysis of the kidneys and was diagnosed 6 months to live. ALL was documented by doctors and medical personnel. Three months later, after much prayer by her church, she went back to her doctor and found her kidneys were working perfectly. The atheists response: Misdiagnosis.
Science cannot disprove miracles but cannot prove HOW. Even doctors are acknowledging that faith and prayer heals a person three times quicker than with ANY medicine.
I have found that there MUST be something more to life that "going thru the motions."
If people choose life without God on earth, eternity shouldn't be the issue for them. I choose to take my chances with God.
You have not experienced Him and understand why He does it that way.

Answer 7

What an odd reason for being an atheist! Rather than believing that religions are nothing more than fairytales (as I do), you are an atheist because you think god is not nice. Would you believe if people invented a nicer god? There is probably some other dopey religion out there for you if that is what you want.

Answer 8

i do understand how u feel.i have doubted god b4 2!but God says that people suffer!there will b tragedies in the world.God does not create sin.after adam & eve sinned it's like they were cursed since they were tempted by the devil!think of the devil everything evil is him.satan was first an angel.but then he wanred 2 b god so he was cast 2 hell & also god wants us 2 choose 2 follow his word and go 2 heaven or not b-lieve &go 2 hell!plz tell me how yoou feel 'bout this @[e-mail]

Answer 9

I think that you are an atheist because you have had a "relatively happy life", so you don't think that you need God.

If it all falls to pieces and you hit rock bottom one day like I did, you might think different. And that's when if you are in tears and repent and ask God to help you, He will send a messenger to you to let you know that He is there. Just speaking from my own personal experience.

Answer 10

I agree with icarus62 -- god as described by the various religions is a thoroughly unpleasant character and no sane or decent person would want anything to do with him; but more to the point, religious faith belongs to the bad old days of our childhood and it's high time we grew up and started thinking for ourselves.