To Believers: Have you ever given non-belief a chance?

Question

Have you ever tried not praying, not believing God exists, or anything else to give non belief a chance?

Or, read/studied anything that supports non belief?

If not, why not?

To Indigo:

That was one reason I asked the question.

To flyleaf:

Ho, ho, ho.. you better be good. I'm watching you.... :-)

The vast majority of believers adopt the beliefs of their parents. I would never be so bold as to claim answers are not honest, but most people do not become religious through investigation, they are taught to follow it by their parents.

Answer 1

Yes I've talked to people who don't believe in God. But, when you do believe, you can't pretend that you don't. I wouldn't want to....what an empty life that would be for me. I'm not interested in why people don't believe. I mean, I'll listen to you if you want to tell me, but studying atheism seems like a huge waste of time. No offense. Jesus said heaven and earth will pass away, but His words will not pass away. I believe that to be true, so why would I waste my limited time on things that amount to nothing?

I do not remember ever not believing in God.

Answer 2

I am so glad you asked this question.

I used to be an atheist, and I found it impossible to believe in God then. I mean, there's no hard eveidence at all, and the Bible reads like a two-thousand year old Harry Potter at times. It just doesn't seem even remotely possible that God exists, right?

Then, one day I woke up a little early, and I sat down and looked out the window. Everything just looked so peaceful and beautiful, and I thought, "How could something this beautiful exist without divine intervention?". I couldn't answer that.

I'm now Jewish, although I'm not half as religious as I may sound. I doubt God's existence every day, but I believe in him more than not. After all isn't doubt the essence of faith, not it's opposite? I still don't believe that many of the events of the Bible occurred, but I do think that the general outline is right. I'm religious in a more quiet way than most. I just try to be good to other people, even if God isn't going to punish me if I'm not.

I hope I answered you're question, and I hope you get many more answers!



EDIT: I just wanted to say I completely agree with you about people being "born' into a certain religion. You can't tell someone that God exists, and expect them to understand the real implications of His existence. You can only truly believe if you discover Him yourself.

Answer 3

Yes.
I've tried thes things and find my life empty, like something is missing.

Yea, I've read that "God is imaginary" post and other sites as well. I've really tried to see the other side and see if they are right.
They might be, but it's not right for me. My heart, mind, and soul, are now set in there ways, even though I opened them up to other possibilities.

I love some science as well. I have read some interesting books and theories. I feel science can be applied to religion even though most think they are miles apart. The science I obtain or understand keeps leading me to the possibility of a Creator.
Just my experience.

Answer 4

No, I could not even concieve of the thought of my Life with out God. I cannot explain it but it is real and I know he exist's. I grew up in public schools so I saw plenty of things that said God was not real only science. I just don't feel in my heart of hearts that that is true. You have every right to believe what you want but this is how I feel. I am a better person because of God in my life.

Answer 5

One may not believe me; but there are too many things in this world to believe it was an accident. So I have for as long as I remember, have believed there was a 'higher intelligence; i.e. God.
Science simply is the way God did it; and something we can learn from how to do it again or elsewhere.

Answer 6

There have been long periods where I haven't read anything or prayed. However, total non-belief was never an option I wanted or needed.

Try the Universal Theology of the New Jerusalem by Emanuel Swedenborg.

Answer 7

what do you mean tried non belief.....you think I was born a christian?....LOL......I had to search just like anyone one else and yes I used to live as a non believer...but I know I have found the truth and now I'm not leaving.........I could ask you the same thing.....Have you ever given believing a chance?.....tried praying and reading and studying the Bible?

Answer 8

In fact, I did. While attending Bible College I told God I was done with Him and was going to lead my own life. At first I felt so free. Then I was insanely lonely and guilty. 2 days later I ran to my favourite prof and was sobbing "I think I committed apostasy....am I going to Hell? I really love God". He sighed and replied, "Don't worry. If you were truly not a Christian, you would not be in this room with me". I'm sort of like Flanders off the Simpsons......

Answer 9

I was a non-believer.....for a LONG time. And I was lost and miserable. I found my faith in God and it transformed me. I have been happier and felt so much more comfort in my life since then. So, yes, I did give it a chance, and found that it just didn't measure up to having a relationship with God.

Answer 10

I have read much from other faiths and some from those of non belief. But I have to say no I have not done the rest that you asked. For me to deny God is to deny myself.He is part and parcel of who I am. The best part.