I have been an atheist for as long as I can remember. About two years ago my hubby was thinking about getting involved with Christianity. I knew that we would have a hard time making our marriage work, having such different beliefs, so I tried to see things his way.
I read and studied the Bible. I "talked" to God and asked for some kind of sign. I said that if He was there, that I was open and ready to accept him, and that I would like to believe in Him.
That was over two years ago. Today I am a stronger, more active atheist than I was then. I simply couldn't force myself to believe in something that I just don't believe in.
Why do so many people think that people could believe in God if they only tried? Have you ever considered the fact that we atheists are unable to feel any differently?
PS -- the hubby studied a lot too; he believes in God still, but is not a Christian.
2006-09-05 12:06:11 · 19 answers · asked by Kathryn™ 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Booth G - I don't think you really "get" what I was saying. I recommend you read Bertrand Russell, Stephen Hawking, Richard Dawkins, Carl Sagan, Nitchze and other scientists and philosophers. I've studied both sides of the issue. Shouldn't we all?
2006-09-05 13:12:22 · update #1
That is very interesting. I guess some people just have a harder time "believing" in something that is so hard to prove. All our lives we are taught/trained to believe in things that we have evidence of. So it is no surprise when it is hard for people to believe that there is a God. Now supposed that as children we were taught that there were such things as ghosts, unicorns, and both malevolent and benevolent spiritual entities of the world. That we could not see these things but they are around us. If it were this way it would be harder to imagine a world with no God than a world with one. Anyway my point is. You believe what you believe because your reality is what you perceive it to be. We are trained to believe in facts, evidence and logic. This is our reality. Most people that believe in God were taught from an early age that there is a God. This is their reality. It is what they have been taught and trained to think. It is harder for them to believe that their is no God then to believe in something they cannot see.I''m not trying to prove or disprove anyones beliefe here that just what I thought of when I read your question.
BTW great question
A Christian
2006-09-05 12:40:16 · answer #1 · answered by Native 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You said "Why do so many people think that people could believe in God if they only tried?" you can try to believe in God all you want but you will not believe, you will not convince yourself there is one. Personally, and im probably wrong, you did all those things hoping nothing would happen, i might have been curious and wondering but all in all you wanted to prove there wasnt a God. God dont comme calling just because you ask. He comes on His time when He needs to. People dont get saved (become a Christian) when they feel like it. The bible says the Father has to draw them first or there is no conversion. If you search and want to know the truth and are patient for Him then He will draw you, but He knows the intent of your heart and if your doing it for all the wrong reasons, im sorry but you waisted your time.
2006-09-05 13:09:19 · answer #2 · answered by Airman_P 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have been struggling with that all my life, quite honestly. I tried to "believe", really, but it has made no differance as far as I can tell. I became part of the church, tried to conform, but found people there just as unpredictable as anyone that had no connection with the church. I could never understand how, if God loved us so much, he could let so many children suffer horrible lives, or let total bastards live, and let good men die. I still ponder it daily, but I guess it is "a mystery"... The church people will climb all over this one, I assure you, but ask them if one person REALLY puts their bills on hold in order to give the church 10%, then depend on divine intervention to take care of the shortfall... I am guessing that what really happens will not be revealed to you... I figure if they will forgive Jim Baker for hiring prostitutes to pleasure themselves with assorted vegtables while he watches, they will forgive me if I am determined to be a heathen. I am not meaning to disrespect anyone... I am just tired of trying to make sense of a non-sensical situation. Like Billy, I would "rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints, the sinners are much more fun"... So, in conclusion, I must admit that I am just as confused as you, probably more so. I try to be a decent person, but am not holding my breath waiting for something wonderful to happen... Good luck, I wish you the best, and if you happen to come upon a concrete solution, I would love for you to share it with me.
2006-09-05 12:35:32 · answer #3 · answered by mobileminiatures 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I dont think people should believe something they dont want if its not in your heart.I would never impose my beliefs on you and hopefully you wouldnt impose yours on me.I think the reason why some of us believe in God is that its a way of giving us hope,it gives some of us peace, and it helps some of us to love better.My son was diagnosed with cancer many years ago and I had turned my back on God..,not preaching and i apologize if it sounds that way,but I didnt ask God to save my son as that would have been for my own selfishness..,but I asked him to give me strength for my son and strength to make it through what ever he decides.If I had lost my son to cancer I would not have been angry at God,I just know there was a reason that I would know someday.I just appreciate things so much more and look at life so differently.I am not a bible thumper as they say..,I dont go to church but God knows he is in my heart.Hope this help and good luck on your ventures and the best to the both of you.And my son has been cancer free for almost 10years.
2006-09-05 12:19:26 · answer #4 · answered by halfbright 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes you are correct. For an intellectually honest person, it is impossible to choose one's beliefs. I could no more choose to believe in god than I could choose to believe 2+2 = 5. How can one choose to believe what to them seems ridiculous and foolish. You Can't!
What Christians fail to understand is just how foolish they sound to non-christians. They either make irrational arguments, or make hateful threats of hell. As if either would make someone believe. Or they deny known science such as evolutionary biology, geology, astronomy or physics, which even makes them sound even more foolish and superstitious. Ocasionally they try to argue that christianity makes them more moral. Invariably this is done by the person who you know cheats on his wife and lies about it. And then they wonder why atheists don't get converted.
2006-09-05 12:21:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
I was a practicing Christian for over 30 years. It took about 10 years to finally conclude I no longer believed.
And, it is impossible for me to entertain the possibility that the biblical stories are true, or that "God" exists.
Until such time people are supernaturally raised from the grave, there is no argument and few other events that would alter my current non-belief.
2006-09-05 12:14:03 · answer #6 · answered by Left the building 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
That is always how I've felt. I never understood how people think that spirituality and religion can come from anywhere but within oneself. I've never once in all of my 59 years of life had a religious experience; I've never once felt the "presence" of god. I've had some very bad experiences; experiences that truly frightened me, but I never once called out for god. And I've had truly exhilarating and thrilling experiences (the birth of my children being one), and I never once thought of god. I've been to the most beautiful places in the world and I never once thought that it all had to be created by a god. I am as much in awe of the physical world as I can be, but because of the wonder of the forces at work; forces that require no god to be. Great question! Thanks!
2006-09-05 13:22:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I could believe in God if there was scientific proof that God existed, or if someone had a gun to my head and said "believe in Christ or I'll blow your brains out". Basically I could believe if there was a logical reason to believe in God, or to save myself.
2006-09-06 11:59:31 · answer #8 · answered by jetthrustpy 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A true Atheist could never ignore irrefutable scientific evidence that the bible is a giant fictitious pile of garbage.
2006-09-05 12:13:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I am like you. I don't believe that having faith in something greater than oneself is something people choose, you either have it or you don't. I believe that genetics may have everything to do with our spiritual identities, and current research does support that. I would think that this would only prove atheism all the more, if faith was not a choice, then faith cannot be the "test" god requires of us.
2006-09-05 12:21:44 · answer #10 · answered by reverenceofme 6 · 2⤊ 3⤋