I know most atheists are very strong in their belief, but I was wondering if any atheists would be willing to have an open mind and pray and ask God if he is real to reveal himself to them in their hearts?
2006-10-25 18:00:37 · 31 answers · asked by Butterfly Princess 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thank you, everyone, for sharing. I'm a christian, for those who were wondering.
2006-10-25 18:13:27 · update #1
Butterfly Princess: Onward Christian soldier !!! You have a great heart for people. You never know, you may have reached one soul and that will be one soul saved.
2006-10-25 18:14:49 · answer #1 · answered by ckrug 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Are you willing to seriously consider the possibility god doesn't exist? I put my own beliefs to the test on a very regular basis. I hear whoever has anything to say that might change my mind. I'm not 'closed-minded' which is implied in your question. I am not 'in love with' my non-beliefs. I'm willing to change them, the moment something justifies it. But so far, nothing has made my beliefs shake. As a matter of fact, every single thing I see makes me walk a little farther away from religions. Even your question has that effect.
2006-10-25 18:42:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you understand. How about you open your mind and try an experiment. Keep a note book and every time somebody claims an act of God write down what the act of God was, and how it happened.
Then for two months proceed on the assumption that there really is no God. Tell us after the two months whether anything changes in a world without God. Or if the Sun still rises and sets.
2006-10-25 18:07:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
One of the problems with your "experiment" is that you seem to be under the same misconception as most other christians, that atheists have never been exposed to religion. Atheists come from the same backgrounds as everyone else. The difference is that, at some point, the atheist stops accepting, without question, everything they're told and draw their own conclusions based on reason.
In fact, if you spend some time talking to an atheist, you will probably find that his/her knowledge of the philosophy, history and practice of your religion probably exceeds your own.
2006-10-25 18:25:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I thought that athiest don't believe in anything so they don't have strong beliefs but rather no beliefs. Also I don't believe God will reveal himself to anyone, you have to believe and put your faith into God. If he revealed himself than Faith would be obsolete. Anyone can see God everywhere they look nature, child birth, human accomplishemnt, etc. Denial is a very strong emotion.
2006-10-25 18:05:04 · answer #5 · answered by jdp893 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I doubt such an experiment would work because you have to be earnestly seeking.
Folks, don’t give up on God just because he doesn’t always give us our way. Sometimes he knows we have things to learn that can only be learned by going through certain experiences. God is not Santa Clause. He genuinely wants us to grow in understanding, compassion and in so many other areas.
NHB, your rejection did not come from God but from churches, which are the creations of fallible humans. I am certain that God never rejected you.
2006-10-25 18:23:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unlike many athiests, I grew up in the church. So, in a sense, I've already performed your experiment. In fact, my turning point came when I realized that I no longer had faith. I kept looking to reason to guide me. I kept having arguments about the irrationality of religion and God with other Christians. Finally, spiritual leaders said to me, "you must have faith to be a Christian". I had no faith, therefore, I made a conscious realization that I did not believe in God. I've been free ever since. No more guilt. No more shame. No more faking it.
2006-10-25 18:06:41 · answer #7 · answered by Jon M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have already lived quite a religious odyssey. I am the son, grandson, nephew, and cousin of Methodist ministers.On my own, I was a "Jesus Freak" during high school (in the 1970s), majored in Religion in a Methodist college, and spent one year in seminary.
When it became clear being gay would render me ineligible for ordination, I left seminary and divorced the Methodists, refused to return the Baptists' calls, fled abuse from the Catholics, & engaged in heavy petting with the Episcopalians & eventually the Unitarians. Each step led me closer to agnosto-atheism.
But then I fell in love with secular Buddhism because when following a Buddhist spiritual path, belief in God is unnecessary.
2006-10-25 18:03:06 · answer #8 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If your omniscient God does exist, why do I need to fold my hands and look skyward?
Besides, like several others have noted, I tried just this as a child at my family's evangelical church. It was so distressing to be asked repeatedly "to ask Jesus into (my) heart" that I eventually rebelled entirely.
The day I finally intellectually cut the strings from that monstrous church was one of the happiest of my life.
2006-10-25 19:40:43 · answer #9 · answered by Brendan G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He has got to reveal himself to the people of the World (not to a religion) and announce what his favorite religion is. At this time every religion claims to be God's favorite. He must weed out the religions who are lying. And, there are so many of them (maybe yours).
2006-10-25 18:08:46 · answer #10 · answered by The professor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that most atheists rely on logic, reason, evidence, and common sense. There is no evidence that God exists; there is only the unsubstantiated testimony of long-dead people.
This is why faith is so important...and why faith and logic are often at odds with one another.
I'll ask God to come into my heart right now....
Hmmm...nope, not there.
Sorry. Your experiment failed.
2006-10-25 18:06:35 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋