Okay, what I mean is, for atheists people always ask why we don't believe. Then they say that they believe because they have "faith". Does anyone ever just think "Well, dang, I didn't conciously choose not to have faith. I just...don't. How, then, can I be punished for this (going to Hell)?" I've been to church but honestly it is just to impossible for me to accept (thought I won't outrightly deny the existence of God, because I dont know). But I just wanted to know if other people ever think this way.
2007-01-21 02:21:17 · 19 answers · asked by eastchic2001 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Okay, really quick I want to clarify. I'm not worried about going to hell. My point is, that is something that I wish I could explain to believers, but they never seem to understand that. And I use the term atheist because it's easier for practical purposes. A lot of literature on religion argues that you can either be a "theist" and believe, or not believer which makes you "atheist", no in between. Clasifaction doesn't really matter anyway, just wanted to clarify.
2007-01-21 02:33:35 · update #1
As an agnostic I can relate too your feeling of "its not my fault." All around you there are people spouting out stuff that really does not make a lot of sense. I think it all comes down to self honesty. To me having Faith in origin , God(s) , afterlife is to pretend. Pretending is lying to yourself. Sometimes its fun. Sometimes its beneficial. In my opinion the ability to be honest with yourself is taken away when religions/faith is taught in the form of facts to children. Faith spoken the the form of truth and facts over and over and over again to a child's ears will in most cases render them incapable of questioning the world around them and answering honestly. Even if the answer is that you didnt have the information needed to arrive at an answer. It is your environments fault that you have the healthy ability to be honest with yourself.
2007-01-21 02:46:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good point. However, given that you believe or are at least worried about hell makes me believe YOU believe a little more than you think. The way I look at it, if you live your life in a rightous manner, help your fellow man, and appreciate life, if there is an after life you should get on the better end of it. You dont have to buy into a certain dogma to be a good person. If any religion was favored by god, why do they need so much damn money all the time? Faith is blind and god can never be proven because proof negates faith. Besides, everyone knows god is love, so if you believe in love, you believe in god.
2007-01-21 10:26:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are a perfectly sane human being without pretensions and / or hypocrisy. I feel just the same way.
Even true 'believers' never had blind faith. Many of them started with disbelief, went through metamorphoses through different realizations and started on a religious path.
Please don't ever believe blindly. Blind faith is the root of many an unnecessary 'crusade'. If faith is to come to you, wait until it does in due course. Don't impose anything on yourself. If you do you'll not be a believer, you'll be an imposter and a hypocrite, like many so-called believers are!
2007-01-21 10:30:41 · answer #3 · answered by Sabya 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe there is no god. I choose it. I live this life as if it is the only one I have, because it is.
The "why's" I choose to not believe are numerous. I wont bore you with those, but I will tell you that I have contemplated the existence of god since I was a child. I have studied theology (formally) throughout my life and I am completely comfortable with my choices.
2007-01-21 10:30:01 · answer #4 · answered by Crozzlow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These are the same people that claim that homosexuality is a choice. For them, they can't concieve of things not being a choice.
Its about being a closed minded Chistian. They live everything on faith, so expect everyone else too. Good thing the world is starting to wake up and open its eyes to the lies.
2007-01-21 10:38:29 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if you don't deny the existence of a higher being, then you're agnostic, not atheist.
But there are many people who have a hard time believing in things that cannot be seen or touched or whatnot., so don't worry about it.
It's your life and if you're happy with (or in this case without) your faith, don't let anyone bother you about it.
2007-01-21 10:27:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if there is a Hell think about all the other
folks who had faith in another god that they
may have had no idea was fake.
In my opinion Hell is one of man's most
horrific creations. The concept is sadistic at best.
2007-01-21 10:25:12 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The promise of "eternal life in Heaven" is the only tool the organized church has to subjugate followers. Preying upon the fear of death (which is eternal), the notion of everlasting life is a compelling argument for belief.
If there is no "Heaven" then consequently, there is no "Hell". If there is no reward for the unfaithful, how can there be a punishment?
2007-01-21 10:28:13 · answer #8 · answered by ©2009 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm an atheist, but I don't feel like you. I'm proud to say that I don't believe in all that religious nonsense, and I certainly don't feel I have to apologise for not believing in god. I think atheists are more highly evolved than religious people.
Why worry about going to hell, when you KNOW hell doesn't exist?
2007-01-21 10:26:28 · answer #9 · answered by friendly_funlover1 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Have you ever asked God to give you faith? When you approach Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him into your life, He will help develop your faith. Faith comes by reading God's word and what He has to say about life. You are on a journey of faith and I truly hope that you find your answer.
2007-01-21 10:27:05 · answer #10 · answered by angel 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋