The problem is I don't WANT to be an atheist. I have been thinking about life and meaning, and I find that there is no purpose in life and I am doubting my religion (Catholic). How do I find my path? I don't want people to say which is right, I just want to know how to beleive again.
2007-02-01 15:10:30 · 37 answers · asked by Liquid Snake 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Why don't you read all of C.S. Lewis' works?
He was an atheist who became a Christian.
2007-02-01 15:18:59 · answer #1 · answered by The Notorious Doctor Zoom Zoom 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
A lot of atheists that were raised in a religion go through that. I was raised catholic, too. I wish I could believe in an afterlife, and that I'll get to see friends and family again after I die. It's an appealing thought. But in my heart I just don't believe it, and belief can't be forced.
Questioning your religion isn't a bad thing, you should think of it as an accomplishment. The majority of people accept the things they were taught growing up without question, and never have the curiosity or courage to critically examine the things they have been taught to believe to see if it holds up to scruitiny.
The great thing about not following a dogmatic religion like catholicism is power you have over your own life. The plan and purpose of your life is no longer in the hands a an all powerful diety that you will never meet in person, but in your own hands. Your life is what you make it, and you are free to pursue your own purpose and find your own meaning.
So, the short answer is that if you truly don't believe anymore, then there is no way to go back, and you will find in time that you won't want to.
2007-02-05 04:54:31 · answer #2 · answered by eviltruitt 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How long has it been since you've prayed? I mean, I know prayer isn't the answer to everything, but it sure helps a lot. Sometimes when I've prayed really wanting to know if God is there, that is when I've gotten my answer. And it was quite powerful . . . no angels or anything, but I have no doubt in my mind now.
As for the purpose of this life. If you believe in a life after this one (and possibly before), it is a lot easier to see that. I believe that our purpose is to gain bodies and to gain experience. I think God wants us to become more than we are, and that is why we are here. That is why there are struggles and hardships (we really can't become mature and good people without that). I don't believe that when we go to heaven we just sit and play a harp. I think we will be doing a lot, and that God will be wanting us to improve.
Another thing he wants: he wants us to be happy. Have a family, have good and wholesome relationships. I really do believe he sees us and goes through what we go through to some extent, his love for us is that profound and deep. He wants us to be happy, and to find meaning in life. Keep searching, and don't give up. Truth does exist. Reach out for it.
2007-02-01 15:24:30 · answer #3 · answered by Laurel W 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you want to be an atheist, i'll answer it for you because your afraid of what is going to happen after you die. You can't learn how to believe again man if you have figured out that religion is wrong and you have your doubts about god then what does religion still have left for you. Why do you want to find the path... your not really having any feelings of doubt your just looking for attention. Why is it so bad to be atheist I don't get it.
2007-02-01 15:18:41 · answer #4 · answered by Satan 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Please don't take this the wrong way... but if you're looking for a path that gives you meaning and faith, Catholicism may not be the way to go. I am a Christian, and you should certainly avoid being an athiest, however I can see where your problem might be.. many of the questions that athiests on this site pose to make christianity look bad / seemingly foolish christian beliefs / supposed biblical contradictions are based on many of Catholicism's flawed doctrines. Study the Bible personally... look at the teachings, what Jesus expects of his followers... and find a religion that seems to emulate those teachings, not a religion that claims its leader can supercede biblical teachings...
2007-02-01 15:31:04 · answer #5 · answered by Andrew G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I've become a fundamentalist Christian. The problem is I don't WANT to be a fundamentalist Christian. But I've been thinking about the meaning of life, and the true stories about talking serpents being part of creation and God stopping the Sun in the sky so that some human beings would have more light to kill other human beings are awfully compelling.
How do I find my path? I just want to know how not to believe again.
2007-02-01 15:20:00 · answer #6 · answered by tychobrahe 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I first would like to recommend that you try other christian churches. Maybe it is in the presentation. I grew up in an Episcapal Church and I never learned the charactor and nature of God. I was confused on how the message was presented. I tried other churches and found one that fit who I was and that taught me about God and all that Christ had done for me. I became closer to him and I have seen miricles in my life that could not be explained...But GOD
I can't tell you what will work for you but most athiests that I have talked to (Not all) were at one time catholic. I don't think most catholic churches teach the way that they used to and I think they make it more about an image then the true message.
Don't give up on God because he has not given up on you. You'll find him...his word says to seek him.
2007-02-01 15:19:20 · answer #7 · answered by CLEMVIER 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many new atheists confront the problem of life's seeming meaninglessness. Life is not meaningless. When I teach evolution, I tell my students to consider two individuals in history:
Moulay Ismail the Bloodthirsty who had 888 children
vs.
Jesus of Nazareth who had 0 children
Who was the more successful human? Moulay or Jesus???
The answer is Jesus (and I'm a hardcore atheist). Why?
Moulay left genes, but the constellation of genes that was Moulay Ismail was halved every generation until they disappeared (and genes aren't all that important in determining human behavior). Jesus of Nazareth, however, passed on one of the biggest memes of all times (Christianity). Memes are not dliluted every generation and they can be passed on to people outside your family. Memes are also much more important than genes in determining human behavior.
Life is not meaningless. Although we will all be wormfood when we die, our memes, if they are good, will live on.
I hope this long-winded answer helps. Good luck.
2007-02-01 15:30:40 · answer #8 · answered by ivorytowerboy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"An Atheist's life has meaning and purpose"? Well she's a doctor so she must be right...
You don't need to belong to an organized religion, they're man made institutions and God exists without them. Men say we need to go to church and follow some book, but I don't think God wants that. I believe that he wants us to live a good life while using the common sense he gave us.
2007-02-01 15:23:17 · answer #9 · answered by James P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are kind of vague as to what made you doubt your belief in God. I could cite archaeological and circumstantial evidence to suggest that Jesus died and rose again (at least one of 500 martyrs certainly would have recanted their story to save their own life if the story wasn't true), or documentary evidence to suggest that the Bible hasn't been tampered with, but I have noticed that usually what makes people doubt their faith is something more personal, like a tragedy in their lives that makes them doubt God's goodness.
Without more details, I am afraid that I can only offer general help:
2007-02-05 11:36:07 · answer #10 · answered by Randy G 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that what you've become is more like an agnostic. As to your path - I suggest learning about various beliefs and practices, and choosing one that suits you. I can relate to your situation, as I was raised as a Christian, but eventually converted to a fairly liberal form of Judaism. Along the way, I studied many beliefs, and also read a great deal of philosophy (and still do). I think that as long as you are a person who takes care of yourself, treats others well, and helps to take care of the world in which we live, the particulars of your religious belief and practice (if any) are up to you.
2007-02-01 15:17:04 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋