q for believers AND atheists?

Question

believers, how dramatically did your life change when you came to know god?
what do athiests think of this?are they so set on not believing,they will not be convinced?

Answer 1

The troubles of the world no longer have the impact they used too and I have met a lot of kind totally trustworthy people. And they are not miserable and naive either, far from it. Whenever I talk to an atheist I find that they have hardly glanced at The Bible or any other relevant material. I wonder why people make such sweeping decisions without evaluating what is involved. Some are full of anger too. Do they find the commitment, self discipline or acknowledgement of something so much more significant than themselves daunting?

Answer 2

There could be any number of reasons why a persons life could change dramatically. As an example: a woman that has just ended a violent relationship turns to Christianity for help. After a short period of time, her life changes dramatically. She no longer lives in fear. All that she experiences around her is love.

P.S - I'm an Atheist.

Answer 3

As an atheist, I know that "god" is a fictional character made up by the religions to control the masses. I don't believe that anyone finds "god". I think that people have been either brainwashed or really need something to believe because they are afraid of dying and the fact that there is no afterlife.

I don't believe because I have seen evidence which, although not conclusive, is far more believable than your "bible". Even if there was a "god" and the "bible" was anything to go by, I wouldn't want to be associated with it anyway. It is evil, hate-mongering, prejudiced and frankly out of date.

Answer 4

As an agnostic, I often wonder what the many thousands of Gods believed in by man, if they actually exist, actually think of it all. Perhaps they have little arguments about who is believed in by more people, or who has the biggest or most places of worship. And who's belief system is better, who did the most miracles last week, and who got the most converts yesterday.
Guess they'd have to do something to pass the time.

BTW, I remember a fascinating conversation with a cab driver once, who told me sincerely that everyone who was not a hindu would die a horrible death and be cursed for all time. Hmmm.
Jx

Answer 5

Awareness of the reality of God and His goodness. But I was having a very hard time at the time, and it did not change that; the churches I was going to at that time were very ritualistic - I didn't know any better.
It can seem that atheists are thick. However, there must be a mystery as to why people stumble on in the darkness, often without making any efforts to seek for God.

Answer 6

I answer as a believer. When the Holy Spirit came over me, it wrought a change in me that is hard to explain. Things I had been sure of, I suddenly doubted. And other things that had been mysteries were suddenly clear. I became, in my purest moments, a vessel, part of the body of Christ. But because I was still a sinner, I remained perverse in a lot of my ways. That is why even after becoming a believer, it is still necessary to diligently pursue God, and study His word and pray to learn His will. Throuugh God, I was blessed with a loving husband and whole, healthy, beautiful children, and I do not think these things would have come to pass in my life without His blessing.

Answer 7

This atheist used to be a Christian. So I have been in the position of being convinced. I was solidly convinced.

And yes, some things felt great when I became a Christian as an adult. The sense of community, belonging, and questions answered, and of having a clear direction in life all exceeded anything I had previously known.

And I know a number of Christians who cling to that even though they no longer believe the key doctrines.

It took me years of study and thought to realise that, at core, Christianity is not what it claims to be. And then, to maintain honesty, to depart from it. Not a comfortable decison, but I find I have to go with truth as I see it.

Answer 8

I was raised in church but it took me a long time to actually get the "point" of it all. I was cynical and I hated the community aspect of it (felt like a cult). i still don't go to church often. My life got a lot better when I started having faith. It's kind of like I started getting things I wanted (or prayed for) and I just wasn't as negative. Things didn't get to me as much and my life just started going uphill (in terms of goals and dreams). My friend was an athiest and it seemed like the main thing was her not having proof of his existence and also all the bad things that were going on in the world. She just didn't have any care for it or faith and that's pretty important with Christianity. The whole thing is that you have to trust and kind of believe without seeing so it's understandable. She was only open to Christianity again when she hit rock bottom. It got to the point where she was trying to kill herself and she didn't really have any support or anyone to turn to. She started praying and reading the Bible and I guess whatever happened to her happened to me cuz she's a lot happier now.

Answer 9

Mine was dramatic. I literally grew up in the church. I left my biological parents to stay at the church. I was so taken by it that ended up taking priesthood. I had been aware that most Christians, and the very strong ones in the church committees, are hypocrites. I had been hearing that pastors have problems amongst themselves. But what I witnessed at the church synod intended to accept me was a turning point. I was accepted. There was no real problem with me or other who were coming into the ministry. But their internal fights, backstabbing, nastiness made me sick and I started being too critical of the faith, since then I never looked back to Christianity. Maybe there's God. Maybe there's still hope. But all my interactions with Christians, including those I met on Y! are not bringing any hope!

Answer 10

It's not a matter of stubbornness - I'm an educated, intelligent person who's heard both sides of the story and has made a conscious decision not to believe in god. It was a gradual realisation, but when it happened the whole world made so much more sense to me and I realised that the only person responsible for me is me. It was empowering.