Why are people so afraid of believing in God?

Question

Not GOD's. Just one God, Jesus Christ.

Answer 1

Because they have to give over all control and have faith. For some reason, christianity has always been the biggest threat for some. Obviously, because God is real and it's hard for them to admit. God knows this, as many stories in the bible talk about it. The lack of faith. It's simply too simple, that's why God also said you must have the sincerity of a child. It explains, why simple, humble people have an easier time believing and genius don't. They always need that proof. When a scientist, for example does start believing, they are a great asset and witness for God.

Answer 2

They can be afraid for many reasons. First of all, for those that party, hardy, it means that they are afraid that people would have something to say about theeir new way of life style. Some may just not want to stop partying, some because christians perpetuate that the Lord our God is a serious God and that alone puts fear in their hearts and makes them not want to search for the lord our god. Instead of speaking of how serious he God is they should speak of the beautiful things that God does the light that he shines in our lives and the new way and intuition that he places in our hearts.

Answer 3

You know what? I am SICK and TIRED of Christians proclaming the thoughts, motives, and feelings of non-believers. You cannot read our minds, no matter what Psalm 14, Romans 1, or your preacher tells you.

I AM NOT afraid to believe. In fact, i was afraid *not* to believe, and fought my loss of faith. In the end, i had to admit my unbelief, knowing that my fears and desires are irrelevant to reality. "Hier stehe ich, ich kann nicht anders." --Martin Luther

I DO NOT "know" that your god is real, and find it hard to admit. On the contrary, i realized that i no longer believed that God is real, and found *that* hard to admit.

I DO NOT think i know everything. In particular, i don't pretend to know things without evidence.

I AM accountable for my actions. I have no savior to forgive my sins, no devil to blame, and the police don't ask if you believe in a higher power before they cuff you.

I CANNOT do whatever i want and feel all right. Even without a Sky Daddy to judge or threaten me, i still have a conscience. The only difference is that i no longer feel guilt over victimless "sins."

I DO NOT devalue life. Since i don't believe in life after death, it would make no sense for me to devalue this life, for me or for anyone else.

I DO NOT devalue morality. This is a slander for which Christians have *no evidence*. (If you bring up Stalin and Mao, then i'll respond with Hitler (a Christian) and the hundreds of millions of atheists around the world who cause no trouble.) We are animals; that is a fact. We are *also* humans, and there is not an atheist who denies that. All animals behave according to their species. Human animals behave like humans.

I WAS NOT born knowing God. I quite clearly remember absorbing knowledge about God from books, TV, and adults. My mom, a devout Catholic, will vouch for the *importance* of raising children in the faith. Why would that be necessary if we were born knowing it?

I AM NOT unwilling to acknowledge a higher power. I know that gravity is greater than i am, so i don't go jumping off cliffs. I know that fire is greater than i am, so i install smoke detectors and use caution with the stove. I know that lions would consider me a light snack, so i obeyed the safety instructions on my African safari. I know that nature is greater than i am, so i don't abuse her. I respect the police. I obey the laws of my society. Just because i don't acknowledge YOUR higher power doesn't mean i don't recognize any at all.

Answer 4

Most religions are primarily based on fear. "If you don't live by my rules you will be punished eternally." I think those who are willing to question a book written a very long time ago by people who lived in a very bleak and superstitious time are the ones that aren't afraid. As a Christian one can say they believe in God for whatever reason they want, but I think if you really look deep inside you will find that much of your belief is based on fear of what happens to you and/or your loved ones after death.

Answer 5

~~~FeFe,,,, You have it reversed. Atheists "non-beliefs" are not based in Fear, anymore than your belief in Jesus is based in a "Fear of Allah" or any other god which you deem as False anyway. An atheist simply extends this same concept to include your god in the very Group of Gods you render as false. It is christianity that Promotes the idea of a Vengeful God with the potential to "Smite Thee", thus having "The Fear of God" instilled within the Believer. Quandary,,,,If Jesus is "just one god" as you assert, then what is His Father?

Answer 6

Why do you think people are AFRAID to believe? It is more like the story that is presented is so unbelievable and counter intuitive to the way the rest of the world actually works that makes it almost impossible for me to believe. Not because I am afraid to believe.

Answer 7

I claim that for most, it's not fear. It's either that you don't agree with, understand or subscribe to the validity of the stories that are in the OT/NT. A more valid question is why are so many people afraid of really thinking about, analyzing/researching and questioning a belief they were raised with, even if deep in their heart, they don't really feel it anymore?

Answer 8

I think they are afraid to see their true selves. It's hard to admit your sins, your wrongs, your mistakes. And when you learn more and more about Jesus you start to see that you are more of a sinner that you first thought your were. I've never killed any one but I do swear when I am angry, I do choose not to go to Mass every Sunday because I am lazy, I do find myself tuning in to the gossip of celebrities and such, etc. I have dishonored my parents, I do say hurtful words to my son some times, I do find myself racial toward the Hmongs, I overeat, etc. I want to wake up each day so I can work on these errors in my life. I thank God every morning and every night. As for non-believers, they have large egos and can't fathom the notion that they need to rely on an invisible power.

Answer 9

I would argue that those who believe are the ones who are afraid. You need reassurance that there's a better place, that someone is watching out for you, and someone you can ask for help when times are tough.

For those who don't believe, we know that we have one life so we do with it what we can. We're not afraid to embrace that this is all we get.

Answer 10

They don't want to think that they need someone. They want to be independent. Some people don't see themselves as people who make mistakes and need a Savior, while others just don't think there are consequences therefore there is no such thing as a mistake.

They think following God's rules for our lives makes it no fun. The list goes on...