I freely confess that when I was around 12 or 13, I was in awe of Erich von Daniken's 'Ancient Astronauts' theory. It just had to be true! There was so much 'evidence' and it was such a wonderful, exciting idea to me at that time. However, mostly due to my Dad's patient examination of some of the 'evidence' with me, and the way he taught me to assess claims more rationally, I gradually accepted that Daniken's theory really had no foundation. All the 'evidence' was far too ambiguous, and could be explained in other more mundane down-to-earth ways. Occam's Razor, and all that.
At the time it irked me to have my illusions shattered, but today, I'm very glad that someone took the time to help me towards a more rational worldview.
If you're religious today, can you imagine a similar process happening to you? Well that is what a lot of people here would like to help you with. We believe that you will be grateful that we did, in the end, for the same reason that I'm grateful now.
2007-03-09 03:55:10 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yeah my parents taught me to be an extreme christian for many years, one day I realized that I was miserable and constantly scared of the after-life. I was arrogant and I thought that everyone was going to hell (even though it bothered me I was afraid to think otherwise). Then one day a friend asked me a simple question.
"Why do you believe in god?"
The only honest answer I could give her was because that's what I was told. It irked me as well and I realized that I didn't have a personal connection with god. My parents could of told me that god was a carrot and I would of believed just the same. I came to a very scary realization. I was brain washed! Luckily I escaped the fearsome grip of religion and was relieved to finally believe that I was not going to burn in hell for all eternity. I said good bye to Christianity for ever. Perhaps my parents and preachers did not teach me the spirituality behind Christianity but I'm grateful for what happened. Now I am more open minded and have a plethora of opportunities open to me, and I don't have to be constantly afraid of a god that is ready to send everyone to hell at the drop of a dime.
2007-03-09 04:08:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I imagine it could. Some Atheists seem to be very happy.
I was not a very happy Atheist though, so unless something could replace the love and peace I found through Christ I don't think so. There is a difference of faith when it comes to science and religion. I try to make it a point not to mix them together. My beliefs stretch around what I know of sciences not the other way around. When it comes to a scientific theory I might have some vested interest in it, but ultimately I would be glad if someone showed me it was wrong. With my beliefs, they do not need to change(except to accommodate science to a certain point). They are personal beliefs that I feel are accommodating to the world around us.
2007-03-09 12:26:04 · answer #2 · answered by Radictis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you should have remained grateful to Erich von Daniken because he stimulated your imagination when you were growing up and it was a needed part of your learning process. To your father too of course because he helped you in a different process, that of analizing arguments in a rational way in order not to fall into blind beliefs and superstitions.
Going back to your question. Not long ago, they tried during several generations to dissuade systematically people from religion and all it's absurd beliefs, in communist Russia and in China.
It became clear later, how happy they were then.
2007-03-09 16:55:35 · answer #3 · answered by apicole 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was a Christian, I could not have ever imagined becoming grateful to learn that the New Testament was not literally true. But when I discovered it, and began to believe in Judaism, I was very glad. And then while I believed in Judaism, I could not have ever imagined that one day I'd be Hindu, and if you had told me, I'd have been appalled. But now I'm extremely glad for what I have learned. So I totally understand where you are coming from. I think one is almost always grateful to learn the truth, even if it is at first hard to digest.
2007-03-09 12:00:54 · answer #4 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wish people would see it that way... but unfortunately people have an incredible capacity to resist admitting their ignorance. Religion is about having a comfortable, and comforting explanation for everything. Religious people have a hard time facing the unknown.. they want to feel that they have an explanation for everything unknown. It is scary to adnit you dont know what will happen when you die, at least for some people and religion tells you that when you die you will go to some happy place where nothing bad happens. People cling to that thought like a liferaft they dont want to think that maybe when we die thats the end and we truly no longer exist.. how can us people who believe that death is the ultimate unknown convince others to let go of their illusions of a paradise of life after death and admit they are utterly ignorant of any god/s or afterlife?? in some cases it will happen but in most cases fear of the unknown overpowers the pursuit of logic, rationality and science.
2007-03-09 12:13:29 · answer #5 · answered by Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, for some of us there are greater consequences to our religion. It is not simply an explanation of where we come from. Where we come from has little to do with it.
Christians believe that if you do not live as God told u to and believe the Jesus is the son of God and died for your sins, you will ho to hell.
Now, if one day, the world comes to an end, and no Jesus turns up, i will a bit mystified, but then what? If Jesus doesnt exist, then heaven doesnt exist and neither does hell. So then i just get over it and move on.
BUT, if the end of the world comes and who i believe in really does exist, then all the other things do too, including hell. So if i made the wrong choice and did not follow Him, i will be denied everlasting life.
So u see, in being a Christian i have nothing to lose and everything to gain. But in being an atheist and have my life to lose and absolutely nothing to gain, here on earth or after i die. (cos i have looked at the lives of many atheists, most of my friends are, and i am completely happy with mine)
2007-03-09 12:07:07 · answer #6 · answered by Eryn v 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Been there, done that. Bought the t-shirt.
No. I was not happy when I left my faith. I floundered for some 20 years. It was horrible.
By the grace of God he sent a saint to call me back. Now I'm so happy I can barely stand to be in the same room with myself.
2007-03-09 12:07:49 · answer #7 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think with a lot of people, it's a process we have to go through on our own.
I couldn't bring myself to talk to anyone about it, while my views were changing...
2007-03-09 12:02:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No because that will never happen.I am happy serving my Lord Jesus.
2007-03-09 11:59:31 · answer #9 · answered by JCR 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
NO that wont happen....God has helped me for 3 decades and I will always luv HIM!!
2007-03-09 11:58:08 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋