why do you or dont you believe in "god"?

Question

i am an atheist. i do not believe there is a "god". the reason i think that is because in logic and reason. i dont believe things unless they can be proved. There is not one proof that "God" is real. There is a lot of proof that he doesnt exist. I live in a bad neighborhood with a big gang problem and i see things so horrible that i cant believe a "god" would allow this. There is kids starving all over the world, people killing each other over the stupidest things, war, disease etc etc. "god" wouldnt allow horrible things to happen to good people would he? well bad things do happen to good people. Why dont you believe in "god"? and if you believe in "god" why and explain why bad things happen to good people. i see religion as brainwashing. i get sick and tired of people saying that we owe everything to "god". unfortunately i am literally the one of all the people i know who is atheist.

Think about this:

If we all believed in ourselves instead of "God", the world would be a better place

Accoridng to Christianity, I can live my life full of sin murdering raping breaking every commandment and before my life ends I just ASK for forgiveness and I get into "heaven" what kind of religion is that? The bible is also full of contradiction and Im not sure but i think evolution has been proven

Answer 1

You aren't alone. There are MILLIONS of atheists, and the overwhelming MAJORITY of people on this planet are non-Christians. It's just that not everyone feels safe in admitting it, since not too long ago, churches and their followers KILLED people who did not believe what they preached.

Humans have worshiped THOUSANDS of gods and goddesses throughout history - as a way to explain things they didn't understand, and to control other people. The Biblical God is one of the newest (and most violent) deities. There were also many virgin-borne, miracle-performing, crucified gods worshiped CENTURIES before Jesus was invented. There is no reason to believe that "God" is any more real or true than "Zeus" or "Isis".

I am an atheist because I don't believe in ANY of the thousands of gods that humans have worshiped - to me, it is obvious that they are all manmade and many are copies of each other. I would never be a Christian, even if the Biblical "God" was proven to exist, because I consider drowning, sickening, and slaughtering millions, repeatedly commanding his followers to hurt and kill others, and sending his own kid to be beaten and killed are IMMORAL actions - completely UNworthy of admiration, praise, or worship.

As for why bad things happen to good people . . . such is life. Natural disasters have been happening for millions of years and we only consider them "bad" because WE have moved into the areas where they occur, subjecting OURSELVES to the results. Disease happens because humans have invented and/or use things that can hurt them, and we have invented technology that allows us to live far longer than our bodies biologically need to (i.e. long enough to reproduce and raise young to an age where they can reproduce). Mean people do mean things to other people - often in the name of their religion.

Bad things happen to all different kinds of people. The cool thing about being an atheist is that you don't sit around waiting for some Sky Fairy to fix things or reward you - you join with other humans and do it together!

Answer 2

There are several reasons why I believe in God. The first reason is that I see the complexity of the universe and life, and I cannot logically conclude that it all came about by chance. Such things as photosynthesis, DNA, and the human gene are so elaborate that they must have had a Designer.
The second reason is that there must be a source on which all things depend. That is, for there to be anything at all contingent in the universe, there must be at least one thing that is not contingent, something that is necessary throughout all change and self-established. This could either be a self-existent God or a self-existent universe, and the universe does not behave as if it were self-existent.
The third reason is morality or conscience. Human beings have an innate sense of right and wrong that could not have come from a mindless universe or a desire for self-preservation. The moral law that is inside of us must have come from a Moral Lawgiver.
But personal experience is the main reason why I believe in God. I have had numerous encounters with God, and I have been too close to Him to say that He doesn't exist. These personal encounters were not things that I imagined or faked, but were real experiences that have had a lasting effect on my life.
In the end, I have never found any reason to question the existence of God, and I doubt that I ever will.

As to your question of "why bad things happen to good people", the answer is Free Will. God gives human beings the freedom to choose between good and evil, and the choices a person makes can affect others as well as himself. Wars can be caused by the evil actions of a few individuals, but many will suffer the consequences.

Answer 3

I used to be an atheist. My mother and step-father were agnostics, and they disliked religion. So I was predisposed to feel the same way. I had a bad childhood, which turned me into a bitter teenager. I thought the same thing as you ... why would a good God let so many horrible things happen? And then according to the Christians, Jesus died for the sins of the people who are making the bad things happen. All the bad people have to do is believe in God and spend an hour a week in church and all is forgiven. How is that fair??? I was 100% certain there was no God and I would tell people so every chance I got.

As the years went on I stayed an atheist, but did develop a respect for religion. Religion does a lot of good for its followers ... it gives people hope and helps them be better people. It helps people with addictions and comforts people when they lose their loved ones.

I found God in my 30's. I used reasoning to decide what was the truth and I went in with my eyes open. I still believe and I don't regret it for a second. Yes, bad things happen, but there's always a good reason though we may not know what it is.

There are more books than the bible. Have you ever tried read about various religions? At the very least, you'll get to read some good stories.

Answer 4

I agree that some religions are quite ridiculous. I also find it hard to accept the whole jesus thing.
It is true that existence in god cannot be fundamentally, irrevocably proven, that's why it's called "faith".
But, you don't have "proof" that god doesn't exist. You claim that no god can exist and allow such suffering to humanity. But what if god wants humanity to fix themselves? What if the whole purpose of creation is for humanity to strive towards perfection, and thus draw closer to god? Maybe these faults that we see in the world are actually there on purpose, so that we would fix them, and become better people.
All religions believe in an after life, and that the way to getting into that afterlife is by being good. Now, if everything was perfect, then how could you be "good"? There would be no basis for comparison because everybody would be "good", and everybody would be in that afterlife. So in fact, the world would BE that afterlife.
So, the existence of all these problems that you mentioned could be argued towards the existence of a god, he/she just wants you to work at making it better.

Answer 5

I don't believe in god, with several intertwining reasons:

I grew up in a christian, God loving household. I looked forward to going to church because it was fun and it was nice to think that there was someone else who was all powerful somewhere we couldn't see that loved me no matter what I did or said. This lasted until I was about 15. I had questions before, but never voiced them much with success. The thing is, I was then able to think for myself. I started questioning things very often though ultimately still claimed the role of a christian.
It was just recently, however that I started looking for the answers put asside by everyone all those years.
You know, I actually despised atheists just based on the fact they called themselves such a name. It was almost like swearing.
I read somewhere from an atheist that all children are born as atheist...I was upset and outraged...
I had the occasion to try and explain to my four year old about angels and God because she was very afraid of something and I thought to help her with the reassurance.
When I got to the part about her being His little girl and would never let anything happen to her, she laughed and told me I was silly because she was her daddy's little girl.
It was enough of a shock to really look at things and with a bit of help from a friend, I came to the only conclusion I could.
There is no God.


Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.

Answer 6

I know God is real...by revelation. That is how a person can KNOW (any person - yourself included). That is "proof" or "evidence" to me personally...but I can see how that isn't "proof" to you...it doesn't help you much unless you believe me and get your OWN "proof"...when God shows you that He is real...then you also will KNOW...you will THEN have your own "personal evidence" but then...how would you share that evidence with someone else? That is the situation I am in...I can tell people about it...but ultimately you/ they have to ask God for the evidence and get it from Him.

Earlier in my life I believed in God though...It was more logical to me...things like:
Having a conscience, The laws of probablility, The Earth just 'happening' to stay the correct distance from the sun to sustain life...all the churches just 'happening' to be around, etc..

There is certainly NO PROOF that God does not exist...so if there is NO PROOF about it...why not consider the alternative!?

(Your INTERPRETATION of "evidences" isn't proof of that) Do you think you would know as much as God would know? Would that be logical? Do you think it could be POSSIBLE that there are good reasons that those 'bad' things happen that you wouldn't understand?

Could a person even understand what is 'good' if they never EXPERIENCED bad??? How could a person know the sweet if he had never tasted the bitter? Could you describe what it is like to eat a lemon to someone who had never tasted one? To me it seems that to know what true JOY is...a person must at least have something to compare to it. (and also keep in mind this life is very, very short compared to eternity)

But I can empathize with your frustration about how there are many bad things that happen in this world! Another part of what is happening is that God is allowing people to be free...He does not FORCE people to do anything...it is not His way...He will not force anyone to ask Him if He is real...BUT if people do what He commands then He gives the rewards which He has promised ... for example: Matthew 7:7 Ask.......and ye shall receive!

You are right in thinking that SOMEONE is 'brainwashed'...either it is the 'religious folk' or it is the 'atheist folk'...
someone is indeed following a myth...

I'm just glad I have my answer from God...not sure what atheists are counting on though...

I don't mean this to sound hard or critical...I actually am hoping that it will help you to consider some new ideas...

but if you are asking why I believe... and where I am coming from...well there it is...it is very logical to me to trust God when He tells me something....it would be crazy not to!

Answer 7

I agree with you, most peoples comeback will be that god does this as a way to strenghten our spirits through trials and hard times and it's just a way to make sense of what's going on in the real world. Fact is life is dog eat dog and there's nothing more to it, we ourselves make who we are and what actions we display. Looking back on it jesus' followers thought of him as a HUMAN prophet and until 325ad jesus establishment as the "son of god" was proposed and voted upon by the counsel of Nicaea. Establishing christ as such was very critical in the further unification of the roman empire and to the new vatican powerbase. None the less the bible being finally written almost 400 years after the death of christ should be enough to raise any doubt of "gods written word".
Some morals do stand out as every walk of life should take part in, such as no killing ;no stealing,respect one another,ect.
Not just christianity is being knocked, indeed all religions cancel each other out fine enough without anyones help. Faith is something a person needs no matter where it originates from, it's a self path to whatever afterlife you seek and it's your right. I have faith in myself to do the task that fall before me and to be a good father to my child. The only problem I have with any believe is the hord of people that blindly follow it to the point they would shun/hurt other that don't believe the same. This in any form from any side is completely F****** wrong. Good day everyone and may the god of your choice bless you

Answer 8

I do not believe in God passe.. (especially the Christian version) ... I believe that the Universe is the womb of all life, therefore feminine..I worship a Goddess, but that to me is still merely a prop.. I worship the Divine Feminine.. Also a prop.. It is the energy that we feel deep within our soul that makes us lean in this way or that...Unfortunately for lots of people, this energy that they feel is usually not their own.. It is basically instilled in them from birth.. This I say is wrong, as basically the brainwashed person has no free thought, it is more like subliminal suggestion...That's enough about them.. I will tell you what happened to me a long time ago... I used to go to Sunday school and take my younger sisters with me..Early hours of one Sunday morning in 1965 when I was 8 yrs old... I was looking out of my bedroom window and saw what is called a formation of UFOs..In the morning, I still remember this, I just woke up bolt upright in bed and from that moment on I never believed in Christianity in any way shape or form... I am a multiple abductee and never really knew until recently (2yrs)...My spirituality is unique as I am a Wiccan who has been abducted 12-15 times and have only just became aware of it... It stems back to the first time, I knew that Sunday school was BS and then I searched until I found something that feels right with my soul.... Love and Light... BB.. )O(

Answer 9

I believe in God because if you look at the Earth and the creatures on it including us. Who else could have created something some creative and beautiful with such intrisnic detail. It is king of hard for me to explian why Jesus allows peolpe to suffer to someone that doesn't know him, but i'll try. First God gave us free will and some people just choose the wrong path so its their own fault bad things happen to them. I also believes God lets us suffer sometimes to teach us lessons, make us stronger, and let us see that we are nothing without Him. I just want to shout the goodness of the Lord because so many people don't know it, and time is running out. God would not do anything to hurt us. He loves us all, He died on the cross for us! For people that, doubt Him, hate Him, and hate don't even know Him. Would you do that for anyone? I mean we do owe everything to God. Without Him nothing is possible and nothing would exists. I am scared of what will happen to the people of this world if they don't find the way to the Truth and fast! God Bless and I hoped i answered your question. It is not my job or will to convert people to religion, but to spread the good news that Jesus is the Truth and the only way to life!

Answer 10

Hi there,

Do not be one sided thinker , just as there are bad things happening around, that you cannot believe God would let happen , there are also thousands of reasons why there is a God , why do you only focus on the unexplained things and leave other CLEAR signs aside??

I am sure this site can add a lot to your knowledge and I believe it must have all answers you are seeking... good luck anyway !