Believers: not a flame but a real question.?

Question

im an atheist, and i wanna know some more about other peoples beliefs. not so that i can say that your wrong, nor so that i can prove me right. I just wanna know more about you, so that i can understand. Its a fact that people fear what they dont understand, they hate and detest it. so if i can understand you, and other like me can understand you. then wouldnt that mean that we dont hate you? and then if you can understand me, perhaps, just maybe, we could be friends, instead of blood enemies. Tell me without saying: god exists outside of time and space, you just need to believe, without quoting from your book(s), without flaming, without hate, but with true knowledge, explain what you believe in, tell me, the deepest way you can, how you believe, and why.

Already love all the answers.
Im the kinda person who wants to understand everything and everyone, i wanna see what makes it tick, why they push through the hard times that come, what keeps them who they are, and what makes them who they are.
and people who are LIKE sparkles9 need to understand...i always make my rules to where i can play too ;)
if not then why bother making them? I love to have fun, playing is a word for fun...well in my point of veiw. But the reason i dont believe, is because i prayed to god when i was a believer, he never spoke. never once helped me in my labors, never once got me through. it was my effort, i worked, i pushed through those hard times by myself, it made me strong, i made me strong. i learned to save my money, not to use it in, church offerings,on wasted gas(even though sometimes even thats impossible),things i dont actually want, or need. through my own wastefulness. I learned to love people with everything ive got, even if they didnt.(more later)

I only put "blood" enemies, to make the hate seem a little stronger... probably more so than needed...cause there are ALOT of posts on YA that are very hateful. from both Christans and Atheists alike.
but anyways.
I believe there is no god, because my life experiances, led me to believe that I did everything alone, or with other humans. (plus i kinda see Donkies and snakes and such talking, as kinda fantasy like) I see bushes suddenly catching on fire, and staves turning into snakes, and fish turning into bread as kinda silly...people rising from the dead also seems kinda silly.But i cant really say i believe in the big bang or evolution theories to much either.
I dont think life is a game, i think we all have our own reasons for being here. i personally believe mine is to help others, to make friends with anyone i can, to help people see eye to eye, and to understand and learn everything i possibly can before i die. I dont believe reincarnation, but due to my childhood i believe in

ghosts. i would tell the story but its kinda long >_>
and im still enjoying the more answrs ^_^
glad you people are making it hard for me to be able to choose a best answer so easily.

Answer 1

O.K. first off, I don't hate you because you are an atheist (nor do I consider you a "blood enemy"). We have a vast difference of opinion in which I am right and you are wrong (HOLD ON), at least from my point of view - I would assume that you could say the same thing that I am wrong and you are right. Truth is, both of us will find out one day who was right - until then. . .

God exists because I have felt Him in my life and have witnessed His power.

6 months ago, my wife was in the hospital. All the doctors said that there was very little they could do to help her and it would take nothing short of a miracle. All they were doing for her was medication to make her comfortable.

Through prayer and visits from the Parish Priest, she was able to leave the hospital. The doctors were very surprised.

Now, I am not overly zealous and do think science is wonderful and that they do a good job of explaining many things, but to this date, her doctor can not say why she got well and left the hospital.

Answer 2

You say that you became strong, because God would not help you. My son could have used some of that. Without God everything to totally meaningless; what is infinity over 70, eternity over a lifetime. If you have an inkling how vast and complicated this universe is, talking snakes, burning bushes, and the rest are very small problems indeed. Parting the Red Sea: there's a moon somewhere that was blasted into three pieces and when they came back together there are cliffs 150 miles high running two times around it. Yes, God may not answer you prayers the way you want, especially, when you can handle it yourself, and become strong in the process. But you disbelieve in God at your peril. He might quit stringing you along any moment. Are you really that strong? I know the answer, if you don't. God is merciful, and you can be a foolish as you are able.................for the time being. You say people fear what they don't understand. Well, you are never going to understand Einstein, much less God. So, you should fear Him. He says to fear Him, if you are wise.

Answer 3

Well, I think part of the answer lies in how someone is raised. I was raised Catholic (which I still am), and a religious upbringing helps someone to be open to the possibility that a supernatural being exists that cannot be seen and whose existence cannot be proven.

Ironically enough, what really cemented my belief in God is my study of science. I have a graduate degree in chemistry, and have also studied physics and biology. The more I learn about the complexity of the universe, the way it works, the staggering variety of creatures that live just on our planet, and the beauty of the mathematics that govern the whole operation, the more I become convinced that Someone is responsible for it. For me to believe otherwise would require the equivalent of believing the Mona Lisa is the result of random splashes of paint on a canvas.

When you view a beautiful painting, one of the first questions that should come to mind is "who's the artist?" When I look at the world from a scientific perspective, the first question that comes to mind is "how does it work and why?" The *second* question is "wow, who came up with all this?" I recognize that science will never be able to *prove or disprove* the involvement of a supernatural being, but my own reasoning has led me to the conclusion that something greater than us had a hand in everything.

I won't go into detail about why I believe the particular points of dogma and doctrine that I do because it's much harder to explain. It's sort of like asking an accomplished chef *how* he knows that a sauce is too thin or needs more salt. Partly from experience and partly from the innate talent that made him a good chef to begin with, but he probably would not be able to enumerate a list of tangibles that led him to the conclusion that it needs more salt. Likewise, I'd be hard pressed to give you a list of cold, logical reasons why Catholic Christianity is the particular vehicle by which I understand the supernatural. It's just something that I *know*, bone-deep. Not everyone chooses the lens of Catholicism to view God, and that's okay. The most important thing about spirituality, whatever form it takes, is that it comes from within and manifests itself in a manner that improves the emotional well-being of the believer and prompts him/her to take action to improve the well-being of others. Anyway, that's my (rather extensive) opinion on the matter. I hope it helps you understand a little of how spiritual belief works.

Answer 4

You seem to be honest and interested.
I am a believer. I'm a Unitarian - but I joined the Church because it met my beliefs, not the other way around. I've spent a lot of time looking at a lot of different religions, and also science like Physics etc. I don't try to convert anyone - to me as long as someone has a well thought out belief, I respect that.

Here is why I believe in God. Not an attempt at proof or justification, just my personal belief.

Any system without an external source of energy degrades into Chaos. It moves toward Entropy. Yet, we live in an orderly universe. everything happens for a reason. I reject "unexplainable" but I do consider that there are some things we haven't figured out yet. I believe in some sort of afterlife. I believe this because energy can never be destroyed, just changed. So all of me will always exist. It might be as a quasar or a daffodill, but I will exist. I also think energy perobably has a tendancy to move back into familiar patterns, so I assume my consciousness will continue to be consciousness. I have no scientific basis for this belief, but then again, I'm not trying to prove anything.

I believe that each person comes from the divine energy source, the Prime Mover if you will. I believe there is an external energy, greater then us, providing energy into this system. I believe it is also conscious and autonomous and it acknowledges us. This is God. I doubt there is some GUY ON A THRONE sitting around waiting to strike people with Cancer.

I also think that, periodically, someone gets a glimpse of the big picture and somehow in tunes with that cosmic "hum of the Strings" and we call those Messiahs or Gurus. Christ was one, and so was Buddha and some others.

I believe this also because I feel it's right, because it makes sense and because of what I feel when I pray or get in touch with my Creator. I can't, and won't explain it to you. I won't even try. I believe because I feel it's the right thing to do.

Maybe I'm not the best person to ask, since I don't think I'm the only one with the best truth. If people think dancing is evil, then they shouldn't dance. It's personal and I have no right to judge that, I can just disagree.

And let me say for the record, if you are an Atheist and you came about this decision after a thoughtful process, I respect you for that. Thinking is very important and no one should have a knee jerk religion. What I hate about Atheists, however, is they aren't willing to give me the same respect. Religion isn't a crutch for me. I've dealt with the possibiliy that there may be nothing after death and I'm really ok with that. It isn't a method of control, I don't try to convert anyone about my feelings. I once dated an Atheist and told him I was a very Spiritual person and it as important to me. I told him I was willing to respect him for his thoughtful decision and I NEVER spoke to him about religion except to tell him I had one, and asked could he do me the same favor and he said "I'll try, but I think your stupid.". And the irony - he couldn't figure out why I dumped him. He thought It was because he was an Atheist - in fact, it was because he was the kind of guy who would call his girlfriend stupid for any reason.

Anyway, that's all the soapbox I have. If you really are an open minded Atheist, you might find more friends then you suspect possible. :)

Answer 5

What I believe in? I believe in God and the bible. I believe that people are generally good.

It's hard to describe my faith and why I'm Catholic to someone who isn't. Just as, I'm sure, it'll be hard for you to describe to me what it's like to be atheist. I'll be honest and say that of all the beliefs in the world, Atheism has always boggled my mind.

I became Catholic after much soul-searching. I bounced between religions, trying to find the right one. Yes, I even tried Atheism, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there just might be something out there.

Then, one day, some friends brought me to the Bascillica. It's a huge Catholic building with three chapels inside. We were there for a visit (a priest I knew works there) and to stay for a mass. The second I walked in to that building, the feeling was undescribable. I felt safe and happy. All my problems vanished while I walked around and viewed the artwork and chapels.

I found that same piece when I went back to chruch. And again, after my first confession in years. I did try other churches, but only the Catholic churches brought that sense of safety. I don't care if others think that that makes me weak, I think that feeling, if even for an hour, that you are safe and loved is a strong thing.

Answer 6

Hello, how are you?

Ok, well first off I just wanted to say that I liked your question.

I have been through alot and have overcome alot in my life so far for only being 22 and I attribute all of that success to God. I do not think that I would be able to be where I am at today if I did not have a God, I am not saying that this goes for everyone, it just goes for me. Really I have no real proof that there is a God except for a few dreams about my deceased father and deceased friends and relatives. I would rather just believe and be wrong than not believe at all. I feel as though it is the believing that makes me hopefull, makes me happier, and many times makes me a better person.

I use to be a real angry person. I am saying always pissed off at something or somebody. Hey, I still am sometimes. But it has calmed down alot. This makes me believe even more because I can notice the hate and anger leaving me. But it does take alot of patience and hard work. I believe that God does not want us to be angry because he knows that it hurts us more than it hurts the other person or whatever we are mad at, so I try my hardest to just blow things off.

The simplest answer is that I believe because I have to. I have to have something that holds me together and I have to have something that explains most of the things that have happened to me in my life.

Answer 7

While this is a nice idea, I don't quite think it will work.

I would never consider a person unknown to me as a "blood enemy." No matter what their belief is. Even if they hated me to the point of wishing me dead.

That's their issue. Not mine.

As far as what I believe and why, I'd be here all day. This is something you'd have to meet with me over. Get to know me.

Even among people in the same congregation there are variations on a theme.

If one dislikes an individual for their beliefs then one is a mere bigot. Not all people with the same beliefs believe in the same way. Some are fanatics. Some are not. Some follow their faith, some are merely "joiners" looking for community activities.

I enjoy my atheist friends. Most of them ask very good questions. Keeps my brain active.

Answer 8

"Hate" is such a hackneyed word that most people probably would not be able to give you a concise definition of the term!

"True knowledge" is also a very fuzzy term. I don't think that the philosophers have ever come anywhere near a mutual agreement about the meaning of "TRUTH."

IMO: In many (if not most) cases, people have not critically analyzed THEIR OWN faith and would be unable to give you any clear answers along the lines of WHAT, WHY and HOW.

My professional opinion is that there is such a diversity in the basic terminology used in the discussion of faith that you will never be able to understand what anybody tells you about it unless you first come to a mutual agreement about the definition of your terminology.

BTW: I started out as an "orthodox Lutheran." These days I am an "Apophatic Mystic" i.e.; "The Absolute is not-not." (The stand alone double negative is the closest thing to an all inclusive that we have in the English language.)
.

Answer 9

Well, I have no proof whatsoever for the existence of a God, but I do believe in one, based pretty much on instinct alone. Of course, this means that my instinct could be flawed - I could be "sensing" some electro-chemical brain thing n- so I have to accept that I could be wrong.

God as a supernatural being does not make sense. I do not believe in supernatural because if it exists, it must, by definition of existence, be natural. That does not mean, though, that I don't believe in much of what we call "supernatural." I hypothesize that "thought" - the electro-chemical impulses of the brain - result in some quanta. That quanta is what I suspect makes up God, thus giving God a natural form and explanation, and explaining things like ESP, ghosts, and the way the human brain seems "programmed" to believe in a God.

Could I be wrong? Sure. but so could you. ;-)

Answer 10

Ok, I believe in God because I have felt the Holy Spirit, I have felt His presence in my life. . .I have witnessed miracles. Although I spent years of trying to turn away from God, He never left me. How can anyone dispute with any kind of scientific facts/theories what I have experienced on a personal level, you can not.

Now explain to me why you are an atheist without quoting any science book, any scientist and overall atheist belief, without flaming, without hating, with true personal knowledge in the deepest way you can. . . . .:) or is it hard to play by the same rules. I believe the Bible is the Word of God . . .I believe in God. . .just as you have believed things that led you to your understandings.