I mean sure, you heard of those people questionning God, who had doubts, the "sinful" and "heathens", but never could you have imagined that there were people who said point blank " There is NO God".
I remember the first time I heard someone saying that and I stared at him mouth open like " What?" Is it possible to think that? I thought you could say " God is mean" or "God doesn't love us" but "he isn't real?" Get out!
Anyone else grew up that way?
oh...and I chose that option by the way....
2007-05-23 05:15:35 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I meant it wasn't an option
2007-05-23 05:18:52 · update #1
Me! *waves hand in air excitedly*
I was so relieved when I heard about atheism, it was nice to know I wasn't the only one!
2007-05-23 05:18:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I grew up without major religious influences, but when I was a little kid I always thought there was a god of some sort, when I first heard the concept I thought it was impossible like you. Eventually as I became older I realized the error of my ways. I think since kids are so simple that they take the first information and impression they get and treat them as an absolute, and it's not until that they are older option B presents itself.
2007-05-23 12:20:28 · answer #2 · answered by Kam 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like the way Sam Harris puts it.
If you're a Christian, believe in heaven and hell, and have kids, the worst fear you have is that your kids will go to hell. Therefore the atheist across the street, or anything that might expose your kids to the possibility of there being no god, may set your kids on the path to eternal damnation.
This makes the atheist a greater threat than the child molestor, than the terrorist, etc.
So it's understandable that many kids grow completely shielded from the "there is no god" idea. When they get their first peek outside their bubble, yes their jaw can drop a few feet.
2007-05-23 12:26:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I grew up the exact oposite actually, but I understand what you mean. My part of my country is very atheistic, gods were never even a part of my youth. Parents and grandparents are all atheists, as were all the kids I knew.
At the age of 16 we got a Christian girl in our class, and we were honestly shocked that a person could actually be like that.
I'm 27 now, have learned to respect religions, but I understand how you must have felt.
2007-05-23 12:22:27 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It didn't occur to me to not believe in god until I was 12 years old. And even then I had never met anyone or heard of anyone like that. I figured it out on my own, but it was a very odd idea I thought. I became an atheist when I was 12. I got born again later, but don't worry, when I became an adult I started thinking for myself again and I'm an atheist today.
2007-05-23 12:20:49 · answer #5 · answered by A 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes I grew up that way I was just as slack-jawed as you the first time I ever heard someone say there is no God.
I also chose not to believe in God
my younger brother is a fundie preacher you can imagine how much fun family gatherings are
LOL
2007-05-23 12:20:24 · answer #6 · answered by FallenAngel© 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I grew up in the Christian faith thinking that belief in God was not optional. I have gone from believing because I was told to, then to almost not believing at all, and then through a series of events, believing that God does exist - however, I do not call myself Christian anymore.
2007-05-23 12:25:24 · answer #7 · answered by milomax 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I questioned the existance of God . So I began reading books by people who have had personal experiences. And started searching for Him.
Now the idea of God is a no-brainer. I mean the spirit of God is the universe itself. So vaast aand all-knowing.
He's real and his spirit brought me pease.
2007-05-23 12:23:14 · answer #8 · answered by Handy man 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I grew up in an area where atheism is equated with devil worship, and even possession.
I thought something was wrong with me for years because I didn't believe in God. It wasn't until I went to college and met like-minded people that my fears were put to rest, and that my beliefs were just as valid as anyone else's.
2007-05-23 12:20:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
The first time someone told me "I don't believe in God" I heard the words but couldn't actually understand what they were saying. It took me a looong time to understand and appreciate. Currently agnostic myself.
2007-05-23 12:57:30 · answer #10 · answered by Aria 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If somebody says there is no GOD...well thats my open door to tell them about him and his loving grace... i look at it in a positive way...because i can shed a little more knowledge on that person about GOD.
2007-05-23 12:24:32 · answer #11 · answered by SuperMan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋