2007-07-25 02:50:58 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Great. So how do you expect me to decide that I DO believe? It's just as hard.
2007-07-25 02:55:43 · update #1
I am an ex-Christian and I never decided not to believe. It simply happened.
2007-07-25 02:57:03 · update #2
not in this lifetime
2007-07-25 02:54:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
As a Christian, how can I possibly NOT believe in a God I've had a close, personal encounter with?
Atheist, have you had some kind of deep revelation of the universe that convinces you God does not exist? Or some kind of experience or encounter with a non-entity that has convinced you that there is no entity beyond our ability to fathom? If so, then what or who WAS that non-entity?
You are so convinced that God doesn't exist, and yet - here you are, a finitely small creature on a finitely small planet in a finitely small solar system in a HUMUNGOUSLY LARGE universe, and you claim to understand the infinite sufficiently enough to say that there is no One out there? How arrogant!!! How presumptuous!!! What do you think you are, anyway? Some kind of infinite god who knows all, has visited the vast corners of the universe, and has existed for all time, that you can say positively that God does not exist???
Get real! More people have been changed for the better by this "non-existent" God than you can possibly count! How many people do YOU know that have been set free from addictions, been cured of incurable cancers, been released from bondage, depression and sorrow by the knowledge that God doesn't exist? Can you even find 10 people who can claim that they were "rescued" from these things I just mentioned specifically because God doesn't exist? And yet literally thousands upon thousands over the centuries can claim just the opposite - that they were "rescued" or "redeemed" by the God who is there!
I am not asking if people can get help without God. I am asking if they were helped BECAUSE there is no God. Don't confuse the two!
By the way, a Christian is someone who has had a close intimate personal encounter with God. Having a mental consent about God is NOT the same as being a Christian. A Christian may change his mind about serving God, but he can not suddenly quit believing God exists once he's met Him. He may decide that he didn't "count the cost", or that worldly pleasures are more important, he can not suddenly wake up one day and say there is no God.
2007-07-25 10:02:32 · answer #2 · answered by no1home2day 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes! Definitely! I used to be a christian and I actually used to believe in it. However, as I learned more about the world and learned more about christianity, I was forced to re-examine my beliefs and I realized they couldn't possibly be true.
I am absolutely convinced that the christian god as portrayed in the bible does not, and cannot exist. (Even if it were possible for that god to exist, he definitely would NOT deserve to be worshiped). I consider bible-based christianity to be a completely false religion.
Also, since I've given up christianity I've been A LOT happier. The idea that christianity makes all of its followers happy is not true. It always made me miserable. I think it makes a lot of people miserable, but they aren't honest enough with themselves for them to realize it.
As a side note: The fact that the christian god does not exist has not actually made me an atheist. I still believe that some sort of higher power or "divine" beings COULD exist. However, they are definitely NOT the christian god.
2007-07-25 10:10:12 · answer #3 · answered by Azure Z 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are going to get two different answers here, a yes or no. That is what I hope you were looking for. Instead of thrying to prove a point that it is possible. B/c ANYTHING is "possible" but, you are asking a personal question...So I will answer you personally:
No probably not. I don't wish to try and find out though. I mean that would be like believing in air (which you can't see, you have to just have faith that it is there. Sometimes you can feel it though...similar to a relationship with God.) Then all of the sudden deciding air doesn't exist. To some that might be completely unrealistic..I mean I see your point though, then how can we say that we truly believe in God and mean it? right. Well, for me personally, b/c of personal encounters with my God. But that is how real my God is to me. To some He doesn't exist and that it their choice... But personally, I guess it would be possible to decide to deny God but inside of me to my deepest core to TRULY believe that there is no God?... I don't think that any Christian that has had a REAL relationship with God could EVER TRULY just stop believing. Some "Christians" have decided to believe that there is no God, and again... it's their choice. But I will speak ONLY for myself and say "No." I don't think that it is possible. God has been so real in my life, it would be foolish to deny His existence, and not believe in Him. Like I said that would be like me not believing in air, a necessity of life.
Hope i answered your question. :-)
2007-07-25 10:07:31 · answer #4 · answered by TRV 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course it is most atheists used to be christians when they were kids. Some people believe without questioning things and others want real answers which may or may not change those viewsand then there are those koolaid drinkers that will believe no matter how many facts to the contrary they hear.
2007-07-25 09:57:44 · answer #5 · answered by discombobulated 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
i was once extremely devoutly Christian, but over a number of years, I have lost that devotion.
I suppose I have to say that I cannot be certain of the non-existence of god as I am unwilling to put the same faith I once had in god into the god of science that so many worship, but I can say that I have no religious beliefs in the tenants of Christianity such as the resurrection and the existence of an afterlife.
Hope that helps somehow.
2007-07-25 09:57:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe because I want to.I can't think of anything that would change my mind.As for you're believing,that's up to you.I don't expect anyone to believe just because I do.It's a personal thing.If you choose not to believe then that's your choice and you should be allowed to be happy with it.I can't prove I'm right any more than you can prove I'm wrong.Only time and death will tell.If you're right I'll never know.If I'm right,you'll never forget.
2007-07-25 10:02:02 · answer #7 · answered by buffalo 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. That would be like saying I didn't believe in myself or anyone that I love. Couldn't happen!
I don't expect other people to believe. We are commanded to spread the word and pray that people accept God's Grace, but we don't expect everyone to.
God Bless.
2007-07-25 09:57:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I did.
But most Christians can't just decide to stop believing. They have lived their whole life surrounded with religious people and ideas; you can't decide to stop believing in something. You either believe it or you don't. People don't have that much control over what they believe.
2007-07-25 10:18:07 · answer #9 · answered by The Rationalist 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no because once u have given ur life to christ u can walk away but thenu would have the conviction and u never can take away His salvation, it is permanent and sir are u a Christian becasue if not soem of these people who say to you yes it is possible to lose your faith they are not christians so take advice form the people who are christiasn and if u need to talk email me
2007-07-25 09:54:49 · answer #10 · answered by girly_girl 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No, it wouldn't be possible. I know the truth.
I know who I was before asking Christ in my life...and I know who I am in Christ. I am not the same person. He has done so much to change me...and my life.
I would never want to go back to the way things were.
Peace and grace to you.
2007-07-25 09:55:03 · answer #11 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋