Can anyone relate to 'the bewildered one'?

Question

"Religion says the existence of God can be proved; the agnostic says it cant be proved; and the atheist claims proof of the nonexistence of God. Obviously, the dilemma of the wanderer from faith is that of profound confusion. He thinks himself lost to the comfort of any conviction at all. He cannot attain in even a small degree the assurance of the believer, the agnostic, or the atheist. He is the bewildered one."
(Taken from '12 Steps and 12 Trad.)

If youve felt like this before and found a solution to the dilemma, what was it?

Answer 1

well I am an atheist and I don't claim to have proof of the nonexistence of god. I claim of the lack of proof of the existence of god; really, religion doesn't have any solid proof.

Answer 2

"The bewildered one" sounds as if he might actually be agnostic. He isn't sure who or what he believes...
The atheist refuses to believe in any god unless he sees solid proof, which, to the believer, is totally ridiculous.
The believer knows with his spirit what cannot be known with the physical mind.

I have more respect for the agnostic, who admits that he does not know, than for the atheist, who also doesn't know, but can't admit it.
But I have the most respect for the believer, because he finds his proof within his own spirit.
I suggest, if you feel like "the bewildered one", that you begin searching within yourself...once you have discovered your need of God, it won't be hard for you to figure out Who it is...

Answer 3

agnostic means without knowledge or in you case proof. sounds like the bewildered one to me. i see no comfort in the lack of knowledge. the human mind has a hard time concieving of nothing or the null set. no answer. both extremes take comfort in their perception of truth and reality.
to answer the question. find an answer no is an answer yes is an answer. maybe does not exist it is no different than a question.

Answer 4

Anyone who says he can prove the existence or non-existence of God empirically is either misinformed or a liar. I do believe that you can have the ASSURANCE of God: That is something he gives us when we trust him.