Do you know of anyone who became an atheist/agnostic that chose to be brainwashed to believe in God again?

Question

I used to be a fervent Catholic, but because of a lack of a solid foundation on which to base my faith, many of my arguments for a belief in God have crumbled. I'm more agnostic than atheist. But I don't like the uncertainty of agnosticism nor the certainty of atheism. When I believed God did not exist I was much happier. Life had purpose and meaning and I wasn't depressed. I'd rather submit myself to brainwashing so I could believe in God again. Because no matter how much studying and no matter how much contemplation on spiritual matter I do, I fear I will never overcome this depression and sense of meaninglessness.

I don't understand how atheists could really be at peace knowing that after death, one's existence ceases entirely and those of their loved ones. Not to mention the unsettling feeling of believing that all that happens is by chance and the universe ultimately filled with chaos.

Let me clarify. When it comes to religions in the world I find Catholicism (its principles not it's troubled history) to be the most defensible...from an historical point of view, not a religious one. My struggle has more to do with a belief in God. It's more of a scientific/metaphysical problem, than a religious one. The research into the multiplicity of religions and systems of spiritual beliefs is what really sparked my crisis of faith, and when I discovered there are almost as many opposing scientific explanations on the origins of the universe, I went from being an atheist to an agnostic. But this still doesn't bring me as close as I would like to having a belief in God. Even though some atheists are content in their disbelief in God, I would rather have my mind erased and start anew with an unquestioning belief in God. I know this sounds inane, but for me, if there is no God, then ignorance truly is bliss.

Answer 1

C.S.Lewis became an atheist, then, influenced by J.R.R.Tolkien among others, he reverted to Christianity and became one of its most famous 20th Century defenders. Whether it consoled him is another question. He experienced deep despair when his wife died; he never stopped believing in God, but for a while he seems to have doubted God's goodness. And I myself doubt the goodness of any God who would inflict or allow anybody to suffer eternal agony in Hell, as Scripture and the Church claim. Before you choose to revert to Christianity (whether Catholicism or any other branch), you might consider some of the implications of that, which are spelt out in more detail here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Christianity_As_Unwitting_DevilWorship

Answer 2

As an atheist myself I am much more at peace knowing that my existence ends when I die - I have no desire to live forever. For some it may be unsettling to know all that happens is by chance, for me it is exciting and gives me much to look forward to. Knowing what is ahead creates expectations, which can be a bummer if they are not met. Knowing I have only this life makes me treasure it so much more, and make the most of it. I appreciate those I love so much more because I know I have only this life to love them in. I was a Christian for a number of years, then a deist, then agnostic and I have never been happier and more peaceful than I am now as an atheist.

Answer 3

I find it insulting and it angers me to no end to think a conscious being would allow the Crusades and the Inquisition and witch trials to happen under 'His' name. I also find it insulting that a singular male is given the credit for creating life when history has SHOWN that multiple individuals make more complex creations and females have the majority when it comes to life-giving. Now, I understand perfectly that females can not create on their own but it's obvious, they are given the responsibility for the majority.
I'm definitely not Christian but I've found so many other philosophies that interest me very much. I don't find my life pointless-there's so much to learn and I believe in reincarnation. That would give a 'soul' the opportunity to experience life from different perspectives. For example, I'm sure Angelie Jolie is not going to interpret things the same as some middle class guy who lives his whole life in Minnesota.
I've found Buddhism and Wicca to be interesting. Learn about different idea's/philosophies and remember that you will always have different opportunities to experience different situations.

Answer 4

Catholicism is a twisted perversion of the truth. I'm not surprised you found you couldn't defend it any longer. Don't be brainwashed by anything though. Go to the source ie the Bible, throw all the man-made Catholic crap into the trash and see God for who he really is. Also try reading Mere Christianity or The Case For series as starting points in building a relationship with a God who is very much alive and who designed you to need him the way you do.

Answer 5

I've been an atheist for 51 years and am perfectly content. On the other hand, my wife was raised Catholic but quit the Church after her mother was excommunicated for getting a divorce (decades ago). She tried to go it alone, but felt guilty and incomplete. Then she attempted to become a Protestant, beginning with a slow and careful reading of the Bible. Once she actually read with her own eyes what a truly evil tyrant Jehovah (Yahweh) actually was -- how he ruthlessly raped and murdered countless thousands for no good reason but His own pure evil -- my wife was able to settle into atheism comfortably. Once she realized that God was completely unworthy of the worship of ethical and moral human beings, she was finally able to abandon the indoctrination of her youth and live her own life, guilt free.

To answer your question directly, I know of many ex-Christians who became atheists. I know of no atheists who reverted back to Christianity.

Edit: I actually do recall an ex-atheist who reverted. He goes by the name "Former Atheist" and he frequents this forum.

Answer 6

I have bumped into a few people on line who claim to have fallen away to atheism and then converted back to Christianity.

When pressed for details, most admit that they never stopped believing in God, they just stopped practicing their belief. Of course that isn't the same as actually being without belief in God or gods ... atheism.

One prominent person who claims to have converted from atheism to Christianity is Dr. Ralph O. Muncaster. He now sell books and tapes about his conversion. He makes a lot of claims of evidence that he relied upon to overcome his skepticism. I had a short-lived email exchange with him in which he was unable to produce ANY of the alleged evidence.

Just open the dear_dr_muncast.pdf at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/monroe_atheists/files/ to read our exchange of emails.

Answer 7

it somewhat is incredibly putting the cart till now the horse. You seem to come back from an exceedingly constrained information of historic past to summarize it as in basic terms as you do. in accordance with that i can not even start to modern-day information to the different. exciting to word in spite of the undeniable fact that that our calender the worldwide over is now frequently based with the meridian of time being the creation of the year of our Lord. and you propose there is not any information or reason to have faith? look into the less than for a initiate, then get on your Bible slightly and the numerous scientists who've grow to be believers based upon the information. Blessed is he who is familiar with no longer and is familiar with that he's familiar with no longer, for he's a newborn, instruct him. yet why the better suggestions-set? using fact by some ability, in basic terms having a feeling of being, of understanding who you're, the place you got here from till now this existence and the aptitude that exists in a while differences ones finished attitude of existence to their very soul and that of being. it is not brainwashing, it is something unique to guy and not a great way from the certainty which will become appear as know-how of all issues proceed to flow from the source of all creation. there's a purpose to our life and God is familiar with the tip from the initiating. that's a staggering journey might desire to you dare to challenge into it slightly.

Answer 8

Have you really ever lived yet? Have you ever stared death in the face and come out alive, while others did not? Have you ever won big time? Have you ever lost that which you valued above all else? I am 63 years old. A lot, if not most, of my old Pards are dead. I have one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel. It bothers me not that when I die, I die all over. Just as did the old dog Rover. I am just another animal.

AEN

Answer 9

I'm at peace knowing that I'm making the best out of what I have. If there is life after death, cool. If not, I am living a good, honest life and have helped and contributed to the well being of those around me.

Answer 10

wow Julia good observation
although I wasn't brainwashed
but after years of being Atheist ... personal experiences brought me back to my belief in a God

however even when I was Atheist ... there was no doom and gloom feeling about it
I didnt give the after life much thought
and was as happy then as I am now