Is there anyone out there that doubts their beliefs after coming to R&S and meeting all the lovely atheists?

Question

Can't help but say they have definitely made an impact on me.

Go Team Atheist!

Awww...thanks Hypno :o)

Diminati, you're lovely in my book :oP

Dancingnancy.. you're sweetest. :o)

Todd--okay, you're right, there are several name-callers on R&S, but they are not all atheists. You probably have more of a life than I do and therefore spend less time in R&S. lol.. therefore, you haven't had the pleasure of getting to know the atheists in here that are articulate, caring, knowledgeable, and sometimes even spiritual.

That being said, there are Christians who exhibited the same qualities, but unfortunately, I have encountered mostly Christians who don't know their stuff very well and only believe it because its how they have been raised or because they are scared to face the possibility of no afterlife.

Mandy43110--you are truly a good example of my personal opinion of how a Christian should be--you never back down from my questions and you always give me reasonable answers. I appreciate everything from you. Please do not take offense to my question. I wish I could say that my beliefs, too, were strengthened, but unfortunately, they have not been as of now.

Answer 1

Go team Reasonable Christians!

Answer 2

I came here as an atheist and found lots of lovely and intelligent friends to talk to. But one person has shown me some factual knowledge that has given me a new perspective on everything, and opened-up the possibility of a higher power that is both good and evil and nothing at all like what everyone has been told about in organized religions. So, now I'd have to call myself an agnostic who's leaning towards a belief system that as yet has no name, but is reaching from the begining of time straight on through the future. So frikken wild!

Answer 3

I've learned a lot and enjoy reading (some of) the answers.
I'm undecided between polytheism and atheism but after reading here, my atheism has grown stronger. Well, I still cling to the belief that there are 'spirits' (energies w/persona's) involved but ones that are not nearly as powerful as any religion claims and definitely not singular or male. Where on earth does anyone see that? A single male creating life?

Answer 4

Linz,

I'm very well aquainted with the objections raised by atheists. However, I have found them to be quite answerable. I shall say it continuously: intelligent christians are aplenty and they do have reasonable answers. I haven't seen you specifically raise an objection that I can recall reading so I have yet to be able to provide you with a reasonable answer, but I would be more than happy to do so.

Even so, you must be true to your doubts and honestly seek out answers. Please do however, try to seek out some reasonable answers rather than simply taking the atheist position as de facto. Believe me it is not. In other words, please "dig a little deeper".

I do quite agree with you that some christian answers on here can be somewhat "lacking" however I have found many atheist answers to be just as equally "lacking" and much more rude and deragatory.

*Todd* That was so very well spoken! I very much agree!

Answer 5

Lovely Atheists?

Linz, you must run in different better crowds.

I tend to get people who are Atheists who must have been religiously abused as children--it feels like they haven't processed all their hate and invective yet. I know the lovely version exists because I've met them in the real world (the place where discussions can be entered into without either party acting willfully ignorant to grandstand to the masses and pander to their side).

So, for those that you know more power to them. I am still waiting for the day that the Atheist side of the argument on R&S doesn't resort to name calling when their well-thought out argument does not turn out to be so well thought out. I am also waiting for the day when the Religious side of the argument doesn't assume that the Atheist is a moral waste, and takes the time to think out what their own faith means (aknowledging the parts that make them personally uncomfortable--not resorting to name calling themselves).

I hope it comes but I feel I have a better chance of finding Leprechaun gold.

To the lovely atheists that I haven't met yet here: Hello and Good Day to you. I wish you my best.

To the one's I've met so far: *sigh*

And frankly to a lot of the religious I've met here too: *sigh*

Answer 6

No. If anything my faith is stronger. It also has made me very thankful for the background I came from. No hell and brimstone taught in my life. No fear or cult like preaching. Questions asked were answered, and sometimes the answer was "I don't know". Was always welcomed and appreciated for who I am.
But, I give a big thumbs up for the entertainment value offered here, and most of that has come from some of the atheists. Some of the questions and answers have made me laugh 'til it hurt. You learn not to take yourself so seriously. Some can't.....Christians and other belief systems included.

Answer 7

"Everybody has doubts" before and after coming to R&S .
I admire people who are atheist because to me it seems that they are scientific thinkers and rely on scientific proof.
What more can you require of a person that is non vacilating honest and sincere? Refuses to believe the packs of lies.
A person that is not hiding his atheism for his own profit and welfare.
Problem lies with religious fanatics who frighten you to death to make you join their ranks. They erroneously declare that atheists are evil and can not be trusted while there are plenty of evil people among religious fanatics.

Isaiah chapter 44 verse 8 says; Fear ye not, neither be afraid, have I not told thee from that time on and have declared it? Ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? Yea "there is no God - I know not any.

Answer 8

I enjoy rational and intelligent discussion. Period.

There are, believe it or not, rational and intelligent people here of all religious, spiritual, and philosophical backgrounds.

And trolls enough of all types as well.

I am not here to convince others to see as I do, nor to allow myself to be convinced to see as another may wish me to see. Neither am I here to impart information, but rather to share ideas, perspectives, and observations.

Much of what I have read thus far only serves to reinforce my own beliefs. And that concept may include modification from time to time if I in my sole opinion deem it justified, whether from Christian, Muslim, Jew, Wiccan/pagan, objectivist-rationalist, existentialist, etc., etc.

Oh, and atheist, too.

However, we really do need to get rid of the term 'athiest' if you get my point.

Answer 9

Happened to me, in a very similar way. I was Agnostic when I started coming here though, Christianity had already lost its shine.

Hang in there Linz life is a wonderful thing to have, and as you begin to get rid of your preconceived ideas of an afterlife and eternal judge, you will find that it will become very important to be the best person you possibly can.

Answer 10

No one on either side is likely to be convinced by the type of discussion that goes on in an environment like this one :P

That being said, questioning your beliefs every once in a while (no matter what they are) is a very healthy thing to do.

Answer 11

I learned that I have been lumped into a group that is hated by more than I can imagine. (Christian)

I always thought I was a decent person and never would hurt anyone but I see that I am viewed as an evil killer. I never had a clue there was such a large number of people who view christians as any kind of threat and I can't imagine why ? It makes me think of revelations. Is this where the end begins ?