Help for an unwilling atheist?

Question

I'm not saying God is real or isn't. I would just like some help. I've always believed in God. I *want* to believe in God. Yet after years of soul searching, I'm starting to think maybe there is no God. The thought of no personal creator leaves me empty and despairing. I have seen many contradictions in the bible. The fundamentalist christians who follow blindly, I despise. My own personal experiences have been so horrible lately, that if there is a God, he must hate me.

So what do I do? I'm not saying there is no God...I'm a christian who is losing his faith because of his skills of reasoning, logic and intelligence. I don't want to be an atheist but I'm seeing little choice. The idea scares me, but I always face the truth. Can anyone help me?

I've just seen so much. The bible says ask anything in jesus name and he will do it. That's not so. If God is able to end pain and not willing, he's a sadist. if he's willing but not able, he's not omnipotent, if he's willing and able, he's a lie because it hasn't happened...things like that just mess me up. I want so badly to believe but after all I've seen from science...how can I? It all makes no sense...

I guess it matters if there's no God because I have no one who cares for me really. I always "knew" God cared though. I suppose the most frightening part is that there's *no one* at all that cares about me. Cause at least I always had God before. Now, I just dunno.

Answer 1

Hey buddy. What you are going through is what all Christians go through. Don't give up. You are one of the ones who will find more than other Christians if only you keep it up. Pray. And pray some more. God has great plans for you. It always goes to those who sem to struggle more than others. I am praying for you right now. We as Christians are to hold you up in times like this. If you really want God, don't listen to those who don't believe. Listen to those who will help you and love you as a child of God.

We are to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. So far you are making the effort. Don't stop now. You are almost there. Talk to Him. Let Him know what you are going through. Of coarse He already knows but He wants you to depend on Him for an answer and it will come. Do you ever drive by a bus stop? Which way is everyone looking?
Answer: They are looking in the direction that the bus is coming. Usually because the bus hasn't stopped at the time that they have expected it to stop there. But it always comes and they always board the bus. And they all are looking in the direction that the bus is coming. They have faith that the bus is going to be there. And it always is. Maybe not at the time that they think it should be, but it always comes. Have that faith. If peop[le can have faith in a mere bus, how much more can you have in the almighty God to stop for you. Keep looking in the right direction and expect God to stop the world just for you. Because He always does and He always will.

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Keep going buddy. Your strength is coming.

Answer 2

I am a senior in High School who will be joining the Seminary next year. In my religion class last week we were studying the issue of faith. Faith is the belief in something that cannot be proven, so I'm sorry to say if you are looking for definitive proof of God's existence you are not going to find it.

However, we can use our skills of "reasoning, logic and intelligence" to show that faith in God is quite reasonable. Look around at the world, how beautiful the world is. The smile on the face of a little newborn baby, the amazing colors of the sunset, the amazing beauty that is nature. This could not all have been created by chance, it completely defies the laws of probability. Some greater being designed our world. I also like to think about the human body. I'm not sure how much of the human body you've studied but it really is amazing how each system (circular, respitory, digestive, excretory, etc.) works together perfectly to keep you alive and if just one isn't working you cannot live. And also how the Earth has everything that is needed to support life....the perfect distance away from the sun so we don't burn/freeze, water, plants to use our carbon dioxide and give us oxygen, etc. Theres no way the human body and the Earth just happen to have everything needed to support life by coincidence. No, there is no way that is a coincidence. There is definitely greater being that created everything.

There are many more reasons why I believe in God that I won't write here...but I suggest you try praying to Mary for the gift of faith. She showed great faith when she blindly accepted that she would be giving birth to the Son of God even though she was a virgin. She is also our mother and cares for us so much. Just one Hail Mary everyday should help. I will also pray for you =D.

Answer 3

You are right where I was about 6 or 7 years ago. You have come to a fork in the road and one path leads to no belief in a creator and the other path leads to a belief in a creator, but totally contradicts what you've been taught. Just my opinion, but I'd take the road where you still have your belief in a creator, but are free to explore all the religions and spiritual beliefs that worship a supreme being. If after searching this path for a while and you still seem empty, then you can always take the short-cut to the atheist path. At some point in time I myself could take that short-cut. But for now, I feel free and happy with my belief in my Goddess and God and am not a prisoner anymore to the empty beliefs I once held as a Christian. Good Luck on whatever path you choose and just know that you are at the right place and the right time so whatever you choose will be the right way for you right now. Blessings!

Answer 4

Generally, people who have started to think have a few options... You can throw yourself at the mercy of the man in the cloth and say what a horrible sinner you are and how you wish forgiveness and give your life to the whims of that man. You can choose to lose god entirely and become a militant atheist telling everyone else that they're wrong and thumping them with your copy of Dawkins or something. You can opt to become an agnostic and refuse to take a stand claiming that you have no knowledge whatsoever. You can throw yourself into another religion and hope to find the "real" truth in there. You can decide to flow with whatever happens and just be a part of the world without understanding or caring. Or, you can choose to follow your own path in your own quest for truth and change your ideas whenever you see fit. In other words, if you like the ideas of peace and love, keep them. If you don't like being a horrible worthless sinner, ditch the idea. If you like the idea of a creator force, or god, but not the Christian god, keep it. If you would rather have the Christian god, take that instead. If you have a different god or lack thereof for each day of the week, stay with it. All paths seem to lead to the same destination anyways...

Answer 5

Many atheists go thru the same thing. It was very hard for me to let go of believing that there was some deity or thing that would make everything OK. It's alot to let go of. But it is also very liberating. There is alot of personal empowerment that comes with the truth. Just know that if atheism becomes your truth, you don't lose any of the qualities that make you a good person. In fact, it's more likely that you would become a better person, in knowing that you take personal responsibility for your actions and helping those around you. Just a few thoughts. There is nothing wrong with the way you feel.

Answer 6

Believing in the Lord is faith, felt in the heart and soul of each of us that believe. I don't feel trying to understand the wisdom of the Lord and the Word can be done thru reasoning, logic or intelligence beings everything the Lord asks of us is done with / thru Love.
Maybe you've been trying to hard to logically understand God, when God isn't logic. He's all around you each day, with all you are blessed with. All your necessity's, all of nature, any and all love in your life,,,,,everyday.
Just because you are having difficulties in your life doesn't mean God isn't with you each day. All of us go thru difficulties, some are even tragic, yet we are strongest at our weakest points and we learn that these difficulty's will pass if we give the Lord all the control in our lives. We know we don't have control over anything, and really we don't want it.

God will let you take control of everything if that's what you want to do. He will allow you to do whatever it is you want to do. That's why He gave us choice; to make the decisions we do everyday.

As for the contradictions you speak of; I don't know of any. There is a difference from the Old Testament to the New Testament, and those differences are going from The Laws of God, to the Grace of God. It's a change of program from the Jew to the Christian. They are all God's people, yet Jesus Christ taking all of our sins is what gave us the opportunity to be saved and have salvation from the Eternal Death of our souls.

Also, there are no righteous Christians. Every single one is going to sin, but we do try to do the best we can in the life we live and ask the Lord to forgive us when we do commit a sin. Learning about the Lord and nurturing our relationship with Him is a life long process, and when the time comes for us to meet Him we will know Him better than our closest friends.

I might suggest to you to keep it simple. Children understand the love of the Lord a whole lot more deeper than adults do. I'll pray for you..............

Answer 7

If you are as skilled as you say you are in properly using your reasoning faculties, logical analysis, and innate intelligence, then just remind yourself of these natural gifts you possess. If you "go back" because you still need a god as a crutch, then I think that all of these natural gifts you posses will stagnate. Your other option is to simply realize that the god of Abraham is such a weird invention that it doesn't make any sense to believe in it. If you still need a god in your life, however, why don't you invent one of your own - one that makes a lot more sense
than the one Christians, Jews, and Muslims believe in? Use your fertile imagination to create your own "Creator." That's what believers themselves have been doing for centuries. Why can't you?

Answer 8

I don't know if i can convince you of anything
but i don't think anyone can really provide an answer
it really is your own personal choice and in my opinion, if there is a god, i really don't think he/she would care what you chose as long as you thought it was right.
yes there's a long list of arguments of how improbable God's existance is and I can readiliy admit those arguments seem pretty strong.
but believing in the improbable does seem to be quite a miracle in itself i'd say. even if it does include unicorns or lebrechauns.
and I'd have to point out. If there was proof of God's existance, in this day and age with technological advents, I'd say it would be very probable people (both religious and not) would dismiss it as a hallucination. I know I might. (we seem to be getting too smart for ourselves. oh well). After all, if you were god, i think you'd be kinda annoyed to subject yourself to anyone who wants to prove your existance.
i don't know. i'd prefer to take Ghandi's stance on this: all religions are true. maybe that includes atheism ::shrugs:: After all, i can't imagine people around the world who have different langauges and different perceptions would see God in exactly the same way. Seems rather strange. You'd think that a long time ago they would think about that.
Then again...today you would think that people would think that but people just keep arguing.
Yes the bible has a lot of contradictions. People remember things differently don't they? and it's an old book made by man and edited by man. Who knows..
This just comes from a silly girl who sees the world as her bible. It's just an opinion. So I hope no one else starts to attack me >>.
I'm sorry you're going through difficult times but I think you shouldn't say God hates you. I think it a bit unfair to blame everything on god as a lot of people seem to do. All i can say is that..without terrible things, i don't know if you'd appreciate the good things that you get.
If you ask then isn't heaven supposed to be all good thigns all the time? I don't know. My perception of heaven, if there is a heaven, it's a world much more real than this (although i don't think terrible terrible things would happen). Inconceivable just like God.
Sorry for the lengthy response but just my thoughts. If you decide to become atheist, then that's your choice which I can admit is a very rational choice. And even if you decide to keep your faith, I don't think you should do things in fear of what's down there or in want of heaven. You should do what you think is right.
I'd prefer to think myself irrational. it makes boring rational people mad and makes life a little more interesting. Just an opinion.

Answer 9

Geez, I don't know. But you sound like you are trying to decide between Christianity and atheism. There are other ways, too.

I felt much the way you do, a few years ago. Including having horrible experiences (a terrible car accident, for one). Facing the truth -- the best you can (because nobody knows all the truth anyway) -- is the most important thing. When I doubted, I allowed myself to doubt. But I kept my mind open. Eventually, I found a fresh belief in God, but without any religious dogma.

I don't know how things will work out for you, but I think the best thing is to remain honest with yourself as you are, and keep an open mind and heart.

Answer 10

Have Faith, that is the point isn't it. It is scary to put your faith into something you can not see or touch. But then again, would you be able to believe in something you yourself created?

Every Christian I know has dealt with fear, and unbelief, it is what we do with that unbelief that matters. Do you let it grow and fester or do you build up your faith around it and ask the Lord to increase your faith and lesson your disbelief. It only takes a little to feel the difference, that is why you experience the empty felling without it.

God absolutely does not hate you, sometimes we are tested, and it is hard to deal with the trials we must faith, but know that the Lord is on your side and loves every part of you. 1cor 12.9 tells us "My grace is sufficient for you" as well as the bible tells us continually to wait upon the Lord, faith takes time and patience Psalm 118:1 tells us that his love endures forever

You also need to decide what truth is in your eyes, is truth merely something that you can see? Reproduce? Prove?

To me the truth is that there is a GOD, Holy and mighty and wonderful. Do I face challenges dealing with that, daily, will I let that interfere with my faith? Absolutely not, it is a choice, just like I choose to get dressed in the morning I choose to believe.

Good luck, and many prayers I will leave you with James 2:2-4 & 12
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

12.Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.