Hello atheistforum

[brotherlylove]

I had a similar experience without religion at all. One day, I simply decided that I was getting tired of my lifestyle and I decided to change. I did change. I quit smoking cold turkey. And I was a heavy smoker. And like you, I really didn't have a problem doing it. I simply truly had no desire to do it anymore. The first couple weeks I did experience some physical withdraw which is to be expected. But that was about it. As far as "desire" is concerned. Nope. I had made up my mind that I simply didn't want to do that anymore.

So I'm living proof that no divine intervention is necessary for these types of changes. You aren't describing anything that I haven't done without any help from any God. I quit drinking and smoking grass too at the very same time. But since I wasn't a heavy alcoholic I didn't have physical withdraw from lack of alcohol, and marijuana isn't addictive so there's really no reason why anyone shouldn't be able to stop smoking grass if they want to.

Not sure what kind of additions you had, but if you where having seriously nasty drug addict problems, then it's no wonder you had a nervous breakdown about it and had to pretend to call upon a higher power to convince yourself to quit.

And I'm sure you feel more joy in your life now that you have dumped your bad habits. That's a given that you'll feel better about yourself and life after cleaning up your act.

What I can tell you is that, no matter how certain you are, no matter how bitterly opposed you are to it, your beliefs would change instaneously if you were to receive evidence it was true. What I didn't understand, and what many of you probably don't understand, is that God does provide evidence of His existence. He gave us instructions on how to receive this evidence, and you refuse to follow those instructions, you can't expect to get any results.

So, that is my experience in a nutshell, and my thoughts about unbelief. I look forward to getting to know you better. God bless.

I personally have nothing to be 'saved' from in my current lifestyle. Like you I had already cleaned up my act several decades ago. I already have joy in my life, and I don't feel any need to call upon a God for assistance for anything.

The only thing I would need to be 'saved' from at this point in my life would be the threats of eternal torment and suffering inflicted upon me by an angry God who is pissed at me for not believing in him.

With all due respect, I truly don't feel a need to ask such a nasty God to come into my life and "save" me from his own dastardly threats.

Yet, that would be the only reason I would need him at this point.

Your message might serve someone who has addiction problems, etc., and can't find the willpower on their own to clean up their act, just like you.

But your testimony doesn't even apply to someone like me. My "addictions" and bad habits were never that bad to begin with, save for the cigarettes, I was a pretty heavy smoker and I thank myself for quitting that disgusting happen. But it was definitely my own decision and willpower that I appealed to.

In short, your "testimony" doesn't impress me. All you are basically telling me is that in order for you to clean up your act, you had to first lean on a psychological crutch that some God was 'saving' you.

Personally I think you could have cleaned up your act on your own if you simply had faith in yourself and the power of your own will. That's what I turned to, and it worked for me.

So, no sale, here.

Having said all of the above, I'd like to add that I'm very glad to hear that you have indeed cleaned up your life. Now if you can drop your addiction to religious proselytizing that you had swapped in place of your other addictions you'll be all set.

Hello Abracadabra I think you might have mistaken the meaning of some of things I said in my testimony. I wasn't seeking out God to clean up my life; I was exploring Christianity to test its truth claims. I presented as evidence of its truth the fact that it cured me of addictions, and that with virtually zero effort on my part. It's a verification of the truth claims of Christianity, to free us from the bondage of our desires. I wasn't a "nasty drug addict" who bounced back, I simply had certain appetites like anyone else that I am far better off not having. Neither would I say that only a Christian could quit a nasty habit. I myself quit smoking cold turkey before I was saved. That isn't the purpose of salvation, it is simply something beneficial that comes along with it.

I would also explain, since you brought it up, that there is no punishment for unbelief. We are punished not for unbelief, but for sin, and the wages of sin is death. You may want to check to see how many times you violate the ten commandments every day. Even a few times a day is going to equal tens of thousands of sins at the end of life, and this is what God holds you accountable for. He offers you a pardon through His Son, but if you reject that pardon you are on your own.

I'm happy to hear you have quit smoking and you have joy in your life. I have noticed that you have in your religion "spiritualist". Do you believe that you have a spirit? If so, where does it come from? I also notice that it says in your signature "you are God". What do you mean by that?