I can appreciate your skepticism. I likewise know a lot of atheists who have claimed to be ex-christians so they can have the talking point of having tried it and rejected it. I've even met some who claimed to be pastors but didn't know anything about scripture.
All I can tell you is that I was a strict materialist who doubted all religious claims and saw no evidence for a spirit. I grew up in a secular household, had secular beliefs, and thought religious people were delusional. I had no predisposition for a belief in God what so ever. It was only after receiving direct experience that I changed my mind, and I put all of these beliefs to the test and still do.
I can also tell you that when I was an agnostic, I was likewise skeptical of atheism. Philosophically, I couldn't comprehend how anyone could end up there just based on empiricism alone. The limitations of actual knowledge being what they are, I saw atheism just as much of a leap of faith as theism. I was agnostic and not atheist specifically because I thought atheism was philosophically weak and indefensible. I had equal skepticism for both positive and negative claims about God.
All I can tell you is that I was a strict materialist who doubted all religious claims and saw no evidence for a spirit. I grew up in a secular household, had secular beliefs, and thought religious people were delusional. I had no predisposition for a belief in God what so ever. It was only after receiving direct experience that I changed my mind, and I put all of these beliefs to the test and still do.
I can also tell you that when I was an agnostic, I was likewise skeptical of atheism. Philosophically, I couldn't comprehend how anyone could end up there just based on empiricism alone. The limitations of actual knowledge being what they are, I saw atheism just as much of a leap of faith as theism. I was agnostic and not atheist specifically because I thought atheism was philosophically weak and indefensible. I had equal skepticism for both positive and negative claims about God.
(September 18, 2011 at 8:51 am)aleialoura Wrote: Hello. Welcome to the forums.
For the record, and up front-
I am incapable of sincerely believing that you were once a skeptical agnostic, and are now a Christian. I know a lot of Christians just like to say that because it adds impact to their claim of a supernatural experiences and faith. Do you think that your mind is so exceptional that it is incapable of delusion? Silly! You have an animal brain just like the rest of us. It is highly susceptible to any form of psychosis. If you were REALLY a skeptic, you would have questioned it tirelessly, maybe even seeking professional help until you had found the truth behind your gloriously spiritual euphoria.
I am not calling you a liar, but I am suggesting that you may not have ever been what you thought you were.
