Becoming an Atheist

[Vorith]

I'v always knew deep down that it wasn't real and even with the facts in my face I kept my religion some what close to me, I suppeses at best you could call me a "sinner" even though I'am a good person and like to help people and so on, I'am appatrly going to hell for drinking smoking and going to night clubs that doesn't affect anyone in anyway apart from my self.

Maybe the religion you have rejected is a legalistic one (fundamentalist versions of Christianity) that cares more about these things than helping the poor. The "we are all sinners" comment makes more sense considered against our relative apathy with regards to the absurd numbers of starving and suffering people around the world and that we have the resources to cure and feed them and we don't.

And if you are praying it seems to me that it is at least possible that deep down you believe that someone hears your prayers.

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Welcome Vorith. Sounds like you are past the point of no return - congratulations.

I used to be an atheist. I would disagree.

Sorry I should of made it more clear even though I was living in Christian majority country for 11 years I wasn't one, which I still had to study even though the teachers knew I wasn't one. (But I'v heard that's no longer the case, the teaching of religion" in sate schools, the country being England"

Edit: I feel like in I don't explain in more detail It won't make much senses. Well being told I was a Muslim yet no nothing of the religion for the better part of my first 11 years yet studying Christianity at school even though knowing it was wrong (no offence meant to you) because that's what I was told you know.

Then moving to a more majority Muslim country (North Cyprus to be specific, not that people here give 2 cents about religion ) Well to get to the point I started a to attend a private school, started to see the study of evolution and so on, knew it was real yet still kept my religion close to me now I knew more about it better as well, even though it basically contradicted (and still does I guess) each other. Oh by the way I still had to study Islam here at school as well know you see how hard it was

So now I'am 21 and have become an Atheist maybe I'll get wet feet and turn back but I hope I don't ! I know it wont be easy after 21years of being brain washed but I hope to get over it one day.

[Jeffonthenet]

Maybe the religion you have rejected is a legalistic one (fundamentalist versions of Christianity) that cares more about these things than helping the poor. The "we are all sinners" comment makes more sense considered against our relative apathy with regards to the absurd numbers of starving and suffering people around the world and that we have the resources to cure and feed them and we don't.

And if you are praying it seems to me that it is at least possible that deep down you believe that someone hears your prayers.

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I used to be an atheist. I would disagree.

Sorry I should of made it more clear even though I was living in Christian majority country for 11 years I wasn't one, which I still had to study even though the teachers knew I wasn't one. (But I'v heard that's no longer the case, the teaching of religion" in sate schools, the country being England"

Edit: I feel like in I don't explain in more detail It won't make much senses. Well being told I was a Muslim yet no nothing of the religion for the better part of my first 11 years yet studying Christianity at school even though knowing it was wrong (no offence meant to you) because that's what I was told you know.

Then moving to a more majority Muslim country (North Cyprus to be specific, not that people here give 2 cents about religion ) Well to get to the point I started a to attend a private school, started to see the study of evolution and so on, knew it was real yet still kept my religion close to me now I knew more about it better as well, even though it basically contradicted (and still does I guess) each other. Oh by the way I still had to study Islam here at school as well know you see how hard it was

So now I'am 21 and have become an Atheist maybe I'll get wet feet and turn back but I hope I don't ! I know it wont be easy after 21years of being brain washed but I hope to get over it one day.

I appreciate your respectful sharing of your story. Though I too lost my faith because of evolution…. I wrote an article on it, perhaps you would find it interesting, http://sententias.org/2012/01/04/evoluti...ar-violin/

[Polaris]

I was much too fascinated with evolution (well not evolution itself because it is rather boring, but the prehistoric evidence of such a process) for it to ever affect my faith. Also being into that before being into faith may have had a lack of affect on my beliefs (unless you think all Christians should be Fundies).

edit: I guess it probably did have an affect as I am much more open-minded on secular issues (especially science) than the stereotypical Christians I hear people whine about but whom I have never met...seriously, where exactly are they? I did not meet them in the northern South/mid-Atlantic (same thing almost) or Alabama/Florida, did not see them in New England, did not see them in the Southwest, did not see them in the Old Northwest (Illinois and Ohio)....I have not been the to Pacific Northwest or other areas of the Mid-West, do they live there?

[Simon Moon]

I was much too fascinated with evolution (well not evolution itself because it is rather boring, but the prehistoric evidence of such a process) for it to ever affect my faith. Also being into that before being into faith may have had a lack of affect on my beliefs (unless you think all Christians should be Fundies).

How do you reconcile 'original sin' if you accept evolution? You know, there being no Adam and Eve, and all.

Seems to me, if there was no Adam and Eve, no eating of the fruit, where did the sin that Jesus was supposed to have been sacrificed for come from?

[Minimalist]

While I think it will take some time to get out of the bad habit of "prayer" it's not bothering me any more because I know I don't mean it.

Just remember, praying is nothing but talking to yourself.... harmless unless you start answering yourself. In the meantime, print this out and keep it handy for those weak moments.



Welcome.

[Vorith]

While I think it will take some time to get out of the bad habit of "prayer" it's not bothering me any more because I know I don't mean it.

Just remember, praying is nothing but talking to yourself.... harmless unless you start answering yourself. In the meantime, print this out and keep it handy for those weak moments.



Welcome.

Thanks and thank you for the funny pic yes I know its just talking to my self but bad habits die hard =P

edit: oh and if you have any tips to get out of a bad a habit I'd love to hear it, it's driving me crazy !

[Polaris]

I was much too fascinated with evolution (well not evolution itself because it is rather boring, but the prehistoric evidence of such a process) for it to ever affect my faith. Also being into that before being into faith may have had a lack of affect on my beliefs (unless you think all Christians should be Fundies).

How do you reconcile 'original sin' if you accept evolution? You know, there being no Adam and Eve, and all.

Seems to me, if there was no Adam and Eve, no eating of the fruit, where did the sin that Jesus was supposed to have been sacrificed for come from?

I see the concept of original sin as a BS crutch for people to say they can't be blamed for their own mistakes. Everyone sins, so any concept of original sin is pointless in my view.

[Simon Moon]

I see the concept of original sin as a BS crutch for people to say they can't be blamed for their own mistakes. Everyone sins, so any concept of original sin is pointless in my view.

So, why did Jesus have to be sacrificed for our sins then?

Kind of seems like your cherry picking is leaving out the the entire purpose for Jesus 'dying for our sins' stuff.

What other important Christian doctrine did you decide, by fiat, that you don't have to believe in?

[Polaris]

I see the concept of original sin as a BS crutch for people to say they can't be blamed for their own mistakes. Everyone sins, so any concept of original sin is pointless in my view.

So, why did Jesus have to be sacrificed for our sins then?

Kind of seems like your cherry picking is leaving out the the entire purpose for Jesus 'dying for our sins' stuff.

What other important Christian doctrine did you decide, by fiat, that you don't have to believe in?

Everyone sins so each person is guilty and in need of Salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ....now on the Jews, that is up to debate whether they were already Saved or not.

I accept all doctrine found within the NT I believe, much less so when the OT is involved however.

[Vorith]

I was just reading comments else were about another person becoming an Atheist and one comment I saw was

"the devil is a trickster he plants thoughts and doubts into our minds to make us believe that god isnt real,and any other lies he can tell you in order for you, to turn your back on god. believing in god has done many wonderful things for people including me. one things for sure I rather believe then to not believe and find out i was wrong. the battle we fight is not against flesh or blood but a spiritual one. the mind is the battle field. come back to christ he loves you, and he wants to save you from going to hell.

If that's the best answer people can give then I don't know what to think. Blame it on something else and you'r in the clear is what I'am getting from that, people are to retarded to think for them selves ye we've been to the moon and back yet when we question the existence of God it must be some evil force feeding us this information because we are to stupid to question it. /sigh