Hi from an Aussie Athiest
February 6, 2016 at 8:50 am
(This post was last modified: February 6, 2016 at 8:51 am by Eclipse.)
Hi all,
First post from someone who has been on a transitional journey from agnostic, to a passive athiest and now to an active athiest.
I suppose, like many others, my agnosticism really just stemmed from looking at all things and thinking "Everything is just too finely balanced for it to be a fluke. The only answer is God. But which God ?", While that was my belief I was never really comfortable with that conclusion. I felt I had to make a decision to either believe in one God or not to believe ( that should have been clue one as to where my true beliefs lie as I don't think a person should just simply "decide" to believe in a God) and as I asked more questions, particularly of theologians , thought more, read more and watched more debates (enter Messes Hitchens, Dawkins and Harris et al) I came to the conclusion that I cannot be true to myself if I was to believe in a higher power.
Ironically enough, one of the biggest influences on my conversion is that I decided to read the Bible and to try to understand it. So I read the book and came to the conclusion that if this in fact the word of God then this God has to be one of the most narcissistic, abusive, racist, misogynistic and downright murderous entities in the history of the world. I also sat down with a colleague of mine who has a degree in Theology and also runs a bible study group. As I asked him questions regarding Christianity and his beliefs, and put certain scenarios forward. I found his responses to be unconvincing to say the least, as well as some being contradictory to his religion.
After more thought I came to the conclusion that the only way I could be true to who I am is to believe that all I have is me. There is no-one "looking over me" or there is no-one with a plan for me. I am not shackled by trying to live up to the expectations of the almighty creator. I am free to think what I like and to act as I like without fear of retribution and damnation from the Holy Father. I do good because i want to live my life like that and not just in some vain attempt to please a celestial dictator who cannot be pleased. There is just me, born not of Gods will and image but of stardust, and I will live then die exactly like everyone who went before me and everyone who will come after me. And that is a truly liberating feeling.
We'll, I could go on forever but will leave it at that.
Good to be aboard and I hope I can be a worthwhile contributor.
First post from someone who has been on a transitional journey from agnostic, to a passive athiest and now to an active athiest.
I suppose, like many others, my agnosticism really just stemmed from looking at all things and thinking "Everything is just too finely balanced for it to be a fluke. The only answer is God. But which God ?", While that was my belief I was never really comfortable with that conclusion. I felt I had to make a decision to either believe in one God or not to believe ( that should have been clue one as to where my true beliefs lie as I don't think a person should just simply "decide" to believe in a God) and as I asked more questions, particularly of theologians , thought more, read more and watched more debates (enter Messes Hitchens, Dawkins and Harris et al) I came to the conclusion that I cannot be true to myself if I was to believe in a higher power.
Ironically enough, one of the biggest influences on my conversion is that I decided to read the Bible and to try to understand it. So I read the book and came to the conclusion that if this in fact the word of God then this God has to be one of the most narcissistic, abusive, racist, misogynistic and downright murderous entities in the history of the world. I also sat down with a colleague of mine who has a degree in Theology and also runs a bible study group. As I asked him questions regarding Christianity and his beliefs, and put certain scenarios forward. I found his responses to be unconvincing to say the least, as well as some being contradictory to his religion.
After more thought I came to the conclusion that the only way I could be true to who I am is to believe that all I have is me. There is no-one "looking over me" or there is no-one with a plan for me. I am not shackled by trying to live up to the expectations of the almighty creator. I am free to think what I like and to act as I like without fear of retribution and damnation from the Holy Father. I do good because i want to live my life like that and not just in some vain attempt to please a celestial dictator who cannot be pleased. There is just me, born not of Gods will and image but of stardust, and I will live then die exactly like everyone who went before me and everyone who will come after me. And that is a truly liberating feeling.
We'll, I could go on forever but will leave it at that.
Good to be aboard and I hope I can be a worthwhile contributor.
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