As a former believer, in some ways I miss believing

[interestedman]

I miss feeling comfortable with the way things were going. “Everything happens for a reason” is a mantra that can’t really be reconciled with a world view without some sort of God. It was calming believing that something bigger was always looking out for me. It was nice praying at night as a way to unwind and relay my thoughts to an all loving being.

But believing in God is not something you can just choose to do. I have come to the conclusion that it is very unlikely that there is a God and unless some world changing thing happened, I doubt that will change.

People say “you just have to open up your heart and God will open up to you” or things like that. In my eyes this is just a way of saying “you just have to be open to believing in God and your brain will do the rest.”

But it was nice when everything happened for a reason. Life was a little less stressful.

 

[JDaniel]

I miss feeling comfortable with the way things were going. “Everything happens for a reason” is a mantra that can’t really be reconciled with a world view without some sort of God. It was calming believing that something bigger was always looking out for me. It was nice praying at night as a way to unwind and relay my thoughts to an all loving being.

But believing in God is not something you can just choose to do. I have come to the conclusion that it is very unlikely that there is a God and unless some world changing thing happened, I doubt that will change.

People say “you just have to open up your heart and God will open up to you” or things like that. In my eyes this is just a way of saying “you just have to be open to believing in God and your brain will do the rest.”

But it was nice when everything happened for a reason. Life was a little less stressful.

IM:

And the material is more comfortable now.

God bless,
jd

 

[edward_george]

I miss feeling comfortable with the way things were going. “Everything happens for a reason” is a mantra that can’t really be reconciled with a world view without some sort of God. It was calming believing that something bigger was always looking out for me. It was nice praying at night as a way to unwind and relay my thoughts to an all loving being.

But believing in God is not something you can just choose to do. I have come to the conclusion that it is very unlikely that there is a God and unless some world changing thing happened, I doubt that will change.

People say “you just have to open up your heart and God will open up to you” or things like that. In my eyes this is just a way of saying “you just have to be open to believing in God and your brain will do the rest.”

But it was nice when everything happened for a reason. Life was a little less stressful.

Aquinas’ Fifth Way is basically what you’re talking about.

The fifth way is taken from the governance of the world. We see that things which lack intelligence, such as natural bodies, act for an end, and this is evident from their acting always, or nearly always, in the same way, so as to obtain the best result. Hence it is plain that not fortuitously, but designedly, do they achieve their end. Now whatever lacks intelligence cannot move towards an end, unless it be directed by some being endowed with knowledge and intelligence; as the arrow is shot to its mark by the archer. Therefore some intelligent being exists by whom all natural things are directed to their end; and this being we call God.

From ST I, q2, a3.

-ACEGC

 

[Perplexity]

I miss feeling comfortable with the way things were going. “Everything happens for a reason” is a mantra that can’t really be reconciled with a world view without some sort of God. It was calming believing that something bigger was always looking out for me. It was nice praying at night as a way to unwind and relay my thoughts to an all loving being.

But believing in God is not something you can just choose to do. I have come to the conclusion that it is very unlikely that there is a God and unless some world changing thing happened, I doubt that will change.

People say “you just have to open up your heart and God will open up to you” or things like that. In my eyes this is just a way of saying “you just have to be open to believing in God and your brain will do the rest.”

But it was nice when everything happened for a reason. Life was a little less stressful.

I’m an atheist and former believer who can empathize. It’s a nice thought, an all powerful, all loving being guiding everything towards a greater purpose. There was definitely a safety blanket there.

Having said that, while there’s a lot of uncertainty to fear, I have a deep peace in facing life with my fiancee. She grounds me.

 

[Bitternolonger]

I think all human existence is buoyed by the Holy Spirit whether you believe or not. I think that is why hell is so unberable because it is a complete separation.

I was so angry and bitter before my conversion. I give thanks every day for the conversion of my heart and I continue to work on trusting God and giving myself completely.

 

[loozcannon]

Wow, I just read your post, then continue perusing the forums.

Then I came across this: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=710019

Perhaps it may have something to do with your situation?

 

[Lochias]

I’m an atheist and former believer who can empathize. It’s a nice thought, an all powerful, all loving being guiding everything towards a greater purpose. There was definitely a safety blanket there.

Having said that, while there’s a lot of uncertainty to fear, I have a deep peace in facing life with my fiancee. She grounds me.

One can only hope that your fiancee will remain healthy and with you forever, then.

 

[ReachingFaith]

I miss feeling comfortable with the way things were going. “Everything happens for a reason” is a mantra that can’t really be reconciled with a world view without some sort of God. It was calming believing that something bigger was always looking out for me. It was nice praying at night as a way to unwind and relay my thoughts to an all loving being.

But believing in God is not something you can just choose to do. I have come to the conclusion that it is very unlikely that there is a God and unless some world changing thing happened, I doubt that will change.

People say “you just have to open up your heart and God will open up to you” or things like that. In my eyes this is just a way of saying “you just have to be open to believing in God and your brain will do the rest.”

But it was nice when everything happened for a reason. Life was a little less stressful.

You sort of say everything I feel. I want that comfort of feeling everything happens for a reason, and it is nice to think that you can pray and make a difference, but I just don’t KNOW that. That is the main fact that worries me now. I personally do believe in God, and I hope to reconcile myself to a “full” belief like many people here seem to have. Thank you for your post…it makes me look at myself.
I hope that you are happy, and that your life is exactly as you want it.

 

[Waiting]

I miss feeling comfortable with the way things were going. “Everything happens for a reason” is a mantra that can’t really be reconciled with a world view without some sort of God. It was calming believing that something bigger was always looking out for me. It was nice praying at night as a way to unwind and relay my thoughts to an all loving being.

But believing in God is not something you can just choose to do. I have come to the conclusion that it is very unlikely that there is a God and unless some world changing thing happened, I doubt that will change.

People say “you just have to open up your heart and God will open up to you” or things like that. In my eyes this is just a way of saying “you just have to be open to believing in God and your brain will do the rest.”

But it was nice when everything happened for a reason. Life was a little less stressful.

I feel sorry for you, but I know how you must feel. St. Thomas was a doubter, too, as you may remember. If you really want to be sure there is a God, then why not just tell Him that? He proved Himself to Thomas, and He’ll prove Himself to you, too. I never doubted God’s existence, but one day He spoke to me after I asked for a favor. You may now dismiss me as “one of those,” but when God speaks to you, He doesn’t leave any doubts in your mind. You might also keep St. Thomas as your confidante, as who understands your position better than another doubter? Of course, St. Thomas never doubted the existence of God, but he was very reluctant to believe what others told him they had witnessed. No one could shake my faith now, because I received the proof that you are needing. Too bad that you can’t take Jesus at His word when He says, “You believe, Thomas, because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who have not seen Me and have believed.” Pray for the gift of faith. Good luck and God bless.

 

[snarflemike]

I miss feeling comfortable with the way things were going. “Everything happens for a reason” is a mantra that can’t really be reconciled with a world view without some sort of God. It was calming believing that something bigger was always looking out for me. It was nice praying at night as a way to unwind and relay my thoughts to an all loving being.

But believing in God is not something you can just choose to do. I have come to the conclusion that it is very unlikely that there is a God and unless some world changing thing happened, I doubt that will change.

People say “you just have to open up your heart and God will open up to you” or things like that. In my eyes this is just a way of saying “you just have to be open to believing in God and your brain will do the rest.”

But it was nice when everything happened for a reason. Life was a little less stressful.

But now you can feel comfortable that there is no universal standard against which you are judged. So you simply gave up one comfort for another.

 

[JDaniel]

I’m an atheist and former believer who can empathize. It’s a nice thought, an all powerful, all loving being guiding everything towards a greater purpose. There was definitely a safety blanket there.

Having said that, while there’s a lot of uncertainty to fear, I have a deep peace in facing life with my fiancee. She grounds me.

Perplexity:

I’ve always thought that there is danger in placing one’s faith in the impermanent. (I know this sounds terrible, but it is something that must be considered.) Can you imagine if both of you placed your faiths in the Eternal and each other?

God bless,
jd

 

[interestedman]

I think all human existence is buoyed by the Holy Spirit whether you believe or not. I think that is why hell is so unberable because it is a complete separation.

I was so angry and bitter before my conversion. I give thanks every day for the conversion of my heart and I continue to work on trusting God and giving myself completely.

I’m not angry and bitter at all. In fact I am just as good a person now as I was before I stopped believing. I don’t think my belief or disbelief has changed the way I interact with others. Then again I was never a nice person because I feared hell, wanted to go to heaven, or thought God was watching over me. Also, I never fully adhered to any one religion and kind of made up my own God based on my rational views on ethics and morals. So it wasn’t so hard to drop the God part because I didn’t have to reexamine how I viewed the world.

 

[interestedman]

I feel sorry for you, but I know how you must feel. St. Thomas was a doubter, too, as you may remember. If you really want to be sure there is a God, then why not just tell Him that? **He proved Himself to Thomas, and He’ll prove Himself to you, too. **I never doubted God’s existence, but one day He spoke to me after I asked for a favor. You may now dismiss me as “one of those,” but when God speaks to you, He doesn’t leave any doubts in your mind. You might also keep St. Thomas as your confidante, as who understands your position better than another doubter? Of course, St. Thomas never doubted the existence of God, but he was very reluctant to believe what others told him they had witnessed. No one could shake my faith now, because I received the proof that you are needing. Too bad that you can’t take Jesus at His word when He says, “You believe, Thomas, because you have seen Me. Blessed are those who have not seen Me and have believed.” Pray for the gift of faith. Good luck and God bless.

You know if Jesus let me put my fingers in his wounds I would probably believe in Him too.

You talk about proofs that you have and when God talked to you. It is funny, because when I was a believer I had proofs too. I thought about different times that God had proven himself to me and spoken to me. When I stopped believing I started actually analyzing these situations and realized there was nothing super natural about them. They were coincidences or regular biological functions relating to severe stress that caused these “proofs.”

 

[interestedman]

But now you can feel comfortable that there is no universal standard against which you are judged. So you simply gave up one comfort for another.

Nah, not really. Even when I believed in God I didn’t really believe in hell. It wasn’t really rational that you could be eternally punished for making bad choices in your life due to ignorance, genetics, and experiences in your life that you have little or no control over.

 

[davidv]

You know if Jesus let me put my fingers in his wounds I would probably believe in Him too.

Why do you think this?. Many who saw his wounds and saw his miracles and heard him speak did not believe.

You talk about proofs that you have and when God talked to you. It is funny, because when I was a believer I had proofs too. I thought about different times that God had proven himself to me and spoken to me. When I stopped believing I started actually analyzing these situations and realized there was nothing super natural about them. They were coincidences or regular biological functions relating to severe stress that caused these “proofs.”

 

[sw85]

If you have a desire to believe, what are you doing here? You need to be reading theology and philosophy, not hanging out on Internet forums. Go read Edward Feser’s treatments of Aquinas’ works.

 

[mymamamary]

I’m not angry and bitter at all. In fact I am just as good a person now as I was before I stopped believing. I don’t think my belief or disbelief has changed the way I interact with others. Then again I was never a nice person because I feared hell, wanted to go to heaven, or thought God was watching over me. Also, I never fully adhered to any one religion and kind of made up my own God based on my rational views on ethics and morals. So it wasn’t so hard to drop the God part because I didn’t have to reexamine how I viewed the world.

Making up your own “GOD” is creating an idol. you created a a cozy little niche for yourself with “your” morals, but what happens when you will step outside that little “sphere” of yours?. Also, I cannot come to the conclusion on how you came to the conclusion that ethics and morals don’t go together with Our LORD. Proper ethics and morals comes from HIM.

 

[Michelle9]

What made you stop believing there is a God? No matter what has happened in my life, I still believe there is a God. IMO there is no other explanation for our existence and the Universe. I prefer to think that the things I don’t receive are just part of His will for me. I find great comfort in the Sacred Heart of Jesus novena. Surrender your Will to God’s and you will find peace. I am also reading various autobiographies. I really like that of St. Terese of Lisieux, the Little Flower. If you read some of these you will see how they matured by allowing God’s Will to be theirs.

 

[Warandpeace]

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.

From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.

That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That, in the opinion of the world, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it. Amen.

 

[mymamamary]

Nah, not really. Even when I believed in God I didn’t really believe in hell. It wasn’t really rational that you could be eternally punished for making bad choices in your life due to ignorance, genetics, and experiences in your life that you have little or no control over.

As the Great Late Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen said to a woman who told him she didn’t believe in hell " You will believe when you get there". Now I don’t know where you get the idea that Our LORD would punish you for ignorance? for something to be a mortal sin, you have to know that its a mortal sin, the first condition if you dont through NO FAULT OF YOUR OWN, you cannot be culpable. As for genetics, I see where your going, the “born this way” argument.

Now if I wanted to argue that I could kill somebody and say I was born this way, born with a killer temper. What would I be told, Prison time and some serious counseling. Now, Im not saying that homosexuals should be thrown into prison, but they do need counseling, especially the transvestites/cross dressers. It goes against natural law.

As for experiences in life what do you mean, sex outside of marriage, pornography??

If that’s the case, the law is the same for me as well as you. There is no exception because Our LORD intended sex to be used as its natural power inside Marriage. Not inside a one night stand. So all in all, you do have control over your life, and want the easy way out by molding your own morality that fits your own taste and needs, thus slowly putting yourself in hell. Its a common fact, that those who reject the Faith isn’t because of the Logicality of the Faith (although they use that weak minded argument as an excuse for the real reason), no the real reason is that to be a Catholic, you gotta (pardon the non inclusive word), “MAN UP”, pick up your Cross and follow the LORD. Its not easy, its very rough, but you gotta do what you gotta do. However the sinful life is the “easy life” and I don’t have to sacrifice or tough anything out. Lame excuse for leaving the Beautiful Faith we have.