Ask an atheist anything! (seriously, anything)

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I came to my faith from an atheistic/agnostic upbringing - in my home, “God” was basically on the same level as Santa or the Easter Bunny. You believed in Him until you were old enough to know better (and usually only heard His name when it was being taken in vain).

I know what it means to live in that agnostic/atheistic mindset, and I guess my question is - why would you choose that? What do you gain or benefit from turning your back on your faith?
 
halogirl said:
I’m not questioning the fact you would care about future kids and do enjoy being alive. Fantastic! 🙂 But why would you CHOOSE to have them if you thought they would just switch off one day? I couldn’t honestly bring someone into this world if I felt they were one day going to suffer and die for no reason. For me, either we are like all the other creatures on this earth or we are not. And if not, why aren’t we?
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Suffer and die one day? But you’d bring them into the world without knowing if they were going to suffer in hell for eternity?
 
They do, actually. They reacted quite badly to it and couldn’t accept that I was an atheist. For a long time they completely disregarded my beliefs and were trying to force me to pray, force me to go to church, et cetera. It was pretty bad for a while and I was super depressed. They were constantly trying to convert me. I could understand that parts. It’s not as bad anymore. They finally have accepted my beliefs and don’t try and force me to participate in anything religious. I still go to a religious school because I have friends here and it’s far better than the local public schools anyways.
 
Typo, thanks for noticing! I fixed it to “wouldn’t care”
 
I had years where I didn’t believe in God but He wouldn’t leave me alone 😆
 
You do sound like somebody with a sense of humor. Have you ever tried reading somebody like G.K. Chesterton? I think that if you heard something with more humor and less, "thou shalt’ it might help. Also, I encourage you to read C. S. Lewis (he’s Anglican), “Mere Christianity” for something that addresses a lot of things that science (which by its nature only deals with ‘natural’ and not ‘supernatural’ things) can’t explain.

You sound like somebody who doesn’t want limits (and that’s often a good thing, “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, else what’s a heaven for?”) and the atheistic proposals by their nature completely ignore the Supernatural, which God (by definition) would be a part of. You don’t want to miss having all the evidence, right?

God bless and good luck on your quest!
 
I originally started questioning my faith because I fundamentally disagreed with the things that one of my religion teachers was telling the class. I couldn’t comprehend how an all loving, all knowing being would do the things that he was describing. It wasn’t really a choice for me. Was it your choice to stop believing in Santa or the Easter Bunny? I never woke up one day and went, “fine, I’m not going to believe in you anymore!” It was a much more gradual belief change.
 
That’s right. But they would have the same free will I do. None of us asked to be born after all but God wants us here and loves us all anyway
 
You don’t say your age. Teens? Twenties? Just trying to form a picture.

I would ask 2 questions:
  1. Do you think determining the existence or non-existence of God is one of the most important questions any human can ask and pursue?
  2. Have you encountered the best arguments (I will not say “proofs,” because the term doesn’t really fit well with the subject matter) for the existence of God, and have you given them thoughtful consideration?
Oh, OK, I’ll ask a 3rd question: Do you think there can be smart, educated believers? Or do you think belief in God is just a habit or a crutch?
 
halogirl said:
That’s right. But they would have the same free will I do.
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Indeed. If I believed in hell I would do anything not to have children.

You know how you lay awake at nights worrying about their school or their friends or whether they are having a couple of drinks or maybe getting into some trouble? How on earth does eternal damnation even begin to compare?
 
Wozza said:
If I believed in hell I would do anything not to have children.
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But you would have children in the face of crime statistics, chances of contracting a debilitating illness, chances of suffering from cancer or heart disease, chances of dying in a car accident?

Your children aren’t necessarily going to end up in hell just like they are necessarily going to suffer any of the other things I listed.
 
MiserereMeiDei said:
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SomeGuyWithQuestions:
That doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t care
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What does should or shouldn’t mean for an atheist?
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It means the same for everyone. There aren’t different dictionaries for different faiths. Or for those with none. ‘Should’ implies an obligation. Although I’m not sure of the context it was used in if you are asking about a previous post.
 
SomeGuyWithQuestions said:
They do, actually. They reacted quite badly to it and couldn’t accept that I was an atheist. For a long time they completely disregarded my beliefs and were trying to force me to pray, force me to go to church, et cetera. It was pretty bad for a while and I was super depressed. They were constantly trying to convert me. I could understand that parts. It’s not as bad anymore. They finally have accepted my beliefs and don’t try and force me to participate in anything religious. I still go to a religious school because I have friends here and it’s far better than the local public schools anyways.
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I’m sorry it was so difficult for you. I’m glad things are getting better now.
 
mrsdizzyd said:
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Wozza:
If I believed in hell I would do anything not to have children.
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But you would have children in the face of crime statistics, chances of contracting a debilitating illness, chances of suffering from cancer or heart disease, chances of dying in a car accident?

Your children aren’t necessarily going to end up in hell just like they are necessarily going to suffer any of the other things I listed.
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If you are going to equate being ill or having cancer to eternal damnation then one of us is confused about the comparison.
 
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