Atheist Forums?

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Hopefully, Iā€™m a nice atheist, too! I love studying all beliefs, why we have them and how we defend them. I used to be a believer and left faith in God behind kicking and screaming. It was NOT something I was seeking nor was I angry at God. I just came to a point that I realized I no longer believed and it was hypocritical of me to continue fighting against it. It took several years and many tears.

I envy people that still believe and are confident of those beliefs. For the longest time I tried to figure out why I couldnā€™t believe. Is it a personality type? A brain wired differently? I still am interested in answers. I can state that what is not helpful is believers that insist I am mad at God, ignorant of God or scriptures or trying to justify sin. In some ways, I think I am more moral as an atheist/agnostic than as a believer. I am certainly not angry at God and wish I could believe in Him. But I donā€™t.

Thus, why I enjoy coming to fora such as this one. I get a good variety of Catholic beliefs and mostly rational discussions. I rarely post and when I do it is usually for a clarification for understanding so hopefully I donā€™t come across as a troll or contrarian! I really like yā€™all!
 
Youā€™re just in a pause from your belief šŸ™‚ xx or you wouldnā€™t be here
 
This is a little off topic but I donā€™t know if I would be considered an atheist or not. I donā€™t believe in a supreme being. God to me is a force. I believe God is One but thatā€™s the limit on defining God.
 
I suppose it all depends on the characteristics of said ā€œForceā€. šŸ˜Ž
 
You may be right but Iā€™ve been on pause for over 40 years now!šŸ˜ƒ

Iā€™ve tried many times to re-believe but ā€¦ nothing. I still try to be open to it which is why I identify as agnostic. Iā€™d love to have the knowledge and certainty one way or the other.
 
Pattylt said:
Iā€™ve tried many times to re-believe but ā€¦ nothing. I still try to be open to it which is why I identify as agnostic. Iā€™d love to have the knowledge and certainty one way or the other.
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I was too. For 30 years. Then wham bam! Life took a drastic turn for the worse and God was right there front and center. Did he cause the troubles I went through (and am still going through)? Maybe. Or was I going to hit those troubles either way and he was there to help me through them? Of course.

I donā€™t know your life, but for me I would still have a wavering/little belief in God if my life was still somewhat decent and did not completely fall to shreds. Very few people come to a belief in God when life is good. I didnā€™t.

I would say be thankful to God that you are still on pause if your life is good and not full of tribulations at this point, but then you donā€™t believe in God! šŸ˜€
 
Have you ever heard of the night of the soul?
These who are of the dark night of the soul, are known to have such a gift from God, that when revealed are the most intimate souls to God.
Example of late: Blessed Mother Theresa.
Many Catholic (Monk) mysticā€™s have described what you are describing here.
 
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Yes, Iā€™ve read them and discussed them with others. They really arenā€™t proofs FOR God as much as trying to define God by what he is not. The coherence of the arguments are assumed. I am not strong on philosophic arguments and my eyes tend to glaze over when trying to understand the points he makes. It all sounds good, but it just doesnā€™t convince me of anything other that to keep trying and keep an open mind.
One of my big issues is that revealed religions makes claims on what the religion is and what should be expected of it if true. I donā€™t see the real world showing me these proofs of truth. One simple example (and I have many more) is that prayer should accomplish more than random chance. For me, it never does. And Iā€™m not talking about finding a parking space! šŸ˜€
 
Pattylt said:
One simple example (and I have many more) is that prayer should accomplish more than random chance. For me, it never does. And Iā€™m not talking about finding a parking space!
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Hello Pattylt
Approaching this from the perspective of a belief in Reincarnation, we each chose to come to earth for some reason. The reason you chose to come here is inside you. Animals are able to receive guidance from inside of themselves (instinct). Since we evolved from the animal kingdom we also have instinct. It shouldnā€™t be difficult to receive guidance in your prayer and meditation.
 
Every time I have prayed or meditated, I just feel like Iā€™m talking to myself. If I would receive answers or guidance, that would be great! Just what Iā€™m looking for! Butā€¦silence only. I just canā€™t seem to force belief. One either believes or doesnā€™t. I donā€™t but I still try and leave the door open a crack.
 
You are talking to yourself. Your trying to get guidance from your subconscious. Whatever your beliefs are shouldnā€™t matter. Animals donā€™t have a belief system but they receive guidance. Why it isnā€™t working I have no idea why.
 
The Thinking Atheist forum is good, but itā€™s the same as catholic forum in that itā€™s for atheists to talk about things that affect the atheist people. If you want a discussion forum that isnā€™t for any one side, then those can be found as well.

Hereā€™s a good discussion about abortion from The Thinking Atheist forum for example:
Ahh canā€™t post web links. Just look up ā€œAbortion Discussionā€ in their forum search.

In that discussion it is pointed out that declared atheists hold to positions based on emotional appeal and offer absurd responses just as the theists do. Both sides have their blasphemy topics that are inviolate to be discussed it seems.
 
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