Atheists: What drew you to CAF?

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ThinkingSapien said:
What’s the controdiction?
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Good question. 👍

I think an atheist is convinced there is no God.

An agnostic is not convinced there is no God, but argues God is unknowable or not provable in any case.

Theoretically, however, the atheist has asserted the unknowability of God when he asserts there is no God.

So the atheist has to be an agnostic, whereas the agnostic does not have to be an atheist.

Yes, you can be an agnostic atheist … as opposed to a simple agnostic.

But in either case the difference doesn’t amount to much because in either case you have nothing to do with God except talk about him.

Clarence Darrow once wrote an essay titled “Why I Am an Agnostic.” After reading it, I asked myself why he didn’t just as well title it “Why I Am an Atheist.” 🤷
 
SG: Do you believe in X?
B: No.
SG: So you say it doesn’t exist?
B: No, I don’t say that. There’s a possibility that it does but I’ve seen no credible evidence for it, so based on that lack of evidence my position is that I don’t believe in it.

For X you may insert alien abductions, gods, werewolves, vampires, Bigfoot etc, etc, etc.

There is no contradiction.
 
I used to be a practising Roman Catholic and on occasion I like to peruse the forum in order to see how far I’ve come and to have the odd discussion.
 
987mk said:
I used to be a practising Roman Catholic and on occasion I like to peruse the forum in order to see how far I’ve come and to have the odd discussion.
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What drew you to atheism rather than agnosticism?
 
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Nixbits:
I’m an agnostic atheist.
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Just to clarify, because there are several differing definitions of these terms. I use ‘agnostic’ to indicate that I don’t claim to know that God exists, not that I claim that God is unknowable. I use ‘atheist’ to indicate that I don’t believe that God exists. One word refers to claims of knowledge, the other word refers to belief. Other definitions exist. It’s best to ask the person what they mean.
 
DaddyGirl said:
Hi Christine…

I guess that other thread we were on inspired this one, yes?
I appreciate that you are curious about this and that you ask.

I accidentally stumbled onto CAF a few years ago when I was doing research for a book I was working on. One of my subjects was Catholic and I was trying to fact-check some teachings and doctrine via google. Each time I did, the CAF site was the top listing to come up. I had no idea what it was.

At first, I was reading to try and find the answers to my questions.
Then, I stayed because…after reading just a few of the questions, comments, and debates on the forum, I was…well, I was in SHOCK.
I was shocked by what some people were thinking, feeling, and saying here…I was stunned to learn what the Catholic teachings and doctrine were…and I had to stay to try and figure out why people believed it.
I’ve always been interested in psychology and I wanted to understand the psychology of faith and belief and why someone picked one religion, one set of beliefs, over others.

When I first stumbled onto the site, I wasn’t an Atheist.
Both my parents had been brought up Eastern Orthodox and I was baptized, etc. We didn’t go to church every Sunday, tho…it was more an Easter, Xmas thing. I do remember going to Sunday school as a kid and thinking: What they are saying makes no sense!!
But until a few years ago, I always in general believed there was a “God”.

A lot of what I read here led me to becoming an Atheist.
I began exploring the origins and evolution of Christianity with historical books, college courses, and lectures on my ipod as I walked in Central Park. I tried to learn as much as possible about Catholicism (and other religions, too) here on this forum, listening to members and apologists and making notes, keeping files, doing follow-up research.

The more I read, the more I listened…the stronger and clearer my disbelief got.

Another reason I stay is to hear people’s reactions along the way to the changing world–like the laws on same-sex marriage or the words of the new pope.
That so many here get so angry or fearful or confused when the pope speaks a tad more inclusively than other popes have in the past…compels me to stay and see what happens here, see if some specific people’s thoughts and feelings here will…soften, widen, lift.

Often, it’s frustrating. The people who complain here that many people–including the media-- have the wrong view of what a Catholic believes…are often the same people who make gross assumptions and have erroneous ideas about what an Atheist believes.

I have no specific desire to make anyone here an Atheist…even though many here have the opposing wish, wanting to evangelize and help steer people toward Catholicism.
But I do hope to encourage people–here and elsewhere–to think for themselves and research and ask questions.

The world is changing and the “nones” are rising and how people see religion is changing–quickly and drastically. The internet is speeding up the regular, organic process.

What people are talking about here is a good barometer of what’s to come in the near future.

I worry about many of you here.

And so…I stay.

.
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Hi!
Not to criticize by any means, but I’m just wondering why you are a Prayer Warier if you are an atheist? 🤷
 
roseofshannon said:
Hi!
Not to criticize by any means, but I’m just wondering why you are a Prayer Warier if you are an atheist? 🤷
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Sometimes one asked that not long ago…
DaddyGirl said:
As for how CAF defines “Prayer Warrior”…someone sent out a note that they were needed and that a PW devotes “a few minutes a week to prayer for the intentions of fellow CAF members”…which is what I do.
There wasn’t much definition offered beyond that.
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It was noted that prayer can mean “an earnest request.” Also it’s not necessary to be convinced that any specific god exists to say a prayer. Someone could in earnest pray with the mindset that their prayer might or might not be received. Others here within the forum have used a metaphor about yelling into the dark not knowing whether or not someone will yell back.
 
ThinkingSapien said:
Sometimes one asked that not long ago…

It was noted that prayer can mean “an earnest request.” Also it’s not necessary to be convinced that any specific god exists to say a prayer. Someone could in earnest pray with the mindset that their prayer might or might not be received. Others here within the forum have used a metaphor about yelling into the dark not knowing whether or not someone will yell back.
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Thanks. That sounds like a lovely act of charity to me. 🙂
 
As an ardent (and at times loud spoken) atheist for most of my life I have, of late, been wanting to believe in God and, since my girlfriend (her name is Mary), is a practicing Catholic, I would like to be in harmony with her faith and practices as I feel it would greatly enhance our lives together, especially since we’d like to get married. But, more than that, I find that a belief in God, especially if it doesn’t conflict with my closely held scientific knowledge and general orientation, has a the great potential for psychological and, yes, spiritual peace.

In learning about Catholic beliefs and practices I find myself drawn to them on several levels. I enjoy going to Mass with Mary and get something out of it with each Mass. In fact, just yesterday, it was MY suggestion that we go to her church for the Mass for Lent and I felt wonderful being on the line to receive the ashes. The sermon was amazing, about what it means to give up things in one’s life (through actions that serve to change one’s perspective and other’s lives for the better, etc.). I’m even toying with the idea of giving up atheism for Lent! I’m not sure, yet, what that would entail but I think a good start would be to pray, every day (maybe several times a day) to a real God to strengthen my faith and to fully believe, to attend Church and recite the prayers and sing the songs and put my all into it, and to enroll in an RCIA program. Just a thought…

And though I don’t agree with some of the ideas surrounding marriage, in particular the rules surrounding sexual practices while married (neither does Mary, thankfully) I love the idea that connect marriage with a sacrament. As such, I want our marriage to be sacramental, which would involve me converting. I actually would want to convert and not only for this reason but because I would rather believe in the hereafter and being able to join with Mary, the love of my life, forever, though I realize that Catholic faith ends marriage upon death ("…till death do I part"). Whether true or not, just believing that it’s true would give me great comfort and, again, I’d be able better to share this comfort with Mary. The other reasons involve what it means to be completely involved with all my heart with all the other positives I have found.

So, I’m here as a form of searching. I guess I’m looking for THE post that would be the tipping point. I don’t think, now, that I’ll find it but it’s been great reading most of what I’ve read so far.

So, yes, I’m more than curious about the Catholic faith, am certainly (and obviously) NOT trying to get Catholics to become atheists. Just the opposite, I prefer, and actually want, Catholics to get me to become a believer. What keeps me tuning into CAF is the fact that I enjoy the many worthwhile discussions I’ve found here, even the one’s less pertinent to my current intentions.

I think it’s time I live my life on the “other side” for a change. For me, I think it’d be a lot more beneficial at this point in my life, if I can only get there.
CHRISTINE77 said:
As an atheist, why are you at Catholic Answers Forum, and what keeps you here? Are you a former Christian or Catholic, are you curious about the Catholic faith, or are you trying to get Catholics to become atheists? I’m curious about your motivations for being here, and what keeps you here.
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Good luck on your journey. I hope that you stick around and we can all help you to find what you’re looking for.
 
I enjoy the site layout, it’s a lot more practical than other forums.
 
Charlemagne_III said:
I am curious to know what holds them on that walk, which seems to be for them a tentative walk or they probably would not bother with Catholic Answers.
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And there it is in a nutshell. I have no interest in frequenting atheist forums, because I have no interest in atheism, other than to pray for unbelievers.
 
Bradski said:
If my grandson gives me a hug I don’t get all ‘sciency’. If a see a shooting star (which I actually did last night) I don’t wonder what material it is composed of. If my daughter says: ‘I love you Dad’, then I don’t try to work out why my eyes are a little wetter than usual.

It’s not all science. But there’s nothing behind the curtain. No sacred mystery. Some people might feel the need. Others, probably most of the guys who respond to this, probably don’t.
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What do you think is happening and more importantly why do you react as you do to your daughter, your grandson? Why is it when I hike to the top of a mountain and appreciate the beauty? There is something more… Some reason why we feel something is just wrong, or something is right… Perhaps its the need to " control" our thoughts and perception of the unknown because then we can in essence be our own ‘god’. It’s easier also. Your example just made me think about this…
mlz
 
My “search” is over and I’ve converted to Catholic last Easter Vigil (2017). I take my promises seriously and, so, my baptismal promises which I am bound for life to uphold. It feels good, very good. I was an atheist for 58 years, drawn to CAF by the Holy Spirit who resides in me now permanently.
HarveyL said:
As an ardent (and at times loud spoken) atheist for most of my life I have, of late, been wanting to believe in God and, since my girlfriend (her name is Mary), is a practicing Catholic, I would like to be in harmony with her faith and practices as I feel it would greatly enhance our lives together, especially since we’d like to get married. But, more than that, I find that a belief in God, especially if it doesn’t conflict with my closely held scientific knowledge and general orientation, has a the great potential for psychological and, yes, spiritual peace.

In learning about Catholic beliefs and practices I find myself drawn to them on several levels. I enjoy going to Mass with Mary and get something out of it with each Mass. In fact, just yesterday, it was MY suggestion that we go to her church for the Mass for Lent and I felt wonderful being on the line to receive the ashes. The sermon was amazing, about what it means to give up things in one’s life (through actions that serve to change one’s perspective and other’s lives for the better, etc.). I’m even toying with the idea of giving up atheism for Lent! I’m not sure, yet, what that would entail but I think a good start would be to pray, every day (maybe several times a day) to a real God to strengthen my faith and to fully believe, to attend Church and recite the prayers and sing the songs and put my all into it, and to enroll in an RCIA program. Just a thought…

And though I don’t agree with some of the ideas surrounding marriage, in particular the rules surrounding sexual practices while married (neither does Mary, thankfully) I love the idea that connect marriage with a sacrament. As such, I want our marriage to be sacramental, which would involve me converting. I actually would want to convert and not only for this reason but because I would rather believe in the hereafter and being able to join with Mary, the love of my life, forever, though I realize that Catholic faith ends marriage upon death ("…till death do I part"). Whether true or not, just believing that it’s true would give me great comfort and, again, I’d be able better to share this comfort with Mary. The other reasons involve what it means to be completely involved with all my heart with all the other positives I have found.

So, I’m here as a form of searching. I guess I’m looking for THE post that would be the tipping point. I don’t think, now, that I’ll find it but it’s been great reading most of what I’ve read so far.

So, yes, I’m more than curious about the Catholic faith, am certainly (and obviously) NOT trying to get Catholics to become atheists. Just the opposite, I prefer, and actually want, Catholics to get me to become a believer. What keeps me tuning into CAF is the fact that I enjoy the many worthwhile discussions I’ve found here, even the one’s less pertinent to my current intentions.

I think it’s time I live my life on the “other side” for a change. For me, I think it’d be a lot more beneficial at this point in my life, if I can only get there.
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HarveyL said:
My “search” is over and I’ve converted to Catholic last Easter Vigil (2017). I take my promises seriously and, so, my baptismal promises which I am bound for life to uphold. It feels good, very good. I was an atheist for 58 years, drawn to CAF by the Holy Spirit who resides in me now permanently.
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Welcome Home!!!

mlz
 
HarveyL said:
My “search” is over and I’ve converted to Catholic last Easter Vigil (2017). I take my promises seriously and, so, my baptismal promises which I am bound for life to uphold. It feels good, very good. I was an atheist for 58 years, drawn to CAF by the Holy Spirit who resides in me now permanently.
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If I may ask. Was there some particular issue that convinced you not only about God but that brought you to Catholicism?
 
It’s really a very long story but it all started when my practicing Catholic girlfriend (now fiancee) asked me to come to Mass with her, my first ever. I soon wanted to be part of it, but it’s a lot more involved.
HerCrazierHalf said:
If I may ask. Was there some particular issue that convinced you not only about God but that brought you to Catholicism?
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