Atheists

[Michael_Mayo]

Most atheists that I have talked with do not believe because they do not see evidence that God exists. They say they are unable to believe. Most believers I talk with say they see evidence of God everywhere and also feel God’s presence.

Is it a matter of closed heart? I don’t think so. No doubt there are many factors that go into what makes a believer or an atheists: lack of formation, personality type, negative experiences.

But God made them this way. What does it say about God that so many good people seem incapable of feeling his presence and believing?

 

[EnglishTeacher]

Most atheists that I have talked with do not believe because they do not see evidence that God exists. They say they are unable to believe. Most believers I talk with say they see evidence of God everywhere and also feel God’s presence.

Is it a matter of closed heart? I don’t think so. No doubt there are many factors that go into what makes a believer or an atheists: lack of formation, personality type, negative experiences.

But God made them this way. What does it say about God that so many good people seem incapable of feeling his presence and believing?

I don’t think God makes anyone with a closed heart, if that’s what you are saying (my apologies if I am misunderstanding). In fact, we understand from Church teaching that God plants in everyone a desire for union with him. Life experiences can turn someone off from believing in God, or in what they think God is; but I believe that desire for union with Him is always there, even though it may get channeled in other directions.

No one is incapable of feeling his presence and believing, but it does seem to be harder for some people, or they are just not open to the idea for whatever reason. God gives us free will and doesn’t force himself on anyone, but he never hides himself from those who seek him.

 

[meltzerboy]

Most atheists that I have talked with do not believe because they do not see evidence that God exists. They say they are unable to believe. Most believers I talk with say they see evidence of God everywhere and also feel God’s presence.

Is it a matter of closed heart? I don’t think so. No doubt there are many factors that go into what makes a believer or an atheists: lack of formation, personality type, negative experiences.

But God made them this way. What does it say about God that so many good people seem incapable of feeling his presence and believing?

People can and do often change in matters of religion, politics, and likes and dislikes in all sorts of areas. I do not think G-d created us with fixed beliefs. He created us with the ability to choose, what we call free will. This means that even if our initial views or behaviors are misguided, we are capable of changing and improving them.

 

[Tomdstone]

Most atheists that I have talked with do not believe because they do not see evidence that God exists.

One question concerns the horrible suffering of small children. If God is all Powerful, and all knowing, why does He permit this terrible pain and suffering of small children?

 

[ProdglArchitect]

One question concerns the horrible suffering of small children. If God is all Powerful, and all knowing, why does He permit this terrible pain and suffering of small children?

Pain comes about because people chose to act against God. The only way to prevent the misuse of free will is to remove it, and God did not create us to love him mechanically, but as an act of will. You can’t blame God because people misuse his gift any more than you can blame the inventor of a programming language for people who use his language to write viruses.

 

[Michael_Mayo]

I don’t think , if that’s what you are saying (my apologies if I am misunderstanding). In fact, we understand from Church teaching that God plants in everyone a desire for union with him. Life experiences can turn someone off from believing in God, or in what they think God is; but I believe that desire for union with Him is always there, even though it may get channeled in other directions.

No one is incapable of feeling his presence and believing, but it does seem to be harder for some people, or they are just not open to the idea for whatever reason. God gives us free will and doesn’t force himself on anyone, but he never hides himself from those who seek him.

I am not sure if I am saying that God makes anyone with a closed heart but they certianly tell me that they do not feel God’s presence and thus do not believe even though they may other wise be very good and loving people.

 

[Michael_Francis]

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