Former Militant atheist - Some Advice needed

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Militant atheists don’t have anything to be militant about since they don’t believe in anything. God can communicate His existence to you if you keep an open mind.

Go to a Catholic Church for Adoration, and you will be surprised to know He is there, which is what happens many times when someone is converted. Most people don’t experience anything definite when they go into a church. But sometimes the Presence is palpable and real.
 
Jelrak_TB said:
I hope you do not mind if I follow your progress in this…what may serve instructive to you may aide me also…further, congratulations on your 1000th post…😉
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You absolutely may and thanks.

I noticed when I logged on my last login was 2010!!! I was still a bit militant back then.

Like I said, it’s been a very long journey.
 
Arizona_Fat_Gir said:
Militant atheists don’t have anything to be militant about since they don’t believe in anything.
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You would be amazed at the nonsense atheists can convince themselves of and be militant about. Rationally speaking you are right of course.
God can communicate His existence to you if you keep an open mind.
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Go to a Catholic Church for Adoration, and you will be surprised to know He is there, which is what happens many times when someone is converted. Most people don’t experience anything definite when they go into a church. But sometimes the Presence is palpable and real.
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My mind is open, but my heart just pumps blood. I don’t trust emotions, they lead us astray. This is where my issue lies I think.
 
Dameedna said:
Hi all,

I’m a former militant atheist, now just plain ole atheist. It has taken a long time but I’m seriously entertaining the idea I might be wrong.

I’ve come at this from a very different angle than I’ve seen other atheist converts to catholicism and I’m hoping there might be some out there that can help me research my rather confused questions further.

So two things.
  1. Is there a God.
I don’t know, but I used to think this ridiculous and irrational. I don’t think so anymore. I see lots of books , articles , topics on this but usually in the context of a particular religion. I’d love some more info just on the topic of “What might be true”. I keep digging deeper and deeper and still cannot draw a conclusion. My questions are just never really answered.
  1. What religion represents God.
This one is some-what easier. After reading about the various faiths, the only one I think could possibly be true, or have some truth is Christianity.But I have a very difficult time accepting any of the metaphysical parts of the Christian story.

I drew this conclusion that only christianity(and Judaism) could possibly be accurate mainly by studying Islam, by challenging my views on moral/cultural relativism and by sufferin through two years of Nihilism after I actually look my atheist arguments to their logical conclusion.

So I’m looking for resources that help me see the intellectual arguments as to why I should choose to believe there is a “theistic” God, and why I should accept the metaphysical aspects of Christianity(such as miracles, ressurection) etc.

I’m really stuck. I’ve read so much but it’s not really coming at me from an angle I can relate to. Too much “Just have faith” type information. That’s not enough for me.

Not sure if my posts make sense I have read some works by Lewis and others. I would love to believe certain things are true, but I won’t believe just because I want to.

Christianity has almost sort of snuck up on me, I didn’t expect to be taking it seriously at any point in my life.
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Some of the a.catholic churches saints.went through what you are going through, and left their diaries behind for us to be inspired by,

God often worked unbelievable wonders for the saints (and still does around the world for people when it’s His plan to do so 🙂

Read online for free about the catholic saints especially

St Padre Pio

St Francis of Assissi

St Benedict

St Gemma Galgani

St Faustina

Sr Lucy of Fatima

Free online: The Dolourous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ by Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich

Google: The Eucharistic Miracle of Laciano

Google: “The Pollen analysis on the Shroud of Turin”

(God put miracles in the lives of the saints, to inspire us,

Padre Pio above could see and talk to his guardian angel
The same with Gemma Galgani,

Padre Pio could be in two places at once (bilocation)
And had the stigmata (wounds of Jesus on his hands and feet, for 50 years.)
God is very real and has left his evidence everywhere, especially in the stories of the saints. 🙂
 
mysticsofthechurch.com/?m=1

Excellent website with lives of the saints on it.
Do you know that many of the saints were given the grace to hear Jesus, speak to Him, were given all sorts of miracles, 🙂
 
Don’t be afraid to pray or feel silly doing so. You can always begin with “God, if you are there…” and then express your feelings or ask your questions, or state your doubts, or whatever. Then take some time to listen and also to become aware of things and people around you because He often speaks through them. God is mostly heard in the still, small, voice, although for me it was more like a clout on the head. I wasn’t an atheist, but I was a lukewarm Christian who didn’t give much thought about God until I deliberately set out to connect with Him (long story). That is actually a worse state to be in than atheism, I think.

I have prayed for you.
 
Greetings…
Just adding my :twocents:
There are so many really great resources for those that seek and reading is great and I recommend it but engage your heart and your mind in prayer before you read anything- because that is what God seeks - your heart. I don’t know if you have started a conversation with Him yet, but do. It can be anywhere really - someplace that is quiet because God has a very small quiet voice and you need to be still to hear Him speak to you. The Holy Spirit will prompt you - your part is to be open and pray that God will open your heart and your mind to all that He would like to reveal to you and that He gives you the Grace to respond - that you recognize Him. Praying is just talking to Him and letting Him answer by being still.

Do you have a Bible? Get one. I like the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible because it has a great commentary on the verses that may seem strange. There are many online sites also.
biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+46%3A10&version=RSVCE

Have you been to Mass? How about sitting in Adoration? The first time I sat in Adoration, I could sense His Presence so strongly, I felt like my heart was about to burst - many tears, tears of joy, that the Almighty God of the Universe could possibly love me - but that is just it. He loves you more than any person possible could and than some. And there is no sin too great that He cannot forgive. He loves you. He cares about you like any Good Father would, but He is not just any Good Father, He is the Great I AM, He is THE GOOD, GOOD FATHER. youtube that song by Christ Tomlin.
youtube.com/user/ChrisTomlinVEVO

I remember when I returned to Mass after being away for many, many years and God would speak to me in either the Gospel Reading or the Homily. I started going to Mass with my pockets stuffed with tissues because I would just cry and if I tried to not cry my nose would drip.
I am babbling so here are some really awesome links that helped me when I was thirsting for more of Him. May God Bless you as you search for answers:

Great short video clips on the Magnificence of the Mass:
olgcparish.net/education/true_magnificence.html

Love Peter Kreeft:
peterkreeft.com/home.htm
Catholic Christianity by Peter Kreeft (great book)
Jesus-Shock by Peter Kreeft (another great read)

There are other great links. I just can’t think anymore…listening to Chris sing…
Oh, I’ve heard a thousand stories
Of what they think You’re like
But I’ve heard the tender whisper
Of love in the dead of night
And You tell me that You’re pleased
And that I’m never alone

You’re a good good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

Oh, and I’ve seen many searching
For answers far and wide
But I know we’re all searching
For answers only You provide
‘Cause You know just what we need
Before we say a word

You’re a good good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

Cause You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

You are perfect in all of Your ways
Oh, You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways to us

Oh, it’s love so undeniable
I, I can hardly speak
Peace so unexplainable
I, I can hardly think
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
As You call me deeper still
Into love, love, love

You’re a good good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am

You’re a good good Father
It’s who You are, it’s who You are, it’s who You are
And I’m loved by You
It’s who I am, it’s who I am, it’s who I am
You’re a good good Father

You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways
 
Dameedna said:
Thanks. I am very interested in hearing about people’s accounts of their faith. It is not something I usually understand but people take such delight in it.

I wish I had what they have.
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You do!

We are all given the gift of faith, but many of us throw it under the bed and never open it.🙂

My simple suggestion is, put all your doubts aside for say 3 - 6 months (not easy, I know)and go to Mass, pray, and read books on the saints. That’s it. God will do the rest!

Mass - will bring you into an encounter with Christ. Jesus will be brought into our time and will no longer be just a historical figure. You will meet people who can speak to you about their faith.

Prayer - tell God everything, the good, the bad, and the ugly, that you love Him or hate him, no matter, He can take it. Open up the communication line with Him no matter how imperfectly.

Saints - I love the saints! Their lives will blow you away. They gave their all for God and you will feel small next to them, but you will soon realize, they are just like us, sinners, and imperfect people that came from all walks of life, even atheism, and came to love and serve God so fully. Amazing!

God Bless you and have fun on your journey!🙂
 
Dameedna said:
…

My mind is open, but my heart just pumps blood. I don’t trust emotions, they lead us astray. This is where my issue lies I think.
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“Emotions” in the style that some people do them aren’t compulsory. I for one feel with my thinking (which tends to be very multi dimensional).

What I see in my mind’s eye (including when I’m looking at something) takes my breath away!
 
Vic_Taltrees_UK said:
“Emotions” in the style that some people do them aren’t compulsory. I for one feel with my thinking (which tends to be very multi dimensional).

What I see in my mind’s eye (including when I’m looking at something) takes my breath away!
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I’m not sure I understand this. Are you able to clarify further? Cheers
 
I have an argument from God against relativism and mashed with the first mover/included cause argument that I took and expounded upon:

•There is such thing as objective truth.
•If there is no objective truth… then that leaves the possibility of objective truth in the spectrum.
•The reason for this is that “There is no thing as objective truth” implies objective truth, and if agnostic about it, it is one of two paths of possibility.
•However, we can be certain about objective truth being the correct path because if you agnostic about it, that is a position on that matter, namely accepting the possibility of either, which implies objectivity of some sort.
•Therefore, objective truth exists.
•If objective truth exists, there must be an objective not bound by change.
•This is because anything that changes is not truly objective
•This objective is God.
 
peace2u2 said:
…

Do you have a Bible? Get one. I like the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible because it has a great commentary on the verses that may seem strange. There are many online sites also.
biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+46%3A10&version=RSVCE

…
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Important about a Bible (if getting in book form)

Make sure it has got what are usually marginal references to:
  • references to quoted passages from other books
  • references to other passages in the same book
  • references to passages in other books
In a few editions these are in a channel down the middle of the page.

In a few editions these are adjacent to the footnotes (which are different and have an explanatory purpose) but not mixed up with them.

These references are wellnigh essential to proper Bible study (they are like hyperlinks) and a Bible without them is of considerably reduced value for proper study.

The selection of references may vary a little from one edition to another depending what body of scholarship the editors and contrinbutors have drawn on.

My favourite is a Philippine Bible Society reprint of the “Old” Jerusalem Bible with thumb index. Can’t remember who got hold of it for me!

In the case of some translations and/or editions be a little cautious of a few of the footnotes - though many will be very good (a few may strike a slightly unbelieving note). Footnotes are not part of the Bible except of course the “alternative readings” from variant texts.

The subheadings most publishers like to lard Bibles with aren’t part of the Bible either, they are just a visual break which may or may not be at a deep down logical point. The Bible is essentially highly interconnected on many levels.
 
peace2u2 said:
Greetings…
Just adding my :twocents:
There are so many really great resources for those that seek and reading is great and I recommend it but engage your heart and your mind in prayer before you read anything- because that is what God seeks - your heart. I don’t know if you have started a conversation with Him yet, but do. It can be anywhere really - someplace that is quiet because God has a very small quiet voice and you need to be still to hear Him speak to you. The Holy Spirit will prompt you - your part is to be open and pray that God will open your heart and your mind to all that He would like to reveal to you and that He gives you the Grace to respond - that you recognize Him. Praying is just talking to Him and letting Him answer by being still.
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Please forgive the Cynic in me, but if I hear a small quiet voice, I would probably head to the doctor.

I think people are talking about something here I don’t really recognize. I’ve only once in my life felt like I heard something outside of myself. I will never forget it, but any small voice in me, just seems like…well…me??

How can one differentiate between your own thinking and God?
Do you have a Bible? Get one. I like the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible because it has a great commentary on the verses that may seem strange. There are many online sites also.
biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+46%3A10&version=RSVCE
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I do. The local priest who I spoke on the phone with recommended starting with Mark. So that’s what I’m reading through. Reading the bible almost scares me. I keep putting it off. Strange.
Have you been to Mass?
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Not yet, it was recommended I go to a Latin Mass, but not sure about that.
How about sitting in Adoration?
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I don’t know what that is, but I’ll have to look it up. Catholic concepts are new to me. I went to a baptist sunday school and presbyterian high school.

Thanks for the links and ideas.
 
Dameedna said:
I’m not sure I understand this. Are you able to clarify further? Cheers
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Don’t worry, it was simply supposed to address the way I thought you reacted to the previous poster’s account of some devotions which are very good ones but this is an area where we have to discover what is the most suitable style for us, over and above the main and essential ways of participating in Catholic faith - I wondered whether what she described struck you as daunting on account of its emotional content.

Personally outside Mass, Office and confession I’m just a Bible man but everyone will develop their favourite things outside the essentials.

Sorry if what I put isn’t relevant!
 
Vic_Taltrees_UK said:
Don’t worry, it was simply supposed to address the way I thought you reacted to the previous poster’s account of some devotions which are very good ones but this is an area where we have to discover what is the most suitable style for us, over and above the main and essential ways of participating in Catholic faith - I wondered whether what she described struck you as daunting on account of its emotional content.

Personally outside Mass, Office and confession I’m just a Bible man but everyone will develop their favourite things outside the essentials.

Sorry if what I put isn’t relevant!
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Actually I thought what you said was interesting and kinda piqued my interest.

I’m very happy for others to be emotional and I love their passion even if a little daunting.

I used to hate the Christians passion for faith. I made excuses for my hate, such as “They are just brainwashed morons and will destroy the planet with their hysterical stupidity”. But underneath my hostility, I was deeply envious, grieving a loss I could not explain or even define. Like most militants.

It’s bittersweet to be happy for another’s feelings while experiencing jealousy for what I do not have. But I would never again try and take away or damage or hurt a persons faith in Christ.
 
Dameedna said:
Please forgive the Cynic in me, but if I hear a small quiet voice, I would probably head to the doctor.

I think people are talking about something here I don’t really recognize. I’ve only once in my life felt like I heard something outside of myself. I will never forget it, but any small voice in me, just seems like…well…me??

How can one differentiate between your own thinking and God?

… Catholic concepts are new to me. I went to a baptist sunday school and presbyterian high school.

…
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“Thoughts” belonging to “characters” maybe - as if you are spontaneously rehearsing a play quietly. Over a period of time you may find through some sort of inspiration they fall in line with what is in Scriptures.

Ideally you will have substantial ongoing catechesis (over and above the “standard” few months of one hour a week) but it’s not always easy to arrange. Much of this should be in groups ideally. I was fortunate to be in a group where we had substantial catechesis as well as Bible study (this was many years after we had all been baptised or received into the Church).

The foundation is extremely well worth taking time over. If you are in a city with several bunches of people to help, and enough time, that might supplement what you could get in only one parish. But we can continue work on the foundation after receiving sacraments. (I was baptised as a baby.)

I think that between now and potentially being received, there are different phases and that for now you aren’t regarded as anywhere near needing to be committed or decided, you are in the finding out more and more for its own sake stage.

I might be getting ahead of the other thread participants, they will have more sensible ideas than me about when and where to enquire of clergy. Seek lots of guidance about any timeframes.

Growing up as a Catholic among miscellaneous protestants I found their faith roughly speaking affirming and was very used to the parallel existence of two versions (I wasn’t exposed to a lot of Catholic detail until recently). I hope you find your previous experience more or less harmonious rather than clashing.
 
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