Hello

[Annabea]

Hello. I am an atheist. Now before you start spitting on my shoes I would like to know a little about what you believe? Belief usually varies from person to person that is why I did not post this in the admin/mod answer question thingy. I would like to know what you think about religion, how you think it is effecting the world, and why you believe what you do.
Thanks!
~Annabea

edit: sorry a little grammar check

 

[Eucharisted]

How about you start us off with your beliefs on religion and on the world, ma’am?

 

[Annabea]

Very well. I am an atheist because I do not believe in a higher being. I do not know how the earth got here, and frankly, I don’t think we are ever going to know for sure. Some very convincing theorys out there though. I do not believe in the christian god because I find it rather disturbing. The bible, I mean. The Church has done many bad things over the years. I am an atheist because I am agnostic. There is no proof to back up any god out there. I do not think that atheism is bad to the world in any way.

 

[TheresaLS]

Annabea,
My question would have to be…Are you happy? My happiness begins with the knowledge that I am loved by My Father, the Creator. I have had doubts as I was growing up but I always came back to the same conclusion, simply put, this could not be an accident. His presence is within the people that you love and love you in return.

God gives you the ability to doubt…to seek the truth. Open your heart first…then your mind. His right hand is extended…grab it!

 

[Annabea]

Annabea,
My question would have to be…Are you happy? My happiness begins with the knowledge that I am loved by My Father, the Creator. I have had doubts as I was growing up but I always came back to the same conclusion, simply put, this could not be an accident. His presence is within the people that you love and love you in return.

God gives you the ability to doubt…to seek the truth. Open your heart first…then your mind. His right hand is extended…grab it!

I am very happy. I love my friends and family and don’t know what I would do without them. I am very content with my life right now. I guess my friends are kinda like my god. But no, I don’t agree with you, your god has no control over the people I love. He isn’t why I love them, in fact most of my friends are atheists(or at least agnostic). And as for your second (in bold) comment, I don’t really know how to respond. I do not believe in god, if he gives me the ability to doubt and seek the truth, well I doubt god and the truth I have found is that he does not exist.

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

Very well. I am an atheist because I do not believe in a higher being. I do not know how the earth got here, and frankly, I don’t think we are ever going to know for sure. Some very convincing theorys out there though. I do not believe in the christian god because I find it rather disturbing. The bible, I mean. The Church has done many bad things over the years. I am an atheist because I am agnostic. There is no proof to back up any god out there. I do not think that atheism is bad to the world in any way.

Hello Annabea,

Welcome to CAF. As for My Beliefs. Read the The Nicene Creed. That is the foundation of my belief. I believe that without God there is nothing. You state that the church has done many bad thing over the years I say that many bad things have been done by men in the name of the Church and God. there is a difference. some of those men were leader in the Church, But that does not make what they did right in the eyes of the church.

you say your atheist because there is no proof of God, I say there is more proof of God than proof that there is not.

so ask away and i and other will answer to the best of our ability. I will say that from time to time it may come through as rough and rude true emotion is hard to express in these brief post but for the most part we are a polite group and love sharing our faith.

Peace

 

[Eucharisted]

Very well. I am an atheist because I do not believe in a higher being. I do not know how the earth got here, and frankly, I don’t think we are ever going to know for sure. Some very convincing theorys out there though. I do not believe in the christian god because I find it rather disturbing. The bible, I mean. The Church has done many bad things over the years. I am an atheist because I am agnostic. There is no proof to back up any god out there. I do not think that atheism is bad to the world in any way.

I am a Catholic and I believe in God. I believe in God because He has revealed Himself.

Now, let me point one fallacy in your words:

“I am an atheist because I am agnostic. There is no proof to back up any god out there”

Atheism and agnostism are two different cakes. Atheism is the belief that no god exists. Agnostism is the belief that, despite evidence for either side, a god’s existence cannot be proven nor disproven. I’m sure you already know that. An atheist cannot be an agonstic, nor can an agnostic be an atheist, because an atheist believes no god exists, while an agonst simply believes a god’s existence cannot be proven or disproven. If you were to believe no god exists simply because a god cannot be proven or disproven to exist, than you would also, by that same logic, have to believe nothing exists. An agnostic is indifferet to the evidence of whether a god exists or not. An agnostic, therefore, is indifferent to the questions on life, existence, love, truth - whether they exist or not is subjective, because the individual dose not believe they can be proven or disproven. Hence, the person dose not actually believe in anything. Atheism, on the other hand, uses evidence for its case. So you can see that agnostism and atheism are two different cakes.

 

[chewchoo]

annabea
you’re happy and you love your family and friends. that’s wonderful. but do you love your enemies? when someone does something spiteful to you or someone that you love, what is your reaction? sure the initial emotional response is probably anger, justifiably so, but what comes next? have you ever or do you still carry a grudge against that someone who has done you wrong? if you’re like most people you can say yes to most of these questions.

the beauty, the glory of our living God that we Catholics worship, is that thru prayer to him, either vocal or reading scripture, we can overcome this anger that can get burning in our hearts. our God is love and he is peace and when we get to those not so peaceful moments in our lives where no one can help us, he is there, willing to help, just waiting for us to turn to him. yes, doing this does take faith. and if you don’t have it we will pray that someday you will. but this gift of faith helps guide us thru those dark moments in our lives.

the fact that you are even here probably means that you are having some little faith sparks. it has happened to many an agnostic who has visited these forums. many, not all, do come to believe in God, our eternal Father, as they continue there journey here. so welcome to the forums. keep asking your questions.

 

[Annabea]

I am a Catholic and I believe in God. I believe in God because He has revealed Himself.

Now, let me point one fallacy in your words:

“I am an atheist because I am agnostic. There is no proof to back up any god out there”

Atheism and agnostism are two different cakes. Atheism is the belief that no god exists. Agnostism is the belief that, despite evidence for either side, a god’s existence cannot be proven nor disproven. I’m sure you already know that. An atheist cannot be an agonstic, nor can an agnostic be an atheist, because an atheist believes no god exists, while an agonst simply believes a god’s existence cannot be proven or disproven. If you were to believe no god exists simply because a god cannot be proven or disproven to exist, than you would also, by that same logic, have to believe nothing exists. An agnostic is indifferet to the evidence of whether a god exists or not. An agnostic, therefore, is indifferent to the questions on life, existence, love, truth - whether they exist or not is subjective, because the individual dose not believe they can be proven or disproven. Hence, the person dose not actually believe in anything. Atheism, on the other hand, uses evidence for its case. So you can see that agnostism and atheism are two different cakes.

“Agnostic definition as was defined by T.H. Huxley, the man who coined the term that means one should not profess to a belief in something that cannot be proven.” Also, it means you do not know. I do not know, therefore I don’t believe, therefore I am an atheist. What I was saying, was that I do not know. If you don’t know the answer to 2 + 2 = 4 and someone tells you 2 + 2 = 5 are you to believe him? You don’t know, he has no proof that 2 + 2= 5. Yet you do not know that 2 + 2 = 4. What I’m saying I guess is that I do not know how the earth started of anything, but I do not believe you, therefore I will argue with you. Does that makes sence?

 

[Annabea]

Hello Annabea,

Welcome to CAF. As for My Beliefs. Read the The Nicene Creed. That is the foundation of my belief. I believe that without God there is nothing. You state that the church has done many bad thing over the years I say that many bad things have been done by men in the name of the Church and God. there is a difference. some of those men were leader in the Church, But that does not make what they did right in the eyes of the church.

you say your atheist because there is no proof of God, I say there is more proof of God than proof that there is not.

so ask away and i and other will answer to the best of our ability. I will say that from time to time it may come through as rough and rude true emotion is hard to express in these brief post but for the most part we are a polite group and love sharing our faith.

Peace

Yet the Church is the people, would their be the Church if there was no people to support it? Also, I would like to ask for some proof of your god and why you reject so many other religions, why you chose this one?

 

[Annabea]

annabea
you’re happy and you love your family and friends. that’s wonderful. but do you love your enemies? when someone does something spiteful to you or someone that you love, what is your reaction? sure the initial emotional response is probably anger, justifiably so, but what comes next? have you ever or do you still carry a grudge against that someone who has done you wrong? if you’re like most people you can say yes to most of these questions.

the beauty, the glory of our living God that we Catholics worship, is that thru prayer to him, either vocal or reading scripture, we can overcome this anger that can get burning in our hearts. our God is love and he is peace and when we get to those not so peaceful moments in our lives where no one can help us, he is there, willing to help, just waiting for us to turn to him. yes, doing this does take faith. and if you don’t have it we will pray that someday you will. but this gift of faith helps guide us thru those dark moments in our lives.

the fact that you are even here probably means that you are having some little faith sparks. it has happened to many an agnostic who has visited these forums. many, not all, do come to believe in God, our eternal Father, as they continue there journey here. so welcome to the forums. keep asking your questions.

I do not love my enemies. I do not hate them. I don’t hate anyone, I am actually not a grudge holder. I don’t like the feeling of anger.

Actually, I am not here because I have a spark of faith. I belong to an atheist forum that pointed me in this direction because I am trying to get some experience in debating. I also need to learn the Christians side of things before I am to debate fully. So this is a learning experience more than a faith journey. Thanks though.

 

[TheresaLS]

Annabea,
Why did you decide to visit the this particular site? Just wondering…what do you hope to accomplish?

I have one friend who is agnostic and we have great conversations… so I am glad you are here and hope you stick around. I learn from the faithful and get to have civil exchange.

 

[oneGODoneCHURCH]

Yet the Church is the people, would their be the Church if there was no people to support it? Also, I would like to ask for some proof of your god and why you reject so many other religions, why you chose this one?

You are both right and wrong, Yes the church is the people but it is so much more. for just like we are more than just the sum of are parts the Church is more than just the sum of it members.

For me it was a process of elimination. I have studied other religions and was left cold the pagan gods and the philosophies of eastern religion leave me wanting. I acknowledge only the one true God as proclaimed in the Bible the Lord of Israel. The God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. And the reason is I see him in the world around me.

 

[ServantofChrist]

Annabea,

Hello! Will you please clear something up for me? When you defined Agnosticism, you said “you do not know”…can you elaborate on this? What do you not know? Does this mean you do not know anything about anything or does this just pertain to God?

 

[Annabea]

Annabea,
Why did you decide to visit the this particular site? Just wondering…what do you hope to accomplish?

I have one friend who is agnostic and we have great conversations… so I am glad you are here and hope you stick around. I learn from the faithful and get to have civil exchange.

I said in my post right above yours. I am quite young, 12 (which usually makes people stop talking to me). I do not know much and I am very willing to learn what I can about religious beliefs and the world in general. I am an atheist of choice. My parents are religious.

 

[Annabea]

You are both right and wrong, Yes the church is the people but it is so much more. for just like we are more than just the sum of are parts the Church is more than just the sum of it members.

For me it was a process of elimination. I have studied other religions and was left cold the pagan gods and the philosophies of eastern religion leave me wanting. I acknowledge only the one true God as proclaimed in the Bible the Lord of Israel. The God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob. the Holy Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. And the reason is I see him in the world around me.

Would you please explain without preaching why and what are the proofs you spoke of?

 

[Eucharisted]

“Agnostic definition as was defined by T.H. Huxley, the man who coined the term that means one should not profess to a belief in something that cannot be proven.” Also, it means you do not know. I do not know, therefore I don’t believe, therefore I am an atheist. What I was saying, was that I do not know. If you don’t know the answer to 2 + 2 = 4 and someone tells you 2 + 2 = 5 are you to believe him? You don’t know, he has no proof that 2 + 2= 5. Yet you do not know that 2 + 2 = 4. What I’m saying I guess is that I do not know how the earth started of anything, but I do not believe you, therefore I will argue with you. Does that makes sence?

You can find out whether something is true or noth, though. For example, you can find out that 2+2=4. To willingly be in perpetual ignorance is terrible. As for finding evidence for God, there are philosophical arguments for His existence and there are miracles.

Philosophical arguments for God:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existence_of_God#Arguments_for_the_existence_of_God

Miracles are numerous, and not just in Catholicism. In Catholicism, miracles prove the truth of the Catholic faith - most especially that Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist, or, in other words, that the bread and wine are eucharisted, i.e., made Eucharist, turned into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Eucharistic miracles:
youtube.com/watch?v=N6SH93arrIE

Anyway, I hope this helps. Not trying to convert you, just showing you that the truth can be discovered and what we Catholics believe.

 

[Annabea]

Annabea,

Hello! Will you please clear something up for me? When you defined Agnosticism, you said “you do not know”…can you elaborate on this? What do you not know? Does this mean you do not know anything about anything or does this just pertain to God?

To all supposed superior beings. There is no backbone proof. As in evolution say, we have some backbone proof. I do not know why we are here. I do not know how we god here. I do not know why there are so many religious in which every person in them is claiming that they are right. I think you get the basic idea of “I dont know” when we are talking about this.

 

[Annabea]

You can find out whether something is true or noth, though. For example, you can find out that 2+2=4. To willingly be in perpetual ignorance is terrible. As for finding evidence for God, there are philosophical arguments for His existence and there are miracles.

Philosophical arguments for God:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Existence_of_God#Arguments_for_the_existence_of_God

Miracles are numerous, and not just in Catholicism. In Catholicism, miracles prove the truth of the Catholic faith - most especially that Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist, or, in other words, that the bread and wine are eucharisted, i.e., made Eucharist, turned into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Eucharistic miracles:
youtube.com/watch?v=N6SH93arrIE

Anyway, I hope this helps. Not trying to convert you, just showing you that the truth can be discovered and what we Catholics believe.

There are so many people in this world. There are bound to be some amazing occurrences. We now have the wonders of medicine and science. There are some so called “We prayed and now he is cured!” but the outcome would have been the same if they hadn’t prayed. There are also some "We refused to give her treatment and believed that god would cure her, now she is dead. " What do you call that? catholic catastrophes? Sorry if that sounds harsh. But I’m serious, coincidence.
And I thank you, I have had way to many Christians on my back trying to convert me lately.

 

[ServantofChrist]

So let me ask you this…who is Jesus Christ?