i used to be a Catholic, i'm now an atheist, i'm much happier now

[reen12]

While I do not concur with atheism [a-theism], I can sure understand it.
The members of Christian churches cannot agree with one another
on the fundamentals of salvation.
Debate after debate, claim and counter-claim.

Like the lions surrounding Daniel, the questions present.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Contesting groups were seen, early on, in Christianity.

While there is jealousy and rivalry among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving in an ordinary human way?
Whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely human? [1 Cor.3: 3-4]

The quarrels rang across the centuries, and continue still. I am for the pope.
Luther speaks for me. We Orthodox remain the true Catholic Church.

Echoes of…?

Whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, " I belong to Apollos," are you not merely human?

What’s wrong - with being ‘merely’ human? http://bestsmileys.com/nono/9.gif

What, indeed.

reen12

 

[Chaldean_Rite]

i used to be a Catholic, i’m now an atheist, i’m much happier now

duh.

You think Satan is going to continue to tempt now that he got you out of his Enemy’s Church?

 

[MarcoPolo]

i used to be a Catholic, i’m now an atheist, i’m much happier now

And you came to this forum to tell all the people who love being Catholic? There is quite a psychology at work here and I think you want the truth. Kudos to you for coming where you can find it.

 

[AnAtheist]

****** “Society, history and culture” is not a living being. So, “we” is “society, history and culture”.

Yes, of course. But it sounded like “we” were making our rules on the fly as we need them, meaning having no rules at all. That is simply not true.

 

[KingAlfred]

I’m an ex-Catholic.

I am now an atheist.

After struggling with “spiritual” beliefs I realized that “sentimentality” or rather who i elected to be God/ess had no bearing on the events that happened to me during the day, no matter how correctly, sincerely, or elaborately, or devoutfully I would appeal to Jesus, or whatever deity. I tried so hard to cause a change in my life by my spiritual practices that i had to ask myself “who am i kidding” having continued in a very negative life despite all the effort i was putting into changing it, by appealing to other worldly things. The effort that I put into causing change in my life, could have been much more usefully put towards changing myself, and trying to seek a better life on a mundane level constructively, than going through the motions of any spirituality what have you, where any positive effect in my life, would be erroneously dubbed as “the work of God” simply because it was in my best interest to believe that, else go bankrupt on some very erroneous beliefs that had to simply be worked out due to my upbringing (hanging on to believing because of how i was raised). I am obviously sharing this subsection of my life, because I feel that there is beauty in realizing that you’ve been wrong all or some of your life, and its always a good thing to be able to admit wrong to yourself, so that you can grow from it. The same big issues that plagued me as a believer are the same issues that plague me as a atheist, however I am content in knowing that I see things with a more sensible and reasonable manner now. There is a certain taught inner compulsion in man, to believe or give credit to what he should know not to be true. Todays civilized society tells us or rather reinforces incorrect beliefs by saying that “he has the -right- to believe something” (having the right to believe something is held to be so valuable to the point that people accept their own erroneous beliefs, because they feel life had somehow owed that much to them) are being unjustfully and incorrectly unfair to not only those who do not believe, and by accepted sensible standards, are no objections to the contrary, simply because our parents, and their parents, sought to preserve incorrect beliefs (vehemently). I understand what kind of response this post will create, however I write it not in the hopes if it changes anyone that reads it, but rather the minority here who are open enough intellectually and emotionally to say, i think it’s possible there is something to what he is saying. I would like to reassure people that being an atheist, does not equate them being a bad or immoral person, nor will you be, just so long as you choose to do the right thing in your life.

Not all are called. I have no problem with atheists, as long as they don’t attack religion and attempt to destroy it. At that point, I fight back…and hard. I get angry with my family members, for example, when they start criticizing me for being religious. They’re all cynical, smart-alic atheists who love putting down religion and religious people. I get sick of it fast, and actually get angry. I don’t visit them as much as I could for that very reason.

 

[inJESUS]

No one can make you change your mind sometimes we are so stiff we need direct divine intervention…we seek whatever else is available and we come back head bowed… been there done that…choose whatever you want…the forum will always be there, hopefully, should you need anything

 

[rikkk1958]

Sorry to change the subject.

You were born again in water and the Spirit when you were baptized, and you became a child of God. What kind of father turns his back on his children and refuses to forgive them? Certainly not a perfect one. Go to confession and get everything impure out of you. Christ is waiting there.

Thanks for the advise koopa and I believe and agree in what you said. I only wish that the Lord will give me the strenght to resist all temptations.I also just want to emphasized to this thread about how much God loves us and bringing them back to faith is something we can offer by giving them examples of lives beside from what they have and I for one will keep hoping and praying because I BELIEVE!

 

[ufamtobie]

I’m an ex-Catholic.

I am now an atheist.

After struggling with “spiritual” beliefs I realized that “sentimentality” or rather who i elected to be God/ess had no bearing on the events that happened to me during the day, no matter how correctly, sincerely, or elaborately, or devoutfully I would appeal to Jesus, or whatever deity. I tried so hard to cause a change in my life by my spiritual practices that i had to ask myself “who am i kidding” having continued in a very negative life despite all the effort i was putting into changing it, by appealing to other worldly things. The effort that I put into causing change in my life, could have been much more usefully put towards changing myself, and trying to seek a better life on a mundane level constructively, than going through the motions of any spirituality what have you, where any positive effect in my life, would be erroneously dubbed as “the work of God” simply because it was in my best interest to believe that, else go bankrupt on some very erroneous beliefs that had to simply be worked out due to my upbringing (hanging on to believing because of how i was raised). I am obviously sharing this subsection of my life, because I feel that there is beauty in realizing that you’ve been wrong all or some of your life, and its always a good thing to be able to admit wrong to yourself, so that you can grow from it. The same big issues that plagued me as a believer are the same issues that plague me as a atheist, however I am content in knowing that I see things with a more sensible and reasonable manner now. There is a certain taught inner compulsion in man, to believe or give credit to what he should know not to be true. Todays civilized society tells us or rather reinforces incorrect beliefs by saying that “he has the -right- to believe something” (having the right to believe something is held to be so valuable to the point that people accept their own erroneous beliefs, because they feel life had somehow owed that much to them) are being unjustfully and incorrectly unfair to not only those who do not believe, and by accepted sensible standards, are no objections to the contrary, simply because our parents, and their parents, sought to preserve incorrect beliefs (vehemently). I understand what kind of response this post will create, however I write it not in the hopes if it changes anyone that reads it, but rather the minority here who are open enough intellectually and emotionally to say, i think it’s possible there is something to what he is saying. I would like to reassure people that being an atheist, does not equate them being a bad or immoral person, nor will you be, just so long as you choose to do the right thing in your life.

angelfrogfish,

You are correct, atheist, can very well be a good person obeying state laws, ect… but can not a Saved Person because they choose not to follow God’s LAW!

God gave us all a free will to believe or not to believe in his Son Jesus Christ. You choose to be an atheist, that is your will.

Jesus Christ, did say not all will enter heaven only those who do the Will of my Father will enter heaven, I guess you will be left out.

If you truely are an atheist, why do you use the name Angel?

Ufamtobie

 

[LilyM]

Notice the original poster hasn’t responded? I think we’re trying to convince someone who’s left the building, folks.

 

[Layman]

“I thought of the offenses I made to the Lord and I am not even worthy to ask forgiveness for all the sisn I have committed because I committed the same mistakes over and over again. When I pray, I never ask for myself anymore but for others because I feel I am not worthy to ask.”

This is scrupulousity, or excessive piety, or some such. It’s wrong. Of course you can ask for forgiveness! And for personal benefits. And for help in avoiding sin in future, that would be wise.

Them that asks, gets!

But, you’ve got to make clear to God exactly what you want. And take time thinking about it first. A bad prayer is: “Gimme a million bucks!” or “I wanna win the lottery!”.

A good prayer is “If it pleases you, Lord God, help me to realise what I need to do to earn a million bucks righteously”.

Then he doesn’t have to overturn any natural laws. And you’ve included a get-out clause for him if it wouldn’t be good for you.

And for those that say “God already knows what’s in my heart” (awwwww), I say, it would be a terrible thing if he acted on everything that’s in your heart.

 

[dzheremi]

Hmmm, I suppose I was technically agnostic in the years between leaving my old church and joining the Catholic church. I guess I didn’t think about it enough to write a giant paragraph about it, though.

Far be it for me to deny you what you say is making you happy, OP, but I will say that as one who has lived in both religious “states”, so to speak, I cannot even begin to compare the happiness (of sorts…) of my areligious days with the real, true happiness I exist in today. There is no comparison. The happiness of an agnostic is “knowing” that he doesn’t need an absolute standard through which to understand and formulate morality, while the happiness of a Christian is knowing that he has everlasting life.

Personally, I’d trade the ability to make my own rules for everlasting life, peace in my soul, and the unconditional love of our Lord any day. No contest. “Society, history, and culture” are all transient, ephemeral. God is forever.

 

[elvisman]

I’m an ex-Catholic.

I am now an atheist.

After struggling with “spiritual” beliefs I realized that “sentimentality” or rather who i elected to be God/ess had no bearing on the events that happened to me during the day, no matter how correctly, sincerely, or elaborately, or devoutfully I would appeal to Jesus, or whatever deity. I tried so hard to cause a change in my life by my spiritual practices that i had to ask myself “who am i kidding” having continued in a very negative life despite all the effort i was putting into changing it, by appealing to other worldly things. The effort that I put into causing change in my life, could have been much more usefully put towards changing myself, and trying to seek a better life on a mundane level constructively, than going through the motions of any spirituality what have you, where any positive effect in my life, would be erroneously dubbed as “the work of God” simply because it was in my best interest to believe that, else go bankrupt on some very erroneous beliefs that had to simply be worked out due to my upbringing (hanging on to believing because of how i was raised). I am obviously sharing this subsection of my life, because I feel that there is beauty in realizing that you’ve been wrong all or some of your life, and its always a good thing to be able to admit wrong to yourself, so that you can grow from it. The same big issues that plagued me as a believer are the same issues that plague me as a atheist, however I am content in knowing that I see things with a more sensible and reasonable manner now. There is a certain taught inner compulsion in man, to believe or give credit to what he should know not to be true. Todays civilized society tells us or rather reinforces incorrect beliefs by saying that “he has the -right- to believe something” (having the right to believe something is held to be so valuable to the point that people accept their own erroneous beliefs, because they feel life had somehow owed that much to them) are being unjustfully and incorrectly unfair to not only those who do not believe, and by accepted sensible standards, are no objections to the contrary, simply because our parents, and their parents, sought to preserve incorrect beliefs (vehemently). I understand what kind of response this post will create, however I write it not in the hopes if it changes anyone that reads it, but rather the minority here who are open enough intellectually and emotionally to say, i think it’s possible there is something to what he is saying. I would like to reassure people that being an atheist, does not equate them being a bad or immoral person, nor will you be, just so long as you choose to do the right thing in your life.

I don’t buy this thread at all.
If you were happier, you wouldn’t be on this forum.

 

[rikkk1958]

Thank you Layman for the encouragement for me to do just that. I think God will always forgive if you are really sincere in what you wish undone, just like Koopa said, we are just his creation, and we cannot be perfect. This perhaps what is happening to angeloffish when he had enough and thought that God will no longer love him becase his prayers were not answered. I want to convey to those who think they are forsaken please take it from the Lord Jesus Christ when He was about to die on the Cross, He was even saying about being forsaken, and that is the Son of God. If you chose happiness with vanities in mind then you are misleading yourself to the promise God has given us. I said it before, everybody want to be happy and the only difference is to ask what kind of happiness. For most of the faithful. the happiness we are talking is about acknowledging that God is the Almighty Father who loves all His creation and by keeping the faith and His Word will lead us to everlasting life. I am now 50 years old and somehow I contemplated during some moments of thoughts about life in this world. I have a beautiful family and life has good but down the road we will return to dust. I believe in the soul which is more important than life. This is the promise of the Lord almighty and I believe, to save your soul.

 

[1stChristian]

How can one live without believing in God? You simply just exist…
Being an ex-Catholic means you were taught about Jesus Christ yet you now reject him. I pray he have mercy on your soul.

 

[Layman]

PS: I do … feel … that prayers said for someone else’s benefit are heard more readily than one’s for oneself.

And He’s not going to grant every wish. Just imagine what the world would be like if that were so. Note also that most Saints have few material possessions and are constantly beset by trials.

Our focus as Catholics is on getting into Heaven, not making ourselves comfortable here.

 

[distracted]

I believe you, Athiesm is a easier road, cause you don’t have to worry about following his rules, just morals, which add on to the rules, or sometimes are one in the same.

it soiunds easier… but i don’t think it actually is… long term…

 

[ralphinal]

PS: I do … feel … that prayers said for someone else’s benefit are heard more readily than one’s for oneself.

And He’s not going to grant every wish. Just imagine what the world would be like if that were so. Note also that most Saints have few material possessions and are constantly beset by trials.

Our focus as Catholics is on getting into Heaven, not making ourselves comfortable here.

There is some really profound thought in this post. Excellent.

 

[distracted]

I thought of the offenses I made to the Lord and I am not even worthy to ask forgiveness for all the sisn I have committed because I committed the same mistakes over and over again. !

i hope you overcome / overcame that feelig of not being worthy to even ask for forgiveness…

if you are anything like me, you feel unforgiven becaue you don’t feel that any HUMAN would forgive you, if they knew all your sins… or one particular sin or whatever… but God is not like people… I llike to get away from ALL people & be alone with him and nature… then i have no problem belieivng with all my heart that i am forgiven… It is weird how i don’t feel so forgiven when around people… who judge you by appearances and all kinds of other stupid criteria…

and since we want to fit in… we buy into that “i’m unworthy” thing…

God bless…

 

[distracted]

PS: I do … feel … that prayers said for someone else’s benefit are heard more readily than one’s for oneself.

.

not always… sometimes we don’t even know what is “worng” with us… and even when we get a clue… we don’t know how to deal with it… I don’t thikn there is anything wrong with praying for yourself… I think there is a lot of power in that… If you are strong you will be better able to help others be strong… I just think that any prayer said for anyone should be for the will of God to be accomplished in his/her life… Praying for things God doesn’t wnat is useless… & may cuase us to lose faith when the prayers aren’t answered the way we 'want".

 

[Layman]

“I don’t thikn there is anything wrong with praying for yourself.”

Nope, there isn’t. I’ve even read you can get Masses said for yourself. Might be an idea if you were beset by a run of inexplicable bad luck, for example. Just a thought.

However, I’d think it’d be a bit selfish if your troubles were mild.

Are priests overwhelmed with Mass requests these days? Some are farmed out abroad, I think: Offshoreing! 'Though that may be to give some poor parishes abroad some of our wealth, and a good thing too.

I just have a sensation that prayers of others are more pleasing to Heaven.

A clue?: I don’t think a priest can celebrate Mass by himself i.e.: “For where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”.

He likes us acting together or for one another.