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

[angelfrogfish]

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.

 

[Charlie_Zeaiter]

I think the only offensive thing about atheists is that they deny the reason why Jesus died on the Cross.

 

[ChristianKnight]

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.

 

[Matthias123]

Who ever said the following Christ would feel good? I recall him saying the opposite:

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”—Matthew 10:34-38

Christianity is not about feeling good. It is about following Christ unconditionally!

I am praying for you.

 

[elts1956]

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.

Was your disillusionment due to God not doing as YOU wanted? As you have tried to change your life did you try to change others, circumstances, or yourself? I have found the only thing I can change is myself and how I feel about my life. It is impossible to change others or circumstances in our image.

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change (others/circumstances), to change the things I can (myself) and the wisdom to know the difference”.

 

[HelenaMT]

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.

Welcome to the forum , angelfrogfish.

I think we all know that being an atheist does not make a person bad or immoral by itself.

Because God created man(allowed them to evolve the way we are, just so you realize where I am coming from), we all have a sense of morality that is universal, so even one who rejects God doesn’t necessarily reject morality.

As far as relying on prayer or “spirituality” alone to change your life, I can see where the problem would be. Even if God speaks to you through prayer to lead you in the right direction , only your actions can change your life from a negative direction to a positive one.

Prayer and action are usually better than prayer alone, if you ask me.

 

[AnAtheist]

I think the only offensive thing about atheists is that they deny the reason why Jesus died on the Cross.

Assuming this reason is not Jesus annoying officials back then but humans being “sinners” which needs some kind of bloody sacrifice in order to save us from it, I regard it much more offensive to tell people they were something they don’t think they are and then offer them something they don’t want to remedy that.
From a marketing point of view that is of course a good strategy.

 

[angelfrogfish]

Who ever said the following Christ would feel good? I recall him saying the opposite:

Christianity is not about feeling good. It is about following Christ unconditionally!

I do believe that in your telling me that following Christ isn’t about feeling good, that you feel very good having a refutation that other Catholics will have little issue with on this forum. I am not compelled to believe something, out of fear of burning in hell or spending an eternity in church in the afterlife. I am compelled to believe something because all evidence points that it is true.

I believe I only said I was happier as an atheist in life, not that I was after a “feel good” experience. I am not after any experience at all, I’m wishing to see reality as it is. If I feel good in the process would that make it wrong? not in the least.

I understand that many of the people who followed up to this thread will similarly have knee-jerk reactions, maybe quoting from the Bible as if that were proof in itself, it isn’t. if faith means i will believe something despite all evidence to the contrary, then i certainly wouldn’t want to have faith. If i had faith when all evidence to the contrary suggested it wasn’t so, then i couldn’t so much for one second claim I was intellectually honest.

When people choose to be intellectually honest with themselves and the world, it makes the world a better place.

 

[Charlie_Zeaiter]

… 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.

Assuming this reason is not Jesus annoying officials back then but humans being “sinners” which needs some kind of bloody sacrifice in order to save us from it, I regard it much more offensive to tell people they were something they don’t think they are and then offer them something they don’t want to remedy that.
From a marketing point of view that is of course a good strategy.

It’s easy to not be a sinner when you define your own rules as to what you think is right.

 

[elts1956]

I do believe that in your telling me that following Christ isn’t about feeling good, that you feel very good having a refutation that other Catholics will have little issue with on this forum. I am not compelled to believe something, out of fear of burning in hell or spending an eternity in church in the afterlife. I am compelled to believe something because all evidence points that it is true.

I believe I only said I was happier as an atheist in life, not that I was after a “feel good” experience. I am not after any experience at all, I’m wishing to see reality as it is. If I feel good in the process would that make it wrong? not in the least.

I understand that many of the people who followed up to this thread will similarly have knee-jerk reactions, maybe quoting from the Bible as if that were proof in itself, it isn’t. if faith means i will believe something despite all evidence to the contrary, then i certainly wouldn’t want to have faith. If i had faith when all evidence to the contrary suggested it wasn’t so, then i couldn’t so much for one second claim I was intellectually honest.

When people choose to be intellectually honest with themselves and the world, it makes the world a better place.

What about spiritual honesty? We are both spirit and matter. Believing only with the brain can cause a split in reality.

And I would have to say, having Faith takes a lot of energy and soul searching.

 

[AnAtheist]

It’s easy to not be a sinner when you define your own rules as to what you think is right.

Well, we don’t define our own rules, rules are defined by the society, history and cultural context. As are your rules.

 

[averheyen]

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 understand where you’re comming from.

 

[ralphinal]

Welcome to the forum. I wish you all the best on your journey. I will pray for your journey as well.

We’ve been having these discussions at my office lately. I have a coworker who is agnostic/atheist depending on the day. In reality, he has decided he is too intellegent to fall for the whole God-thing, which to him is the most elaborate money-making scam ever. I am not accusing anyone else of having this jaded view. I would like to mention that you seem to point out something that he mentioned. He feels that science proves that there is no God. I hold that it does not. As an undergrad. I startred as a Chemistry major and ended up in psychology. I completed enough classes to have the minor in chem though. I see no proof for or against God in and of itself. I do not want to get into intellegent design.

What I do see in my faith is an answer to suffering, What I do see is a promise that life will be hard but I will not be alone. What I do see is instruction to repay hate with love and forgiveness. What I do see is a calling to make the world a better place even if I get no credit for what I do. I see no promise of happiness in this life, which is fine because life can suck.

In the end, either you have the gift of faith or you do not.

 

[Layman]

TL; DR.

Please use paragraphs also. Thank you.

 

[strngrnrth]

I’m an ex-Catholic.
Pleasure to meet you. I’m an ex-atheist.
I am now an atheist.
I’m now a Catholic.
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. After struggling with “material” beliefs I found that no matter what theory I elected to be the explanation of supernatural and immaterial phenomena, my castings-about had no bearing on the reality of what I had seen and experienced. 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. I tried so hard to explain away these things, from visible, tangible occurrences others witnessed, to the pain and terror growing in my soul, to my soul’s insistence that it exists, that I finally asked myself whom I was kidding. 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). The effort that I put into chasing the evidence of God and the soul and miracles out of my life could ahve been put to much better use examining them earnestly and getting deeper understanding of God through them, as I am trying to do now in retrospect, but I was terrified to deny and lose the sense of contnuity of the atheism I was raised with. 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. That’s how I feel as well. 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. The issues that plagued me as an atheist are the ones I figure out and find my way around in now but now I can see where I’m going and think straight.There is a certain taught inner compulsion in man, to believe or give credit to what he should know not to be true. That’s what I had to do to stay atheist so long. 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 started turning away from atheism when the sheer intolerance in its foundations became obvious to me. I remember endless discussions of what it meant to “be a good person” with people who then attacked religious people for failing to make their lives convenient to the atheists, especially in sexual matters, and in the area of accepting everyone with a degree as all-knowing and a professional, even when he spoke vicious nonsense. I felt sick. I’m so glad I finally realized no one could make me continue denying what I had seen and I didn’t have an obligation to amuse and please people who based their lives on the idea that they and they alone owned the universe.

 

[Charlie_Zeaiter]

Well, we don’t define our own rules, rules are defined by the society, history and cultural context. As are your rules.

emphasis mine]

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

emphasis mine]

Of course you think we Christians define our own rules, because you don’t believe in God.

 

[Verisimilitude]

When people choose to be intellectually honest with themselves and the world, it makes the world a better place.

That’s true. Intellect and honesty cannot be defined by self however, but by those that know and interact with you. There are as many ideas out there of truth as there are people to think of it. If there is a God one would reasonably think He would speak with a clear voice to humanity. If there is no god then humanity is the supreme beings in the universe and we make it up as we go.

Intelect and honesty cannot be seperated from integrity and humility unless you can walk on the water too. The mirror (physical and spiritual) is not always kind to me and I have little doubt I am alone.

When you look at the world with the many different cultures and belief systems do you see the possibility of peacefull coexistance in a global sense, or are you concentrating only on the 2 sq ft of area you occupy when you stand?

Fare well on your journey. It takes some of us decades to be so honest with ourselves for hopefully we never tire of learning and always get better in practice than our ideals.

 

[LilyM]

angelfrogfish - so prayer had no effect on events in your life?

How on earth do you know what would’ve happened without the prayer, and that it wouldn’t have been significantly worse (because whatever happens, it always can be)?

You haven’t so much stopped believing in a god or gods, as you’ve appropriated to yourself knowledge that only a god or gods would have - about the effect of prayer for one thing. Thus effectively making yourself your own god.

 

[rikkk1958]

As a catholic and devoutly struggling to to resist sins, I too wishes to be happy always {who’s not?}however, 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. We choose our own path and I want the narrower way. I will try my best because I believe someday the Lord God will show me the way. I think each one of us may have its own understanding of life and God. I believe in the Supreme God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. To be born again will not be easy and I say to my brothers who thinks they are born again to think again because I know how difficult to follow the way of the Lord. Keep the faith, the Lord is watching!

 

[Koopa]

As a catholic and devoutly struggling to to resist sins, I too wishes to be happy always {who’s not?}however, 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. We choose our own path and I want the narrower way. I will try my best because I believe someday the Lord God will show me the way. I think each one of us may have its own understanding of life and God. I believe in the Supreme God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. To be born again will not be easy and I say to my brothers who thinks they are born again to think again because I know how difficult to follow the way of the Lord. Keep the faith, the Lord is watching!

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.