I'm a confused atheist

[fhansen]

“Jesus Himself felt ignored as he hung on the cross and all his friends abandoning him as they did.”
What? jesus is god! He hung himself effectively and certainly knew what was coming, and that his friends couldn’t help him, although I’m sure they prayed, is simple: God sent jesus to die! It was a plan (didn’t stop any sin though). So much love, sounds all sick to me, pagan and twisted

It *is *an act of love because it shows to the world-which is still cognizant of this act 2000 years later, how unloving we are by contrast-that people would scorn and reject perfect Love when it revealed itself by incarnating here on earth, a higher level of love that we, ourselves, were originally intended to participate in and that only pride and selfishness would have any desire to oppose. It demonstrates how far off we are from this standard, if the creator of the universe was willing to suffer in order to shake us out of our stupor. This act can serve to stop us in our tracks, pulling the rug out from underneath our own agendas. It completely opposes the values of this world by making humility the key to attaining peace and order in ourselves, and thus in the world-by restoring love to the throne it deserves to be seated on. Somebody had to do it-and in any case we believe Somebody did.

 

[lucy_fur]

I fail to see where I wasn’t polite, I can express an opinion can’t I, even if it does make what you believe in look stupid?. Your opinion that one must believe in your violent god or face hell, I find vile, abusive and ludicrous. But I don’t tell you to shut up, instead I present facts, reasoning and logic, something you are all failing in doing. Instead you are acting like the followers of Islam, too easily insulted as if your religious choice is or should be protected from hard criticism.

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

I fail to see where I wasn’t polite, I can express an opinion can’t I, even if it does make what you believe in look stupid?.

Curious way to express that you are being polite.
lucy fur:

Your opinion that one must believe in your violent god or face hell, I find vile, abusive and ludicrous. But I don’t tell you to shut up, instead I present facts, reasoning and logic, something you are all failing in doing.

Hmmm. You haven’t provided any facts. I think I’ll leave it at that to keep this conversation polite.

 

[Stjudeprayforus]

I fail to see where I wasn’t polite, I can express an opinion can’t I, even if it does make what you believe in look stupid?. Your opinion that one must believe in your violent god or face hell, I find vile, abusive and ludicrous. But I don’t tell you to shut up, instead I present facts, reasoning and logic, something you are all failing in doing. Instead you are acting like the followers of Islam, too easily insulted as if your religious choice is or should be protected from hard criticism.

The rantings of an empty soul. Very sad… a person that can read the bible but not comprehend. A soul easily manipulated by man.

But, just like the 2 posters that are confused… I believe God is working in thier souls… God is working on Lucy. Why else would a ‘true believer’ of Dawkins come to a Catholic website? Either they are so brainwashed they need to spread thier lies all over the internet or God wants thier heart to open to him and perhaps some word will stick with them and eventually change them.

Either way, very fitting as we celebrate the birth of Christ. The gift of our lord keeps giving… even in the form of a lost soul. He loves us all, especially the athiests… He wants them the most.

 

[lucy_fur]

I think we will leave it to the readers to judge, but considering how you are reacting I would say you can’t dispute one single claim I have made, because deep down in your heart something just doesn’t seem right, so you flock even more with the like - minded and just force yourself to have more faith because if god had shown himself then you wouldn’t need faith because you would have evidence, which is not the case so you are just left with faith!

 

[Stjudeprayforus]

I think we will leave it to the readers to judge, but considering how you are reacting I would say you can’t dispute one single claim I have made, because deep down in your heart something just doesn’t seem right, so you flock even more with the like - minded and just force yourself to have more faith because if god had shown himself then you wouldn’t need faith because you would have evidence, which is not the case so you are just left with faith!

Deep down, my heart is at peace. I see and feel Gods love every single day. That happened the minute I looked into my own soul… and found a truth you have no idea about.

Your claims are all based on lies.
I am sorry you are blinded by it.

 

[Stylteralmaldo]

…if god had shown himself then you wouldn’t need faith because you would have evidence, which is not the case so you are just left with faith!

I find it odd that you think that evidence for God’s existence as being a roadblock to having faith in Him. Christians (at least Catholics anyway) do not walk by faith alone!

 

[Erethorn]

lucy fur, like I’ve said before, the kind of rhetoric you are putting up and your general attitude only serve to show me that the kind of atheism I used to embrace is vastly inferior to Catholicism.

That doesn’t mean that there are not atheists and agnostics with whom you can have a civil conversation, and whose ideas you can respect. Some of them are active on these forums.

Isn’t it ironic, though, to come, as an atheist, to a Catholic forum in search of answers and faith and to have another atheist giving them to you ? I begin to see the truth of the old saying “The Lord works in mysterious ways”…

For that, you have my thanks.

 

[Stjudeprayforus]

I begin to see the truth of the old saying “The Lord works in mysterious ways”…

QUOTE]

Exactly!

Merry Christmas, Erethorn! God must have great plans for you.

 

[Monica4316]

Lucy, I wanted to reply to some of your points.

We don’t see the Bible as a science textbook. We go to science for answers on chemistry, physics, etc. We go to Christianty for answers about the spiritual life, salvation, the meaning of life, and morality.

As for Mother Teresa, I’ve read what she wrote and she never ever stopped believing. It’s true she didn’t feel God’s presence for many years, but this is how she shared in the Cross. Theologians call this the “dark night of the soul” and almost all Saints went through. It’s what made them Saints. God allowed it for a greater purpose… He allowed them to feel like He’s not there, but out of their love and faith, they chose to believe in Him anyway and not rely on feelings. This made them so strong spiritually that they became Saints and in the end achieved union with God. He allows suffering sometimes to help us grow, because He knows what is best for us in the end.

Regarding Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, - its’ the greatest act of love the world has ever seen, - God becoming a Man and dying for us. It’s incredible that He would choose to die so that the people who hurt Him with their sins would be forgiven.

God bless

 

[lucy_fur]

Lucy, I wanted to reply to some of your points.

We don’t see the Bible as a science textbook. We go to science for answers on chemistry, physics, etc. We go to Christianty for answers about the spiritual life, salvation, the meaning of life, and morality.

As for Mother Teresa, I’ve read what she wrote and she never ever stopped believing. It’s true she didn’t feel God’s presence for many years, but this is how she shared in the Cross. Theologians call this the “dark night of the soul” and almost all Saints went through. It’s what made them Saints. God allowed it for a greater purpose… He allowed them to feel like He’s not there, but out of their love and faith, they chose to believe in Him anyway and not rely on feelings. This made them so strong spiritually that they became Saints and in the end achieved union with God. He allows suffering sometimes to help us grow, because He knows what is best for us in the end.

Regarding Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, - its’ the greatest act of love the world has ever seen, - God becoming a Man and dying for us. It’s incredible that He would choose to die so that the people who hurt Him with their sins would be forgiven.

God bless

If there is one thing you aren’t it’s an atheist, but confused you are indeed

 

[KrazyKaiju]

First off, this might be in the wrong forum. I’m guessing. :\

So, I’m an atheist, have been for years. Suddenly the whole atheism thing isn’t feeling right. I feel like I’m missing something, but I can’t put my finger on what (I got into a good school, I love my job, I have wonderful friends). But it’s not something I can talk about to much of anyone. All my friends are atheists. All the professors I’m close to (and usually talk to) are atheists too. Anyone I talked to, if they know me, would think I’m a crazy hypocrite.
I guess what’s bugging me is this interest in God, and Catholicism specifically, having been an atheist for so long. I don’t like it when I don’t have a logical explanation for something. I don’t have an explanation for this. And it’s not like it’s been one day, it’s been almost a year of feeling like this. Seriously, I woke up one morning last December and thought “I should be a nun”. Which is ridiculous of course since I’m an atheist, and that’s like the extreme end of religion. But I can’t get that line of thinking out of my head.
I looked into becoming a Catholic, but then I always stop short, because everyone I know would think I’m a nutty hypocrite to change my mind like that.
I don’t even know what I’m talking about really. Just wanted to get it out… I’m just all confused. I kind of want to just go back to being confident and happy in my non-belief. It was easier.

Maybe you’re questioning your beliefs a bit. Many (if not all) people go through this at some point in their lives. When you have a question, the most natural thing to do is to look for an answer. Maybe something inside is itching to know which view of the world is true: Catholicism or atheism. You’re still in college, right? Have you tried any philosophy courses? They’re a good place to start.

As for the “nutty hypocrite comment”: Welcome to the real world. I’m not an atheist, but at college, I call myself a “closet Christian,” since I express my beliefs in very covert terms. Unless I explicitly said I’m a Christian, I don’t know how many people would really catch on! However, would you be a “nutty hypocrite” for prudently changing your beliefs about the world? Centuries ago, would you be a “nutty hypocrite” for believing that the world is round instead of flat? (I’m not saying that either atheism or Catholicism is the correct metaphysical view, but I’m sure you see my point)

-KrazyKaiju

P.S. Pi is exactly 3!

 

[Monica4316]

If there is one thing you aren’t it’s an atheist, but confused you are indeed

that’s okay

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. **For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. **

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1

God bless you.

 

[Monica4316]

a prayer for all of us here.

HAIL MARY full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

 

[Pi314]

Um, wow. I need to check back more often. I wish my internet would work more. I read through that whole conversation, and hearing how lucy fur talked down to everyone and was so rude doesn’t sway me in the least. If anything, it’s more of a show of the nasty rhetoric I’m leaving behind.
As for the Mother Teresa thing, I’ve read that too, and even from the point of view of an atheist I didn’t see it as her not believing in God. And even as an atheist, I was never a fan of Dawkins… he seems rather pushy and angry.
I found out that RCIA starts in Oct/Nov at the church I’m going to, so we’re going to sign up when it next rolls around.
Mass on Christmas was really nice, I wanted to do the midnight one, but my mom insisted on going in the morning instead since she hates staying up late. I know this next bit is unrelated, but I had such a wonderful Christmas. I reconnected with my extended family, who I really missed and hadn’t seen in a while.
I’ve been praying more, and every time it feels less like I’m talking to myself. So that’s encouraging too.
And thanks again to everyone who is supportive and answers my questions. I know I’m late on this, but Merry Christmas.

 

[Monica4316]

That’s wonderful, Pi! Merry Christmas to you too!

:hug1:

 

[stanncie]

I’m so happy to see the Holy Spirit working on the two posters on this thread! It always brings me great joy to see someone discover God.

It also gives me hope for some of my family members who are downright anti-religion and often hurt me when they bash it .

Merry Christmas to you both and may God continue to guide you in your journey. I will include you both in my rosary today. Lucy i will also pray for you to soften your heart a little

 

[usemelord]

I just want to echo the comments of Monica4316 and Stanncie to say that I, too, am thrilled out of my mind for Pi314 and Erethorn. I’ll take peace and joy over nasty rhetoric any day of the week. As an aside, the other day I was on this thread and my wife asked what I was reading. I replied that I was reading a post from lucy fur, except I said it rather quickly and it suddenly dawned on me (maybe I’m slow in my old age) that lucy fur was actually a play on words—lucifer. Aha!! Lucifer. We are all too familiar with that deceiver. I wonder how “the dark side” celebrates their CHRISTmas?? Just something to ponder. Merry Christmas and peace to the rest of us. Continue to stay blessed.

 

[militantsparrow]

First off, this might be in the wrong forum. I’m guessing. :\

So, I’m an atheist, have been for years. Suddenly the whole atheism thing isn’t feeling right. I feel like I’m missing something, but I can’t put my finger on what (I got into a good school, I love my job, I have wonderful friends). But it’s not something I can talk about to much of anyone. All my friends are atheists. All the professors I’m close to (and usually talk to) are atheists too. Anyone I talked to, if they know me, would think I’m a crazy hypocrite.
I guess what’s bugging me is this interest in God, and Catholicism specifically, having been an atheist for so long. I don’t like it when I don’t have a logical explanation for something. I don’t have an explanation for this. And it’s not like it’s been one day, it’s been almost a year of feeling like this. Seriously, I woke up one morning last December and thought “I should be a nun”. Which is ridiculous of course since I’m an atheist, and that’s like the extreme end of religion. But I can’t get that line of thinking out of my head.
I looked into becoming a Catholic, but then I always stop short, because everyone I know would think I’m a nutty hypocrite to change my mind like that.
I don’t even know what I’m talking about really. Just wanted to get it out… I’m just all confused. I kind of want to just go back to being confident and happy in my non-belief. It was easier.

Pi314,
It looks like I found this post late. With 14 pages of responses, I didn’t want to sift through them all to see if someone had already suggested this, so I’m going to suggest it anyway.

The Journey Home program has had a number of former atheists as guests. Though I’m not a former atheist, I find their conversion stories some of the most fascinating. You might find comfort in listening to a few of them.

The show archive can be found at on EWTN’s site.

I hope that helps. I will also pray for you.

 

[crazzeto]

Um, wow. I need to check back more often. I wish my internet would work more. I read through that whole conversation, and hearing how lucy fur talked down to everyone and was so rude doesn’t sway me in the least. If anything, it’s more of a show of the nasty rhetoric I’m leaving behind.
As for the Mother Teresa thing, I’ve read that too, and even from the point of view of an atheist I didn’t see it as her not believing in God. And even as an atheist, I was never a fan of Dawkins… he seems rather pushy and angry.
I found out that RCIA starts in Oct/Nov at the church I’m going to, so we’re going to sign up when it next rolls around.
Mass on Christmas was really nice, I wanted to do the midnight one, but my mom insisted on going in the morning instead since she hates staying up late. I know this next bit is unrelated, but I had such a wonderful Christmas. I reconnected with my extended family, who I really missed and hadn’t seen in a while.
I’ve been praying more, and every time it feels less like I’m talking to myself. So that’s encouraging too.
And thanks again to everyone who is supportive and answers my questions. I know I’m late on this, but Merry Christmas.

I’m so glad to hear you’re going to check out RCIA! Congratulations on taking the first steps on the most wonderful journey anyone could take! Merry Christmas