Tough challenge from an atheist friend

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Struggling1

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A friend of mine posed this argument I am having a hard time with. Why has god taken thousands of years to come back? He also proposed most people practice religion because the people are afraid of not existing after death. Please help me refute these somehow!!!
 
Struggling1 said:
Why has god taken thousands of years to come back?
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Is this referring to the second coming of Christ?
Struggling1 said:
He also proposed most people practice religion because the people are afraid of not existing after death.
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Well, that’s his proposition. It’s up to him to prove it, not yours to disprove it. If there’s truly nothing after death, then we Christians have nothing to lose. But if he’s wrong? He has everything to lose.
 
Yeah he was directly talking about why god would just disappear for that period of time. I guess it shakes my personal faith because part of why I want to believe in god is I am so terrified of non existing so it hit me super close to home.
 
Well, the best answer I can give is I don’t know. But, when the second coming of Christ comes, that’s it. There will be no more new people. Perhaps the reason He hasn’t yet is because He has more plans in the world, and He would not want to come back until we and our descendants are in it.

As for not existing, why is it so scary for you, if you don’t mind my asking?
 
Because I love life and love and all I can think about is the termination of my consciousness for eternity and I don’t want to die!!! It could be my anxiety which causes this fixation but I can’t not fixate on it!
 
For all we know, thousands of years in the eyes of God is the nothing more than the blink of an eye for us. God is ineffable; totally beyond human comprehension.
 
Struggling1 said:
Why has god taken thousands of years to come back?
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So that there would be more people to love, like you and me.
He also proposed most people practice religion because the people are afraid of not existing after death.
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He might be wrong to say most. Surely there are some people who turn to religion because of fear of death, or fear of hell, but there are many others who have faith and put their faith into practice for reasons other than fear. How about love?
 
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I’m sorry you struggle with it. As Catholics we try to prepare ourselves for death, for if we die in grace, then we have nothing to fear with death. Do you pray to God for help? Or courage?
 
Struggling1 said:
A friend of mine posed this argument…
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Do not allow your friends to weaken or destroy your faith. The best friends bring out the best in each other.

If you are looking at atheist websites or forums, stop it.
 
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The Hebrew year is 5778, and Jesus showed up what, 2000ish years ago…so who’s to say it wont take another 3778 years for the second coming?
 
I am now I was a raised Catholic, confirmed catholic who fell away. Over the past few weeks I have been trying to give it my all! I’ve gone to my first confession in years and have tried to pray a daily rosary and emergency novena. I’m hoping god will meet me half way and help me qualm this fear that permeates my existence. Thank you for helping me.
 
It’s more so I’m surrounded by atheists at 27 it’s hard. My faith has to be self driven. I was a fallen away catholic who just had my first confession in likely ten years and am trying to give it my all. I’m hoping the daily rosary will help me with faith and belief.
 
No problem! It may be a stretch, but keep reaching out to God. God Himself says He does not spurn the contrite of heart. When I feel eager to go to confession and afraid to die, I tell myself that God, who is merciful, would never let me die without a chance to repent if I am truly contrite. He is not like a kid with a magnifying glass over an ant itching to burn you. Be contrite, pray, and put yourself in His hands.
 
Its more so coming from being an atheist to trying to believe I’m actually giving it the best I can :confused: I need more catholic or Christian friends though. I feel lonely most days.
 
I mean I don’t believe if there was a god that created us he would just abandon us period out of disgust especially if he was willing to die for us!
 
Maybe 2000 years isn’t a long time for God who has been around forever. Seems long for us because we have short lifespans. It’s probably like the blink of an eye for God.

As for why people believe in religion- everyone has their own reasons. Sure, fear of not existing after death is part of the reason. But most people need something more than fear to keep believing. For me, I read up on the history of the church from the early days until now, learned about the line of popes starting from St Peter until now and read writings from the early church fathers who lived very near to when Jesus lived. History is real even if people have trouble having faith. I also read up on miracles and prayed a lot.

I understand what it is like to be surrounded by atheists. I barely have any Catholic friends. My advice is to join a bible study or young adults group at your parish and meet more Catholic friends.
 
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