Why Do People Become Atheists?

So the only acceptable conclusion to truly seeking out God is that you 'find' him? Otherwise you didn't seek well enough? You were too lazy? Please.

This isn't a derailment, we're on topic.

 

No the acceptable conclusion to me is to understand that there isn't a true conclusion. We as humans operate under an arrogance that we know all there is to know and leave little room to change ideas or beliefs. In the case of atheist I think closing ones self off the possibility that there might be far more than you know right now is very limiting. That limitation stifles human growth both socially and spirtually.

 

Yeah, that's a fair argument, and the reason I don't call myself an atheist. But I suppose by your logic, people with faith should also be open to the idea that there might not actually be anything beyond the tangible. (and not condescending and "arrogant" towards those who don't share their beliefs...!)

 

My only problem with that is that we are constantly shown that there are things outside of the measured material world. Like ionic fields and radio waves but I have considered that there might not be consciousness after what we call death but then again many studies have shown that even the most inanimate objects react to the environment surrounding it so maybe certain consciousness isn't measurable yet.

 

I'm an open minded person, however that is something that I will not even remotely entertain because I personally know with 100% certainty that there is a God. However I also know that there is no way for me to communicate my unwavering belief to someone else. Faith is something you have to find on your own, no one can give it to you, or prove it to you. To be fair however, I've been on the receiving end of a couple miracles, and though I already had faith at the time, it was strengthened to the point that I could never question whether He exists.

However, I am never condescending or arrogant towards anyone, regardless of what they do or don't believe, that's not appropriate. But I find a lot of atheists and agnostics are that way towards those of us who won't be swayed by their 'logic'. My father was agnostic, but he never tried to influence me one way or the other, I had faith on my own and I've had it all my life. I think as long as you have conviction in what you believe, and you think it's right for you, that's all that matters. I'll take an honest atheist over a false Christian, or a hypocrite any time.

 

There is no good proof. Not for the logical. If there was sufficient proof, we wouldn't be having this discussion. How often do you argue that there isn't a sun or that gravity is a myth? Most people don't because there is sufficient proof for the sun and gravity and we don't have to hunt for faith and rationalizations for the existence of the sun or gravity.

And how do you expect one to find this proof of God? Read the bible? Done that, not proof. Personal stories? Am I to believe the ones about space aliens also? The reason Christians believe is because they WANT to believe.

Post one lick of evidence for a God and I can destroy it logically in under two sentences any day, place or time.

I have no problem with someone deciding that in his/her heart there is a God, but it's irritating when believers act as if someone having trouble believeing that an all powerful invisible being, who can do anything and be anywhere, but never seems to show up, that his existence is obvious or a given, and that anyone who disagrees is lazy or stupid.

People want to believe in God, then they should believe in God, but you could make the same agruments for the existence of Santa Claus. Actually Santa has more likelyhood of being real, as I got my GI Joe action figure that year.

 

Thank you for posting this, I welcome any challenge to my beliefs because that is truly the only way I grow. There was a time when logical people believed that the earth was flat. All logic at the time pointed to it, there was a time where the scientific community thought that the earth was the center of our solar system, heck even the existence of the bumble bee goes against logic. A large body with little wings that isn't aerodynamic yet there it is for all to see fly. Logic is only as viable as the information that we have at the time.
As far as proving God exists there have been several publications by both Francis S. Collins and Deepak Chopra who are both medical doctors educated at Yale and Harvard respectfully that do a better job of explaining how God exists. As for me two things that help me to believe in God and more accurately a soul is the human need to express ourselves through art. Why does it pleasure us to create beautiful things where is the evolutionary need or the biological imperative that pushes us to do so. Atheists tend to be Darwinist and as far as I've witnessed there is no advantage to being artistic yet we feel the need to be.

 

And I 100% support you in that, Espy. I'm glad you have such strong faith, clearly it serves you well and fulfills your life, why would anyone have a problem with that? The statement from me that you quoted was just in response to Andrae's logic. I take offense to his statement that atheism is a lazy endeavour. I suppose I'm not the right person to argue it because I'm not atheist, I would more likely consider myself agnostic, although I'm not convinced of God's existence at this stage. But I am constantly thinking/searching/considering/seeking on the subject, just as I do for all other aspects of my life. How do we evolve as human beings if we don't continually try to improve ourselves? But just because I've reached different conclusions does NOT make me lazy.

I also understand that a lot of atheist/agnostic people can be very arrogant. But people of faith are by NO MEANS innocent in that department either. It just so happens that neither you and I are one of those parties.

 

And just let me say Thank Goodness for that Whikle! I think you can seek all your life sometimes, but until it's the right time for you, you don't find the answers you seek. I know some things that used to puzzle me just completely make so much sense now that I have trouble believing it wasn't always like that.

 

Whikle I think you misunderstood me sweetheart. When I referred to atheists as lazy I meant it in the sense that they come from an arogant pov that states without a shadow of a doubt here is no God. It shows a lack of willingness to explore and truly seek truth. The fact that you are willing to question and find answers shows intelligence and character. The reason I didn't bring other religions into it is because the topic was atheists.

 

My brother was raised Catholic and now considers himself an atheist. I'm not really sure when he came to that conclusion, but that's what he calls himself now.

 

To each their own right?
I have been awfully close a few times, but never went there.

 

Yep! Though my brother changed quite a bit after meeting his now wife.

Yeah, I can't ever go that far down the path to atheism, but I'm not a fan of organized religion either. I'm a 'tweener! LOL.

 

With so many problems in his life and worldwide, It is easy to see why.

 

Ah not that brother (the one from FL), my other brother. Come on, Arch, don't you know my family tree? ;-)

 

lol no, I thought you had one brother.

 

Get it straight man!! LOL.

I have two older brothers and two older sisters. :smt023

 

Be me.
See through my eyes.
Believe because I believe.
Do of my accord, not your own.
Live as I live.
Die as I die.
If you aren't me, you are flawed.

 

HEEEYYYY J!!! Long time no see on here!! Missed you!:smt060

 

Missed you more!