So why are you an athiest?

[Allie]

I have always wondered at people's stories, and I would like to hear yours. What would make a person so angry, sorrowful, or unconvinced as to not believe in God?

I come to you in the most humble of circumstances, I am still very young. I probably have less knowledge of the Bible than most people on this site do, but I would still like to contribute to these interesting conversations; Won't you please tell me your story?

[Vanguard]

I have always wondered at people's stories, and I would like to hear yours. What would make a person so angry, sorrowful, or unconvinced as to not believe in God?

I come to you in the most humble of circumstances, I am still very young. I probably have less knowledge of the Bible than most people on this site do, but I would still like to contribute to these interesting conversations; Won't you please tell me your story?

Welcome, Allie. Could you expand on whether you think it surprising that a non-believer would find the evidence unconvincing? If you do, could you provide a few examples of this convincing evidence?

[McCulloch]

You may wish to look at some of the Members Spotlights

• cnorman18
• Fallibleone
• Goose
• Zzyzx
• Once Convinced
• micatala
• Confused
• QED
• TwoBitsMedia
• ST88
• Cathar1950
• achilles12604
• McCulloch
• melikio
• MagusYanam
• bernee51
• Jose

[JoeyKnothead]

I have always wondered at people's stories, and I would like to hear yours. What would make a person so angry, sorrowful, or unconvinced as to not believe in God?

I come to you in the most humble of circumstances, I am still very young. I probably have less knowledge of the Bible than most people on this site do, but I would still like to contribute to these interesting conversations; Won't you please tell me your story?

It is an error, and somewhat of an insult to think that one chooses atheism out of anger or sorrow. Just because someone looks at something which lacks any proof whatsoever, and then chooses to not accept it does not mean they are angry or sorrowful.

It could be asked of the theist, "Why are you so angry with nature that you choose to believe in something for which there is no proof? Why are you so sorrowful you must find solace in the fables and tales of a now ancient people?

I was born an atheist, as we all are. I tried to read the Bible and found it full of contradiction, superstition, and incorrect science. I confirm my atheism every time I see some stupid, arrogant, and hateful things done in the name of religion. I confirm atheism when I see people using deceitful, illogical, and outright lies to promote their version of issues (not you, but others).

[Allie]

It is an error, and somewhat of an insult to think that one chooses atheism out of anger or sorrow. Just because someone looks at something which lacks any proof whatsoever, and then chooses to not accept it does not mean they are angry or sorrowful.

It could be asked of the theist, "Why are you so angry with nature that you choose to believe in something for which there is no proof? Why are you so sorrowful you must find solace in the fables and tales of a now ancient people?

I was born an atheist, as we all are. I tried to read the Bible and found it full of contradiction, superstition, and incorrect science. I confirm my atheism every time I see some stupid, arrogant, and hateful things done in the name of religion. I confirm atheism when I see people using deceitful, illogical, and outright lies to promote their version of issues (not you, but others).

I am sorry I offended you; remember, though, that I did say 'unconvinced' for the people who do not classify themselves as angry or sorrowful.

So that is your story? Just let me confirm:
You see the wrong that people have done in the name of religion, and these things make you despise it; you see the Bible as incorrect and contradicting.
That is what you said, right?

You may wish to look at some of the Members Spotlights

Thank you very much, I appreciate it. That's the sort of thing that I would be very interested in.

Welcome, Allie. Could you expand on whether you think it surprising that a non-believer would find the evidence unconvincing? If you do, could you provide a few examples of this convincing evidence?

I didn't make this board to expand on why I personally believe in Christ, but I could tell you some of my reasons. I do believe the evidence to be convincing, but I do not expect others to share my mind on this subject. Some reasons are compelling enough for me, because they effect me personally; some probably won't effect others at all.

Well, here I go, the reasons I believe in Christ:
(Note that these are not in order of importance, rather, they are in the order I think of them.)

The first reason would have to be that people much greater than me--take C.S. Lewis, for example--have decided that Christianity is the right way, even after being an Atheist. C.S. Lewis was much superior to me; his decision makes me feel much more confident in mine.

Also, my Grandma is another reason for my beliefs. I know this won't effect other people like it does me, but her story is an incredible one. She died for five minutes on the operating table, and in that time, she saw 'the light', as most people would call it. Diving in deeper, though, she said it wasn't as much sight as it was the immense feeling of warmth, and of God. She said she wanted to go to this warmth, but she somehow knew she was supposed to stay on earth to take care of her newborn son. This is when she woke up. One of her later sons was my father(who is a very good father), so I am glad she came back, and I am convinced of her story.

Another reason are the miraculous signs--not that I'm saying that every sign that has been claimed is true, but there is no doubt in my mind that some of them are true. For instance, a person who goes to my church (Yes, my church! This story makes me excited) had had a brain tumor. The tumor was said to be fatal--it was in such a spot that the doctors could not operate on it, and it was getting bigger. However, something happened that the doctors had never seen before. The tumor literally wrapped around itself, shrunk, and disappeared. It killed itself. That is what I consider a miracle.

I have other reasons, but I really didn't make this board to list out my reasons for believing in God, and most of my reasons are highly personal anyways, like my Grandmother and the member of my church. These things are what I consider highly convincing--this is a big part of why I believe in God.

[Vanguard]

I didn't make this board to expand on why I personally believe in Christ, but I could tell you some of my reasons. I do believe the evidence to be convincing, but I do not expect others to share my mind on this subject. Some reasons are compelling enough for me, because they effect me personally; some probably won't effect others at all.

Those are very personal experiences you have. I appreciate your willingness to share them though you should be aware you may be asked to defend how you come to the conclusions you have made. The gist of my question, however, centered more on what you think makes non-believers unconvinced. You stated,

What would make a person so angry, sorrowful, or unconvinced as to not believe in God?

IMO, you seem to imply that non-belief runs against what should be the natural order of one's life experience. You know, it's kind of like saying - "What would make him want to steal from that homeless man?" It seems more appropriate to ask what is it that makes a believer convinced there is a God? I for one am not suprrised in the least there are many (a majority?) who do not profess a belief in the supernatural. I don't really know that anything necessarily made all of them feel this way.

[Allie]

IMO, you seem to imply that non-belief runs against what should be the natural order of one's life experience. You know, it's kind of like saying - "What would make him want to steal from that homeless man?" It seems more appropriate to ask what is it that makes a believer convinced there is a God. I for one am not suprrised in the least there are many (a majority?) who do not profess a belief in the supernatural. I don't really know that anything necessarily made them feel this way.

I'll try to answer what you're asking me, but I'm not sure I'm understanding the question.


I said it as if it is normal to know about God because the people on this site are here to debate Him. They should know about God, and have a reason (or multiple reasons) as to why they do or don't believe in Him. I am not extremely surprised at people not choosing to believe in God (most of the people who live around me are not Christians) but I do wonder why people decide not to come to God, which is why I made this board.

Do you really think that people are Atheists 'just because'? I don't know, perhaps they are--but from what I've seen from friends and family, people usually do want to believe in something, they just don't know what to believe in.

Therefore, I think people who call themselves Atheists almost always have a reason for being an Atheist.

[OnceConvinced]

Hi Allie and welcome to the site. It seems you are asking questions in a respectful manner and that goes a long way when it comes to unbelievers I think.

I consider myself an agnostic, not an atheist, but I think one of the main errors Christians make is if they see unbelief as a choice and/or they think that something bad must have happened to make us not want to believe.

I'm an ex-Christian and no doubt you can read my member spotlight to see how I got where I am today. If you have any questions, I'm also happy to answer them. For me I had great experiences in the church, was always respected and had some great relationships with other Christians, leaders included. I came to certain conclusions nearer the end of my Christian walk, which to me were inescapable and as much as I wanted to keep believing, I just couldn't. Nothing terrible happened to make me reject Christ.

Sure there has been heartbreak and frustration. But that can't be directed at God, because I can't even be sure he exists. I can't even be angry at my parents who indoctronated me from birth. They were only doing what they thought God expected them to do. I tend to blame myself more than anything for just accepting what I was taught as a child, for taking so long to start thinking for myself and for saying "Goddidit" everytime I learnt or experienced something wonderful.

[McCulloch]

Well, here I go, the reasons I believe in Christ:

In his book, Irreligion, John Allen Paulos, a mathematician listed the 12 or so reasons people say that they believe in God. To those, we have added a few more. None of them really make a whole lot of sense if you look at them carefully and skeptically.

We have a debate thread for that discussion. Why not jump in and let us know what you think?

The first reason would have to be that people much greater than me--take C.S. Lewis, for example--have decided that Christianity is the right way, even after being an Atheist. C.S. Lewis was much superior to me; his decision makes me feel much more confident in mine.

This type of reason is known as the appeal to authority. It may make you feel better about the belief, but it is not sufficient reason by itself for a belief.

Also, my Grandma is another reason for my beliefs. I know this won't effect other people like it does me, but her story is an incredible one. She died for five minutes on the operating table, and in that time, she saw 'the light', as most people would call it. Diving in deeper, though, she said it wasn't as much sight as it was the immense feeling of warmth, and of God. She said she wanted to go to this warmth, but she somehow knew she was supposed to stay on earth to take care of her newborn son. This is when she woke up. One of her later sons was my father(who is a very good father), so I am glad she came back, and I am convinced of her story.

Have you ever noticed that when Hindus have near death experiences they confirm the Hindu idea of the afterlife and when a Muslim has a near death experience, it confirms the Islamic idea of the afterlife. As deeply moving as they are, these experiences are really not enough to convince an objective person.

Another reason are the miraculous signs--not that I'm saying that every sign that has been claimed is true, but there is no doubt in my mind that some of them are true. For instance, a person who goes to my church (Yes, my church! This story makes me excited) had had a brain tumor. The tumor was said to be fatal--it was in such a spot that the doctors could not operate on it, and it was getting bigger. However, something happened that the doctors had never seen before. The tumor literally wrapped around itself, shrunk, and disappeared. It killed itself. That is what I consider a miracle.

Something amazing happened, therefore my church teaches the correct thing about the afterlife.

I have other reasons, but I really didn't make this board to list out my reasons for believing in God, and most of my reasons are highly personal anyways, like my Grandmother and the member of my church. These things are what I consider highly convincing--this is a big part of why I believe in God.

Thank you for sharing. Really. It takes a lot to expose something as personal as why you believe on an internet forum established for debate. I hope that you can learn to examine thoroughly what you believe in and why you believe it.

[JoeyKnothead]

I am sorry I offended you; remember, though, that I did say 'unconvinced' for the people who do not classify themselves as angry or sorrowful.

I hear this one a bunch from my people, maybe I'm a bit sensitive to it. I understood by the tone of your post you were asking in a genuine fashion, and was only asking from your perspective. Look at it this way, ya didn't call me late for dinner.

So that is your story? Just let me confirm:
You see the wrong that people have done in the name of religion, and these things make you despise it; you see the Bible as incorrect and contradicting.
That is what you said, right?

Among other things, but I see how religion divides more folks than it brings together, and to me this is profound proof, though maybe not 'official debate quality proof'. I'm the rare atheist who wants to believe in a God, but I see what the human race has done to religion, and I realize it's just a human construct.

Though I come as an atheist, and argue more often against religion, I find some of the more spiritual stuff written here is more accessible to my senses. I joined these forums as a way to explore my spiritual side if you will, but I can't really get a good grip on how to explain it. As people mature into middle age they often have these kind of events. After the youthful energy and 'lust for life' wane, then we often start to ponder some of the deeper issues of life, and humanity. This often leads folks along a spiritual/religious path. I know this cause I used to raise more cane than a rum factory, and now I find myself looking into these issues. It happens the other way with some lifelong theists, but you'll have to ask them on that one.