Atheistic Confusion

Siralexferguson · Apr 13, 2012

So I'm an atheist. I didn't come here to bash your religion, or cause you to lose faith or anything like that. I'm just curious about how you all became Christians, and what about this religion keeps you believing. Before I became an atheist, I went to a Christian church regularly, and I learned so much about the religion form reading the bible several times through and the preaching I heard that I didn't agree with or like. Are there things any of you don't like about Christianity? Again, just here to talk/debate, not insult or try and change you. Thanks for your feedback!

Seth · Apr 13, 2012

I'm saddened to say this... but church is typically the worst place to figure out what Christianity is really all about. They tend to be corrupted quite a bit. With no adult Christians present, they tend to become ineffective in ministry and come across as... well... fake to people who aren't Christians.

I'm too tired to post a response tonight. But, I most likely will return tomorrow and make a more lengthy post. Until then, atheist fellow.

shemaiah · Apr 13, 2012

Basically, my father led me to accept Christ when I was young, but what has made me remain a christian is that He has proved Himself to me in a holy complete way, I talk to Him and He talks to me, I find peace and happiness in Him and its more than a belief or feeling or cause, He lives in me, He gives me all I need, He never leaves me and I can't describe it all to you coz its indescribable. Reach out to Him and experience His love for yourself. I think this song can help me answer your question
>>> I Just Want You to Know - YouTube

kayem77 · Apr 13, 2012

I became a Christian after over 2 years of hearing the Word of God through a friend, so it didn't happen immediately. I come from a Catholic family, although I never really read the Bible until a Christian friend invited me to her church.

Last year, after some changes in my life, I decided to start reading the Bible on my own again...my parents didn't approve of me going to a Christian church so I learned on my own, in my room, reading the Bible online and studying it. I am now able to attend a church, but it wasn't that way at the beginning.

Let me tell you this, since we humans are flesh and bones, and the flesh goes against the Spirit, there will be A LOT of times when we won't like what the Bible says

. Especially if that means changing your life radically, and that's exactly what Jesus does, He changes your life radically. He lets you know than life is not about ''ME,ME,ME'' and more about serving Him and serving others. Humbling yourself can be the most painful experience in life, and that's exactly what God wants from us.

Another thing I would like to add is that not all the churches have the true gospel...I feel horrible to say this as Christian because we are supposed to be the light of the world, but that's why the Bible says ''test everything'' so you won't be deceived into false teaching.
The reason why I'm a Christian and I will continue to be a Christian for the rest of my life is because even though man can fail, and I myself can and will fail, God won't stop being faithful. This verse expresses my sentiment very well:

True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. Romans 3:3-4

Nattmaran · Apr 13, 2012

Siralexferguson said:

I was born in a Christian family and grew up with Jesus "in the house" so to speak.

I have had a quite rough childhood and without the power of Christ I would not have made it. But several times I have doubted and questioned my faith but everytime the light and warmth of Jesus has pulled me back.

When it comes to the bilbe it is serveal things I do not like. But you have to remeber that it was written a long time ago by people in a tribal culture and a strong patriarcal society. So you need to find the soul in the bible when you look for Jesus (sort of an ancient map to a tresure) and leave the historical facts as just historical facts.

But things I don't like is:

1. How women are portrayed (in most cases).

2. That slavery is OK.

3. You should stone people as well as animals.

4. That God (in the bible) resents homosexuals as well as disabled people (blind, lame, deaf and things like that).

5. That God is portrayed so hateful and that he destroys people instead of turning them to his ways.

After studing the bible and other religions I have seen that most parts of the Old testament is left overs from older religions in the area and and in the ancient time God was just one of a multitude of Gods that the jewish people worshiped and that he was the God of war... so I guess it is why he was seen as so violent.

But in all the ancient texts there is a thin red thread... that leads us to the creator and Jesus... and if you can follow that you can find God.

But dont stare yourself blind at the words... and don't listen to all those who claim they follow the bilbe to the word (they don't... they just claim they do) becasue they scare me as well.

Not all christian are idiots... but sadly on this chat you will find a lot of the gay haters and racists...

So... please... remeber that the majority of us are sensible people.

Love
/Anna

jonathanbchristian · Apr 13, 2012

we are christians because jesus died for us. we are christians because we believe the bible. we love the bible and we are drawn to it by the holy spirit.

jimmydiggs · Apr 13, 2012

Nattmaran said:

I was born in a Christian family and grew up with Jesus "in the house" so to speak.

I have had a quite rough childhood and without the power of Christ I would not have made it. But several times I have doubted and questioned my faith but everytime the light and warmth of Jesus has pulled me back.

When it comes to the bilbe it is serveal things I do not like. But you have to remeber that it was written a long time ago by people in a tribal culture and a strong patriarcal society. So you need to find the soul in the bible when you look for Jesus (sort of an ancient map to a tresure) and leave the historical facts as just historical facts.

But things I don't like is:

1. How women are portrayed (in most cases).

2. That slavery is OK.

3. You should stone people as well as animals.

4. That God (in the bible) resents homosexuals as well as disabled people (blind, lame, deaf and things like that).

5. That God is portrayed so hateful and that he destroys people instead of turning them to his ways.

After studing the bible and other religions I have seen that most parts of the Old testament is left overs from older religions in the area and and in the ancient time God was just one of a multitude of Gods that the jewish people worshiped and that he was the God of war... so I guess it is why he was seen as so violent.

But in all the ancient texts there is a thin red thread... that leads us to the creator and Jesus... and if you can follow that you can find God.

But dont stare yourself blind at the words... and don't listen to all those who claim they follow the bilbe to the word (they don't... they just claim they do) becasue they scare me as well.

Not all christian are idiots... but sadly on this chat you will find a lot of the gay haters and racists...

So... please... remeber that the majority of us are sensible people.

Love
/Anna

Nattmaran · Apr 13, 2012

LOL!

Is that the way you see me

Kyouken01 · Apr 13, 2012

I was led to the Lord when I was 8 years of age or so. I didn't really start seeking Him until I was about 11 or 12, though. Through these past couple of years, I've learned a lot about life and how things work. Not just about God, but also about how things work from a Biblical perspective. He's taught me many things, corrected me when I believed something that wasn't on par with the Bible, and He's even taught me why He does some of the things He does. A love for God has also blossomed in my heart - there was a time where I didn't even look up (so to speak) during the day. I've noticed how selfish I can be and how selfish I was when I wasn't seeking God. I noticed how much my actions could hurt people, too. Yet, through all of that, I was taught that God loves me, and He doesn't love me for what I do, but because I'm a child of His, a joint heir with Christ. I've experienced victory in my life over situations and even sickness. And yet, there's so much more that I don't know. The only reason I am who I am today is because of God. I've fallen on the Rock, and thank God for that.

That's not to say I haven't had doubts, though. Yet, even then, God kept me in His hands, protecting me and loving me. What reassured me was what the Bible says, and the Bible says that God loves me. I'm prone to believing that.

There really isn't anything I don't like about Christianity. God loves me, and in return, I do my best to love Him back.

shawntc · Apr 13, 2012

Siralexferguson said:

A peaceful atheist! Glad to meet you!

Have a link: why I am Christian

For me there are several reasons.

First off, I have discovered that there are many logical reasons to believe God exists. These are found in a field of study called apologetics. I would recommend to you a site, reasonablefaith.org where they discuss several of these (if you want to do a quick Googling, type in words like "cosmological argument," "teleological argument," "moral argument," and "ontological argument."
Secondly, I have done research and as it turns out, the New Testament's writings are completely reliable insofar as documenting the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Before they were part of the Bible, they were simply letters written to various people and churches. If they were false, then by now they would have been refuted and Christianity would never have gotten far.
Third, it provides meaning for my life. I was an atheist until I was 16 and my life's meaning was only as far as a defined it. But as a Christian I see I have a purpose, meaning for this life.'
Fourth, it provides comfort and hope to deal with life. Comfort to know that God will ensure things go well for me, and hope that I have eternal salvation and blessings in this life.

Is there anything I don't like? I don't like how people are by nature against the faith. I don't like the idea of hell, but I don't doubt it exists.

Seth · Apr 13, 2012

shawntc said:

A peaceful atheist! Glad to meet you!

Have a link: why I am Christian

For me there are several reasons.

First off, I have discovered that there are many logical reasons to believe God exists. These are found in a field of study called apologetics. I would recommend to you a site, reasonablefaith.org where they discuss several of these (if you want to do a quick Googling, type in words like "cosmological argument," "teleological argument," "moral argument," and "ontological argument."
Secondly, I have done research and as it turns out, the New Testament's writings are completely reliable insofar as documenting the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Before they were part of the Bible, they were simply letters written to various people and churches. If they were false, then by now they would have been refuted and Christianity would never have gotten far.
Third, it provides meaning for my life. I was an atheist until I was 16 and my life's meaning was only as far as a defined it. But as a Christian I see I have a purpose, meaning for this life.'
Fourth, it provides comfort and hope to deal with life. Comfort to know that God will ensure things go well for me, and hope that I have eternal salvation and blessings in this life.

Is there anything I don't like? I don't like how people are by nature against the faith. I don't like the idea of hell, but I don't doubt it exists.

I agree with you mostly.

Siralexferguson · Apr 14, 2012

I do appreciate your feedback...but a peaceful atheist? Have you had any experiences with a violent or hateful atheist? If so, I sincerely apologize for their behavior, and I hope you realize that most atheists are very peaceful and kind.

dscherck · Apr 14, 2012

Siralexferguson said:

So I'm an atheist. I didn't come here to bash your religion, or cause you to lose faith or anything like that. I'm just curious about how you all became Christians, and what about this religion keeps you believing. Before I became an atheist, I went to a Christian church regularly, and I learned so much about the religion form reading the bible several times through and the preaching I heard that I didn't agree with or like. Are there things any of you don't like about Christianity? Again, just here to talk/debate, not insult or try and change you. Thanks for your feedback!

Just curious, have you read anything by Thomas Aquinas?

Siralexferguson · Apr 14, 2012

I have not. What title would you recommend from him?

dscherck · Apr 14, 2012

Siralexferguson said:

Oh goodness... He is pretty deep. But he gives a great defense of the Christian faith using reasoning and the Socratic method. If you go to any decently large bookstore I believe you can find some introductory versions of his works. Look for Summa Contra Gentiles for starters.

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Ugly · Apr 14, 2012

I'm not a Christian because it backs up what i believe, or because i like everything it has to say. I believe it because i believe it is Truth. I would love to change some things about it, particularly as to what qualifies as 'sin' in some cases, hahaha. But If i could change it, then it would no longer be an absolute truth and would be invalid. So i follow because i believe its fact.

shawntc · Apr 14, 2012

Siralexferguson said:

On the Internet, many atheists tend to be, well, trolls. They come on Christian sites and often intend to ridicule more than they seek to actually understand the faith. They have already made up their minds that God doesn't exist and as such find Christians amusing targets.

As a former atheist, I can affirm that yes most atheists are indeed peaceful and kind. I was such a person myself. ^.^ No need to apologize for their behavior, you had nothing to do with it.

Calmador · Apr 15, 2012

Siralexferguson said:

I became Christian because I wanted to know the truth, to learn about right and wrong. I found it in God's word and I became a Christian by accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

What keeps me believing is God himself through his Holy spirit.

What did you learn?

There's nothing I don't like about Christianity.

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

jimmydiggs · Apr 16, 2012

Siralexferguson said:

We could start with Communists.

SkinnyGuy · Apr 16, 2012

jimmydiggs said:

I think that may be a little over dramatic don't you think? -__-

Atheistic Confusion

Siralexferguson

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Seth

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Senior Member

kayem77

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Banned [Reason: ongoing "gay Christian" agenda and

Banned

jimmydiggs

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Banned [Reason: ongoing "gay Christian" agenda and

Kyouken01

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Senior Member

Seth

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Siralexferguson

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Banned [Reason: persistent, ongoing Catholic heres

Siralexferguson

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Banned [Reason: persistent, ongoing Catholic heres

Ugly

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Senior Member

Senior Member

jimmydiggs

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Banned [Reason: Continual promoting of gay marriag