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Gwennifer

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My last attempt at this got deleted, which bums me out, because I was just looking for questions and answers. Maybe I didn't explain it well enough.

First off, I am an athiest. No, don't stop reading! Before you flame me, ban me, report me, or get this thread deleted, please just hear me out. I am NOT here to make fun of you, or "de-convert" you or "tempt" you or undermine your faith. I am here because all I see everywhere on the internet is people making fun of other religions (or lack of), using immature and ignorant statements to make themseleves feel bigger and to mock each other. I'm sick of that. I'm tired of seing "athiests need to go die and burn in hell" and "christians are stupid and clueless", because these statements are not true!

Which is why I started this thread. I want us to talk. Set aside any biases or cruelty or mockery. I want to understand your faith more, and I want to dispell any myths you might have heard about athesists. I want you to get to know me, and I want to know you. I want us to have a mature discussion where you can ask me ANYTHING and I will answer politely and truthfully. All I ask is that you show me the respect and kindness that I will show you. I want us to learn from each other, supportively. Who's with me?
 
Thanks 88keys! I'm glad someone else feels the same way! I guess it's probably safe to assume you're Christian. Would you mind telling me when you became one?
 
Yep - you assumed right! I became a Christian in 1978 on Easter Sunday night at a little country church in Georgia. It was the best decision I could have ever made. The joy that was placed in me then cannot come from anywhere else but Jesus Christ.
 
Hard to say. I was raised pretty much agnostic. Didn't go to church or anything, but was told of heaven and hell and the story or Jesus and all that. Normal stuff for kids. In my elementary school on Easter and Christmas, a woman would come in to tell us the true meanings and give us the bible stories and stuff (even though this was a public school). I guess I realized that I didn't believe any of it when I was in grade 8. Ever since then, I've categorized myself as athiest. This hasn't always proven good though, and I don't usually advertise it because of the reception I frequently receive.
 
I can't begin to understand how a person could not believe in God. How could this earth and it laws be just random? How could it be any other way than by design? Gravity, mathmatics, cosmic theory, cause and effect, life, could this have just "happened"? Then lets talk about universal design...random???

I've wanted to get into this type discussion, thanks for starting it.
 
I get that a lot. Actually, I don't believe it's all random. That's a pretty common misconception of evolution. The theory is that everything changes very slowly and gradually over time, not randomly. It's pretty complicated to explain without having studied it, and impossible to explain in a computer message. But the gist is that small mutations we are all born with gradually accumulate, changing the population over thousands of years. The ones who have mutations that are bad for the organism die, and the ones that have mutations that improve their ability to live and have offspring get a better chance of passing on the same mutations. It's actually a very fascinating process if you're into that branch of science, and I'm never bored of studying it!

I've actually never been able to understand how people believe that everything is designed. So much doesn't seem to fit, or is redundant. I see the breathtaking beauty of nature and wonder why a there has to be a meaning beyond it other than pure beauty. Could you shed some light?
 
(Last post for the night, gotta go to bed!) OK - everything evolves over time... who designed the evolving process, who designed time? Did these laws that we take for granted just poof into existance? You mentioned the breathtaking beauty of nature, Think of the mathmatical probability that it all came from nothing, it would equal 0. I see athiesm to be a belief that something came from nothing.

I want you to know that I will be praying for you in about two minutes. I'm putting you at the top of my hit list!
 
(My last post for tonight too! Need to study for an exam. By the way, I hope that "hit list" is good!!)

I haven't studied the Big Bang in detail, so I don't have any good explanations of it. I'm trying to fix that, believe me! I know it sounds like it makes no sense to believe that all matter exploded from a super-condensed mass, but to me it makes far more sense than a diety. I just can't fathom how a conscious being created the universe, because what created the being? It seems like the same loopholes many people find in the Big Bang theory. If there was a god since before the start of time, then what was there before time? How did he create the universe? What matter is he made of? It seems like a lot of questions with no answers, but to me the Big Bang is a work in progress. We're finding the answers over time.

As for mathemetical probability, yes it is miniscule that everything turned out exactly as it has. Which is why we are the only planet we know of to support life. Out of the trillions of events that could of occurred, our happy little planet has found exactly the right ones, while trillions of other planets have not quite made it. Statistics works in surprising ways. Even an event with a one in 10-billion chance of occuring can still occur. That's where I find the beauty. This is so rare! So fantastic! The many odds of it happening are so small that we should appreciate every single drop we can! Every second is even more precious because it was so unlikely to exist! It really gives you a sense of wonderment and perspective when you look out at the universe and know how improbable your existence was, but that you exist anyways! Think of conception. A woman is born with many hundreds of ova, but only releases a few hundred in her lifetime. A man produced thousands of sperm per ejaculation, and millions over his lifetime. The odds of the exact sperm and exact egg that combine to make you the exact way you are are miniscule, yet you still managed to exist. You are one chance in several billion, just like the earth is (except on a larger scale). I think it is all pretty wonderful and exciting!

Just so you know, I've heard the "I'll pray for you" line so many times I have lost count. Do you mind me asking why that's always the response I get when I admit to being atheist? What exactly are you praying for, and why am I so special as to be the one everyone chooses?
 
Of course my "hit list" is good! lol

I'm kinda simple minded so follow me here... If you were to put flour, eggs, milk, butter, and vanilla flavoring in a box it would not become a cake in 100 billion years. Things will automatically follow disorganization not organization. I see God's fingerprint everywhere and on everything.

You've told me several times already, "I've heard that a lot", well I've heard your questions and answers before as well...I used to ask them too. Before most of us became Christians, we were unbelievers and athiests whether we want to admit it or not.

I knew you were gonna razz me for the "praying for you" comment but I did want you to know that. Here's why you always get that response:
There's no magical phrase or intelligent idea I can share with you to "prove" there is a god. God has to reveal that Himself within you. I prayed that God would open your eyes (like He did mine and so many others) to be able to accept and believe that He is real and does exist and is in control of the universe that He created. Consider yourself fortunate that people want to pray for you. If there is no god then there's no harm done but just think if there is... (remember that mathmatical probability!)

Why are you special? Because you were created in God's image and He loves you so much that he sent His son to die in your place. Sorry to get a little "preachy" but you did ask :)

Oh and you just can't fathom how a conscious being created the universe, nor can I! But if He is God as He says He is, I can believe it! Christianity is a faith based belief but out of that faith comes proofs and demonstrations that make it almost impossible not to believe!

Question for you: Why are you here? (on this earth in this point in time, not this website lol)
 
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Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to "razz" you! I really was curious about what people are saying about me when they pray for me. I don't know if they mean they'll pray for me to find faith or for me to get in an accident or for me to be happy for the rest of my life.

A few other questions for you and anyone who might be reading:
When you tell people that you're Christian, what kind of reactions do you usually get? I know I'm often met with anger, and some people try to convert me or lecture me as soon as I speak up. Of course, many people my age are also atheist, so often my belief isn't questioned. Are you ever met with the same scorn that I am, or are people also accepting?

Also, there are hundreds of religions in the world, so what made you decide to choose yours? To me, they are all equally likely, but since I was raised in a primarily Christian society, that's all I ever hear about. It gives the impression that most people believe in the Christian god, which is not the case globally. So how did you decide that yours really is the true god?
 
It's awful that you're met with anger and scorn for your belief (or lack of :))and I'm sorry for that. I think most people feel that the term "athiest" has an association with evil, darkness, emptiness, etc. especially with the babyboomer generation. When I mention that I am a Christian, I usually get a positive response or indifferent response. It's rare I get a negative reaction...but I am in the bible belt!

You said, "Also, there are hundreds of religions in the world, so what made you decide to choose yours? To me, they are all equally likely".

Christianity differs from all the others because, to my knowledge, it's the only religion to claim it's leader, founder, prophet, god, etc. was crucified and rose from the dead. There were hundreds even thousands of eyewitness to support it in the written historical records. Also there are hundreds of prophesies concerning Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection recorded in the old testament. These were foretold hundreds of years before His birth.

You said, "So how did you decide that yours really is the true god and why did you choose yours?"

You probably won't understand this but I didn't choose Him...He chose me. I was not looking for religion or god when I accepted Jesus as my savior. He called me and thank God I answered Him. It must be sorta like winning the lottery! Only someone who has won the lottery knows how it feels (that was a bad example :)).

Sorry for my scattered thoughts, I'm at work and get interrupted about every other word.
 
hi. I love the fact that your willing to talk on this topic with humility and maturity. I would love to join this convo and share my beliefs.
 
Hi Gwennifer!

I am SO glad u've joined us and you've decided to share what you believe with us! I cannot think of a better place you could be but seeking answers to the questions you have....it is a shame that more people aren't as open minded and seeking as yourself! Here's my two cents worth....

Gwennifer said:
Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to "razz" you! I really was curious about what people are saying about me when they pray for me. I don't know if they mean they'll pray for me to find faith or for me to get in an accident or for me to be happy for the rest of my life.

People usually say "ill pray for you" because they want to see you blessed...some might say it to be praying for you to be saved, and I guess thats ok too. I can never understand why people object so much when someone says "ill pray for you" though.....if the prayers are positive, then why not! :D

A few other questions for you and anyone who might be reading:
When you tell people that you're Christian, what kind of reactions do you usually get? I know I'm often met with anger, and some people try to convert me or lecture me as soon as I speak up. Of course, many people my age are also atheist, so often my belief isn't questioned. Are you ever met with the same scorn that I am, or are people also accepting?

Sometimes I'm met with scorn....but for the most part I find that people are really respectful, and I find that a lot of the time they end up "censoring" themselves around me, which I also dont object to, because it shows me that I'm effecting change on people. I make absolutely no secret of my beliefs, I read my bible at lunch time in the lunch room at work, and I talk about my church family constantly! I have not had any objections yet :D

Also, there are hundreds of religions in the world, so what made you decide to choose yours? To me, they are all equally likely, but since I was raised in a primarily Christian society, that's all I ever hear about. It gives the impression that most people believe in the Christian god, which is not the case globally. So how did you decide that yours really is the true god?

I used to be Roman Catholic, which I acknowledge is based on Christian principals with marked differences....but thats for another thread!!! I had a very personal, very intimate and very supernatural experience where God reached into me and literally GRABBED my spirit....it was like my soul was all of a sudden awakened and I had to find out the truth. I searched and searched and I became convicted of the truth - and that is my Christian faith. I'm not of any particular denomination, I believe in the bible as being the authority when it comes to all spiritual matters, nad I believe in always attending a bible based church. I've been blessed beyond anything I could ahve imagined and I couldnt for a moment concieve living a life without my saviour in it. I know him personally, and its pretty darn amazing! Thanks so much for letting me share that with you and I hope in some way I may have shed light on your questions :D
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