Do People Become More Religious As They Age?

[Heyo]

I've noticed that young adulthood is a danger to religious belief.
That's when many become heathens.

Technically you can as much become a heathen as you can become a virgin.
You can become a heretic or an apostate.

 

[Revoltingest]

Technically you can as much become a heathen as you can become a virgin.
You can become a heretic or an apostate.

revirginate - Wiktionary

I'll welcome any convert to heathenism (atheism).
I just can't teach them the secret handshake.)
(No one ever taught me.)

 

[ChristineM]

Technically you can as much become a heathen as you can become a virgin.
You can become a heretic or an apostate.

So becoming heathen depends on whether you can afford the plastic surgery?

 

[osgart]

I went from God to an great mystery and I'm happy with not knowing the mystery.

God I cannot jibe with that.

I know there's something though!

I also grew up with the specter of hell in my house from my father. Now it's all very absurd.

I am without formal religion.

 

[blü 2]

I am 86 years old and have been a non believer for many years and as I get closer to the end of life nothing is changing.

I'm of grandfatherly years m'self, but so far my experience matches what you describe.

And it must be fairly usual, because the exceptions seem to get reported rather than the instances.

The English academic Antony Flew was a famous example. His father was a Methodist minister, which might tempt us to speculate that some friction or competitiveness between father and son was an element in the son's original adoption of atheism; and we might further be tempted to speculate that as senility approached ─ the fact of his senility is on the record ─ he no longer had the energy to maintain an intellectual position and his childhood-trained emotions took over as the line of least resistance.

 

[ValdresRose]

I am 86 years old and have been a non believer for many years and as I get closer to the end of life nothing is changing.

It is not right for me to judge you, judging is a sign of anger and I'm not really feeling anger, just a tinge. The only thing we can absolutely agree on is that the Universe is in constant change.

I'm going to suggest that you are a liberal humanist since you are 86 and active in this Forum. That's pretty liberal, don't you think? But I haven't follower you long enough to be sure. I'm going to suggest further that you are a Capitalist, which is actually a religion, because I will bet you $5.00 that your net worth has increased over the past 5 years.

So where does that leave you Alonzo? You are both religious and in constant change. Hate to burst you bubble. I know I'm getting more religious, but can anyone tell me how? or why?

 

[Deeje]

I am 86 years old and have been a non believer for many years and as I get closer to the end of life nothing is changing.

Since you didn't have any other options, I can't agree with either position generally speaking.

It is my experience that people will search for what drives them.....age has little to do with it. If you are a spiritual person, you will seek answers to your spiritual questions...and sometimes you will seek in vain because no one seems to have the answers you are looking for.

The problem as I see it, is that we may have created God in our own image and search for a god that does not therefore, exist.....if he does not measure up to our expectations or if he does not do what we expect him to do (if I was God, I wouldn't have done things that way) then it is concluded that he does not exist and that they can live a godless life and be happy without him.

Even those who accept that Jesus was real and attach themselves to a church, they will often go through the motions of a ritual every week because that is somehow what they think God requires so that he can take the robotic performers to heaven......?

Sometimes people go "religion shopping", not content to go the whole hog on any one religion, they "shop" for what sounds good to them and end up with their very own religion with a bit gleaned from here and a bit gleaned from there....and somehow their version of god has to fit into that scenario.

For me personally, I found that digging can unearth some amazing gems. Unfortunately for many, they leave the digging to others and rely on them to furnish their "faith". They never check to see if any of it is true....and at the end of the day, as long as they have satisfied themselves that the ritual they are told to perform was acceptable, that is all they need or want, to know.

I am not one of those. I research everything and I have answered all my spiritual questions for myself by consulting the only guidebook that I believe the Creator gave to us. All we need to know is in there.....but the majority are so busy trying to mold God into their own image, they forget why he put us here in the first place......starting from the beginning and tracing God's activities down through the history of mankind, a clear picture emerges that I believe is awesome!

So when a person is ready to put down their own image of God and accept him on his terms, only then will he allow himself to be found by that person. Everyone who approaches God that way, will be given an opportunity to form a relationship with the Creator of all things....its the most wonderful and humbling place to be.

I found God in my twenties but I have known some who did not make the discovery until much later in life.....even into their 80's and 90's. (John 6:65) God knows the heart and he knows when you are ready....sadly, some are never ready.

 

[blü 2]

For me personally, I found that digging can unearth some amazing gems. Unfortunately for many, they leave the digging to others and rely on them to furnish their "faith". They never check to see if any of it is true....

You speak as though the "truth" of a religious claim can be determined objectively. If that's right, then I have a serious question ─ what is the test that will make that objective determination?

 

[Alonzo Tanner]

What is it you don't believe?

I don't believe in heaven or hell as well as many other things.

 

[Salty Booger]

I don't believe in heaven or hell as well as many other things.

Have you experienced either here on Earth? They do exist, you just need look for them.

 

[Alonzo Tanner]

Have you experienced either here on Earth? They do exist, you just need look for them.

No I have not because both are a State of Mind not fact.

 

[Salty Booger]

No I have not because both are a State of Mind not fact.

True...to a large extent. I watched a video of a man losing his head to a knife. His crime? Wrong place at the wrong time. What do you think, Heaven or Hell?

 

[Deeje]

You speak as though the "truth" of a religious claim can be determined objectively. If that's right, then I have a serious question ─ what is the test that will make that objective determination?

Hmmm, I am not sure that God qualifies under strict rules of objectivity. One need to have a spiritual nature to even contemplate his existence, and only then could we search for him and form a relationship with "Our Father"...the one all of his children have in common.

According to Jesus, no one can come to the Son (his "Logos" or representative) unless it is granted by the Father. (John 6:65) So wanting to find a god that suits us is like looking at ourselves in a mirror and bowing before it. We have a tendency to want to make God in the image of ourselves.

The Creator had a purpose in putting humans here on planet earth.....he 'made them in his image' and gave them a unique ability that, like himself, they could use self determination by evaluating circumstances and applying accumulated knowledge to problem solve. If this faculty was abused however, it would spell big trouble. That is why he placed the TKGE right there in the garden as his personal property. They were to allow God to decide what was good and what was evil, not deciding that for themselves. We have since seen why that was a good idea. To this day, some humans cannot tell the difference.

If they could learn to drive their free will without impinging on the free will of others, then all would be fine and dandy....but we know that is not what happened. With the abuse of free will, the blessing became a curse as those who imposed their will on others caused servitude, misery and strife.

There is no "test" for a religion except to determine if it suits God more than it suits us. If we live by Bible principles, then it will show in our every day life. It will mean reflecting God's qualities (even in our imperfect state) to the extent possible in this world. It will mean "Christian" doesn't just describe something we do....it must describe who we are 24/7. Our whole life must be governed by it but not in a slavish way.....it is something we do willingly of our own volition. Nothing God asks of us is too difficult. We are more than happy to comply with his wishes.

Those who study and come into our brotherhood basically feel the same way....."this is what I have been looking for all my life"....it stirs a hunger in you that you never knew you had, and appreciation moves you to want to share its message with others.....not grudgingly, but willingly. Its the best news ever!

 

[SigurdReginson]

My family has definitely become more religious as they've aged. Me, the opposite. Seems to differ from person to person.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I am 86 years old and have been a non believer for many years and as I get closer to the end of life nothing is changing.

I think there could have been a few more options than just Yes/No, but my own experience, as a few years younger, hasn't seen any change from when I was a youth and where I discounted religious beliefs (making the judgment that they were not relevant for me), but their influence and effects have probably interested me more - and hence why I am on the forum. I can see why so many might be more inclined to any sort of religious belief as they age, as I do for those who seemingly become passionate as youths over some particular faith. I haven't come across any good reasons to change my lack of belief, even if I am somewhat (very little) open to the chances of some creative force.

 

[Dave Watchman]

I am 86 years old and have been a non believer for many years and as I get closer to the end of life nothing is changing.

Good job on making it to 86 Alonzo.

And welcome to the forum.

I'm 58 and always been a believer.

I knew the Lord while still in the womb.

I think I'm more religious now because I know more about it, more about the doctrines of salvation.

And I think that the Lord is at hand now, so let my reasonableness be known to all men.

I watch this video, it made me sad for the guy.

His eyes look sad.

William Sanford Nye, he is 65 years old.

That you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

Bill Nye lets slip the cat out of the bag at 3:44 when he mentions: "people claiming they have a Super Entity that's going to tell me, or us what to do".

What if a Super Entity told Bill not to wear that big yellow tie?

Bill don't want anybody telling him, or us, what to do.

He did a good job of evading the question.

Not is there a God?, but, "If There Is a God, Should We Obey It?

The video is great because it lets me see into the eyes of the Atheist.

The Atheist believes in the Creator, they just are mad at God because He is not the God they want.

The Atheist just does not want anybody telling him, or us, what to do.

Which if we did, the planet wouldn't be as screwed up as it is right now, because the penalty for not obeying God, is death.

Peaceful Sabbath.

 

[ValdresRose]

Which if we did, the planet wouldn't be as screwed up as it is right now, because the penalty for not obeying God, is death.

Dave: Suppose you have an open wound on your body that won't heal, would you tend to it? There is an easy way to discover the unseen wound in your brain, pay attention to the thoughts that arise in your mind.

 

[ValdresRose]

I found God in my twenties but I have known some who did not make the discovery until much later in life.....even into their 80's and 90's. (John 6:65) God knows the heart and he knows when you are ready....sadly, some are never ready.

If I may without judging you, I respectfully disagree, you found a Gold Mine in your 20s, and you have been mining it ever since.

 

[Brent Mcnealy]

I am now at 60 years of age.
For the last 40 years since it began.
It comes and it goes. It ebbs amd it flows.
Suddenly its like a visiting light of understanding comes on in the room. Then as quick as it comes in (within the same day or two) it goes off leaving me to ponder its meaning bathed in residual emotional love as it guides me back in mere mortality for the next day. month. Or even years. Its gone completely but the lesson I hear is always there. I can go for years struggling without it with the pitfalls of life. Living alone in mortality and the moments we all endure through our own lives happiness and pain.
Then something happens again. Perhaps too many coincidences that contain a lesson. Perhaps an epiphany. Perhaps a dream. Perhaps just a feeling that rises deep inside of total peace amd umderstanding. But it visits me again. . Who knows why and I can not make it happen with meditation or effort. But it happens. I get a new lesson. I can feel it arrive first. Then the light comes on again and its as if the room gets brighter. it is distinguishable now at the moment it happens. And it is confirmed by the coincidemces that coincide with its arrival and the connected dots with its purpose and meaning are too much too dispute. It proves itself for the next few days at least. But now I recognise it when it first arrives by the feeling of peace and like a room getting brighter.
Then. I learn something new. Or I understand something that I was pondering. I get guidence for the next bit of life. Or I get corrected on a wrong I have been doing. (Which is never pleasent) Or even perhaps I see a vision that chages my understanding of the future or of life forever.
But the light arrives. The epiphany. The moment I can not make happen by trying or meditation or prayer.
Then only a few days after it arrived. it begins to quickly fade the feeling of peace and the thoughts turning in my mind for only a day or two more.
Then who knows. For the next week, month, day, or even numerous years I am left with humanity. If too many years pass I really begin to miss it.
It comes and it goes. It ebbs and it flows.

 

[Love God]

I am 86 years old and have been a non believer for many years and as I get closer to the end of life nothing is changing.

How have you made meaning of your life?
What things did you seek during the course of your years?
What is/was important to you?
What purpose did you serve?

(I discovered that the Lord is not a ‘feeling’.
He must be sought.)

Another truth about the Lord is that he lets you decide, on your own, whether to seek him or not.

Have you ever read the entire bible?
Did you base your judgment of God on what you read or, like most, brushed it off blindly?

Why wouldn’t anyone getting up in years want to examine the meaning/purpose of life even from an atheist viewpoint? To impart some learned wisdom to the young?

What is the stated purpose of living life as an atheist? Did being an atheist bring comfort, joy, contentment?


“What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I got saved late in life, at age 47.
It was not easy to do. In fact, getting saved by Jesus was the hardest thing that I ever did. But the result of being saved was an over abundance of

Joy!