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Non-religious people: What convinced you to stop believing in God?
- Thread starter JeremK
- Start date
I should also add that my personal spiritual path has led me to realize that belief in literal external deities is irrelevant, as it is my own Self's Divinity that I seek to nurture and realize as an isolate consciousness.
psychoslice
Veteran Member
Beautifully said darling.
I believe that if a god exists then you should literally be able to talk with it. Otherwise, it's probably fictional. 
The Sultan of Brunei exists. Can you talk to him?I believe that if a god exists then you should literally be able to talk with it. Otherwise, it's probably fictional.
For me, it's not that I don't believe in God, rather it's that I don't consider either answer intelligible enough (at least, as absolute statements) to be able to answer the question. Allow me to explain my reasoning:
Due to the fact that I, myself, as a vigorous student of the world's religions and philosophies, have discovered that there are many different ideas as to who or what constitutes “deity”, I consider the question “Does deity exist?” to be without inherent meaning, and both answers as only making sense relative to any presented conception of deity. That, to me, is the reason why I am unable to answer the question asked in the OP.
Due to the fact that I, myself, as a vigorous student of the world's religions and philosophies, have discovered that there are many different ideas as to who or what constitutes “deity”, I consider the question “Does deity exist?” to be without inherent meaning, and both answers as only making sense relative to any presented conception of deity. That, to me, is the reason why I am unable to answer the question asked in the OP.
psychoslice
Veteran Member
For me it was simply growing up, and no longer needing a protected big daddy figure, it was simply facing life and dealing with it, without supressing it into a belief system, hoping that belief system will protect me.
Jumi
Well-Known Member
Not sure if he will answer even if I talk to him.The Sultan of Brunei exists. Can you talk to him?
Orbit
I'm a planet
My story is at this link: http://www.ex-christian.net/topic/66456-orbits-extimony/#entry1020835Title. Please answer the question and have a good day!
Provided we can see him in the first place. Pictures don't countNot sure if he will answer even if I talk to him.
Really, my problem has always been in the checks and balances.
These are generally forbidden in Abraham-derived religions:
1) Necromancy
2) Witchcraft or Magick
3) Conjuring Spirits
4) Mediumship
5) etc...
Basically, the ways you could validate that either:
1) Spirits are in heaven and/or hell.
2) Test whether God is the supreme power, or you are
3) Test whether God and the Angels exist by pulling them into a circle
4) All the God to ride you like a pony, and thereby experience it
Of course, after knowing this you know why it is designed the way it is.
I'm spiritual... Just not a sucker...
These are generally forbidden in Abraham-derived religions:
1) Necromancy
2) Witchcraft or Magick
3) Conjuring Spirits
4) Mediumship
5) etc...
Basically, the ways you could validate that either:
1) Spirits are in heaven and/or hell.
2) Test whether God is the supreme power, or you are
3) Test whether God and the Angels exist by pulling them into a circle
4) All the God to ride you like a pony, and thereby experience it
Of course, after knowing this you know why it is designed the way it is.
I'm spiritual... Just not a sucker...
CATSISS
Catsiss The Catheart
Nonsense story,anti scientific,sociopath morality cant tell u there are too many.Title. Please answer the question and have a good day!
Rick O'Shez
Irishman bouncing off walls
It was the space-aliens probably.
Ann Wright
New Member
Where to begin? In no particular order: If God was responsible for creating the world and universe, he botched the job. He ensured natural disasters which as the omnipotent one he'd have to know would be coming down the pike. Within the Bible, there are any number of accounts where God proves beyond measure that He is vindictive, grossly punitive, a positive According to the Bible, the god people follow is by human terms a wretched, Religious folk always blame untimely death (e.g., illness, accidents of all kinds, murder, etc.) on mankind's ungodly ways. It is never God's fault. The only thing God is responsible for are the good things. I also became aware that people of Faith pray for any number of things--big, small, and the ridiculous (watch the antics of so many religious athletes. And I think to myself, why would anyone (with and without Faith) ever entertain the notion that they are deserving of special treatment either by God or the Universe. Surely these people must be aware that even as they pray for divine help that literally billions of people world-wide are experiencing unspeakable lives. For instance, one might pray for good grades, recovery from an illness, that perfect mate to materialize, or whatever. I find prayer to be abjectly selfish. Surely people must be aware that even as they ask for their god's help, people all over the world are suffering beyond most of our comprehensions. Mothers are having to watch their helpless children slowly die of starvation; captives and prisoners world-wide are undergoing torture to horrendous that most of us can't even think about very long lest we go mad. stand to think aboutexperience their impending demise and , in horrendous harm and more often than not, instant death
Ann Wright
New Member
(an aside: seems my draft efforts were posted in error - please ignore - this is the actual rendition I wanted to post.)
Where to begin? In no particular order: If God was responsible for creating the universe, the world and us, he botched the job--soundly. He even went so far as to ensure ongoing occurrences of natural disasters and over the millennium, untold numbers of deaths as a result. How utterly magnanimous. Within the Bible, there are any number of accounts of God proving beyond measure that He is vindictive, grossly punitive, narcissistic--basically, a positively flaming psychopath. We humans have means by which individuals showing these same characteristics and deeds are punished. And this is the very entity religious people refer to as a loving God. Do any of them think that when humans manifest these characteristics and deeds, they are acting lovingly. In short, they believe that humans must be paragons of virtue, but their god gets a royal pass and should continue to be treated with reverence. Wow. How is that at all logical?
Religious folk always blame untimely death (e.g., illness, accidents of all kinds, murder, etc.) on mankind's ungodly ways. It is never God's fault. The only thing God is responsible for are the good things, notwithstanding that their Bible clearly indicates he is responsible for far more evil happenings.
I also became aware that people of Faith pray for any number of things--big, small, and the abject ridiculous (I dare anyone to watch the antics of so many religious athletes and not cringe). Crossing oneself and pointing to the Heavens pleading for their god's help to win a competition; then if they win, giving thanks. Really?
I think to myself, why, would anyone (with or without Faith) ever entertain the notion that they are deserving of special treatment either by God or the Universe. Surely these people must be aware that even as they pray for divine help that literally billions of people world-wide are experiencing unspeakable lives (mothers forced to watch their babies slowly die of starvation, captives and prisoners being subjected to unspeakable torture, helpless youngsters systematically being abysmally treated by both their parents and society as a whole. My gawd, the list of inhumanity is positively endless. And yet, the religious continue to pray for such things as good grades, recovery from illness for themselves and their loved ones, the perfect mate to materialize. That list, too, is endless. I find prayer to be abjectly selfish. Asking for divine intervention in the knowledge of such wretched, unspeakable suffering throughout the world simply blows my mind.
And yet--and yet, I am selfish myself because I sometimes worry how I'm going to end up if this god really does exist, cuz if he does, I'm in a whole heap of trouble. Having been indoctrinated at a very tender age, the fear of eternal damnation too often surfaces. For that very reason, I would never ever deliver any child of mind unto any kind of church, synagogue, mosque, whatever. Stuff just sticks in a child's mind.
Where to begin? In no particular order: If God was responsible for creating the universe, the world and us, he botched the job--soundly. He even went so far as to ensure ongoing occurrences of natural disasters and over the millennium, untold numbers of deaths as a result. How utterly magnanimous. Within the Bible, there are any number of accounts of God proving beyond measure that He is vindictive, grossly punitive, narcissistic--basically, a positively flaming psychopath. We humans have means by which individuals showing these same characteristics and deeds are punished. And this is the very entity religious people refer to as a loving God. Do any of them think that when humans manifest these characteristics and deeds, they are acting lovingly. In short, they believe that humans must be paragons of virtue, but their god gets a royal pass and should continue to be treated with reverence. Wow. How is that at all logical?
Religious folk always blame untimely death (e.g., illness, accidents of all kinds, murder, etc.) on mankind's ungodly ways. It is never God's fault. The only thing God is responsible for are the good things, notwithstanding that their Bible clearly indicates he is responsible for far more evil happenings.
I also became aware that people of Faith pray for any number of things--big, small, and the abject ridiculous (I dare anyone to watch the antics of so many religious athletes and not cringe). Crossing oneself and pointing to the Heavens pleading for their god's help to win a competition; then if they win, giving thanks. Really?
I think to myself, why, would anyone (with or without Faith) ever entertain the notion that they are deserving of special treatment either by God or the Universe. Surely these people must be aware that even as they pray for divine help that literally billions of people world-wide are experiencing unspeakable lives (mothers forced to watch their babies slowly die of starvation, captives and prisoners being subjected to unspeakable torture, helpless youngsters systematically being abysmally treated by both their parents and society as a whole. My gawd, the list of inhumanity is positively endless. And yet, the religious continue to pray for such things as good grades, recovery from illness for themselves and their loved ones, the perfect mate to materialize. That list, too, is endless. I find prayer to be abjectly selfish. Asking for divine intervention in the knowledge of such wretched, unspeakable suffering throughout the world simply blows my mind.
And yet--and yet, I am selfish myself because I sometimes worry how I'm going to end up if this god really does exist, cuz if he does, I'm in a whole heap of trouble. Having been indoctrinated at a very tender age, the fear of eternal damnation too often surfaces. For that very reason, I would never ever deliver any child of mind unto any kind of church, synagogue, mosque, whatever. Stuff just sticks in a child's mind.
Milton Platt
Well-Known Member
Title. Please answer the question and have a good day!
In my case, I never bought into it in the first place, and as I got older and could more formally look into the claims, I found nothing but smoke and mirrors.
Spideymon77
A Smiling Empty Soul
I started reading the Bible.
Underhill
Well-Known Member
It's hard to pick any one thing. There was what started me on the path. For that I would have to point to my parents, who would be mortified to hear this but....
They meant well, but were terrible in their own way, doing exactly what the bible taught at the expense of their family. My mother could never be blamed for sparing the rod. They spent every waking moment they could, along with every spare dollar they had, on the church and even on helping people (taking in single mothers and even a homeless family who, in every single case, ripped them off in one way or another). They led youth groups and outreach ministries. All while their kids wore second hand cloths and were treated as afterthoughts much of the time. This kind of behavior made me question, not so much whether god existed, but how this was the best way... gods perfect way.
At christian summer camps I worked at, I started seeing the real hypocrisy of many in the church. The famous christians who came to speak at this place and their monster RV's and lavish lifestyles. The way this organization operated, using volunteers and underpaid staff to pad their pockets with their beach front mansions... and these were the people my parents revered! This is where I started questioning the real motives of those who used religion, and eventually, those who designed it.
From there I started questioning everything. Reading everything. One turning point was reading Karl Sagans, "A Candle in the Darkness". I was given the book as a gift from an inspired relative. Like a good christian I went to the pastor and asked him if I should read it. He challenged me to read it with an eye to discrediting it. Probably the worst/best advice a pastor could give. I took notes, did my best, but before I was a third of the way through the book I gave up. It just destroyed so much of what I had been taught. It took a few more years to bring myself to the point of saying so publicly, but that was the beginning of the end of belief.
The thing I am quick to point out is how hard it was. As a young person so much of my life was invested in the church. My family, friends, lifestyle... it meant setting so much of what I knew aside. And I do miss parts of it. The sense of community was great. The support network that it offers can be a real benefit. But I just couldn't bring myself to overlook the bs.
They meant well, but were terrible in their own way, doing exactly what the bible taught at the expense of their family. My mother could never be blamed for sparing the rod. They spent every waking moment they could, along with every spare dollar they had, on the church and even on helping people (taking in single mothers and even a homeless family who, in every single case, ripped them off in one way or another). They led youth groups and outreach ministries. All while their kids wore second hand cloths and were treated as afterthoughts much of the time. This kind of behavior made me question, not so much whether god existed, but how this was the best way... gods perfect way.
At christian summer camps I worked at, I started seeing the real hypocrisy of many in the church. The famous christians who came to speak at this place and their monster RV's and lavish lifestyles. The way this organization operated, using volunteers and underpaid staff to pad their pockets with their beach front mansions... and these were the people my parents revered! This is where I started questioning the real motives of those who used religion, and eventually, those who designed it.
From there I started questioning everything. Reading everything. One turning point was reading Karl Sagans, "A Candle in the Darkness". I was given the book as a gift from an inspired relative. Like a good christian I went to the pastor and asked him if I should read it. He challenged me to read it with an eye to discrediting it. Probably the worst/best advice a pastor could give. I took notes, did my best, but before I was a third of the way through the book I gave up. It just destroyed so much of what I had been taught. It took a few more years to bring myself to the point of saying so publicly, but that was the beginning of the end of belief.
The thing I am quick to point out is how hard it was. As a young person so much of my life was invested in the church. My family, friends, lifestyle... it meant setting so much of what I knew aside. And I do miss parts of it. The sense of community was great. The support network that it offers can be a real benefit. But I just couldn't bring myself to overlook the bs.
Just to clarify, you seem to be working under flawed premises.
I never believed in God. I don't think I could if I wanted to. And that in no way makes me any less religious.
Religion does not particularly benefit from god-beliefs.
ENTP Logician
Advocate for Reason
Title. Please answer the question and have a good day!
Nothing convinced me.
I saw there was no reason to believe in any religion due to lack of evidence so I believe their is no god because there likely is not but I am open to the possibility as I am an Agnostic Atheist.