To the religious people on here

[xhelx]

Why do you believe in your religion? And do you ever blame God (or the equivalent for you) for whatever goes on in your life? How could an atheist start believing in something?

 

[Average Joe]

Hey, I was raised under Catholocism, I started to experience mental illness around 13/14 and then began the attempts to end my life. Back then, I'd have blamed God. I often did and sometimes still feel that God has forsaken me or is testing me but it's too much.

I've began getting back into Christianity and I pray and pour my heart out but I fear that I am alone.

How could an atheist start believing in something?

That's a tricky one, I understand a lot of people hate religious folk for preaching and I tend to let people make up their own minds.
I guess there's some deep reflection needed before you start to believe. But it also adds another question, what do YOU want to believe?

Sending hugs <3

 

[xhelx]

But it also adds another question, what do YOU want to believe?

I was raised orthodox, but I never felt any actual connection to it. It's the only religion I've ever known tho. I guess now I just want the comfort of believing that there's someone who could 'fix' everything, be it God or someone else

 

[WishfulNeanderthal]

Im a norse pagan and a huge skeptic when it comes to religion, but here's my take on it:

Why do I believe in it?
I don't believe in it logically, rather its a hopeful wish, that its real. I haven't seen signs, well maybe emotional ones but no physical ones. I believe Gods(s) are a manifestation of a collective belief, belief creates god and is fed by it (Like an "egregore")

Do I ever blame god(s)?
No, I do not believe that Gods can enter our physical domain and has no power (or VERY limited) power to our realm, instead they reside in the afterlife, where they do have power.

How could an atheist start believing?
Thats a personal thing I think, as you can see I don't have a very conventional belief and I believe every persons belief or disbelief is personal to them. If you feel like something is the right choice, as long as ur not hurting others, then I think its valid.

 

[cemeteryismyhome]

Why do you believe in your religion? And do you ever blame God (or the equivalent for you) for whatever goes on in your life? How could an atheist start believing in something?

For me that's a really deep question with a very long boring answer. I was raised Jehovah's Witness, believed in it strongly, went through the heartbreak of realizing it was a deception, then went through years of what I guess could be called atheist or materialist. After a while I was overwhelmed by the strangeness of life. Too many things are just plain weird and bizarre; there's something going on. I was raised to hate the Catholic Church as a machination of the Devil. And now I'm Catholic, although I can't really believe there's a heaven for me, somehow I'm a bystander (I know that's not correct Catholic belief). The phrase "blame God" is, to me, a deep philosophical cave for exploration. I think, to say "yeah God is a real jerk" is too superficial, and, I think to say "no it's all our fault" is also too superficial. It's all a mind-bender.

 

[Sir Otwudcul]

Why do you believe in your religion? And do you ever blame God (or the equivalent for you) for whatever goes on in your life? How could an atheist start believing in something?

I am a fellow atheist and I think that people believe in their gods because they bring order to chaos and uncertainty of everyday life. It also helps to connect with other people, because having a religion usually means being a part of a community. However, what it also does to a person is clouds the mind, disfiguring the harsh reality of existence through a prism of religious doctrines. So, while believing in a deity of some kind certainly has its pros, it subsequently forces you to live a life full of lies, delusions and self-foolery, which begs the question: if there's any sense in living such a life at all?

Such is my opinion and I do not intend to offend anyone by making it known here.

 

[SVEN]

I guess I don't really believe in a religion, but God. And no, I don't believe He fucked up my life, as far as that goes I'm a self made failure. Instead of asking why He doesn't fix all that we mess up, I ask why we choose self centred, selfish acquisitive, greedy lifes which leave most of the world in poverty and hunger when there's plenty to go round. And, that is a choice.
Like the last poster, I'm not trying to annoy or provoke anyone, far less enter into a debate about unprovable stuff.

 

[FoxSauce]

Well I still have my doubts about God, mostly like why can people be with queer people or form a freindship?

Theres also a part that believes in good, but I dont think he could take a sinner thats fucked up more times that I can count.

 

[bankai]

I stopped believing in my God when I was a child. I'm a Christian. I would recommend everyone to watch this video to understand how silly the concept is. Hopefully you have a good laugh as well.

 

[imtiredasf]

I stopped believing in my God when I was a child. I'm a Christian. I would recommend everyone to watch this video to understand how silly the concept is. Hopefully you have a good laugh as well.

I like to think George is down there, smiling up at us. What a funny guy.

 

[bankai]

I like to think George is down there, smiling up at us. What a funny guy.

When he says you have to stand in awe and just staggers back. Man, you can be poking me with a hot iron and I'll still be laughing.

 

[EternalShore]

I believe in religion because I find it more exciting than a world without it~ I believe in Christianity because the resurrection has the most proof for it than any other miracle, and I've been ultimately disappointed with every other religion I've had interest in~ I believe in my denomination of Christianity because I believe it best fits what the words of the Bible say~ my explanations are short because I'd rather not argue rn, but if anyone is genuinely curious, you can ask too~ :)

I'm not feeling depressed at this very moment (I will again soon, don't worry), but ig, I've definitely felt as tho I have been cursed by Him or Satan from my birth and definitely more so over the last 7 years~ :(

for atheists, it really depends on the person, but for them to believe in anything, they have to have their hearts open to believing in something else~

 

[malia]

Since I believe in karma and reincarnation, I don't blame God for anything that's happening to me.. Sometimes it's difficult not to get mad at Him, but yeah, in the end it's my fault.

 

[StupidCat]

I've been a Christian then atheist then Christian again. Nowadays I'm more nuanced. It's a personal journey, you just have to know you can rationalize God, it's simply an entity beyond our comprehension, the closest form you can get to God is by spirituality, not logic.

 

[JealousOfTheElderly]

I was Christian, then Atheist, then Christian (Protestant lite). Then I embraced the New Age Spirituality movement and believed in reincarnation, karma, spiritism, and all that. Then I became spiritually lost - a "Dark night of the soul" type of lost. I jumped from church to church - Mormonism, Protestantism, Catholicism.... and nothing spoke to me. I have been lost since but slowly, slowly regaining belief in Christianity mixed with some New Age (the part about reincarnation and karma). I listen to Gregorian Chants to bring me peace. I read about Spiritual Ecstasy and Catholic mysticism. I focus on Jesus' message more than suffering and guilt. One thing I received is a "message" saying to let go. Just let go of everything. All my worries, all my fears, just let them go. Pray and ask the Universe / God / anything out there to forgive you for your "sins". Forgive you for your human flaws. Take all your fears and worries and make them part of the growth experience.
I found that this type of prayer to whoever is listening seems to work a little. It's just a matter of being consistent and believing that there is something out there that loves us and wants us to grow.
Then I came across this Bible verse:
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
— Psalm 23:4

Just ask whatever is out there for comfort. To help take away all your problems and ease your mind.
It kind of works for me and that's a good enough start for me.

 

[cemeteryismyhome]

I stopped believing in my God when I was a child. I'm a Christian. I would recommend everyone to watch this video to understand how silly the concept is. Hopefully you have a good laugh as well.

I didn't like George Carlin at first but now I love him. He will go down in history as one of the greatest philosophers of our time (I get laughed at when I say that but I'm serious). He had a lot of things right and said it plainly. I saw that video awhile back and he actually makes some very good points. But I'm still a Christian after watching it.