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I'm trying to understand why people don't believe in God... in general and in the Christian Yahweh God.
I am in an environment with lots of atheists and I just don't get it. I was gonna ask on here for atheists and nonatheists, do you think life experiences affect atheists negatively in order for them to somewhat "give up" on God. I have been through a lot, but maybe not as much as other people. Is it possible I'm just optimistic, or do you think God has perhaps "spared" me for believing in Him my whole life?
What do you think? I would love alll sorts of backgrounds input. TY.
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I just realized after a while that it didn't make sense to me and I didn't feel anything out there.
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I am in an environment with lots of atheists and I just don't get it. I was gonna ask on here for atheists and nonatheists, do you think life experiences affect atheists negatively in order for them to somewhat "give up" on God.
You forget that people start from the position of not knowing anything about God; after all, that's why the Bible tells you to spread the Word. For some people, what you say is true, in that some people eventually realise that they have no need or no reason to believe in God. For others, they never believed in the first place, and have never found a reason to.
As for me, I believed, got me some education in the universe and related items, and realised that God was a superfluous idea I was tacking on to the whole thing. After that point I was obviously no longer a believer, so it seemed a bit silly to continue acting like I was.
__________________ Sarcasm is obviously the lowest form of wit.
The bible tells us in 1 Thes.5:21[bible]. 21Test everything. Hold on to the good[/bible]. All to often Christians are accused of blind faith but if anyone really studies the Word they would see that God wants people to test their beliefs. I think part of the problem with belief is some say there's no evidence for God. Why are some so sure there is not a God and some so sure there is? A lot of different answers probably. I think you make a valid point when you say someone's life ( past and present ) has been filled with difficulties might make it harder to believe in God but really everyonehas had difficulties in their life and yet some can still hold on to their beliefs. This is a result of faith, I think. I know I gave up on God for a long time but God was patient with me. I was fortunate as some others may not have the chance. I never stopped believing in God I just didn't live my life as such. It angers me to think of where I might be spiritually if I hadn't turned away from God.
I wish I had the key to understanding why our beliefs vary so widely.
__________________ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other
But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! Revelation 3:15-16
The bible tells us in 1 Thes.5:21[bible]. 21Test everything. Hold on to the good[/bible]. All to often Christians are accused of blind faith but if anyone really studies the Word they would see that God wants people to test their beliefs. I think part of the problem with belief is some say there's no evidence for God. Why are some so sure there is not a God and some so sure there is? A lot of different answers probably. I think you make a valid point when you say someone's life ( past and present ) has been filled with difficulties might make it harder to believe in God but really everyonehas had difficulties in their life and yet some can still hold on to their beliefs. This is a result of faith, I think. I know I gave up on God for a long time but God was patient with me. I was fortunate as some others may not have the chance. I never stopped believing in God I just didn't live my life as such. It angers me to think of where I might be spiritually if I hadn't turned away from God. I wish I had the key to understanding why our beliefs vary so widely.
Shermer takes a look at modern neurocog science in his books, "Why People Believe Weird Things" and "The Believing Brain." This may help to clear up why people believe what they do. I would also recommend Sagan's "Demon Haunted World," as this book was foundational for much of how I view the world.
I'm trying to understand why people don't believe in God... in general and in the Christian Yahweh God.
I would also go with a lack of evidence. In my case, my personal experiences are going to trump ancient texts.
do you think life experiences affect atheists negatively in order for them to somewhat "give up" on God.
No, they would have to already believe before they could give up. I think religious peoples' bad behavior is a driving force that pushes people away from religion in general.
I have been through a lot, but maybe not as much as other people. Is it possible I'm just optimistic, or do you think God has perhaps "spared" me for believing in Him my whole life?
I'm sure there are atheists and non-Christians who cruise through life and others struggle daily.
__________________ "Daffy, you're a mean-spirited, self-absorbed, disturbed little weirdo.
But for whatever reason, you're my best friend."
-Bugs Bunny
My guess is that many (not all) atheists probably weren't exposed to a belief in God when they were young. You know... "live what you learn" or "apple doesn't fall far from the tree" kind of thing. Even tho my family didn't go to church, I still had an influence of Christianity from family, friends and neighbors when I was young. So I've always had a core belief in God's existence, even during times of doubt, the core was still there.
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