Born into an atheist family

[vitalvital]

I am a guy in my early twenties living in, and from, Scotland. I was born into a family that did not care at all for religion.

Perhaps my grandparents did, but even then I never really saw any signs of that, and my father's parents are still alive.

Well, my parents never took me to a church in my life, or anything like that. Not once. I feel betrayed by secularism, amongst other things.

My mother is ill with cancer, but her only worship is karaoke. My father is not ill, but has denounced religion all his life and his parents, who are still alive, are not religious at all either. They'd prefer to read newspapers, watch TV, and go on holiday.

I drink alcohol (sometimes heavily) and smoke. I also used to smoke cannabis, but that was a considerable number of years ago and will probably never go back there again. Alcohol and smoking are really not good, yet I can't give them up. The fact that my mother is ill with cancer doesn't help at all, especially considering the health effects of these things, and the idea of what I might be doing to myself.

I feel society has also failed me in terms of education. I know a lot of things... far too much, actually. I just can't start a career, because I'm not looking for one, because I am in first year of education and was in education before but dropped out.

So I'm in my early twenties, I'm a heterosexual male and I would like some faith, I would like a career, and I would like a woman to love and start a family with, but it seems modern society with all its vices can't provide that. I've had plenty of girlfriends and a fair few women I've had sex with, but it's completely unsatisfying and meaningless... but they don't seem to realise that.

 

[nhisname]

I am a guy in my early twenties living in, and from, Scotland. I was born into a family that did not care at all for religion.

Perhaps my grandparents did, but even then I never really saw any signs of that, and my father's parents are still alive.

Well, my parents never took me to a church in my life, or anything like that. Not once. I feel betrayed by secularism, amongst other things.

My mother is ill with cancer, but her only worship is karaoke. My father is not ill, but has denounced religion all his life and his parents, who are still alive, are not religious at all either. They'd prefer to read newspapers, watch TV, and go on holiday.

I drink alcohol (sometimes heavily) and smoke. I also used to smoke cannabis, but that was a considerable number of years ago and will probably never go back there again. Alcohol and smoking are really not good, yet I can't give them up. The fact that my mother is ill with cancer doesn't help at all, especially considering the health effects of these things, and the idea of what I might be doing to myself.

I feel society has also failed me in terms of education. I know a lot of things... far too much, actually. I just can't start a career, because I'm not looking for one, because I am in first year of education and was in education before but dropped out.

So I'm in my early twenties, I'm a heterosexual male and I would like some faith, I would like a career, and I would like a woman to love and start a family with, but it seems modern society with all its vices can't provide that. I've had plenty of girlfriends and a fair few women I've had sex with, but it's completely unsatisfying and meaningless... but they don't seem to realise that.

You obviously seem to be searching for something or someone to fill a void in your life and the things you've tried won't cut it. There's only one thing that can bring you peace and that's a belief in Jesus Christ. Ask the Lord to forgive you and he will......You can blame all the people you want to but it won't take the hurt from your heart, only Jesus can do that, if you'll let him. Jesus wants a personal, one on one, relationship with you. Pray, tell him what you've said on here, he'll listen and respond. Those that search for the truth will find it in him. God Bless!

 

[aiki]

Most of the time people don't grow so dissatisfied with the shallow, empty, temporal things of life so soon as you have. Usually, they are, like those in your family whom you mentioned, able to dull the sense of emptiness and futility they feel with things that provide temporary pleasure. At times, God will tap people on the shoulder and cause them to consider how they are living. Sounds like you might have been "tapped."

So I'm in my early twenties, I'm a heterosexual male and I would like some faith, I would like a career, and I would like a woman to love and start a family with, but it seems modern society with all its vices can't provide that. I've had plenty of girlfriends and a fair few women I've had sex with, but it's completely unsatisfying and meaningless... but they don't seem to realise that.

C.S. Lewis likened entering into a relationship with God to taking a trip to the dentist. You may be seeing the dentist because you want the pain in your tooth to stop, but a good dentist won't simply give you something to kill the pain. No, a proper dentist will see to it that the cause of your toothache is relieved. This may mean needles and drills, a cavity filling, a root canal, or having the tooth removed completely. The good dentist won't simply give you what you want; he'll give you what you need - even if it hurts you a little to do so. In the same way, when we approach God to take away the pain or emptiness we feel with life, He, being a good God, goes to the source of the problem. He doesn't just give us what we think will make us happy and fulfilled: A spouse, a career, or "some faith." God won't simply "kill the pain" with such things, but will relieve the cause of the unhappiness itself. It might hurt a little when He does so, however...

As far as God is concerned, your unhappiness with your life exists because the wheel of your life is revolving around the wrong hub. The wrong hub is you. Until God is the center of your life, you will not find true fulfillment.

Colossians 2:8-10 (NKJV)
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Philippians 1:21 (NKJV)
21 For to me, to live is Christ...

Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)
11 You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 37:4 (NKJV)
4 Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

C.S. Lewis also wrote that we are like children whose only fun has been to make mud pies in the street. When we are offered a day at the beach, we don't understand what is being offered. We have only known mud pies and the pleasure that making them offers. The glorious joys of a day at the beach make mud pies a miserable pleasure indeed, but we cannot see this. We must venture into the unknown before the delight of it can be discovered. But, because we have known the "joys" of mud pies and know nothing of the beach, we cling to the mud and despise the mysterious sunny, sandy shores.

Don't revel in "mud pies." Take God's offer of "a day at the beach."

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (NKJV)
15 "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil,
16 in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.
17 But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them,
18 I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess.
19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
20 that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days.. "

Peace to you.

 

[salida]

Well, its not an accident that you came here. There is a God - not just because I said so. Visit: www.reasons.org - it gives the scientific answers concerning the bible. Scientists who are christians do this - and some secular scientists concur with it. Also, go to: www.adherents.com/people/100_scientists.html These are scientists who started writing the laws down. Most were affliated with a denomination.

Why do I bring up science? Many people have been indoctrinated into thinking that science and the bible contradict - but just the exact opposite is true. Their public school is filled with humanist socialist system- and if you hear it long enough you start believing it. I'm a scientist.

I'm a christian spiritually first and intellectually second. Another read is, The Evidence That Demands A Verdict by Josh McDowell(its biblical evidence that would stand up in a court of law without a shadow of a doubt).

Biblical Evidence (Scratching the Surface Only)

Internal Evidences
Prophesies that are confirmed within Bible

- Life of Christ
The Tribe of Judah, Gen 49:10 - Luke 3:23-28
(Genesis was written 4004 BC to 1689 BC)
(Luke's time period is 60-70 AD)

Royal Line of David, Jer 23:5 -Matt 1:1
(Jeremiah 760 to 698 BC)/(Matthew 60-70 AD)

Born of a Virgin, Isaiah 7:14/Matt 1:18-23
(Isaiah 760 to 698 BC)/(60-70 AD)

**I can list at least 20 more of these.
-Rise of Empires
In the book of Daniel, Chapter 2 - four kingdoms are described in the interpretation of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon: Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greek - Daniel 8:21, 10:20) and a fourth great kingdom to follow - part iron and clay - which is the Roman Empire - during this empire Christ came and the church was established - Daniel 2:44.

-Historical Accuracy
The Bible is loaded with historical statements concerning events hundreds of years ago, yet has not been proven incorrect on any.
(Bible compared to other ancient documents):
New Testament - starts at 25 years - between original and first surviving copies
Homer - starts at 500 years
Demosthenes - at 1400 years
Plato - at 1200 years
Caesar - at 1000 years

Number of Manuscript Copies
New Testament - 5,686
Homer - 643
Demosthenes - 200
Plato - 7
Caesar - 10

Consistency
Written by at least 40 men over a period of time exceeding 1400 years, and has no internal inconsistencies.

Claim of Inspiration
It claims to be spoken by God, 2 Tim 3:16-17). No other religious book makes such claims.

External Evidences
(Prophesies Outside the Bible)
These cities were prophesied to be destroyed and never be built again.
Nineveh - Nahum 1:10, 3:7,15, Zephaniah 2:13-14
Babylon - Isaiah 13:1-22)
Tyre (Ezekiel 26:1-28)

Bible before Science
He hangs the earth on nothing - Job 26:7
(Job was written at least 1000 years ago - some scholars think it could be even 3000 years ago)
Note: Man only knew this for 350 years
Earth is a sphere, Isaiah 40:22
Air has weight, Job 28:25
Gravity - Job 26:7, Job 38:31-33
Winds blow in cyclones, Eccl 1:6

Documents that Prove Bible is True
Gilgamesh Epic, The Sumerian King List, Mari Tablets, Babylonian Chronicles

Archealogoical Finds
Excavations of Ur, Location of Zoar, Ziggurats and the foundation of Tower of Babel

 

[salida]

If you want God in your life which is much more fulfilling, I would knee down and ask Jesus to come into your heart. Tell him you are sorry for your sins and repent of them. Then ask Him for the Holy Spirit; without it you won't have the power to live a true christian life. Our human efforts won't do it. Then find a bible believing church - not a christian country club; or a church with a bunch of phonies and avoid legalism. Remember when Jesus rebuked to the Pharisee's because of their legalism?

After you find a realistic church you will find others like yourself and start relationships. When you seek a mate, ask God to direct you and He will. Praying daily, reading the Bible (spiritual food) and surrounding yourself with a spiritually nourishing environment will help you grow. Its a lifelong lifestyle. If you have anymore questions, feel free to email me. Yes, we are in a modern society but the culture sure doesn't dictate and tell me how I live. God does. Jesus said we are in this world but not of it - we are sojourners (just passing through to be a salt and light to it) in the darkness. You want a career? Again, God will direct you. What does your heart want to do? What are your talents and gifts?

 

[plshang]

Hi.

You sound like you are looking for God. Don't give up! I grew up in a non-christian family. I was the first to believe there is a God. Started going to church when i was less than 10 years old with my brother. I became a christian and was baptised when I was 13 years old. Today, 20 years later, everyone in my family became a christian. It's been a long and hard journey but God never failed me. I hope that you too can find God. Try going to a church and join a small group and get people to pray for you and your situation. You can also pray and ask God to help you.

 

[jmbky1]

Why do you gravitate so quickly toward the Christian God? Don't just choose the most readily available religion to fill your void.

What about Lord Krishna? Have you thought at all of becoming a Hindu?

Someone from a non-denominational background should not have much of a bias except for the society in which you were raised.

If you need faith, examine all religions. Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism, etc. It's an important decision and one you should make only once you're well-informed.

 

[PhilosophicalBluster]

I would consider Buddhism if what you're looking for is peace of mind.

 

[PhilosophicalBluster]

Consistency
Written by at least 40 men over a period of time exceeding 1400 years, and has no internal inconsistencies.

Heh. This made me chuckle.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

I would like some faith

I will try to offer you some of this quantity. Firstly by sharing a story of God's direction in my own life, then offer you an answer to this need. The first story is just a cool example of God doing stuff.

True Story
========
One morning I woke up and walked into the hall and I heard a voice say "How would you like to be stabbed in the valley", the valley was a place I would often goto to ask people out to church. I will have to say I was a little scared by the voice, and wondered is God that dis pleased with me that he want's to stab me. I decided to go to the valley any way. I walked up to the first person I saw and asked him out to church. He said to me "I am an athiest I don't believe in God". I just hoped I could find a way to change his mind. Now the amazing bit. He spoke to me and said "This is why I don't believe in God" He proceeded to open up his shirt and showed me scar marks. He said "I was attacked by a knife wielding man in the vally some years ago and spent months recovering in the hospital. So I knew then that God had said "How would you like to be stabbed" not to scare me, but to offer the man some comfort that God understood his need. He latter came out to church and gave his life bak to God.

Your need is not the same as this man but the God who met his need is also waiting to meet your need for a real relationship with himself. God says "seek me and you will find me when you search for me with all of your heart". He just requires you to seek him to make it your priority to leave behind the tired out life style that you are in. He will supply you with the Holy Spirit who will help you overcome all difficulties in your life.

 

[PhilosophicalBluster]

@ OP:

Read books. They can give life meaning. One person who you remind me of in particular is Chris McCandless. Read Into the Wild.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

I hear your mother is ill with cancer. I was seeking the LORD for a cure for cancer, when I asked he told me Bottled Water. Here is what you can do. Get a bottle of water, pray over it, then get your mother to drink it, or sprinkle it on herself which ever seems easiest. Then leave the rest up to God.