Anyone non-religious here? Please be nice!

[deb1]

I love this thread. Over the past few months I have undergone a period of loosing my former faith. It has been a painful experience, maybe gut wrenching would be a better term. I have had friends tell me that I should just read certain books or listen to certain speakers and my doubts will disappear. The problem is that I know the theological answers to all my questions but they don't help.

THe moment that I let go of a specific way of viewing the divine, I felt closer to God. I can't describe it. I feel better, more peaceful.

My view of God has shifted. He/she/it(English needs more pronouns. LOL) now seems so large and powerful that I don't believe that he really cares if we worship him at all. There is something in me that needs to acknowledge God but it is all right if someone else doesn't have the same need. I don't have to worry that my friends will suffer horrible consequences if they have a different view about God's existence then I do. That is very freeing.

 

[OccamsTazer]

These are for you, Terrie!

 

[redux]

Deb1 - thanks for sharing that. I thnk the problem with the theological approach is that right or wrong, it's intellectual. And I don't think pick your pronoun can be perceived via the mind. A spiritual connection must come from the heart. This is why thinking about it and trying to decide what you believe gets you nowhere. Letting go and just existing in your personal reality opened up the connection for you.

Occamstazer- thanks for that. If there was a way to send Terrie a new lunch, I would.

 

[AngieChick]

Quote:
My reason for treading so lightly is because there's not much of a nice way of explaining the what's and hows that I came to become an atheist. If you have a spiritual set of beliefs you can describe them without directly contradicting anyone else's belief system. Atheism, however is a rejection of all religious beliefs, and to really explain that there just isn't any way to do it without being pretty direct. I'm fine with not discussing it often, it goes against my nature to get into that kind of discussion. No good can come of it, it can only lead to hurt feelings. So, I just don't do it unless I'm directly asked. Even then, I make sure that they do really want to know.

 

[WriterofWords]

Quote:
My reason for treading so lightly is because there's not much of a nice way of explaining the what's and hows that I came to become an atheist. If you have a spiritual set of beliefs you can describe them without directly contradicting anyone else's belief system. Atheism, however is a rejection of all religious beliefs, and to really explain that there just isn't any way to do it without being pretty direct. I'm fine with not discussing it often, it goes against my nature to get into that kind of discussion. No good can come of it, it can only lead to hurt feelings. So, I just don't do it unless I'm directly asked. Even then, I make sure that they do really want to know.

Angie I understand how you feel. I'm not an atheist, but I have friends that are. As soon as someone finds out they don't believe in an organized religion they make it their goal to "convert and convince" them that they are wrong and if they would only do........ whatever they would be sure and see that. I try and protect them and when I feel a discussion turning towards religion I turn it another way. I gave a young friend some advice the other day because she was trying to "Witness" to people and was being rejected. I told her to go lightly, express her views and wait for them to ask about it don't shove it down their throat.

we love you no matter what your beliefs are.

 

[redhen]

I also am without a religion...
But...I DO believe in Jesus..i believe that he walked this earth and healed people..etc...
BUT i dont believe that Mary was a virgin..(sorry Mary..

) I dont buy that whole story...
I also dont believe that God was his father... Because i dont believe in a God..
I dont think that a "God" created man and all that stuff....I dont believe what the bible says at all.. I WISH i could believe..i hate being without "something" to believe in..

But i just cant believe. Theres no way...
I also believe in evolution. Totally.
But i also believe that we as people can call on our kinetic energy and the earths energy and make things happen... .. I've seen it.

And i could go on and on... but i'll spare ya..
Okay..so now ya'll think i'm a fruit cake...

 

[deb1]

Quote:
I doubt that anyone thinks that you are crazy.

Your post didn't sound crazy to me.

I believe in evolution also. It has always made sense to me.

 

[OccamsTazer]

Quote:
Well I don't think you're a fruitcake, that's pretty darn close to where I am!

 

[redhen]

Thanks..

 

[redux]

redhen I totally agree with what you are saying about the kinetic energy. That is why I, a non-religious person, will often ask religious people to help me pray for someone. I believe it works. I don't think it has anything to do with religion or the Bible or any of that. Call it kinetic energy, prayers, karma, whatever.
You are not crazy, at least by my standards. (although that may not be saying much....)