I am an Atheist and always have been.

[JustDave]

They were not influenced by the Bible, what influenced them? They were a simple people with the same basic needs we have still today.
I find these histories fascinating before The Word was ever introduced to them.

Humans, in spite of differences, have a great deal in common. If you believe Maslow, certain needs are universal to our species, and it seems to me that some needs, not necessarily on Maslow's list, can never be fulfilled. They can only be accepted, unless we introduce some sort of power that is beyond human control.

Religion is not the only thing that can be influenced by societies. People with commanding presence and an understanding of what people want, can verbalize and influence. So someone like that will always be there to come up with ideas that satisfy, and others will accept. If people are afraid to die, an influencer can fix that by proposing something beyond humankind's reality, and make people feel better. This is a good thing, especially for those who are not willing or able to accept their fate. Death might be the big one, but there are many other things that are beyond our control. Imaginative thinking can soothe those needs also.

This is why I see religion as an ego defense mechanism. We give ourselves a substitute for the control that we do not have, and we feel safe. We may even feel at peace with ourselves. Our feelings, good or bad, may not be well founded, but they are definitely real.

 

[IrishEyes]

Humans, in spite of differences, have a great deal in common. If you believe Maslow, certain needs are universal to our species, and it seems to me that some needs, not necessarily on Maslow's list, can never be fulfilled. They can only be accepted, unless we introduce some sort of power that is beyond human control.

Religion is not the only thing that can be influenced by societies. People with commanding presence and an understanding of what people want, can verbalize and influence. So someone like that will always be there to come up with ideas that satisfy, and others will accept. If people are afraid to die, an influencer can fix that by proposing something beyond humankind's reality, and make people feel better. This is a good thing, especially for those who are not willing or able to accept their fate. Death might be the big one, but there are many other things that are beyond our control. Imaginative thinking can soothe those needs also.

This is why I see religion as an ego defense mechanism. We give ourselves a substitute for the control that we do not have, and we feel safe. We may even feel at peace with ourselves. Our feelings, good or bad, may not be well founded, but they are definitely real.

I guess from this thread I realize we all have the same need to believe in something, whether it be God, Science, or It is what it is and nothing more. Others belief doesn't influence me on mine. It just helps me to understand them as an individual. You are happy in yours, allow me to be
in mine and we'll do fine. Just as there are numerous religions, so are there numerous theorists, scientists, etc. And honestly it's all too
confusing. Those speaking or writing about all these things to influence people one way or the other, to me it's like a contest to see
who can find that golden ring to convince the most people to their way of thinking. You know the seeking of the major breakthrough.
In the end we're all just humans in this world together and need to believe in something.

 

[JustDave]

You are happy in yours, allow me to be in mine and we'll do fine.

There are many that agree with you, but the influencers in that subset have not been able to fix it. I don't know how big that subset is, but I believe it is out there, maybe even growing in numbers, at least as the pendulum currently swings that way, but it is still a pendulum.

 

[Messy]

-

 

[Paco Dennis]

In the end we're all just humans in this world together and need to believe in something.

So far we don't know how existence "is". So that urges many of us to question where we came from, what or who made this existence, what is the purpose of life. Belief is what we do to fill in the " not knowing". I think we find something we feel is true, and then make up stories to fill in the gaps.

 

[IrishEyes]

Why do all these people want services? I am christian and I'm too lazy to go to a church because it's always so boring and it takes so long. Yesterday for the first time in months or maybe a year I listened to a preaching on youtube without getting bored or annoyed. But that was Reinhard Bonnke, who was a very enthusiastic evangelist, speaking about more than 1 million Africans getting saved in 1 meeting and loads of miracles happening there. If they weren't killing all these christians there I'd want to move to Africa.

speaking about more than 1 million Africans getting saved in 1 meeting this for me personally is a red flag, to boast about numbers
is not following the meaning of be humble and do good works, do not let the left hand know what the right is doing. It is a sales pitch and an ego builder for him as I see it.

 

[IrishEyes]

So far we don't know how existence "is". So that urges many of us to question where we came from, what or who made this existence, what is the purpose of life. Belief is what we do to fill in the " not knowing". I think we find something we feel is true, and then make up stories to fill in the gaps.

And in that "not Knowing" we make choices without assurance of what is or maybe coming. How much of free will is instilled in that alone, just be happy with your choice and live life as a kind person. Which I deeply think you do

 

[Messy]

speaking about more than 1 million Africans getting saved in 1 meeting this for me personally is a red flag, to boast about numbers
is not following the meaning of be humble and do good works, do not let the left hand know what the right is doing. It is a sales pitch and an ego builder for him as I see it.

He spoke about a regular woman and a 17 year old boy who just started to preach and loads of miracles happened there.

 

[IrishEyes]

He spoke about a regular woman and a 17 year old boy who just started to preach and loads of miracles happened there.

I apologize for misunderstanding who was doing the preaching I don't think you mentioned that part.
I have attended a few churches that had lighted signs in the lobby advertising how many Baptisms had occured
in a months time Brightly lit signs, some flashing. We didn't need that, we could tell by how many more seats were
filled at service.

 

[gruntlabor]

There are many that agree with you, but the influencers in that subset have not been able to fix it. I don't know how big that subset is, but I believe it is out there, maybe even growing in numbers, at least as the pendulum currently swings that way, but it is still a pendulum.

Yes, the two sides. One, Irish Eyes' side, "You are happy in yours, allow me to be in mine ..."
And the opposite side, even apart from the religious zealots. They are the socially correct who have us conform, always conform. There is only one opinion --the approved opinion, and if we don't know what that is, we must take a middling attitude, walk the middle of the road, do not commit.
The second side prevails today in America, but nothing is forever.

 

[RambleTamble]

 

[Messy]

I apologize for misunderstanding who was doing the preaching I don't think you mentioned that part.
I have attended a few churches that had lighted signs in the lobby advertising how many Baptisms had occured
in a months time Brightly lit signs, some flashing. We didn't need that, we could tell by how many more seats were
filled at service.

Ah I see where you're coming from. A preacher once said that, that they had meetings where all these pastors came and you had to perform and be the best, get more people in your church and even more next year. It was legalistic, as if it was your own accomplishment.

Bonnke, the Newspapers said Bonnke has raised a man, but he said: Well it was nice that we got free advertising, but Bonnke didn't do anything. I didn't even know they brought him in. Jesus did it and the one who had faith for it was the man's wife.

 

[RambleTamble]

I like that many high-profile Christian leaders have publicly condemned U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s framing of the conflict with
Iran as a "holy war" or a divinely sanctioned mission. Critics argue that his use of "crusader" rhetoric and religious imagery to justify "overwhelming violence" is a dangerous form of Christian nationalism that contradicts traditional Christian teachings.

Key Leaders and Critiques
Faith leaders from various denominations have voiced their opposition, focusing on the "shocking and abhorrent" co-opting of religious language for military aggression.

• Pope Leo XIV: The Pope has issued several rebukes, specifically warning that God ignores the prayers of those whose "hands are full of blood" from war. He emphasized that "no cause can justify the shedding of innocent blood" and described the framing of the conflict in religious terms as a profanation of sacred places.
• Cardinal Blase Cupich: The leader of the Archdiocese of Chicago described the use of scripture to justify war as "deeply theological and deeply troubling". He stated that peace cannot be imposed by force and must be sought through diplomacy.
• Rev. Dr. Emma Worthington: A Chicago-area faith leader who called Hegseth’s rhetoric "antithetical to the gospel and teachings of Jesus Christ," specifically condemning the idea of "wiping out an entire civilization" as being outside any legitimate Christian ethic.
• Brian Kaylor (Baptist Author/Editor): He characterized Hegseth's comments as a "Crusader theology" that most modern Christians would consider "heretical".

 

[Kir7]

I became an atheist quite a while ago. And unfortunately, there’s no turning back. My faith in people is starting to fade, too. Without faith, there’s no optimism, and eventually, the motivation to do anything starts to wane

 

[IrishEyes]

I became an atheist quite a while ago. And unfortunately, there’s no turning back. My faith in people is starting to fade, too. Without faith, there’s no optimism, and eventually, the motivation to do anything starts to wane

A question comes to mind to me, humor me here a second.
Who built that wall around you? And with what? This is not said sarcastically this is from compassion.
You don't need to answer, give it some thought.

 

[Kir7]

A question comes to mind to me, humor me here a second.
Who built that wall around you? And with what? This is not said sarcastically this is from compassion.
You don't need to answer, give it some thought.

If it turns out that I was wrong and God does exist, then I simply refuse to accept Him, given what has happened and is happening in the world

 

[AutumnGal]

It does give hope and that alone is worthwhile. There is plenty I would never have gotten through in my lifetime without that.

Belief is different than church. Many of us are taught belief as children or brought into one. However, as an adult I've questioned and decided for myself. I've both felt and seen things that have made me feel God exists. I've also questioned many a time. My biggest questions have probably revolved around why He can't intervene when certain terrible things are happening or doesn't always answer our prayers in the way we'd hope...

However, what I've experienced outweighs all of that and those questions.

Much has been done wrong in the name of religion but much has with many things. People take advantage or use things people believe in to benefit selves. And that's putting it very simply and mildly.

Imo some beliefs leave no hope. I could never get by that way. I don't think most do well with that.

Right or wrong, I've interpreted things for myself and come to what I choose to believe, much based on things I've experienced.

And I need hope. I think most humans do or bad things result.

 

[IrishEyes]

If it turns out that I was wrong and God does exist, then I simply refuse to accept Him, given what has happened and is happening in the world

If that gives you peace and has you in a mindset where you want to be that is your choice. You just sounded to me like you
weren't happy in a way and I wanted to understand it. I wasn't going to push you one way or the other because only you
can decide where you want to be.

 

[AutumnGal]

If it turns out that I was wrong and God does exist, then I simply refuse to accept Him, given what has happened and is happening in the world

I think the hardest part of faith is that. Why He doesn't intervene. I have questioned it too but I still believe and much of that is foretold.

I'd rather have hope than live with none. That would be an awful place to be.

It is interesting to me that you capitalized Him as that's generally what believers do. And capitalized God.

 

[Kir7]

I think the hardest part of faith is that. Why He doesn't intervene. I have questioned it too but I still believe and much of that is foretold.

I'd rather have hope than live with none. That would be an awful place to be.

It is interesting to me that you capitalized Him as that's generally what believers do. And capitalized God.

I know that my posts are read by people of faith, and I sincerely respect them and try not to offend their feelings and what is very dear to them

 

[AutumnGal]

I know that my posts are read by people of faith, and I sincerely respect them and try not to offend their feelings and what is very dear to them

Makes sense. I hope you can find something that gives you hope. I can tell you that I've had some pretty horrible things happen in life that made me truly question. I'm not going to share them, maybe one day. However, I also could not have gotten through such without believing.

I say to each their own always but I honestly don't know how people get through without something to believe in that is positive.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

God gives us free will. All our decisions have consequences. Consequences that we have to face. If God intervened with our decisions then it wouldn’t be free will.

 

[MACKTEXAS]

I became an atheist quite a while ago. And unfortunately, there’s no turning back. My faith in people is starting to fade, too. Without faith, there’s no optimism, and eventually, the motivation to do anything starts to wane

If it turns out that I was wrong and God does exist, then I simply refuse to accept Him, given what has happened and is happening in the world

I've framed much of what I believe in this thread, but this is simply a discussion that will not likely end with anyone changing their mind. For the record, I support each person making their own personal decisions.

Even so, the part you wrote in bold (above) almost sounds like there's a part of you that wants to turn back, since it was preceded by "unfortunately." You still can, you know, if you choose.

Anyway, I appreciate the respectful manner of your posts.

 

[AutumnGal]

I don't think most will change their mind either but it's all food for thought for anyone searching, needing something or not sure in what they believe.

And it's all food for thought for anyone, just seeing what others think and believe. Seems like a pretty active thread.