Explain why you believe as you do? Including Atheists

Mr. Ed

Mr. Ed

Be what you is not what you what you ain’t
Location
Central NY
My belief system has changed numerous times because they no longer suited my need for understanding. This poses the question, why do people believe, is it because a belief suits you and comforts you? What you are not satisfied with your current belief would you question your beliefs or would accept it even if it was harmful?

Many people are afraid to question religious authority for fear of godly consequences, persecution, and social scorn. It is scary to deny something you grew up in fear of but I came to an understanding that faith based religion no longer made sense to me.

Believing by faith puts reality into unaccountable fictitious objects that are made true in the minds of those who believe. Simply put, the Bible is not true but the fear generated by man and god to obey without questioning the source is real.

I was conditioned to obey in deep humility to the Christian god, but I failed to understand the importance of Jesus. It seemed whatever I prayed about should go directly to god instead of sidetracked through Jesus.

Church was a waste of time and over the years of hearing countless sermons I picked up on key phrases used by every preacher I listened to. These phrases are the foundation of Christian faith that bears repeating in any given sermon. God gave his only begotten son, usually at Easter, Jesus saves, how do you know? Sometimes people feel better after opening themselves to god through Jesus but there is no proof this is the sole method for redemption.

Basically I believe God exist but not in any way I can describe. Somehow the world and universes do what they do, and creature, plants, birds and fishes do what they do as if an unexplainable presence or force that keeps everything intact.
 

At an early age, I started to doubt the existence of a "God" - certainly not the sort that is seen as a loving, benevolent god. This doubt has just increased to the point that I simply don't believe in his /her /its existence. There seems to be reasonable evidence for the existence of an itinerant preacher whom we refer to as Jesus. We could even say that his teachings made good sense and were a good model to live by, however, with the absence of "god" , that is simply all that Christianity is.
 

Since I was a child I knew I was an old soul. Cannot explain it as I just know. I enjoy all services as I get something out of all of them. When I visit my sister I go to Catholic Mass with her. I watch the Methodist services on tv and enjoy them. Here at home I go to the episcopal church which is close to my own beliefs. I read my Bible every day and do my Daily Word. I am enjoying Lent this year as I strive to be a better person. Cannot explain any of it and thats okay with me.
 
By age 8, I began to notice problems with the Christian narrative. Things just didn't add up. By 13, I was a confirmed atheist. I did have a few years in the 80s, when I got deeply into New Age themes-aura reading, channeling, Edgar Casey, Shirley McClean, etc. But I began to realize that the people I was supposedly channeling were really me. And if I could talk myself into believing in New Age religious ideas, then all religions are basically the same process.
 
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Maybe I’m alone in thinking about god, Jesus and religion regardless my thoughts are of value to me and until I think differently this is what I must go by.

it has taken me years to question and deny the Christian faith and the bible none of which have caused eternal damnation or celestial chastisement .
Life is as each individual chooses it to be, that’s the only freedom we have seeing life as you want to see it
 
I am in with a variation on fuzzybuddy. There are many things I have learned about religion that just do not add up to a belief in some sky fairy creating everything. And I don't have the time nor energy anymore to go into a long debate with those who do believe.
 
I'm a lifelong Christian. I believe he is our creator and he watches over us. I don't believe that everything is preordained. I believe we have free will to follow or not follow his guidance. I was raised Methodist.

Hubs is what I refer to as a recovering Catholic. He's atheist as a result of the mean nuns and priests in catholic school. We don't attend any church.
 
Ed, I've been wanting to take the opportunity to tell you I hate your father. I cannot stand how a precious young boy (you) was so harmed. I carry you in my heart Ed; your threads are thought provoking and deep; the pain, grief & torment you endured, and still do..........to get to my point, and I deeply apologize for going off track.........I really care about you Ed, and look forward to your musings.
 
I am Christian and believe the Bible. There is so much wisdom in it .
I do not go to church though as I don't like organised religion and I find religious people are just not for me. They can be very overbearing, pushy and sanctimonious.
Praying and reading the Bible on my own brings me lots of comfort as I do not feel alone, knowing God is with me. I love hymns.
In general I think each person must decide for themselves, no pressure. I have friends of all kinds of faiths and some of none. I am always interested in hearing their views, it is good to discuss things. But no arguments, that is just not for me.
 
I believe that we are immortal souls currently living in these bodies in this material world. I think that consciousness is the basis of everything that exists...in the universe. I think that our personal consciousness, our soul, is part of a much bigger consciousness....which we refer to in a crude, shorthand way as God. We're individuals and paradoxically also part of the bigger, unknowable and indescribable God. I think there was no beginning to time and there will be no end. I believe that our consciousness is on a journey in the direction of the divine and the destination of this journey is beyond our current capacity to know or describe.....perhaps our Buddhist friends' notion of Nirvana is as good a word for it as any.
How to behave in this material life? The various religions have lots of instructions on that, but in my opinion a good start is, don't bring harm or suffering to any living being....as much as it's possible. Try to be helpful. Know that we're interconnected and interdependent with and on everything else that's alive on earth. And that no single viewpoint can be the whole truth. A fuller truth must be drawn from considering many different viewpoints. The parable of the blind men and the elephant comes to mind.
And by the way, I don't think God cares what religion we adhere to in this life. Just my opinion.
 
I believe there is a power guiding the universe, and our little minds cannot comprehend such a power. What happens to us when we pass is largely determined by how we live our lives. Honesty and responsibility will be rewarded, while those who prey on others will face the consequences.
 
These sorts of discussions always raise, at least for me, one question: Is there a moral obligation to believe only what can be argued for and defended with objective evidence? I tend to side with the general view that believing something because it is comforting, for example, is not sufficient grounds for belief. On the other hand, so long as you don't impose those sorts of beliefs and their consequences on others, I suppose there may be no harm. Then again, these sorts of beliefs may do harm to one's personal integrity and even cost your life: e.g., Jim Jones and the Guayana massacre, among others.
 
I was raised as a Catholic....but was never happy with the strict non forgiving belief system. I went well into adulthood with no strong beliefs in any direction. I think, like @Don M. there is a power of some sort out there, Now, if asked my beliefs I will say Christian. Have not belonged to an organized church in many years.
Again, I am more open minded in my beliefs than most religions. I have several friends and family members in the LGBTQ community, who as we know, are not accepted among many religions. I had a Christian pastor tell me pretty much that my friends and family were sinners and I was wrong to support them. I walked out of that conversation and never looked back.

Now I am of the live and let live mindset.
 
oldlongwalker said:
These sorts of discussions always raise, at least for me, one question: Is there a moral obligation to believe only what can be argued for and defended with objective evidence? I tend to side with the general view that believing something because it is comforting, for example, is not sufficient grounds for belief. On the other hand, so long as you don't impose those sorts of beliefs and their consequences on others, I suppose there may be no harm. Then again, these sorts of beliefs may do harm to one's personal integrity and even cost your life: e.g., Jim Jones and the Guayana massacre, among others.
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Just wanted to repeat what you said because I liked it so much. I disagree, though, I think there is harm, maybe not to the person, but society in general. To make up stuff then believe it because you want to is a danger to human well being and has evolved into our current state of disarray on a consequential level. A child may need Santa & the tooth fairy (though I counter this notion) but adults should leave behind childish things (as the good book says).
 
Pepper said:
Just wanted to repeat what you said because I liked it so much. I disagree, though, I think there is harm, maybe not to the person, but society in general. To make up stuff then believe it because you want to is a danger to human well being and has evolved into our current state of disarray on a consequential level. A child may need Santa & the tooth fairy (though I counter this notion) but adults should leave behind childish things (as the good book says).
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That is why I qualify my statement:

so long as you don't impose those sorts of beliefs and their consequences on others
 
oldlongwalker said:
That is why I qualify my statement:

so long as you don't impose those sorts of beliefs and their consequences on others
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I think it can't be helped; the 'goodnews' must be spread. It's the basis, the root. It's for your own good you know.....whether you like it or not.
 
How great is it to have a peaceful pleasant and informative discussion about this.
I have in the past joined Christian forums and been amazed at the vicious closed-minded arguments raging there, over every phrase in the Bible. I was just so disappointed. That's all I will say.

My view is simple, every human has the right to believe as they do, as long as it harms nobody else. How we each conduct ourselves is the important thing surely.
 
Once I began questioning how a benevolent creator could murder his creations and not get a reasonable answer I began questioning other "beliefs".

We know from recent developments that our heaven looks as though it is infinite. An omnipotent sentient being supposedly created heaven & earth. In order to do that it would be like creating a box. You can't be inside a box to create one. It's already there. So where exactly does this omnipotent sentient being billions of years old that has a plan for everyone reside?

There is no explanation as to who created God. Did a sentient being billions of years old suddenly appear somewhere outside the universe we live in? What does made in his image really mean? If physical appearance is the image then evolution is a fact since fossils of early mankind shows them as butt ugly.

For those with a blind faith that a sentient being billions of years old exists I'm happy that blind faith gives you comfort.

Given that evolution can be proven this recent news article is interesting to me.

https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/tech...on-earth-may-have-come-via-impact/vi-AA185jrH
 

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