I can’t really remember the last time I thought there was a God. I don’t think I was ever really into following God or the whole religious thing, either. The only thing I specifically remember that set my atheism in stone is existentialism. That shit changed me.
I’m wondering how many of you are atheist? I know there are some. Did you ever believe? If not, what changed your mind on the whole thing?
I would also like to note that I’m not your typical atheist. I would not be the person to push atheism in your face and tell you that you’re wrong for believe in God. I respect other peoples religion. I respect that people find that faith in a higher power. It’s kind of beautiful if you get what I mean. So maybe the rest of you that DO believe could also tell me what set your faith in stone for you?
22 comments
I was an atheist after leaving islam. but I have changed my beliefs again and I am an agnostic now
I used to shift back and forth from agnostic to atheist. I finally just made my landing on atheism
Well I am not sure what to call myself to start with I do not believe in anything with complete certainty except one thing that I exist.
I used to be very religious till I was 20 now I am quiet sure all religions are bs.
What changed my mind? Mainly science specially Theory of evolution.
Ah right! I didn’t pay much attention to when I was taught theory of evolution, but what I did pay attention to I loved
It made sense
I’m still building my spirituality (or destroying what was left), but I don’t believe in gods, especially not in the biblical god that allows rape, murder and all kinds of atrocities. I tend to believe that we’re also beyond what our eyes can see though — that we’re also made of, idk, let’s call it energy. Just plain and pure energy: no consciousness, no memory.
After death we come back to earth just like everything else in nature; and whatever comes from nature isn’t supernatural. Just an unseen part of the cycle of life.
I really like that. Believing in energy and the cycle of life
Thats a very beautiful thought
Thank you (:
I am a hardcore no holds bar atheist. I became with way from studying religion and how contradictory it is to history, physics, and reality.
Ex: there is no evidence that Moses ever existed or that Egypt held Hebrews as slaves. Historically, the only slavery in ancient Egypt was of there own people who was forced to work until they payed off there debt.
What about Jesus? The history records are totally void of his existence. A Jesus wasn’t mentioned until around 100 years after his supposed crucifixion by people who wasn’t even born yet during that time.
There are so many more examples.
Religion started out as people trying to make up stories on what they don’t understand and trying to form a coping mechanism to handle the harsh realities of nature, grief, and death. Most humans can’t handle the fact that this life is all there is too us.
Hmmm thats very interesting. I’ve heard people talk about history not matching up with religion, but I never really looked into it.
That last part is definitely something I’ve thought about too though! I think that was a big part of my existential thinking
Thank you. The bible and history totally contradicts itself. Same with other religious texts as well.
I left Christianity in my teens, was originally a more “let’s coexist” kind of an atheist, but as I grew older and learned more about religion and saw how evil and dangerous it was, I’ve crossed into the militant/anti-theist zone. I hate all religions, but especially the mind-numbingly stupid religions like Islam and Christianity.
If I ever became a powerful political person, I’d work to destroy religion. I wouldn’t necessarily kill people, except terrorists and those who waged wars in the name of Islam and so forth.
Life is hard enough without religion-but when you bring that into the mix, you’ve just doubled everyone’s suffering, if not made it 10 times worse. Look at what ISIS is doing to young children…they took an 11 yr old girl, gang-raped her, then tied her to the hood of a Humvee to use as a human shield. This is all sanctioned by Islam-the taking of sex slaves, the preaching which says infidel/non-muslims lives are worthless, you can do whatever you want to them/us.
I’ve had some admiration for Buddhism and Hinduism, they’re the only noble religions I can think of that didn’t insult my intelligence. However they are also dangerous in that they promote pacifism, it is better if they were eliminated too. However I think people should read all these texts then throw them away. It’s better to know, than to be ignorant, so we don’t repeat the mistakes of our ancestors.
I personally believe that humans are evolving away from the need for religion. We now understand where babies come from, how the moon moves, how volcanos work, how planets, stars and galaxies are formed… We no longer need to make up stories about a chariot carrying the sun across the sky, or the first man being made from clay. I think the waning of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, etc. are parts of this evolution. Of course these things still exist, but now our society stands up and says “this is wrong!”. Evolution is slow moving (unfortunately) but sure.
Don’t know. Wish I did, would make things a lot easier. I once Googled “how to become an atheist,” and someone answered “just stop believing.” Can’t. Can’t stop. Don’t know if I believe in God, or Gods or whatever. I just have this feeling there is more out there and I have no idea why. So I’m on this sinking boat still holding onto “belief.”
I will say this: It’s fine if someone is an atheist or is religious, as long as they don’t hurt others.
I definitely agree with your last statement.. And I wish you luck on figuring things out!
I was raised in a very Christian environment and I was one until my teenage years when most people start getting existential. I think science fiction ( and real science of course) was what really changed my perspective and now I’m pretty much an atheist.
Im agnostic (ignostic technically) i do believe in god of some sort just not as defined by Abrahamic faiths. I still use the names Jehovah or Allah (they both mean god)and pray but i dont believe im praying to a entity as much as a force that allows all things to be. My belief is god is the actual universe itself, all the things in it(us included), and the patterns that allow life to be a self sustaining system. To pray or meditate are attempts to connect to that force. I also believe that religons are mans attempt to connect to that force as well but are mans interpretation of it. They are fictional folklores based upon repeating human archetypes and that connection that the religious writers had. However so much of the individual writers believes are poured into the books that they are far from gospel. In short i belive god is real but religion is not. That said i wont dispute or argue anyones right to believe what ever they believe. Especially since most people never follow their religion to the letter anyone and come up with their own personal interpretation whether they admit it to themselves or not.
Atheist? No… I would describe myself as agnostic.
I’m agnostic.
Agnostic. My Grandmother was a former nun raped by a priest. I wonder if our afterlife is controlled by our beliefs? I just want to be stardust with no memories of existence.
Atheist. For many of the reasons others have specified. There are lots of great quotes from the book The Quoteable Atheist (highly recommend!) from an Ancient Greek philosopher, don’t remember who. I don’t have the book here with me. Basically, it’s this:
Evil (pain, suffering, genocide, systemized rape, famine, etc.) exists in the world. If God is omnipotent, then he intended the world to be filled with evil. Therefore God is evil. If God did not intend the world to be filled with evil, but can’t stop it, then he is not omnipotent. If he is not omnipotent, why call him God?
Wow I really like that explanation!
Found the quote by Epicurius:
“Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is not omnipotent.
Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent.
Is he both able and willing? Then whence cometh evil?
Is he neither able nor willing? Then why call him God?”