I don't believe in God, do you?

United States
September 1, 2011 7:09pm CST
I have always been an atheist, but I don't hate religious people, I don't think they are stupid, they just have a different way of thinking than myself, and I respect that, what I don't like is the people that try to always try to tell me that I am wrong because I don't believe in God, I think we all have the right to believe in what we want, we shouldn't put down others because of their believes or lack of believes.
6 people like this
34 responses
• United States
2 Sep 11
There is a difference between believing in God and knowing God. Sadly, most people who push God on others with attempted force are ones I clear from. These people say that God doesn't want you watching Harry Potter, reading Twilight, etc, or reading occult stories, or loving and supporting gays. They also tell you not to celebrate this or that, (Christmas and Easter are two of them, if you can believe that), and they even tell you how to dress. This is religious control, and it was something Jesus fought against while He walked on earth. Sad thing is, too many religious groups twist it around to suit their purpose. For me, I flat out believe and know God. But it has nothing to do with religion. I detest religion because it controls. My belief stems more from personal experiences over the years ever since I was a baby. But I'm not the type that is going to demand you to believe. I don't like it when atheists attempt to convince me to not believe. In reality, there's not much of a difference. Each side appears to try to coerce the other side to believe in something it would rather not. But from your post, I can tell you're not, just as I am not trying to convince you God exists, or that you should believe in Him. That is your preference. :)And you're right. We all have the right to choose which path we want to walk. :)
2 people like this
• United States
2 Sep 11
I have many friends that are like you, they are believers but at the same time they respect me, and respect my desire of don't believe, I totally agree with you, I don't like either all those atheist that try to coerce everybody else to don't believe in God, I believe in freedom, something that all human beings should have.
• Canada
6 Sep 11
Firestorm, unfortunately a lot of people who claim to be Christians don't really seem to read the Bible and think through what they believe. Instead they just condemn anything they don't like the look of, even if there's no Biblical argument against it. This is adding false doctrines to God's word and the Bible warns strongly against it. smilingjack, you seriously misinterpret Matt 15:4-5 and Mark 7:9-10. Here Jesus is clearly objecting to a Jewish tradition that allows people to get out of their responsibilities to their parents. What's the problem with him claiming to have come to fulfill the Torah and the prophets? What is your real agenda? You claim that atheism isn't a religion but your aggressive criticism of Christianity really proves that it is, at least for you. Is your problem with any belief in God or do you hate Christianity? You complain about the Bible but haven't mentioned the Koran. Have you read that? It's far worse than the Bible by most criteria. All the common objections to Christianity are also true of Islam and then some but a lot of people seem more hostile to Christianity than Islam. Why is this? Because Satan can't fight himself? Have you considered that by attacking Christianity you're making it easier for Islam to take over the world? Do you want women to be forced to wear burkas and get executed for being raped?
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Sep 11
I don't have a problem with atheists or religious people. I'm not religious.. at all... I do believe in God and I keep my beliefs to myself. I know Christians are supposed to go knocking on doors and trying to convert everyone they come to, but I don't do that and don't believe in pushing my beliefs on anyone else. I believe in everyone being responsible for their own destiny. It's high time for everyone to believe what they will and take responsiblity for their own lives and their own belief systems. If you believe in Christ, heaven, and hell... then believe it... but don't push it on someone that doesn't want to hear it. If someone asks you what you believe and wants to really hear about your beliefs, then by all means tell them and share your faith.. Behave the way you believe... Be real... don't preach what not to do and then do it yourself... don't preach to not cuss, drink or smoke and then hit the bars every night and cuss like a sailor.. so to speak. Why? Because the ones you witness to will watch you closely. The ones who know you will be hoping you make a mistake so they can take you down... so be real! Christians are always being judged by the general public.. but so are the atheists and everyone else. Let's just get along.. take responsibility for what we believe and let everyone else fend for themselves. If there is a judgement day, and IF every knee will REALLY bow.. then It will all work out in the end however it is supposed to be... not my problem, since I'm not religious and my beliefs are personal to me.
2 people like this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
2 Sep 11
HI Laura, I really don't believe nor do I disbelieve. I try to keep an open mind about these things. I don't subscribe to any organized religion because I think to do so would inhibit you from seeking answers.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
2 Sep 11
I will say that they have proven that Jesus did actually exist on earth as a human being. Crucifixtion was a common form of punishment back in those days and Jesus was not the only one to die on the cross. Science has offered up some possible explanations to his ressurection and other "miracles" which I appreciated. I will say this about Jesus. There is something there. I mean, what other mere mortal do you know that is so talked about, debated,celebrated, etc so many many years after their passing?
• United States
2 Sep 11
That is a very fair point, I have always said that the day Jesus appears in front of me that day I will become religious, but while that doesn't happen I will be only believing in the explanation science offers.
• United States
2 Sep 11
Of course Jesus did exist, but there was nothing supernatural that have ever been proved about him and I have to tell you he may be the mortal most talk about in christian societies, but I don't think muslins, jews and budist celebrated jesus.
• United States
2 Sep 11
I believe in God, and I am a Christian. I don't hold it against anyone or disrespect someone who does not choose this path. After all, I was 42 before I decided to do so. Some serious things were going on in my life, and it was just like God picked me up and decided this was the time I would be following Him. I do witness when I am going to church regularly and fellowship with other true christians. I do know that the devil's favorite people are hypocrits, because they do such a good job of turning people away from giving God a fair try. I do not always behave in a way that people who are watching me think a christian should. It doesn't mean I am not a christian or that I am a hypocrit. It means that the further you get away from God, the more you change and begin to look just like anyone else. I do not like who I am right now, because I have not read the bible in months, hardly ever attend church right now, and find that my personality is not one that God would look at and be proud of. But I do know that because I see myself this way and feel bad about it, that I truly am a christian, and God still loves me. He just has to lift His hand away from me sometimes so I can see what a mess I make out of my life without Him.
1 person likes this
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
2 Sep 11
What I don't like is when people are hypocrites. I can take the honest questioning of my position. That's fine, you can tell me I'm wrong. It doesn't bother me. But when you tell me to believe like you do, and then you do not act like how you claim to believe, that bugs me. If you are not going to follow your own rules, then shut up about them when your around me. First walk the walk, then we can talk the about the talk.
1 person likes this
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
3 Sep 11
or... they could simply be hypocrites, and most are exactly that.
• United States
2 Sep 11
I totally agree with you, i hate hypocrisy also, I actually can't stand it, I think the first thing we should all do is being honest to ourselves, that is biggest favor we can all do to each other.
• Canada
2 Sep 11
andy77e, I don't know about other religions, but according to Christianity nobody is perfect except Jesus. Therefore, when Christians do things wrong, it's consistent with their teachings. It depends if the Christian sins and agrees that it's a sin and they should try to avoid doing it, or claims that it's OK. In the latter case they're a heretic, not a hypocrite. There's also the possibility that you don't understand the religion's laws and religious people actually are keeping them by doing something you don't agree with.
1 person likes this
@moneywinner (1864)
• Brazil
2 Sep 11
I agree with you. If you don't believe in god, that's your choice and no one should interfere on your opinion. But, I know how this is, my mom always criticizes when she met someone that don't believe in god. I'm a catholic person, but I have to say that I don't agree with the things that the church did during the history, that's why I don't attend to the church. But, I do believe that god exist.
1 person likes this
• Canada
9 Sep 11
Hasn't the church improved in modern times? Perhaps you should leave your country because of the bad things it did in its history (I don't know what country you're in but I think they all have some bad stuff in their pasts and in most cases have some serious problems today). Perhaps you should avoid people who've committed sins, get off to that hermit cave! Then there are other Christian churches that don't have such a bad history as the Catholic church. Most don't have the same problems with priestly celibacy and contraceptives today. Perhaps you'll be happier in one of them.
@Galena (9110)
2 Sep 11
well I can't QUITE say I beleive in God. I am a Polytheist. I beleive in Gods. although to less of an extent than some Polytheists, as it's a Goddess and a God, rather than a whole vast pantheon like the greeks, romans and egyptians. as well as that I beleive in the ancsestral spirits, in the Lwa and various spirits that inhabit certain places. I agree with you that we all have a right to our own beliefs. I don't think that anyone will suffer or be punished for not having the same religion as me. I just beleive that their path is different from mine, we all have our own paths to walk, and what is spiritually rewarding and fulfilling to one person might be empty and soul-less to another. we are all equally equipped to seek the truth, and no one is more qualified than another to say what that truth might be. so you're right, we shouldn't judge or put down others because in seeking the truth they have found it somewhere different to you.
• United States
2 Sep 11
that is so right I totally agree with you, everybody should be able to decide what they believe on.
• Kottayam, India
2 Sep 11
Bible says Fool say in his heart there is no God, but are you more than a fool (sorry) and why did u say there is no God ?
• Kottayam, India
2 Sep 11
Do you believe in Electricity, you cannot see it, light is not electricity but it shows presence of that power. Like that looking to the universe any body can believe that there is a Creator
• United States
2 Sep 11
of course I believe in electricity, I am electrical engineer, and let me tell you, put your hands on the power line cables and you will feel it. Religious people is always going to try to explain the world with religious principles, atheist people will explain it based on scientific principles
• United States
2 Sep 11
Of course I am more than a fool, as I said before, I only believe in things that have scientifically explanation, of course I know science doesn't have explanation for everything, but research takes time. I am not a person that can believe by faith, i am someone that needs facts.
• Philippines
2 Sep 11
Yeah, I agree that we should all respect everyone decision on what to believe. But as a Christian we have this responsibility to tell other people about Jesus and make them believe. You can't blame those people who try to tell you about Jesus. And as a happy believer of God we want to share those people who don't believe in God what we believe in because we want them to be happy as well. We will just try to share it to you. Because we want tot atleast try. My cousin have a friend who don't believe in God. My cousin told me about this. Her friend has everything. She has a good loving family, she have friends, she has a job and earns well, she have a boyfriend she can buy anything she wants and she doesn't have much problem in life, she is happy but still she left like there is something missing in her life. She felt like she is not completely happy but she doesn't know why. So my cousin invited her to their church just once. She told her friend if she still didn't like it their its okay. She asked her to give it a try just once. After the mass her friend felt like crying because she can feel God and she was so touch. At that time she accepted God in her life and she told my cousin that she have never felt that feeling before. She felt so complete after accepting God in her life. She said that it's God that is missing in her life and now that she found him and accepted him in her life she felt happier than before. She felt fulfilled and contented now. The reason why we are sharing other people about our believes is because we want you to feel the happiness we feel inside by accepting God in our life. I even once told my self that "God is all I have", because my family don't care much of me. I have faced a lot of problem in life. I had so many hatred in other people, sometimes I feel alone that I have no one. But I know and I feel that it's only God that I have beside me. He is the only one I can lean on. If I don't have him during those sad and ugly moment in my life I know I'm nothing right now.
• Philippines
3 Sep 11
When I was a kid I also had a doubt if God really exist or it was just what people want to believe. Some time before I also thought about science but there were things that really convince me that God exist. I have read stories about angels and how they helped them. Some miracle that happened to other people. I believe in those stories and I personally have some stories that convinced me to believe in God. It's kinda long to tell the story so I won't share it here. I'm not a bias person. I am very open minded to everything. I know God wants the best for us that's why he gave us some challenges in life but not as heavy as we can't carry. I believe that if you're a bad person God will not bless you and if you are good he will bless you. I was a bad person during my college and I felt during that time that I was the unluckiest person in the world. Every single day, I cant have what I wanted. Like example, I'm very choosy when it comes to food but every day I buy food. The part that I don't like was always given to me. It happens every day. No single day I felt lucky in everything I do. I asked my friend why was it happening to me. She said that she also felt that before during her college. Then I remember she was a bad person before during college. Then I just realized that I was really bad. I was full of hatred. I had family problem before, that's why I have hatred and I become bad. During my days of being a bad girl I couldn't find a job even a job that I know I can do I couldn't get it. I was in college that time but I even apply to a job that admit highschool graduate only but still I was not lucky to get that job. Also during that time when I had so many hatred in life I didn't remember in calling to God. I prayed sometimes but I know it was not that deep and not with all my heart. Then one day I felt really desperate. I went into the chapel and stayed they for one hour and a half. I prayed, I asked forgiveness, I tell everything my problems and I prayed deeply with all my heart. I even cried that time. After praying, in the afternoon I had a job interview and I got hired that day. Then tomorrow after, I received a text message from other employer that I am hired and will start my training. It was the happiest. I waiting too long for a job offer and that time I got two offers. During my training I also received many text messages for job interview invitations and those were from the employers I have applied before that I have been waiting for long. After praying to God that day, I have started receiving things that I've been waiting for long ago. Can science explain this? I don't know. I know it's all God's work. He is just too fair for everyone that why he doesn't spoil us. I know he gave me those trials because he wants me to become strong in facing life's challenges, because he wants me to succeed in the future. I am a lazy person and it was just an eye opener for me. If I didn't experience those things maybe I won't be this strong. So I don't hate those experiences and trials. That's why I want to think that God is all I have because. I can't find anyone to lean on during my lonely time. I'm with my family but I feel alone. We're not really close and they are not with me, I mean they don't believe in me, they are all against me. During those times I just pray to Jesus. At least I have someone to lean on during those times than no one.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Sep 11
angelbelle578 that is basically my problem, that religious people assume that those ones that are atheist don't know about Jesus, I grew up as catholic, my whole family is catholic so I grew up going to church every Sunday and I still have a very good relationship with the priest of the church I was visiting, I have read the bible many times, I know about religion, so people like me don't need anyone else telling us or trying to show us about Jesus, I am a very happy person, and don't feel empty or anything alike, maybe some people needs religion, others don't, I don't, I live a very happy life, and before I went through a lot but with work I was able to achieve everything I wanted.
• Canada
6 Sep 11
laura_Imaxi, the Catholic church has some serious problems that aren't shared by most other Christian groups. I think a lot of people leave it because of these things. It's probably not the best place to get to know Jesus. smilingjack, have you done a survey of how many atheists used to be Christians? What Christian groups did they leave? Were they really Christians or did they just go to church or belong to a "church" that wasn't really Christian (e.g. Jehovah's Witness). What were their reasons? I can't help suspecting that in many cases they were turned against Christianity by something personal that didn't really have anything to do with real Christian teaching (e.g. being molested by a priest).
1 person likes this
• Philippines
2 Sep 11
thanks for the respect. may i ask why you don't believe in god please?
• Philippines
5 Sep 11
it's nice. We have something in common. Belief is also based on evidences, not just on faith. thanks Laura. Enjoy life :)
• United States
2 Sep 11
the reason why I don't believe in God it is because I have a strong scientific background and the explanation that science offers to nature is, in my opinion, better than what religion explain, also the whole philosophy about religion doesn't convince me, if I would be going to church I would be disrespecting those ones who are believers. My lack of believing have nothing to do with life experiences, I have never been mad at the world or anything like that. It is just a matter of that I am a person that always needs to really understand what is going on and I don't believe in something by faith, I believe in facts.
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
2 Sep 11
Atheists need to band together as a group and do something about the idiots that are attacking you. I just read an article about some jerk who is trying to equate atheists with pedophiles. All rational thinking people know that this is not true, but once this has been stated we all know someone will decide that it is fact. They want to try to make Atheists register as though they were guilty of something. This needs to be stopped now before it goes any further. We live in a very sick world...
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
2 Sep 11
? Who is doing that?
• United States
2 Sep 11
the problem is not really the ones that are religious, the problem is the fanatic ones, it is incredible equate atheist with pedophiles, after all there are pedophiles that are also religious. It is incredible.
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
2 Sep 11
I was on facebook and it was on my wall. I just went looking for it to see if I could get a link, but you know how that stuff slides by during the day. I do not remember whose page it was on. I will keep looking though. It was some religious fanatic politician.
11 Sep 11
I am an atheist and it amazes me how people can believe in something which it such obvious nonsense. I suppose some people just have a need to believe in something despited all the evidence against it. I think it is called the Psychology of Belief by the psycologist
12 Sep 11
Sorry I did not make myself clear. Obvioius nonsense is to believe that somewhere up in the sky or maybe somewhere else is a powerful being who is personally interested in the welfare of any single human being or even the fate of minor planet. I am fully aware that despite the tremendous strides we have made over the past 200 years or so in our scientific knowledge we have still only scratched the surface of what is still to be discovered. There is certainly many mysteries to be solved not just dark matter but also dark energy and why the universe looks the same no matter which direction you look in. Lots to discover yet
• Canada
12 Sep 11
By "obvious nonsense" do you mean believing that science has figured out everything important after studying only one planet in detail, not having any way to detect dark matter other than by its gravity (which only detects large amounts of it), not having a way to study the parallel universes we think exist and having numerous unexplained phenomena in the one planet we know well? That really is nonsense!
@nurseclare (2209)
• Philippines
2 Sep 11
I respect your belief but I am confused of whats the reason behind this. how you became an atheist? This discussion personally disturbed me because I am very religious and spiritual. I just know this life is a blessing from GOD. In times of my ups and down there is GOD. I hope and will pray for you that in time someone will touch your heart and believe in God.
• Kottayam, India
2 Sep 11
Do not worry Gods in control
• United States
2 Sep 11
The reason I don't believe in God is basically because of my strong scientific background, I have many years of study and research, I read a lot, and basically since very early age I find out that I am not a person that can have faith in anything, I believe in fact, and if I don't see a scientifically or mathematical explanation I can't avoid it, I won't fully believe in it. I have a very happy life, I am a very accomplish person, I do volunteer work, not with religious organizations, but I believe in giving back to the community and reinforce education, please don't pray for me, I have meet a lot of people that have touch my heart, and what really touch my heart is the sensitivity that people can have for others and how willing some people are to help others, that is what really touch my heart, and that is not because of god, that is because those people have a good heart, so don't pray for me, I have a great life.
@araboi (41)
• Philippines
2 Sep 11
We have different beliefs in life, for me i believe in God because of how mysterious life can be. I respect different religions, beliefs etc. Many people are like that if you don't believe in God they will tell you that you would go to hell or whatsoever place, and you are right we all have the right to believe in anything. May I ask have you watched the zeitgeist?
• United States
2 Sep 11
I agree with you, I haven't seen it but I have heard about it.
@araboi (41)
• Philippines
3 Sep 11
It's a good documentary it can change our point of views in religion.
• Australia
2 Sep 11
J. S. Mill, the famous English C19th philosopher once said, "One doesn't have to be stupid to be a conservative, but most conservatives are stupid". I would say this applies equally to believers, of any creed. That said, my approach is that some sort of Intelligent Design might exist, but if it does, the possibility of it resembling any of the deities created by the human imagination in any way whatsoever is as remote as a snowball's chance in Hell. Most believers I have met are relatively harmless, and I tolerate their need for religion without too much sarcasm, as a rule, but the problem is that many of them are pure evil and do purely eviol things, especially when they get together in groups (organised religion). But it is not so much the belief in a deity that bothers me, as belief in the inerrancy of scripture, under which doctrine the most inexpressible horror has been inflicted on other groups of humans for at least 8000 years. Lash
• United States
2 Sep 11
oh i totally agree, some people can do horrible things in the name of religion, it is unfortunately bad, because there is enough space in this world for believers and non believers, I also have a lot of friends that are believers, and even at some opportunities I have gone to church with them because I know in some special moments it is important for them, so I support them, and I am happy doing that.
• Canada
8 Sep 11
grandpa_lash, it sounds very bigoted to say that most believers are stupid (although I agree about conservatives). Well how do you define "stupid"? I think most people don't think through what they believe: they just follow their parents or their culture or tradition. How many people when asked who Jesus is will answer, "The son of God," but when you ask them who God is they say, "He doesn't exist"? Atheists and agnostics can be just as pig headed as religious fundamentalists. You claim that religious scripture and doctrine has been inflicting horror for at least 8000 years (that was about 3000 years before writing was invented so I don't know how you can know this). Doesn't religion also tend to tell people that they shouldn't do bad things: rape, murder, steal etc. (OK this is a generalization)? Not all religions are the same. Some (e.g. Aztec polytheism) involve human sacrifice, some (e.g. Jainism) try to avoid killing anything (impractical unless you can photosynthesize and protect yourselves from microbes without killing them). laura_Imaxi, you say that there's enough space in this world for believers and unbelievers. Apart from the fact that it's hard to divide people into believers and unbelievers (the dogmatic atheist is really more of a believer than the "Christian" who doesn't know the Bible and never goes to church), do you really think you can get the Christians and Muslims (and some others) to just stick to their parts of the world and not try to convert and otherwise interfere with the unbelievers? Can you be sure the unbelievers won't take some action against the believers?
@allknowing (130088)
• India
2 Sep 11
I need a prop that I can depend on and what better prop than God Himself. I have every reason to say this as I have seen what happens when one depends on Him. What we call providence is nothing but God's intervention and He will only intervene if one believes in Him.
@allknowing (130088)
• India
2 Sep 11
I go by what I believe in. You have a point actually. God loves all but laura how the whole thing is handled I have no idea. I am happy with my thought process.
• United States
2 Sep 11
"He will only intervene if one believes in Him", the bible say that God suppose to love all of us, that is my problem with some religious people, they twist it to manipulate everybody else, what you are basically saying is that if we don't believe in God he will have horrible luck in life and everything is going to be miserable for all of us.
@cecil04 (409)
• South Africa
3 Sep 11
Everyone has a right to believe in God or not too and I would never put anyone down for not doing so. If I'm a religious person and you are not I wouldn't force it on you. I never talk about God around my friends and some of them do not believe in God but they are still my friends. If everyone was a hardcore believer in their religions we would have had a World War 3(The Religious/Holy War) by now.
• Canada
9 Sep 11
Didn't World War 3 start 10 years ago? I think most western governments are in denial about it and are just sleeping at the wheel while Islam takes over the world.
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
8 Sep 11
I agree no one should put another down for their beliefs or lack of beliefs. Sometimes I think some people just can't understand why the other has their beliefs. In my opinion they should try to understand and question instead of name calling. Tolerance is needed.
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
8 Sep 11
Oops I didn't answer the wuestion..Yes I do believe in a higher force who is first cause that I call God. I do not believe God is an old man in the sky.
@tink91879 (742)
• United States
2 Sep 11
I do have a strong belief in God. I dont shove it down ppls throats. I live by do not judge. Your belief is yours and between you and God is how I look at it. I prefer to show Gods love by being respectful and showing the happiness in my life I feel God has given me. My cousin is an atheist and feels the same as you. I think when ppl come and knock you down it only pushes you further away. Religion is used as a weapon so many times. My pastor mentioned one sunday he hates religion. He is not religious but a follower of christ. He talked about how this would upset some ppl, but if they looked at how ppl have taken religion and used it as a weapon. Used it as a status in life. Everything he said I agreed with. Its hard to find a church where your actually a member and not some outcast. My step-dad uses religion as a weapon and is very judgemental. He always says that person is going to hell. What gives him the right? I cant tell you if jane doe is going to hell or heaven, its not my right, not my job. I think everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. There is not better way to show Gods love than through respect and understanding. Patience and friendship.
• United States
2 Sep 11
I can't agree with you more, my whole family is religious, they are Catholics, but they understand, as you do, that religion can be used to coerce or to discriminate other, that is why we should respect the non-believers and even the people that believe in different things than us, I have seen people saying that muslins or Jews are going to hell. How can you tell? It is impossible. Respect is key
@GeZZaW (2)
2 Sep 11
I am a lot like you :) I am an atheist, I believe in no 'greater being' that watches over us. I do the thought though, I like different ways that people look at the world and I enjoy looking into greek mythology sometimes because I think it's pretty cool if there are loads of gods for different things, I don't believe this to the word or preach in anyway to this, I just find the thought quite interesting :)
• United States
2 Sep 11
omg we probably grew up in the same family i used to do the same, having a book when I was a child about Greek mythology, like you, I don't believe that a supreme being is watching us.