I can't believe in a God.?

Question

I was raised within a fairly religious family. My father is an atheist, but he never talked about anything, and he keeps to himself. My mom is kind of.. something.

Other than that, every other woman and man in my family is religious, and I was raised around "God" and "Jesus" and the Bible. At about six or seven, I can honestly say I did not understand the concept of a magic man we can't see making us. As I got older, I didn't understand how an all-knowing being could offer free-will when such a thing would not exist under that being.

I've always struggled, but I've always truly known. I could never believe, because it seemed so absurd. Science gives me answers, and I learn things every day from it that I didn't know before, but with religion, all I'm offered is, "A great being of great power, great knowledge and great love made us. That's how we're here." But I couldn't ever believe it. When I was roughly 8-9, I thought people lied to me because it was similar to Santa Claus, and I knew he didn't exist by then. I thought they said things like that to make me feel better about dying. I also learned about the existence of other God's, like in Greek and Roman mythology. I wondered why no one talked about them like "THE God". Whatever that meant.

I accept that death is apart of life, and it'll happen one day, and when that day comes, I have no way of knowing what will happen. But I know I most likely wont be with the people I love. At age 12, I wondered why people would feed this to me and bring up my hopes when they had nothing to support them other than, "I believe.".

I'm 15 now, and an Atheist. As much of a dreamer as I am, when it comes to the real world, I want answers. Not blind hope and faith(I already have bad sight problems, I don't want to close my eyes and just wish). The religious can make their arguments for their beliefs, which are good, but never have I seen an argument that answered HOW exactly they know, beyond "I can just feel it deep down.". That is what frustrated me since the concept of religion got clearer for me with age.

Answer 1

Do some research on science in the bible. The bible contains scientific facts that predate scientific discovery of those facts. Then ask your science teacher simple questions like how can nothing create everything? How did non life create life? How did asexual life become sexual and why since asexual reproduction is more efficient? What came 1st the flower or the insect that pollinates the flower? If evolution takes millions of years how the did the flower or insect survive millions of years waiting for the other to evolve? What can 1st the bodies abillity to digest food or the protective lining in the stomach that protects us from the bodies digestive fluid? Keep asking questions and don't accept lame answers.

Answer 2

Yes, you're right, it isn't a question, but then I don't always give an answer, so who am I to throw stones?

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I'm curious, though. You said you were raised in a religious home, but your father is an atheist, and you don't even know how to characterize your mother's faith. That just doesn't sound particularly religious to me. I guess your other relatives made up for that.

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You also said "The religious can make their arguments for their beliefs, which are good...". One of my main problems is that I don't find their arguments particularly good. In fact, I find the great majority of them very lacking, but still the best they can do. They can't present a cogent argument for the existence of their gods, because one doesn't exist, so they appeal to faith, and often the blind assertion that one has to accept into your heart first, and *then* you will be in communion with the holy one. That just doesn't work for me, and I'm surprised it works on anyone, but apparently it does.

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The most rabid of believers will be convinced that is deceiving you. Well, who can argue with that? Any time a delusional person tells me that I can't see the truth because I am possessed by demons, any hope of a constructive conversation is over, and it's time to move on.

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Good luck.

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Answer 3

I've struggled with the same thing. Honestly, part of it for me is based on fear. I want to have an inkling of what will happen when I die, and I'd like to believe that it is something good. You said you don't want anyone convincing you, so I'll just explain my thought process.



I've heard tons of arguments, and for me too, faith just isn't enough. I can't just "believe" in something with no evidence. I can have faith, I just need something else. There are a few arguments I have heard that particularly stuck with me: (1) the universe has rules, and it should make sense that something created those rules; (2) the sheer odds of life existing, let alone intelligent life, in this universe is so ******* small, I can't help but believe that some higher power had something to do with it; and (3) the universe doesn't have to exist, and yet it does.



But recently I have come to the conclusion that belief in God is irrelevant. Salvation is not based upon faith, it is based upon your ability to love your neighbor. That was the primary message of Christ. I struggled with the fact that some people can go their entire lives not even knowing that Christ existed. Why should they be condemned for something they don't even know about? God cannot be like that. So I reached the conclusion that a life of good faith (that is, a life without sin) is all that is required for salvation. And if that is the case, knowledge or belief in God is unnecessary. When you live a life of good faith, you are reaching toward God, whether you know it or not. God does not require you to believe in Him. Nor does He require you to do anything else. We make our own choices, and that is what determines whether or not we are saved.



Don't be too bothered about any of this. Just try to live a life of love, and you will have nothing to worry about.

Answer 4

Allyssa, it seems like you might not have had an opportunity to really look into the bible. I would encourage you to do that to help you make a knowledgeable decision. The bible has answers to knowing what qualities God has. For example the bible says at James chapter 1 verse 13 that "when under trial let no one Say am being tried by God. For with evil God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone. So God cannot be the source of wickedness you see around the world today. The bible is God's word to mankind. Please go to jw.org and download the book "what does the bible really teach?" In that publication, you will find answers to why God should be real to us and what he promises mankind for the future.

Answer 5

God/Jesus is not a magic man. He is God.



There's more evidence than that:



www.creation.com

www.answersingenesis.org

www.reasonablefaith.com

www.christianthinktank.com

www.carm.org

www.everystudent.com

www.godandscience.org

www.christiananswers.net

www.rationalchristianity.org

www.tektonics.org



book: I Don't Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist



I became a Christian and after I did I decided to question my beliefs. I wanted to know for myself if God, Jesus, the Bible, creation, etc. etc. was all true or if I was just believing a big lie. Now, are you willing to question and do your own research? There are some former beliefs I no longer believe.



1. I used to believe God was a monster in the OT, but I no longer do.

2. I used to believe in eternal torture in Hell, but now I know the Bible doesn't teach that and it is a lie.

3. That Christianity was about blind unquestioning faith. I found out the Bible doesn't teach that at all.



if you are interested, more info can be found at www.helltruth.com and http://jeremyandchristine.com/articles/eternal.php





Anyway, so I questioned my beliefs. I didn't just blindly believe all this Christian, Bible, God, Jesus stuff blindly. I wanted to know for myself.



I cannot make you nor am I going to force you to look at those sites I provided or to question your beliefs or whatever you want to call them or to question Atheism. That's up to you decide. All I know is from my research..which includes more than what I've given...I have no doubt that the Bible and God and Jesus are real.



I've questioned my beliefs...are you willing to question yours or will you settle for blind unquestioning faith in Atheism?



Choice is yours.

Answer 6

"I would challenge anyone here to think of a question upon which we once had a scientific answer, however inadequate, but for which now the best answer is a religious one. Now, you can think of an uncountable number of questions that run the other way, where we once had a religious answer and now the authority of religion has been battered and nullified by science, and by moral progress, and by secular progress generally. And I think that’s not an accident." -- Sam Harris



“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?” -- Epicurus



"I cannot see why we should expect an infinite God to do better in another world than he does in this." -- Robert G. Ingersoll

Answer 7

Hello,



You can't believe in God because you've never learnt anything accurate about him. Do you like to read? or click on links and just listen?



Why not read this brochure The Origin of Life--Five Questions Worth Asking

http://www.jw.org/download/?fileformat=PDF&output=html&pub=yp1&langwritten=E&option=TRGCHlZRQVNYVrXF



It's a PDF brochure about 32 pages long. I know young people don't read very much nowadays so I'll link to the JEHOVAH'S WITNESS website where there are videos and audio links to spiritual information for teenagers. That way you don't have to read but you can still learn.





STUFF FOR TEENAGERS

http://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/family/teenagers/



You're far too young to believe you know everything you will ever need to know on this subject, why not click and listen for a few minutes?





EDIT No sweetie, going to church means nothing (you don't learn anything accurate about anything spiritual from church, that's just singing and listening to someone clap their hands or drone about the saints for an hour...) if you want to know God you need to read accurate information and you need help - you may have read bits of the bible but you don't UNDERSTAND what you read. It's a bit like saying "I've seen planes so I know about being a pilot" you need years of learning to be a pilot, you need years (or at least months) of learnng to understand the bible and no, you cannot do it alone. Sorry



Anyway, the links are for any young people that ARE hungry for good accurate and intellectually challenging information. Just ignore them if you are not interested, hopefully ANOTHER young persona will get curious and click on the links.

Answer 8

Umm well I believe at the hours of darkness God and Goddess, they dont relatively care if I make mistakes....So long as I dont reason damage to nature, which i would never do seeing that i am vegetarian and i really like the Earth =)

Answer 9

You are a child and do not have all the knowledge you need to know the truth.

I am so sad that you decided at that age and that your parents did not take the trouble to see that you needed help allowed you to be that way.



I suggest you go to www.gotquestions.org and read and read and read



you do not want to go to hell with the devil so do not leave any rock unturned.

Answer 10

Next time post your question in the science section.

Answer 11

My advice to you is to keep thinking. Keep questioning. Keep asking questions. You seem very smart - stay that way, religion will take your intellect away.

Answer 12

I can't either. Faith isn't really something you can't force, you either have it or you don't.

Answer 13

If you want to, but I don't recommend it.

Answer 14

I aint readin all that shyt gurl

Answer 15

I was a born again Christian, not living in sin, baptized in water, baptized in the Holy Spirit. I was receiving revelation from Jesus, I experienced His guidance in my life and I was living what I thought was a good Christian life. We were reading the Bible at meal times, praying as a family. We were teaching our children about Jesus, had no television, never went to the movies or places of worldly pleasure. My children did not go to discos or hang out with friends, never slept out. My wife never worked out so the children came home from school and did their homework and their chores. They had the contract to deliver a weekly newspaper, which kept them very busy two afternoons a week and also earned them some good pocket money.

I had an executive job as general manger of a manufacturing company. I was not ashamed to testify for Jesus, and managed my business so others knew I was a Christian. I had a track record of fixing unprofitable companies turning them to productivity and profitability. I had a reputation for being a straight honest business man who did not accept half measures or poor performance, neither in my own company nor in the service we delivered to our customers.

We were financially blessed and by my understanding we were doing right in the sight of God and Jesus was pleased with us. Then I had the shock of my life, I had a heart attack, died, left my body and found myself going down a deep black hole, on my way to hell. I knew I was not coming back, it was final, my time was up. (My detailed testimony is on my website and youtube channel) I pleaded with Jesus to let me come back and warn others of the reality of hell and to prepare. Jesus did let me come back but my relationship with Jesus would never be the same after that. I had the fear of God in me and still do.

I was so sure that I was right with Jesus and then I had to find that I was on my way to hell. By all standards that I knew from reading the Bible I believed that I was doing good and I was saved. What I did not understand was that I was living for ME, not for Jesus. Until then everything had been about ME, my achievement, everything that Jesus had done for me and given me, even the baptism in the Holy Spirit, gift of speaking in tongues, revelations, dreams, guidance, answering my prayers, blessing me and my family financially and in all ways, physically, with good health and prosperity. Even with all that I was going to hell.



I started warning people, sharing my testimony. Soon I learned that most people do not really listen to what you are telling them. I went to churches and gave my testimony, but they were not interested. they want sensation. It is all about their church and their own importance. They are not interested in testimonies of Jesus, especially when you tell people to repent and explain that you were a good Christian and found yourself on your way to hell. I made fliers and put them in people's mailboxes but rarely received feedback. With time I testified less and basically gave up but that was a mistake.



I had to learn, it is not about results of reaction, IT IS ABOUT OBEDIENCE AND BEING PLEASING TO JESUS, DOING WHAT JESUS WANTS YOU TO DO. It is about following the Master, waiting on Him, seeking Him in prayer. Jesus wants ABSOLUTE HOLINESS, He does not tolerate disobedience, not one sin, not one evil thought, no rebellion. It is all about Jesus and His Kingdom, not about us. We MUST CHASE AFTER JESUS, FOLLOW HIM.



Jesus did not leave me alone, He was teaching me, coaching me. The devil was attacking me with fear about another heart attack. I was under severe stress, lying awake at night with my heart throbbing, in pain, sweating profusely, not knowing if I would see the sun rise the next morning. I knew that I will die again but I had to be sure that when my time comes that I do not go down the black hole to hell again. I was constantly praying, day and night. I was in an inner struggle for more than a year. I never spoke to anybody about it, never went to the doctor, never took tranquilizers. My business was with Jesus. I had to overcome. I had to resist the devil and overcome him. I had to overcome my flesh, my fears, my concern about myself. I had to fight a force bigger than me. I lost interest in the things that used to be important to me because I was busy with a bigger struggle. The pleasures of life lost their attraction.



After a year the Holy Spirit had burned the dross out of me. My focus was on Jesus and on pleasing Him. The pain in my chest that kept on coming back disappeared. I ignored the devil who had plagued me with doubt and anxiety, he could not intimidate me any more, I had won the battle against my own doubt in Jesus. I was interested in Jesus and His Kingdom.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUwWs0s0cmY

Answer 16

I can't either! Welcome to the club.