I don't believe in God, do you?

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.

or... they could simply be hypocrites, and most are exactly that.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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).

it's nice. We have something in common. Belief is also based on evidences, not just on faith. thanks Laura. Enjoy life :)

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.

? Who is doing that?

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

"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.

Do not worry Gods in control

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.

I agree with you, I haven't seen it but I have heard about it.

It's a good documentary it can change our point of views in religion.

that is so right I totally agree with you, everybody should be able to decide what they believe on.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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

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.