"Atheists, why not believe in god so that you won't go to hell...?
By nextgen
@nextgen (1888)
India
September 21, 2006 1:44pm CST
....or have a religion so you will be saved." I see these type of questions often, but how can an atheist "believe" in god or follow a religion if they truly don't believe in any such thing? Especially if they were brought up in say a Catholic or Christian family, and come to the conclusion in their own sense that there is no god? what is the point in lying to give people who believe the satisfaction of knowing that their numbers are growing with lies and deception?
2 people like this
4 responses
@angelashupe (343)
• United States
24 Jan 07
Being Athiest doesn't mean I'm trying to avoid going to hell. It means I don't believe in any God, and with that I don't believe in hell either. It's not a 'scape goat' as some might thing. It's a true belief that some people feel strongly about.
I have gone around and around on my beliefs. Looking into different options, learning more about different religions that interested me. In the end I did realize I am simply Athiest. I feel, in the end, that is what I was looking for. Granted it's not a religion, it is a belief. And it's mine.
@innocentobsession (45)
• United States
10 May 07
Thats absolutely right! I've been there.
I also believe that people seek out a God so they have some direction in their life. They have someone to help make their decisions, and they have someone to blame when things go wrong.
Trust me... It's really difficult being an athiest. I would LOVE to know that I could count on someone higher up to help me out in life. Without a god I have to rely on myself, take responsibility for my actions, and live believing that... there is no heaven, no hell, no afterlife. I still wonder what happens when we die. I question reincarnation... I don't like to think that we are born to rot in a grave. I don't know. I'm still not clear on my beliefs there.
@DRoddy77 (1776)
• United States
30 Sep 06
Because most atheists dont believe in Hell, either! I was also brought up in a very religious family and was forced to go to church every Sunday, participate in various church functions..etc. As I got older, I too began to question the belief that there could be this man that no one can see and supposedly lives up in the sky? Sounds too much like a myth or a fairy tale to me. It would be a nice thought, but really, if there was a GOD why would there be so many horrendous things going on in this world today to innocent people? If God is so wonderful, why would he let those things happen? If there IS a God and he still lets things like that happen, then I dont WANT to know him. Think about it. Just because I dont believe in God doesnt make me a bad person. I'm one of the nicest and most caring people that you could ever meet.
@innocentobsession (45)
• United States
10 May 07
Although I agree with most of the things you said, from the catholic stand point... God doesn't "allow" these things to happen. That's a part of our free will. It is the free will and the decisions of evil people who create disasters to innocent people... unless you are talking about natural disasters. I don't think that catholics believe that God controls the weather.
Also, another way to look at it is that it's not God who allows these things to happen, it's the devil that influences man to do evil. God doesn't want to control people to do good because that would defeat the whole purpose of a judgement day. God put us on earth to test our loyalty to him after Lucifer betrayed him. Why would he control our actions if he wanted to see what we would do?
Speaking of innocent people... Jesus Christ was innocent. God "let" him be crucified. There was a hidden meaning in it... the gates of heaven were opened. He didn't really "let him be crucified"... it was the pharisees who crucified him for being blasphemous.
So... there are many reasons I don't believe there is a God... but I don't think "if there was a GOD why would there be so many horrendous things going on in the world today to innocent people?"
@Lackingstyle (7509)
•
21 Sep 06
Believing in yourself above all will save yourself from acts that under any religion would lead you onto a path to hell.
