My brother doesn't believe in God. I can't stand it.

United States
January 10, 2007 11:46pm CST
We were raised in church. Our foster dad was a minister and my brother doesn't believe in God. I don't call myself a real religiouse person but I do say I'm spiritual. I cringe when I hear him say that God doesn't exist. I fear for his soul. I'm not a bible thumper at all but I am God fearing. I don't want my little brother going to hell. Wow I wish I didn't even have to think about it. Anyone have any thoughts on this?
7 people like this
92 responses
@crassus (113)
• United States
11 Jan 07
Does he oppose christianity, or religion in general, or does he just chose to avoid the religious world? Either way, he isn't causing harm to anyone, so there is no need for worrying.
4 people like this
@lizabeth (666)
• United States
11 Jan 07
All you can do for him is tell him the way to go and pray that he eventually will. I know its hard hearing something like that from a family member. Stay strong.
3 people like this
• Nigeria
11 Jan 07
thank God for you response we need people like you alot on mylot.
1 person likes this
@avs189 (1030)
• India
11 Jan 07
One cannot impose oneself on another ..ur trying to convey ur view on him..let him beleive what he feels ,nuthing is wroong..for persons with strong belief in them are the only ones who achieve gr8 heights of success!!!!
3 people like this
@anne_143god (5387)
• Philippines
11 Jan 07
The only thing you can do is to pray for him that God touch him to make him believe in him. I do believe on the power of prayer if you are really sincere on what you are asking and it is for your good then God will grant it. Just wait and see the result, keep on praying.
@dogdancer (105)
11 Jan 07
i used to be a believer myself but am strictly atheist nowdays. your brother should be able to express his beliefs and opinions freely as long as he isnt out to deliberatly insult the beliefs or opinions of others. As i made my own transition from believer to atheist i figured that god (if he did exist) would understand. i'm a pretty decent chap generally and he IS supposed to be all forgiving. if it helps just consider him a wanderer from the flock - the shepherd still has his eye on him though.
13 Jan 07
What worries me most of all, is that your beliefs seem to be causing you so much pain and worry. Having a God in your heart, should really bring you a feeling of contentment, yet you say that the worry over your brother (and we do all get concerned over our families well-being) to such an extent as to need the myLot communities help, when you are both still so young, and should be relatively carefree. Don't listen so closely to the pulpit, religion has become a power, and the bible teaches that power corrupts, listen more to your own heart. Your brother is not embracing Satan, as some answers seem to state, or imply, he is just not embracing your churches view of God. The 2 are not the same thing, and from what you say, he seems a decent enough lad, so you needn't worry so much. Live your own life, and be good.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Jan 07
Thank you for your insight. I like that you stated your opinion and and I didn't feel that you were jumping down my throat like some of the other people. You are correct that I shouldn't worry I guess. I need to leave this burdon with God.
1 person likes this
@nuffsed (1271)
11 Jan 07
Well, I prefer to believe that if there is a big un up there. Then the big un will go anbout the big uns' business and decide at some stage whether I'm a good un or a bad un... I happen to believe that I am a good un, I live by humanitarian values. I care more for people than for goods and money. I guess I've done a fair bit for others along the way too. Now I don't know if I've done enough, nor does any religious believer. It's all a matter of faith. I do not think about it at all. I just live my life. I find no need to be religious, even if you are lol So I'm not!!! :) Just look and see if your Brother is a good guy. If you can see it,then your god surely can.
12 Jan 07
I agree whole-heartedly with nuffseds view, I think that if you live a life where you are tolerant of others, consider the impact your decisions may have on others, and generally behave in a decent manner throughout your life, then no God would turn you away.
• Pakistan
11 Jan 07
YES U R RIGHT AND I IMPRESSED THT U CARE UR BROTHER A LOT DO SOMETHING FOR UR BROTHER BCOZ HE IS COMPELETLY WRONG DID HE HAV ANY PROOF THT THERE IS NO GOD BT U HAV PRROF DONT U SEE HOW SUN COME IN MORNING AT SPECIFIC TIME AND GO AT EVENING HOW CAN SUN DO THIS A GR8 POWER IS BEHIND THIS
2 people like this
16 Jan 07
The sun comes up in the morning because Phoebus Apollo pulls it behind his golden chariot (roman religion), and is chased by the wolf (Norse religion)! It proves nothing. On the note of your name 'Imkindofabigdeal', the bible teaches that 'pride comes before a stumble, haughtiness before a fall' (theough, that is another quotation that most Christians have re-written into 'pride comes before a fall', in their ignorance) and isn't pride/ego a cardinal sin?
• United States
11 Jan 07
Thank you for a great comment
1 person likes this
@rahulmig (1030)
• India
11 Jan 07
Dont Get Shocked !! if ur brother Dont Believes in God... Its His Wish if he wanna Belive in God !!!
2 people like this
@JG1950 (27)
• India
11 Jan 07
Why you worry about him? God will take care of him.As he grows old he will turn into a believer.God always creates miracles.Be patient.Pray for him.
2 people like this
• Indonesia
11 Jan 07
try him to make something alive like frankenstein than you will know what god for
• Ireland
11 Jan 07
Hi! I don't know how old your brother is, but I do know that many teenagers start to question their beliefs and what they have been taught. I grew up in a very conservative religious (Christian) community, and in my early teens I started to question this, and decided that I did believe in God but that He was evil! (seeing all the horror around me...) Then I went through an atheist stage, then I explored a few more religions until I found my own, more balanced, way. I think this is very common, especially for children who have been brought up in a conservative religious community. Teenagers naturally rebel after all - it's healthy! Your brother may naturally come back to the Christian faith in time, but I don;t think he ever will if you or others try to push him to do that. I understand that you are a Christian believer and that you worry about him. Taking that into account, if I were you I would continue to pray for him (but in private so he doesn't know!!! Otherwise it would anger him even more!!), and to be his friend and support him.
2 people like this
@suny1946 (275)
• China
11 Jan 07
I believe god.
2 people like this
@serene2 (278)
• New Zealand
11 Jan 07
Pray for your brother and leave him to GOD. You can't change him or his way of thinking. Seeds have already been sown into his heart. These seeds will sprout in GODs time. Just keep your hands off, and keep lifting him to our FATHER in heaven.
2 people like this
• United States
11 Jan 07
This is the best conclusion I have come to. Thanks
1 person likes this
• India
11 Jan 07
u can b master of urself n nt others..every man has a freedom to do what he feels is good n satisfying..u believe in god n u carry on with ur life praying to god..let him not beleive in god..i m sure 1 day he certainky ll understand the greatness of god..
2 people like this
• Melbourne, Florida
11 Jan 07
I was brought up going to S.Baptist church, then in my teens, mom switched us to Catholic church. The conflicting doctrines made me believe that the church was a lie. I turned away from God, and it was as an Atheist that I learned the truth about God. He is way too big for any one religion. We all have our own path, and you cannot be concerned with someone else's path. Just trust in the fact that God believes in your brother.
2 people like this
@manzician (4727)
• India
11 Jan 07
See. I am also an atheist and sometimes I face the problem which you and your brother are facing. My parents also be very angry at me at times. I feel that everybody should have right to decide about their religious belief. Your brother has full right to decide whether he believes in god or not. But he should not to do anything which offend you. Try to talk to him about it and I am sure he will understand.
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Jan 07
No, believe me I never bug him about it and pressure him. I just say I'm scared for you, when he mentions it.
1 person likes this
@ironmike (26)
11 Jan 07
Hi there, I read what you said, and i dont beleive that he will go to hell. I beleive that if you are a good person and you dont harm others aroung you you will go to a better place. Who are we to juge who goes to hell and who dosent. Yes this is a sensative topic but i dont beleive that we should force relgion on people. God will do his thing to your brother and when he does your brother will be a beleiver. Remeber god works in many ways. Kind Regards, Ironmike (Oh do you want to be my friend)
1 person likes this
@vijethk (105)
• India
11 Jan 07
wil thatso
• Israel
11 Jan 07
Where in your religion does it say a person who does not believe in God goes to hell? Shouldn't the actions of a person be the basis by which that sort of judgment is made? How many atrocities have been made in the name of God? Would you say a terrorist went to Heaven simply for his belief in Allah? They certainly believe so, and they believe they're doing His bidding when they kill others. And yet, you fear for your brothers' soul because he does not believe in God? If God is such a vain entity that he would judge simply based on worship, then trust me, your faith is misplaced. If you believe in a truly just God, your brothers' faith or lack thereof should not worry you as long as he is a GOOD person.
• United States
11 Jan 07
My brother is a good person. However I do believe that people who do not believe in our heavenly fater will not spend eternity with him. The terrorists went to hell because they are murderers. simply put.
@Zephory (176)
• United States
11 Jan 07
my thoughts are pretty simple..he is your brother love him for that....the key getting into heaven is simple...there is good and evil...
1 person likes this
@devideddi (1435)
• United States
12 Jan 07
The only "key" to heaven is Jesus Christ
@benks420 (215)
• Canada
11 Jan 07
I don't think God is someone that should be forced apon anyone. If they choose to believe it then they will. But don't try and force it apon him. I'm sure your brother is saying "I cringe when I hear my sister ranting on about God and why I should believe in him". What if your brother was a different religion... would you want him forcing his beliefes apon you?
@benks420 (215)
• Canada
12 Jan 07
Worrying wont build a bridge. What you should do is be happy for him because he is happy, wether or not he believes in god, I'm sure he is happy.
• United States
11 Jan 07
I didn't once say that I force anything on my brother. I simply worry about his eternal life, because he won't worry about it himself.
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Jan 07
First of all, your brother has what many of us would call the "God given right" to believe whatever he likes. My advice to you would be to let sleeping dogs lie and leave your brother alone on this. Religious disagreements can cause huge rifts in otherwise close families. The fact is that, no matter how much you may want to change things, your brother has a mind of his own and will act accordingly. I don't believe in God either, and fortunately neither does my brother, but I can tell you this, if he were trying to convince me of the existence of something that I don't believe in, we wouldn't be talking to each other. Sometimes you just have to let people believe what they choose.
1 person likes this