New Here

[NightOwl]

I am new here. I am 37 years old and live in NC. I do consider myself Christian but am having a hard time holding on to those beliefs. It started about a year back when I started trying to study and decide what I believed rather than what others told me I should believe and to make a long story short the more I have got into this the less I am believing. (if that makes any sense).
I do still go to church (Apostolic) but mainly because its like I cant bring myself not to. The whole idea of not believing is scary to me. There are times I get to feeling like I am such an awful person for allowing myself to loose my beliefs. Is there any others here that have came out of deep religous beliefs?

Hope its ok to be on here

Tricia

[calpurnpiso]

I am new here. I am 37 years old and live in NC. I do consider myself Christian but am having a hard time holding on to those beliefs. It started about a year back when I started trying to study and decide what I believed rather than what others told me I should believe and to make a long story short the more I have got into this the less I am believing. (if that makes any sense).
I do still go to church (Apostolic) but mainly because its like I cant bring myself not to. The whole idea of not believing is scary to me. There are times I get to feeling like I am such an awful person for allowing myself to loose my beliefs. Is there any others here that have came out of deep religous beliefs?

Hope its ok to be on here

Tricia
Welcome. This is the place for you to get true salvation. A mind created by the brain is an awful thing to waste. You'll be the happiest man around when you do. You still can go to Church, but think of it as a social club based in Dysneyland. You can enjoy the amusement of the fairy tales while realizing they do not have bases on reality. All of it created by the BRAIN. Remember the more you know the more difficult it is for others to lie. We are after all in the 21st Century not the 12th. Religious beliefs are a form of neurological disorder not unlike schizophrenia. All religions without exception believe in an imaginary friend ( aka god) as if it was reality. It is simply a creation of he brain. WE are the true gods. Enjoy your status, this will induced assertiveness and self assurance when you realize this truth.

[Eva]

welcome to our humble forum, night owl!


many have been through what is happening to you now. we are here to help.
post often and good luck!

[WITHTEETH]

Welcome NightOwl!

:)

[Barney]

Hi and welcome.
I will warn you straight off that if the forum has a profanity filter and you dont like profanity, then switch it on.
That might make only about 1% of all posts readable. actually less than that.

Still, welcome and hope we can be of assistance.

Some resourses for you here.

www.bricktestament.com (http://www.bricktestament.com)
http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/

Thats pretty much all you will need to make your mind up on which way to swing.
After a while, go to Richard Dawkins site and listen to some of Christopher hitchens or Sam Harris's stuff on Youtube.

Theyre not atheisms prophets, but they do seem to be the archbishops!

Have fun.

[ghoulslime]

I am new here. I am 37 years old and live in NC. I do consider myself Christian but am having a hard time holding on to those beliefs. It started about a year back when I started trying to study and decide what I believed rather than what others told me I should believe and to make a long story short the more I have got into this the less I am believing. (if that makes any sense).
I do still go to church (Apostolic) but mainly because its like I cant bring myself not to. The whole idea of not believing is scary to me. There are times I get to feeling like I am such an awful person for allowing myself to loose my beliefs. Is there any others here that have came out of deep religous beliefs?

Hope its ok to be on here

Tricia

Truth can be scary, Tricia.

Welcome to our humble kitchen. We will try to make some chicken soup for your soul.

[JU Mike]

I am new here. I am 37 years old and live in NC. I do consider myself Christian but am having a hard time holding on to those beliefs. It started about a year back when I started trying to study and decide what I believed rather than what others told me I should believe and to make a long story short the more I have got into this the less I am believing. (if that makes any sense).
I do still go to church (Apostolic) but mainly because its like I cant bring myself not to. The whole idea of not believing is scary to me. There are times I get to feeling like I am such an awful person for allowing myself to loose my beliefs. Is there any others here that have came out of deep religous beliefs?

Hope its ok to be on here

Tricia

Welcome to the forum, NightOwl. There is nothing to fear about not believing, and no you are not an awful person for questioning your beliefs. It just shows that are willing to think critically and not just follow the masses. To me it was scary at first too, but later once I deconverted, it was very liberating.

[Livingstrong]

Welcome to the forum. Of course it's OK for you to be here, Tricia. I hope you find here what you are looking for.

[skribb]

Let's break them beliefs down eh?

[ghoulslime]

Let's break them beliefs down eh?

Do you think it is too early to tell her about the atheist robes and the bunny sacrifices?

[crest]

Do you think it is too early to tell her about the atheist robes and the bunny sacrifices?

Robes?! I missed that meeting! Where do I get me some nice godless robes to swish around in?

In all seriousness, welcome NightOwl.

[VladTheImpaler]

I am new here. I am 37 years old and live in NC. I do consider myself Christian but am having a hard time holding on to those beliefs. It started about a year back when I started trying to study and decide what I believed rather than what others told me I should believe and to make a long story short the more I have got into this the less I am believing. (if that makes any sense).
I do still go to church (Apostolic) but mainly because its like I cant bring myself not to. The whole idea of not believing is scary to me. There are times I get to feeling like I am such an awful person for allowing myself to loose my beliefs. Is there any others here that have came out of deep religous beliefs?

Hope its ok to be on here

Tricia

Hey there Tricia,

Sounds like you are on the right path to mental health. I’ve always thought that one of the best ways to become an atheist is to study the Bible. After all, Christianity is entirely based upon the notion that the Bible is accurate and true. So when further study reveals it to be a load of hogwash, cruel and down right stupid, belief in the God of the Bible becomes as nonsensical as belief in Zeus.

I can recommend this video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2061773048178434620

Also, remember that atheists still generally (atheist don’t hold any common philosophical world view other than the fact that we don’t believe in any specific deity, which does not define us) follow ideals such as the golden rule; treat others as you would like to be treated. It’s not like this was some revolutionary concept that Jesus invented anyway.

Also, I feel it is important to stress that atheism does not mean that you necessarily deny the existence of God (any God or Gods). It simply means that there is no evidence to support belief in any such entity and therefore you don’t believe. After all, you don’t go around denying the existence of pink invisible and undetectable flying elephants, yet they could exist.

If there’s no good reason to believe in something you shouldn’t believe in it.

The fear you are feeling is also possibly related to the fear of social rejection, which is a totally understandable and acceptable fear. You just have to accept it and try to deal with it; ultimately isn’t being honest with your self (and others) more important than what some people say and think about you? If you loose friends over atheism, then they are not true friends and ultimately it’s their loss, in my honest opinion.

Anyway, continue to do research, get educated and you’ll probably find that atheism is the only logical position. Good luck!

[antix]

Robes?! I missed that meeting! Where do I get me some nice godless robes to swish around in?

In all seriousness, welcome NightOwl. First you have to contact the Underground Atheist Overlord (you know, the one that writes all of the dogmas of our secret religion) Then you partake in the Feast of Babies, and then you get your robe. :)

OK, to NightOwl: As others have already mentioned, you are indeed not alone in what you're going through. When I first started to question Christianity, it took little time at all to consider myself a non-Christian. Yet belief persisted in other forms-- I suppose some wierd combination of deism/pantheism and agnosticism.

This lasted the better part of 10 years where I didn't really know what I believed or why, but was afraid to get off the fence and call myself an atheist. When I finally did it, I gotta say, it was like looking at the world-- and life in general-- with a whole new sense of wonder and a desire to learn as much as I could about it. This desire continues to this day and I wouldn't trade it in for anything.

[Smellyoldgit]

Is there any others here that have came out of deep religous beliefs?

I'm delighted to never have had any ridiculous supertitious beliefs - I've been eating babies, slaughering kittens, raping choirboys and generally living a wild, immoral life for as long as I can remember.

You'll soon be down here with the worst of us. :P

[Professor Chaos]

Welcome, NightOwl!

It is very much ok to let go of your childish superstitions and join those of us capable of ignoring our brainwashing and engaging in rational thought.

[JU Mike]

Do you think it is too early to tell her about the atheist robes and the bunny sacrifices?

No such thing as "too early", and no such thing as "too late."

[NightOwl]

Thanks everyone




I can recommend this video:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2061773048178434620



Very interesting thanks

[WITHTEETH]

Do you think it is too early to tell her about the atheist robes and the bunny sacrifices?

hmmm I thought all the robes were bunny outfits... damnit!

[skribb]

Thanks everyone




Very interesting thanks
This one is excellent:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8251447278663885234&q=the+naked+truth&ei=zgt3SPXvAp6ijQKHyqGDCw

[NightOwl]

Theres been several things like inconsistancies and also looking at how others had the same belief or conviction that their way is right and trying to get a biblical understanding of why I believe as I do. I am not sure if any are faumillar with the Apostolic Church, but I come from a church that teaches strict holliness. Women dont wear pants makeup jewlery, men have no facial hair, keep their hair short. Some dont have TVs. And its like I am starting to see that this is nothing but legalistic rules, but so many believe it as gospel and have never searched as to why they are taught it is wrong.

I see so many people leave the church because they are so tired of all the rules and its like they still believe it right, So they get the attitude that if I am going to do wrong I might as well go hog wild and then the church makes an example of them like see what happens when you backslide. I am starting to see this as nothing but a cycle of control

I am starting to see that so much about religion is control. Even the Bible is control. The threat of hell hangs over ones head if they dont obey.

Also I am noticing inconsistancies in the bible

Its like I want to be able to believe but as I start looking at things it makes it harder if that makes any sense

[clambake]

Its like I want to be able to believe but as I start looking at things it makes it harder if that makes any sense

It's quite understandable, I know I sorta hung on to that "just maybe" feeling for years long after I shed the fear of going to hell. But after reading Ebon Musings (http://www.ebonmusings.org/atheism/) I realized I was just being a douchey deist and took that final step from religion for good. I still like to peruse the essays every now and again, they are excellent reads.

And welcome to the insanity! :)

[Choobus]

T

Also I am noticing inconsistancies in the bible


That's like noticing cellulite on Rosie O'Donnell's fas ass...........

[Livingstrong]

That's like noticing cellulite on Rosie O'Donnell's fas ass...........

You are bad. :lol:

[VladTheImpaler]

This one is excellent:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8251447278663885234&q=the+naked+truth&ei=zgt3SPXvAp6ijQKHyqGDCw

Thanks!

[skribb]

Thanks!
No problem dude.

That's like noticing cellulite on Rosie O'Donnell's fas ass...........

Fas ass? Fast ass? Fasass?

[nkb]

I'm delighted to never have had any ridiculous supertitious beliefs - I've been eating babies, slaughering kittens, raping choirboys and generally living a wild, immoral life for as long as I can remember.
One of these activities is almost exclusively Christian, Smelly. Are you sure you're an atheist?

[Smellyoldgit]

Hang on - I'll consult the manual - - - - -


---- yup - my piss take & sarcasm detector says yes.

[Atheist Geordie]

Welcome NightOwl. You take your time. Do what you feel is right, look at the evidence for yourself and don't let atheists or theists dictate what you should believe or not as the case may be. Examine he evidence and come to your own conclusion. But most of all be happy :)

[NightOwl]

Welcome NightOwl. You take your time. Do what you feel is right, look at the evidence for yourself and don't let atheists or theists dictate what you should believe or not as the case may be. Examine he evidence and come to your own conclusion. But most of all be happy :)


thanks, thats what I am trying to do

:)

[chrisandrew]

Theres been several things like inconsistancies and also looking at how others had the same belief or conviction that their way is right and trying to get a biblical understanding of why I believe as I do. I am not sure if any are faumillar with the Apostolic Church, but I come from a church that teaches strict holliness. Women dont wear pants makeup jewlery, men have no facial hair, keep their hair short. Some dont have TVs. And its like I am starting to see that this is nothing but legalistic rules, but so many believe it as gospel and have never searched as to why they are taught it is wrong.

I see so many people leave the church because they are so tired of all the rules and its like they still believe it right, So they get the attitude that if I am going to do wrong I might as well go hog wild and then the church makes an example of them like see what happens when you backslide. I am starting to see this as nothing but a cycle of control

I am starting to see that so much about religion is control. Even the Bible is control. The threat of hell hangs over ones head if they dont obey.

Also I am noticing inconsistancies in the bible

Its like I want to be able to believe but as I start looking at things it makes it harder if that makes any sense

Tricia,
Athiests and theists both share a common destiny death. So whatever you choose do your best , time is short .

If you choose the way of Christ you may have to leave your church . There are many false teachers who would water down the teachings of Christ even replace them with: hail marys,book of mormon, watchtower,confession of faith , church membership rule book etc....

Christ said love(mercy, forgiveness,patience, kindness) was the most important thing . Love God , love others. Very simple. Dress codes , prohibition , infant baptism , burning candles etc.. , are inventions of men that thier children have inherited as traditions based on ignorance.

Christ said turn the other cheek , remarrige is adultery etc.. You will have to look very carefully to find those who follow these teachings. They are few ,very few.

If you do embrace a new way of thinking that is superior in all ways please share . I often wonder if there is an easier way to find contentment because the way of Christ is difficult.

[Irreligious]

Christ said love(mercy, forgiveness,patience, kindness) was the most important thing...
Christians don't have a monopoly on these things. Other human beings of various faiths and nonfaith practice them. Meanwhile, many professed Christians don't, even the ones who would deign to tell others that they are not true Christians.

Love God , love others.
It's possible to love others without professing love for a fictious entity.

... Dress codes , prohibition , infant baptism , burning candles etc.. , are inventions of men that thier children have inherited as traditions based on ignorance.
All rules by which humans abide are, necessarily, made by humans, even those that are claimed by some to have come from an alleged supernatural entity. The Bible is completely man-made and plenty of the rules contained in it are quite anachronistic and impractical for 21st century folk to observe and many of them, too, were based on ignorance: These would include many of the rules contained in Leviticus that offer guidance on the proper protocols for animal sacrifices and prohibitions against consorting with people who have physical deformities, among many others.

Christ said turn the other cheek , remarrige is adultery etc.. You will have to look very carefully to find those who follow these teachings. They are few ,very few.
Well, it's not a natural human predilection to succumb to an attack, unless the victim feels that he or she is powerless against his or her aggressor. Remarriage is considered adultery by some religious types, but it is not universally considered so. Yours is a human point of view, just like marriage, itself, is a human-made institution.

If you do embrace a new way of thinking that is superior in all ways please share . I often wonder if there is an easier way to find contentment because the way of Christ is difficult.
Life is difficult. Trying to live up to some imaged Christian ideal might make it more difficult than it necessarily has to be, however.

[NightOwl]

Tricia,


If you do embrace a new way of thinking that is superior in all ways please share . I often wonder if there is an easier way to find contentment because the way of Christ is difficult.


This is not me trying to find an easier way as you seem to imply but rather a journey that has started with me being challanged to see if my beliefs could really be found in the Bible. The more I would study the bible, the more confusing things got. The less things I thought I was solid in my beliefs in really made sense
I am not trying to find an easier way but rather get a grasp on why I believe as I do. Infact the mere idea that God may not exist is scary to me, But I cant just go on saying I believe somthing because everyone says I should.
I still dont know where this journey will end me but I have started this and need to finish this
If that makes any sense to you