Has anyone here lost their religion or faith after years of believing in something?

[Thinkzalot]

Do you find yourself at peace because the burden has been lifted or still worried about what may be waiting in the afterlife if there is one? Because many religions use scare tactics and psychology ie. Heaven if your good and hell if you're bad etc.. Do you feel guilty? Or have you happily turned your back and can honestly say you don't ever think you may be making the wrong choice?

[Marijn]

Sandyroe, I don't want religion in my life any more. If I am wrong, I hope God will forgive me. I feel religion has done me harm. If you are praying for us that is kind of you, thank you.

[naomi24]

Notafish, no one knows if there's a God - no one - but if there is it isn't the God of the Bible or of the Koran. Logic dictates it has to be something much greater than that. Love is the most important thing in this world - not fear of an imaginary entity and the punishment that wicked men have decided it will mete out to you. Peace and love to you. x

[sandyRoe]

John 4:8
Whosoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

[jomifl]

There are plenty of religous people on AB who pray regularly (allegedly) for us atheists so whatever the truth of it is we will all be saved ( assuming that the recent post about only 144000 souls going to heaven is erroneous). What do souls do in heaven anyway it will be a bit of a change in lifestyle, no need to pray any more!

[BettyNoir]

Yes. I was raised in a Christian household and taught at a Christian school. So basically i was taught that everything written in the bible is fact. When i got old enough i began to doubt everything i'd been told, which was scary because i was also told that god was going to strike me down for not believing in him. Once i'd gotten over that I felt very free, and now i couldn't be happier to be an atheist.

[jomifl]

It is a commensal relationship..The believers save atheists mortal souls whilst the atheists save their corrupt bodies.

[Marijn]

Thank you Naomi, I appreciate your kind words. You said you have shaken off the religion you were brought up with, so I know you understand how hard it is.

[naomi24]

You're welcome Notafish. It isn't easy to re-educate yourself against indoctrination but you recognise that, and you've made a conscious and positive decision to take control of your own life and responsibility for yourself - and that to my mind takes courage and enormous strength of character. Well done you! If I can help at any time, please just let me know. x

[RATTER15]

So Sandyroe, if God is love what is it I feel when I hold my partner or when I first saw my children born, I don't believe in any god, are you saying I cant love.

You really do talk out of your a$$ sometimes.

[sandyRoe]

God's greatest gift to us IS love. It's sad that good people who enjoy that gift from above don't see where it has come from.

[naomi24]

^^ Hopeless!! :o)

[Zabadak]

Faithless? 8-)

[Marijn]

People can have faith in themselves, and therefore are not faithless. :-)

[jomifl]

Sandy..'gift from above' being some kind of metaphor for sunshine or rain or snow or lightning? You aren't trying to say obliquely that god lives in heaven which is 'up there' are you? I thought that we had all agreed ages ago that the bible is all metaphor so that all we have to do is find out for what it is a metaphor.

[Zabadak]

RATTER15: I agree with you wholly that love is almost overwhelming for partners when their child is born. For me, my daughter's birth marked a time when I felt absolutely full of love, and therefore (for me) also a time when I felt closest to God - and even most like God as a creator of life.
It would be nonsense to say that a non-believer cannot feel love: you don't have to believe in something to experience its effects. I wish you all joy in family life!

[vivandorron]

Hi Thinkalot.....I hope you and other ABers are still threaded to your question; in which case it would be interesting to have a few further comments on the issue concerned: especially from the 'believers'.

This evening it has been reported that seven million people are starving and homeless in Pakistan as a result of horrendous floods.

Consequently I ask the question.."What part has a supposed all powerful loving God played in this tragedy."

Ron.

[sandyRoe]

There will never be a better opportunity for us to show one of the great Christian virtues, Charity.
God works in mysterious ways his wonders to perform.

[jackles]

i believe once you re dead,thats it.no one seems to think animals have an after life or go to heaven or hell so why should we be any different?

[vivandorron]

sandy...I'm going along with jackles. Do you honestly believe that your God has shown Charity towards the people of Pakistan. A real wonder you may say.!!!

Ron