Lost faith / Changed faith experiences:

[christopher d]

So I'm curious. Why DID you cease believing in God, if you don't mind my asking?
It's not really germane to this discussion, but basically because there wasn't any evidence to support that belief - and therefore I changed my conclusion to "unknown and unlikely". If you want to continue this side discussion, I'd be glad to do it via PM or another thread.
Sounds like a great topic to me. Have at it, folks :)

[Foosinho]

OK, well I suppose I had better elaborate.

It wasn't any one singular formative event. As I got older, and more educated (not just in a "book" sense) my world view shifted in lots of ways. One of those changes was a commitment to "freethought", which in turn led to an eventual move to soft atheism.

[YankHibee]

I got degrees in history and theology--that pretty much did me in.

[Chicago1871]

Years of science, anthropology, psychology, philosophy, sociology, mythology, and religion. I remember sitting in the Dayton, OH airport my junior year of college having a beer with a buddy before our flights home for Thanksgiving and we were continuing a discussion from an earlier class when I realized that I was an agnostic. I think I had been for some time, but it didn't really hit me till that moment. Over the last few years my belief has only strengthened to the point where I consider myself an agnostic atheist--I am of the view that God may or may not exist, but that his non-existence is more likely.

[Dadinho]

I wish that God did exist, but, to me, the likelihood is almost zero. My personal experience doesn´t appear much different than anyone else here. My disbelief has slowly increased, starting at a young age and really maturing over the last five years along with my intellectual growth.

[dawgpound2]

Have you guys who proclaim atheism thought about asking Him whether He exists or not?

He'll tell ya.

[bojendyk]

Nothing really dramatic about it. I suppose I started feeling like an agnostic in high school without realizing it. Come college, I felt pretty comfortable admitting that I was an agnostic. By graduate school, even that doubt had left me. I really can't remember whether anything triggered it, other than I recall realizing that the eternal existence of the universe was no less likely or wacky than a belief in an eternal heaven.

I'm a firm atheist.

I sometimes think that the world would be better if there were no religion at all, but no doubt some other form of tribalism would emerge in its place.

[Riz]

I got degrees in history and theology--that pretty much did me in.

I've run into more atheists with their M.Divs, it's amazing, heh.

I think I changed my faith about 4 years or so - I actually went the opposite way, from being a very very lazy person spiritually (show up for Mass, don't think much about what's going on) into an overall more spiritual person.

*shrugs*

It works for me.

[YankHibee]

Have you guys who proclaim atheism thought about asking Him whether He exists or not?

He'll tell ya.


We asked, nothingness replied with all sorts of proof that nothingness is whats there.

[servotron]

I asked many times and I may never stop asking.

Believe me I, and probably most atheists, would love for the answer to be that simple.
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Anyways, my experience was growing up in the church. My father is a Lutheran minister and my mother a church organist and teacher. Both by any standard highly intelligent, rational people. I would say that by the age of 12 or so I started asking questions, always to myself, about the existence of a god and I don't remember there being any one event that broke the camel's back so to speak.

I have little doubt that I will go to my deathbed an atheist, and honestly it doesn't bother me at all.

[dawgpound2]

I asked many times and I may never stop asking.

Believe me I, and probably most atheists, would love for the answer to be that simple.
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Ay, there's the rub. Genuine faith in God is either really simple or really, really difficult. Depends on your perspective.

[IntheNet]

Sounds like a great topic to me. Have at it, folks :)

Inasmuch as I am supportive of this religion subforum (I advocated and petitioned for its existence at one point) I am at a loss to understand why a topic like "Lost faith" should be advanced as a thread... Nonetheless, I suppose some might find it pertinent and relevant... that's really not for me to say I guess...

In today's growing secular and anti-religion culture, as opposed to the growing abandonment of belief by the weak, my faith has been enhanced and fostered... We face numerous challenges domestically and internationally today and most involve some aspect of religion. From abortion to terrorism, one must have faith and religious belief in order to understand the truth of these issues; the secular are blind to truth in its every form. Further, we have a duty, as patriotic Americans, to instill our faith and the faith of our fathers to the latest generation to assure an America of tomorrow with the moral fabric strong enough to withstand the assaults by the secular for the unforeseen future... the message of the fire of damnation and the salvation of life eternal with God must not be drowned out by the secularism of materialistic urge...

We cannot take joy in "lost faith" but instead must celebrate "strong belief" if we, as a Judeo-Christian nation, expect to be God's chosen. Strength is not measured by lost faith but rather by gained belief.

[bungadiri]

Have you guys who proclaim atheism thought about asking Him whether He exists or not?

He'll tell ya.
Sorry, I don't mean to be flippant or dismissive in response to your sincerity, but this immediately came to mind when I read your question.
Agnostic Prayer
Insofar as I may be heard by anything, which may or may not care what I say, I ask, if it matters, that you be forgiven for anything you may have done or failed to do which requires forgiveness. Conversely, if not forgiveness but something else may be required to insure any possible benefit for which you may be eligible after the destruction of your body, I ask that this, whatever it may be, be granted or withheld, as the case may be, in such a manner as to insure your receiving said benefit. I ask this in my capacity as your elected intermediary between yourself and that which may not be yourself, but which may have an interest in the matter of your receiving as much as it is possible for you to receive of this thing, and which may in some way be influenced by this ceremony. Amen.

[#10 Jersey]

Ay, there's the rub. Genuine faith in God is either really simple or really, really difficult. Depends on your perspective.

Your previous post was counterproductive, if you are really trying to get people engaged to looking into G-d. I don't believe it came off like you might want.

[#10 Jersey]

Inasmuch as I am supportive of this religion subforum (I advocated and petitioned for its existence at one point) I am at a loss to understand why a topic like "Lost faith" should be advanced as a thread... Nonetheless, I suppose some might find it pertinent and relevant... that's really not for me to say I guess...

In today's growing secular and anti-religion culture, as opposed to the growing abandonment of belief by the weak, my faith has been enhanced and fostered... We face numerous challenges domestically and internationally today and most involve some aspect of religion. From abortion to terrorism, one must have faith and religious belief in order to understand the truth of these issues; the secular are blind to truth in its every form. Further, we have a duty, as patriotic Americans, to instill our faith and the faith of our fathers to the latest generation to assure an America of tomorrow with the moral fabric strong enough to withstand the assaults by the secular for the unforeseen future... the message of the fire of damnation and the salvation of life eternal with God must not be drowned out by the secularism of materialistic urge...

We cannot take joy in "lost faith" but instead must celebrate "strong belief" if we, as a Judeo-Christian nation, expect to be God's chosen. Strength is not measured by lost faith but rather by gained belief.

I consider myself regligiously observant, but please don't associate my views with the above.

[Riz]

I consider myself regligiously observant, but please don't associate my views with the above.

It's been pretty much established in this forum that there is a core of religious observant who post in here that do not fall victim to the stereotypical "religious conservative" mold.

So in other words - you're good. :)

[dj43]

Inasmuch as I am supportive of this religion subforum (I advocated and petitioned for its existence at one point) I am at a loss to understand why a topic like "Lost faith" should be advanced as a thread... Nonetheless, I suppose some might find it pertinent and relevant... that's really not for me to say I guess...

In today's growing secular and anti-religion culture, as opposed to the growing abandonment of belief by the weak, my faith has been enhanced and fostered... We face numerous challenges domestically and internationally today and most involve some aspect of religion. From abortion to terrorism, one must have faith and religious belief in order to understand the truth of these issues; the secular are blind to truth in its every form. Further, we have a duty, as patriotic Americans, to instill our faith and the faith of our fathers to the latest generation to assure an America of tomorrow with the moral fabric strong enough to withstand the assaults by the secular for the unforeseen future... the message of the fire of damnation and the salvation of life eternal with God must not be drowned out by the secularism of materialistic urge...

We cannot take joy in "lost faith" but instead must celebrate "strong belief" if we, as a Judeo-Christian nation, expect to be God's chosen. Strength is not measured by lost faith but rather by gained belief.

...but like the alcoholic who doesn't realize he has a problem; until you realize you lost it, you can't possibly go back and find it. Hence, I believe this thread has validity. I just wish I had more time this week. :)

[Samarkand]

Inasmuch as I am supportive of this religion subforum (I advocated and petitioned for its existence at one point) I am at a loss to understand why a topic like "Lost faith" should be advanced as a thread... Nonetheless, I suppose some might find it pertinent and relevant... that's really not for me to say I guess...

In today's growing secular and anti-religion culture, as opposed to the growing abandonment of belief by the weak, my faith has been enhanced and fostered... We face numerous challenges domestically and internationally today and most involve some aspect of religion. From abortion to terrorism, one must have faith and religious belief in order to understand the truth of these issues; the secular are blind to truth in its every form. Further, we have a duty, as patriotic Americans, to instill our faith and the faith of our fathers to the latest generation to assure an America of tomorrow with the moral fabric strong enough to withstand the assaults by the secular for the unforeseen future... the message of the fire of damnation and the salvation of life eternal with God must not be drowned out by the secularism of materialistic urge...

We cannot take joy in "lost faith" but instead must celebrate "strong belief" if we, as a Judeo-Christian nation, expect to be God's chosen. Strength is not measured by lost faith but rather by gained belief.Hey!! Look at me!! I've nothing to say on the topic, but it doesn't matter. Look at me!!

Hey!! Look at me!! I will intentionally misrepresent the theme of the thread, I will intentionally misconstrue what other posters have said all to advance the idea that I'm better than others!! And I like telling them what's wrong with them!!

Hey!! Look at me!! I will intentionally conflate and deflect the thread from its original purpose and dismiss any and all thoughtful posts that are not in lockstep with my wordlview.

Hey!! Look at me!! I've nothing to contribute but I will lie about what others have said.

Hey!! Look at me!! Hey!! Look at me!! Hey!! Look at me!!

[Dr. Wankler]

Inasmuch as I am supportive of this religion subforum (I advocated and petitioned for its existence at one point) I am at a loss to understand why a topic like "Lost faith" should be advanced as a thread... Nonetheless, I suppose some might find it pertinent and relevant... that's really not for me to say I guess...

In today's growing secular and anti-religion culture, as opposed to the growing abandonment of belief by the weak, my faith has been enhanced and fostered... We face numerous challenges domestically and internationally today and most involve some aspect of religion. From abortion to terrorism, one must have faith and religious belief in order to understand the truth of these issues; the secular are blind to truth in its every form. Further, we have a duty, as patriotic Americans, to instill our faith and the faith of our fathers to the latest generation to assure an America of tomorrow with the moral fabric strong enough to withstand the assaults by the secular for the unforeseen future... the message of the fire of damnation and the salvation of life eternal with God must not be drowned out by the secularism of materialistic urge...

We cannot take joy in "lost faith" but instead must celebrate "strong belief" if we, as a Judeo-Christian nation, expect to be God's chosen. Strength is not measured by lost faith but rather by gained belief.



http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7693/555/1600/undergod.jpg

[Mel Brennan]

I got degrees in history and theology--that pretty much did me in.


I got degrees in history and political science, saw the world, made a commitment to ahimsa AND live with the lead theologian in the area...that did me in...in terms of seeing ways of relating with the Numinous in any typical way...