BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Atheist Used to be agnostic

For many years I considered myself agnostic but more recently I think I would describe myself as atheist. The reason for the switch is because of the rude comments from so called "Christians" who don't practice what they preach or from them trying to FORCE their beleifs on to me (either in conversation or in law making). "Christians" have succeeded in turning me into a non-believer. Does anyone else feel this way?

I'm sorry to hear that other folks have been trying to force you to believe what they believe, that isn't right. However, let me ask you this? How can anyone "turn you into a non-believer"? Our beliefs are our own. Whether we believe in God or not is a personal decision, made due to personal reasoning. We should never give another person the power to determine what we will and will not believe. If you decide not to believe there is a God, then that's your decision and your right, but never relinquish the power of the choice you've made to another human being. Others may lend credibility to what I believe [due to their actions], but others can never be responsible for what I believe. I choose what I believe and no one can "turn me into" anything that I haven't decided to embrace.

Food for thought....

Perhaps looking at the generally negative effect at the delusional and selfish thinking that many religions fundamentally require (i.e. "I deserve more than one life", etc.) makes atheism easier to accept. How about, "If you don't believe what I believe-without any evidence, you will burn in hell for eternity", or "Ignore science, believe in this 3,000 year old [censored], despite all of the evidence".

I was just going to say, it's not that someone made you believe or not believe something, our thoughts are our own, but perception...now that's something a person can cause a difference in someone else.

I've heard a similar statement regarding, politics and race and religion is in there too.

With both politics and race I hear countless people who say, they've never noticed race before. However, they now consider themselves racist where as before they just accepted everyone as is.

Politics, where people used to feel patriotic, they've turned away from both parties.

I think the bottom line is hypocracy. It's a repellant regarless of subject matter.

It's sad and I also know how it feels to have others judge you and condemn you for not embracing what they believe.

Forgive them and embrace what your heart, mind, spirit, and soul finds peace in believing.

In this life, I believe that much about our Creator unveils and reveals in different ways to different people, and whether we decide to practice religion or simply embrace spirituality is NO ONE else's business.

NO ONE has the right to tell me how or what I should believe.

Be encouraged......

Eleise I think you are right about the hypocracy thing. It is a huge turn-off for anything. And from my experience most (not all) "Christians" are judgement a-holes. It seems to me that if there really was an almight God that these are not the kind of believers he would want.

Besides that I also tend to be one who goes against the grain so the more something is forced onto me the more I am going to buck it. The "Christian" attempt to convert believers just makes it less likely that I will ever believe.

To me, all of the following belong in the same 'make believe' catagory:
santa clause
easter bunny
thee CREATOR
tooth fairy

Have a great evening/day/night,
cp