Hey Everyone, i am a searchning "atheist"

[Athanasius]

I believe thet theres some kind of higher being than humans. i just want to get an unbiased look at everything in the world. people in iraq wouldnt be blowing themselves up and killing people unless they were raised to believe that. we think thats horrible, and i think it is too but they think their doing right. i dont want to believe something cause thats what i was raised to, but because i truely feel it is right.

and you really dont have to believe in air to breath, its just there. i think faith is very different because there are so many different beliefs and theorys...and possibilitys we all have to consider

You may start out in a state of unbias, but don't let a fear of bias stop your search. You are going to become more and more biased as you research more and more into different faiths. Bias can be a good thing!

You're going to think suicide bombing is wrong, even if the Muslim believes it to be right. You're going to be taken aback at some of the actions in the Old Testament. You're going to be disgusted at Hinduism and Buddhisms lack of a response to the 'problem of evil'. You're going to be disappointed at atheism's lack of an answer for everything it seeks to remove but not replace.

With the above don't misunderstand me. All I am saying is that in your search you're going to come across things that don't sound right, that make you feel uneasy, that cause you to wonder, this is good, it means you're asking the right questions. Where the test of truth comes in is how these different belief systems answer your questions... I dare say that only Christianity has the ability to answer, sufficiently, many of the theological and philosophical problems of our day (future and past).

Now you said we don't have to believe in oxygen to breath, it's just there. I'll say the same of God. We don't have to believe He exists, but He does. Let's use that as our first question; how do different religions respond to unbelief in God?

Allah desires his followers to kill you for your unbelief. Hinduism and Buddhism will grant you another life for your actions in this life; another chance at Nirvana, nothing--Hinduism has 330 million gods, but they don't matter much, Buddhism believes in no god(s). Judaism will require you to follow these sets of rules. Christianity will tell you that you have a choice, and that whether or not you believe in God, He gave His Son for us all. Which system best answers the questions?

To quickly add; I can't give you one definitive proof for the existence of God, but I can give you very many different arguments. I believe it's the combined force of these arguments that make belief in God one of the heights of intellectuality. Anything by Alvin Plantiga on the existence (or non-existence) of God would be of interest to you.

Like air, even if you aren't paying attention, God is there.

-------------------------------------------------------

Now in your search ask yourself why you're looking for the truth? Outside of God's existence there isn't truth, there isn't even wrong. Things just 'are'. Existentially, your actions suggest a God.

[genesisblu]

Amar, I was just curious if you would answer what denomination was the church that you went to? I am not going anywhere with this so I won't have a response. I am just curious.

[Scruffy Kid]

Hello Anthony!
Welcome to Bibleforums!
It's great to have you here!

I was born into a non-believing family -- my Dad was an atheist, and my Mom never expressed much in the way of religious ideas. I had no Christian friends or group, but gradually came to want Jesus in my life and was baptized when I was 16. Later, I questioned further, and tried to figure out exactly what I thought. My faith became very sure a few years later, and I've continued convinced and solid in my faith ever since -- quite a few years.

There are lots of ways a person could learn about Jesus, and the Christian faith, of course. One way would be to start reading one of the Gospels. I favor Mark, which is short, and perhaps then John. But any of the Gospels would do.

Another way to learn would be to ask questions. You could ask us why we believe, for instance, and what we believe. I'd be happy to say those things, but since I tend to write long posts I don't want to dive in on that unless it's what you're looking for.

All my life I've questioned and sought for truth in every area of life. My parents brought us up to think independently and to value the truth. (But they were, I think, surprised where my thinking came out. So I agree with your general principles about that. I've spent most of my life studying and teaching -- although my academic field is not in a particularly religious or theological area.

I think that actually, as a matter of fact, God made all things, and sustains us in being, in His love; and that we human beings are radically broken in our inner being -- prone to do wrong and go astray -- and that Jesus was in fact God's own Son, who came to rescue us, and to bring us to God and to the fullness of truth and good and life. So of course I believe that walking with God and with Christ Jesus is the most valuable and important thing in life. That explains my overall perspective.

Thanks again for coming here! While we could ask questions, another plan -- we could do both at once -- would be for you to ask questions.

In friendship,
Scruffy Kid

[amar1506]

Amar, I was just curious if you would answer what denomination was the church that you went to? I am not going anywhere with this so I won't have a response. I am just curious.

like lutheran until i was 11...then a baptist church

thats another thing that made me think about religion a little bit. that my parents literally just switched churches cause "they liked the baptist church".
you dont choose a belief because its convenient, you choose it because its right.. they didnt really give any consideration to the beliefs, but just the structure..

[amar1506]

Allah desires his followers to kill you for your unbelief. Hinduism and Buddhism will grant you another life for your actions in this life; another chance at Nirvana, nothing--Hinduism has 330 million gods, but they don't matter much, Buddhism believes in no god(s). Judaism will require you to follow these sets of rules. Christianity will tell you that you have a choice, and that whether or not you believe in God, He gave His Son for us all. Which system best answers the questions?

Zechariah 13:3-
3And it shall come to pass, that when any shall yet prophesy, then his father and his mother that begat him shall say unto him, Thou shalt not live; for thou speakest lies in the name of the LORD: and his father and his mother that begat him shall thrust him through when he prophesieth.

Deuteronomy 13:13-19
13Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known; 14Then shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you;
15Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.
16And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again.
17And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;
18When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God.



There are many other verses in the bible instructing people to kill people of other religions and false prophets. i could show more if anybody wants me to.



are these verses to be taken literally? if yes the Bible also tells us to kill Unbelievers.

[Gulah Papyrus]

i understand exactly what you are saying...but that is completly different, it cannot be proved that god exists

It is so interesting to hear that, and I am not bagging on you at all, I get what you are saying, but I have a hard time NOT seeing proof of God's existance everywhere I look. Actually, I have had all 5 of my senses 'trick' me at one time of another, but my sixth one, the one in my heart that senses God's presence and regognizes His work, never has, and I doubt it ever will. I guess I could even say that God is the one thing that I AM absolutely sure about.

Anyway, I hope you find what you are looking for.

[grptinHisHand]

Welcome to the boards. I like it here and believe you will too. I am happy to 'hear' you say that you are seeking to know the truth. Many others have given you great advice. (I like to suggest to those searching, or to new Christians, to start with reading of the book of John.)

Here is my take on the reality of God:
I believe that when I awake it is the goodness of God that gives me another day. I look at the stars, the ocean, the mountains, trees -- well, just all of creation, and wonder how anyone can not believe that God is the One Who created it all. His Word, the Bible, is also enough to convince me. I believe in Him because He makes a difference in me, in my life everyday. I believe He created mankind for us to have relationship with Him. I believe that He sent His Son, Jesus, to live a sinless life, die a substitutionary death, for ALL who will receive Him.

But that isn't enough to convince another person that God is the One True God. It will take Him revealing Himself to you for you to believe, to know Him. We can tell you much, but it is God Who will reach into your heart and really convince you.
This passage below says a LOT to me:
2 Timothy 3:14-17 NKJV
14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Then there are the writings of Lee Strobel, like The Case for Christ or others. You can learn a little bit about him from the following web site. He was an atheist who set out to prove Christianity was not real and came to believe that Christ is REAL.
http://www.leestrobel.com/LS_bio.htm

In John 14:6 Jesus Himself said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." I believe that too.
I will be praying for you. - For God to reveal Himself to you as you seek. He says that we will find Him if we search for Him with all our heart. I believe you will (find Him) because I believe you are (sincerely searching).
g

[genesisblu]

like lutheran until i was 11...then a baptist church

thats another thing that made me think about religion a little bit. that my parents literally just switched churches cause "they liked the baptist church".
you dont choose a belief because its convenient, you choose it because its right.. they didnt really give any consideration to the beliefs, but just the structure..

Well, as long as the churches teach biblically sound it shouldn't matter the denomination. We have attended many churches that are denominationally different. Like the differences between Morman and say Baptism are vastly different. So it wouldn't make sense to switch churches unless you are wanting to change your beliefs. The typical differences in churches such as Lutheran vs. Baptism tend to be things like atmosphere and worship practices. The most important thing is that the what the pastor says always lines up with The Word. Maybe that was what was in your parents mind when they changed churches.

[Athanasius]

There are many other verses in the bible instructing people to kill people of other religions and false prophets. i could show more if anybody wants me to.

are these verses to be taken literally? if yes the Bible also tells us to kill Unbelievers.

Amar I'm at work right now so I lack the time to reply to your whole post (but rest assured, I will ). In the mean time, however, I have two questions for you.

The first concerns other verses in the Bible.
From what you've posted you've come to the conclusion that the Bible instructs us to kill unbelievers. However, what do you think of verses such as the following?

Matthew 5:44
But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing

Romans 12:17-21
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

You have three choices:

1) The Bible contradicts
2) The New Testament isn't saying what it seems to be saying
3) The Old Testament isn't saying what it seems to be saying

The second thing I want to point out is your use of 'false prophets'. Why use those words, and how do you think they are significant?

[RogerW]

Greetings Armar,

If you truly want to know about Jesus, then seek Him in His Word. The Bible tells us without faith the gospel will not profit us.

Heb 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

The way we receive faith needed to believe is by hearing the gospel.

Ro 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

It is through "hearing" His voice, through His Word that faith is given to all who believe. So diligently read, search, meditate on the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes (Ro 1:16). Continue to ask questions to things in the Bible you don't understand. Ask God to give you understanding.

Joh 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

I pray that God will give you understanding, and draw you into His eternal kingdom.

Many Blessings,
RW

[Sold Out]

I believe thet theres some kind of higher being than humans. i just want to get an unbiased look at everything in the world. people in iraq wouldnt be blowing themselves up and killing people unless they were raised to believe that. we think thats horrible, and i think it is too but they think their doing right. i dont want to believe something cause thats what i was raised to, but because i truely feel it is right.

and you really dont have to believe in air to breath, its just there. i think faith is very different because there are so many different beliefs and theorys...and possibilitys we all have to consider

Go back to the beginning my friend. Become a student of history! You need to understand Christianity and other world religions from a timeline perspective. Can you name the first religion?

[Vivi]

Never before have I come across an open minded atheist such as yourself Anthony my friend. All other atheists have bashed me hard because I'm a Christian but to find one that is accually willing to listen to what I have to say is a great joy.

My advice to you is to pray and ask God to reveal himself to you. I don't understand a whole lot either I just go by on faith and it's worked well with me. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you my dear friend. For without God NOTHING can exist.

[resbmc]

The last sabbatical years are upon us

[Brother Mark]

God isnt a Fact, like oxygen is...thats the difference i think.

as far as spiritual beliefs not really right now, i dont think i am ready to make that call to say what i believe...i dont really know enough about it...

my beliefs are
There is something of a higher power,
thats all im really for sure about right now, to what extent i am not sure

What kind of research have you done so far? I'm just now joining the thread, so maybe when I finish reading it I will see you have already answered the question. If not, I look forward to hearing! I too went through something similar to what you are experiencing.