Creationists often say that deep down inside, atheists really do believe in god. However, creationists are terribly mistaken if they actually believe this, because atheists do not believe in god, and they are not hiding a secret belief about god. I feel that creationist say this just to deemphasize their own doubts. I rather think that creationists themselves deep down inside do not really believe there is a god. But they do not want anyone to know that, because it could belittle their efforts of faith, which their church leaders try so hard to enforce in order to keep control of their members suspicions. In order to go to heaven within this religious organization, members are required to go around everyday putting on a show of faith. Some go as far as to actually convince themselves that what they are required to believe in based on faith is actually true and they really start believing. When this happens, the religious organizations intentions have succeeded. They have successfully brainwashed their subject.
It is apparent though, that belief in god is dependant on faith. That is, it is without evidence. You can be sure though that the creationist will argue that they have had supernatural affirming experiences which were evidence enough to convince them. Yea, right. Nevertheless, I hesitate to think that they could be completely without doubt, as they claim they are not.
I also find it quite curious and suspicious that these supernatural affirming experiences are always experienced individually, and that one experience cannot be experienced or shared by a group of people at once. For example, God always speaks to believers individually, instead of all at once? Why is there never a conversation with god that is held between god and more then one person? I think it because these experiences are people conversing with themselves and is heavily reliant on confirmation bias.
If someone actually is so sure about their beliefs, then they wouldn’t necessarily have to “believe” based on faith, they would more often then not, “know.” But they don’t know, so despite their show of confidence, they do have doubts. Though they will not admit to it, they know it and are willing to sacrifice the truth in exchange for comfort and belonging. They are simply not keeping it real. You will find that creationists rarely admit to having doubts. Atheist and scientist are open and honest to say that science does not have all the answers, and that we are working on figuring out all that we do not know.
One who “knows” also knows to admit what the do not know. Anyone who claims to have all the answers, I am rather skeptical of.
Not only are religious members required to suppress their doubts, they are also often required to spread their particular religions word to others. It reminds me of those junk chain mails you get in your inbox. For every 5 people you forward the e-mail to, you will get a token of good luck or happiness back. Not surprisingly, the contents of many of these chain mails are of a religious nature.
Some may say, “Who cares? Why not just let them be? Even if you are right, why must you impose on them?” For one, if I were imposing, why is not okay for a non-believer to impose, while it has been okay for centuries for the religious to impose their beliefs on others? Second, I do not wish to impose, but I do care about people and their well-being. Let me refer to a smoking analogy that somebody recently introduced me to that goes something like this, “When smoking, people say they feel less stressed, comfortable, warm, relaxed, and at ease – but the truth is, smoking is not good for you, and the confirmed smoker will know this and it is in the back of his mind, but he is unable to give it up using all manner of justification to keep going because he is feeble. Not only is his smoking bad for him, but it is bad for the others around him. Everyone around him is subject to his second-hand smoke.
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I think you’re on the right track about creationists, and christian apologetists. They are often people who are in a constant state of disbelief and have to remind themselves over and over and over again why they believe such illogical ideas. Faith is a catch-all… requires a lot of numbing of the human intellect… and once a person finds out that they can’t numb their intellect completely, they create theories like creationism to help them get through the day. Or at least, that is what i’ve seen around me, and with-in me… having been there… and among them. And yet, i believe more and more, that one must practice extreme compassion and patience on those that believe these ideas. It is difficult to leave these communities and families of thought behind.
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I can say truthfully that there is no doubt in my mind, heart, and soul that God is real! He has told me many times that I am forgiven, He has filled me with his holy Spirt, and he speaks to me every single day! The only Christians that have any disbelief are the ones that have never truly meet with Him, that have talked to Him and have Him speak back!
You say you came frome a Christian background or that is what you hint at, thatn you never truly meet with Him, you had no feeling of his love for you! Because if you ever truly Experienced Him you would never have walked away from Him unless it was willfully!
yes dear. Of course you are right!
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looks like I hit a nerve.
And Obama is not the Messiah, Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and he is coming again soon, and I will be waiting for that day to come (unless I die first).
And he is not the antichrist, Europe has a very special seat waiting for the antichrist, seat 666. The same as the mark of the beast will be.
Sweetie ,you Have hit a nerve! I’m losing sleep over it! I’m in severe pain because of the nerve that you hit! I can think of nothing else! I’ve already admitted that you are right… and to make things better will say that I am wrong! Let’s not get this kind man involved in this debate. You have said, and will say, nothing I haven’t heard many many many many times before. Pray for my heart to be opened again to receive JC back into my life. That is all you can do… and consider reading the post all the way through next time…. not just the title.
I have nothing more to contribute to any further comment you have about your concern for my, or anyone’s spiritual state, other than, in ALL Sincerity: HAVE A BLESSED LIFE, Dear One! Go in peace!
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I did read all the way through. And I have already been praying for you.
What do you mean “Let’s not get this kind man involved in this debate”?
I actually have some acquaintances who have been converted to Orthodox Christianity (from being some kind of atheist) after they had a group experience of some sort. I never learned the specifics but from what they tell me it was around 5 people in it who all saw and heard the same thing
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Lissa, I wish you would treat your religion like your sex life, do what you want in your own house just dont involve children and dont tell me about it.