What led you to become an atheist / agnostic? I grew up a devout SDA Christian.

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   Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years ago

   What led you to become an atheist / agnostic? I grew up a devout SDA Christian. After high school...
   
   I rebelled, then returned, blaming my rebellion on career problems. However, those continued, I joined a cult, putting my life in danger.
   I escaped to Seattle, joining a wonderful church there. Career troubles continued. I prayed, talked with my pastor and a pro counselor, none worked. My brother brought me to Hawaii, where my troubles eased, but now the only church was pathetic and corrupt, encouraging my niece to drop out of high school.
   Flashbacks led me to become an anxious agnostic. If there is no God, all is up to me.Yet, if I were adequate, I wouldn't be in this mess in the first place!

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   cjhunsingerposted 9 years ago

   Say Yes
   
   To answer your question, my ability to reason that it was just simply unreasonable to believe that gods exist. I was raised in the housing projects of Detroit. I am 70+ years old and have embraced the concept of Atheism for 55 years or so. I lead a successful retired life, not because I am an Atheist (prefer the identity of Sapien), but  because "I" decided what my life would be, mistakes and successes.
   You seem to look for others to define you and your life and that only means that you can never be you. That is a sad prospect. Only you can determine if you are adequate and adequate do to what? The questions are many and all the  answers 'must' come from you. Do not give your life to others to control. That is my rule of life.

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      Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      It sounds like your approach is humanistic.  I admit I need to take that approach.

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   Link10103posted 9 years ago

   Logic, observation, and a little common sense.
   
   If a god exists, it is certainly nothing like how "he" is portrayed by today's major religions. Way too many contradictions, and if whatever holy book in question was tainted by man, it seems it is beyond an omnipotent being's power to simply correct it.

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      Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You have a point there.  Any God powerful enough to create a universe can certainly speak for Himself???

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      manatita44posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      He or It is speaking, Yoleen. Work with your Conscience and Your beloved will not be found wanting. Much Love.

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   manatita44posted 9 years ago

   Extremely sincere. I tell you, though, with the voice of experience, that Peace has to be found within, and then the whole picture changes. So many people give advice here on Hub Pages, you will even see lots of 'written fights' which saddens the dialogues and makes them difficult to read.
   
   I have practised and sat at the feet of a Holy man, every day for the last 32 years. The enemy is within, just like the bible tells us. Do I feel fear, greed, lust or anger? Is my jealousy dissipating, or is my greed and lust for power increasing or on the wane? am I resentful or attached to God's property?
   
   The purpose of interior and verbal prayer; of selfless service, is to widen and expand our hearts. Once transformed, then the Higher Forces of Light or Grace can enter and purify or nature. No one is intrinsically bad, but we are all sojourners on this Path to Love.
   
   I would ask you to feel Love for God, build yourself an alter or a sacred spot in the home, internalise your prayer, practise diligently and with regularity for some months, and you are sure to change. Serve rather than blame; do not judge or criticise, and if you do, stop finding fault with the Creation. It is God's, not ours.
   
   Here is my take: You are special! You are a child of Spirit, and whether or not it's clear to you, you have a right to be here. Read what inspires you. Walk in a direction that offers Light. Do not indulge in what makes you weak. Above all, pray verbally and internally in silence, recognising that you are only an instrument in His hand. Do this daily to feed your Spirit. Then in time all will be well. Everything else is secondary to and follows Inner Discovery.

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      Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      "Do not indulge in what makes you weak."  Excellent advice! I am researching other religions, because in this great wide world, there is more than one way to think.

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      manatita44posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      This is perfectly valid also, SYTL.  If you listen carefully to the voice of Conscience, it will direct your Path. Prayer makes this louder.

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      Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      manatita44 - I wonder if, ultimately, God is merely our Superego?

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      manatita44posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      SYTL, I am asking you to listen .. Love, serve, look inward..that is, if you want the medicine. Prayer, introspect. If you try and fail, then that's reasonable. At least you tried. The world looks outwardly. Look within. Peace.

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   Lybrahposted 9 years ago

   Christianity is not a cult!  I don't know too much about your past situation, but from what you've written--what you experienced was NOT a true Christian church.  Jesus said many false people would come in His name, and they have.  Continue to seek God.  The only other thing I can say is that God has a plan for you, yet maybe it is not the plan you have for yourself.  That would explain why your prayers seemed to go unanswered and you could get no peace from your pastor.

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      Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      "My Experience in a Cult" tells my past situation. Current flashbacks revealed to me way too many correlations between cults and Christianity, mainly accepting without question under dire threats of hell. Any religion can be made a cult by practice.

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   jlparkposted 9 years ago

   I was raised in a household where we were encouraged to find a faith that worked for us, if that was what we wanted for ourselves. I have a sister who is Christian, One who is/was (she's...different) Mormon, an Atheist, several spiritually inclined agnostics, and me.
   
   We were encourage to learn for ourselves, and welcomed to go to various Churches etc if we wished (and would go with parents if we weren't old enough...i remember going to church with my Dad once or twice, and a children's group at that church.)
   
   I used to refer to myself as an Humanist Agnostic - don't know how we got here, not terribly concerned about it either. I now identify as a Agnostic Atheist - I don't deny the existence of God/s, I just don't believe in them.
   
   This has become more clear of late, through some realisations of my own...to go into it here would not be appropriate.
   
   I actually think it helps me learn about other religions without the slant of my own God/s getting in the way.

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      Say Yes To Lifeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Learning about other religions is a great idea.  I'm currently doing that.

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