Opmod mentioned he was an atheist once - a militant atheist, no less.

I just wonder what would convince someone who knew all the arguments, understood the science and logic of why a God isn't supported would then turn to believe in a God.

Was it an emotional response?  Was it a revelation (though the Bible says these don't happen after the time of the prophets)?

My honest opinion is that I think people who change weren't that serious (I include myself: I was a big believer but more and more I forget what made me believe and have to think that maybe I never really did, but that it was convinient and taught ot me from an early age).

So, if you were an atheist and have become a believer, would you care to give the best reason you can for your change?

What is your most powerful statement that may save a poor soul like myself?

And why the specific religion you believe in?  (Please note if your parents just happen to have raised you in that religion)

Not, I hope like Ross in friends and the car backfiring....  /jk


You'd have to be more specific, but I hope I never have near-death experiences again.  i had one, and that was enough - and it was mild (and oddly peaceful).

However, I know I am asking you to put your head into the jaws of the lion, since I will probably not accept your personal experience as valid. It could be, I just would have no way of testing or proving it.

Many people have such experiences and become religious (usually the religion they were brought up in).

I haven't seen any value in those experiences that would translate past the individual who it happened to.

I imagine, no amount of my questioning or possible explanationswill sway you either.

daedalus 2.0, your question is invalid...

Opmod turned to believe in GOD while religion is a tool used by some humans to believe in GOD, closest (demographically) to him was Christianity thus his choice... Any experience can make you believe in GOD, usually worst experiences and surviving them...

I'm atheist, i'm against religious tyranny as the same i'm against atheists stupidness and wish to create another religion out of atheism.

What are you talking about?

Generally, religions are a set of metaphysical beliefs, not just a bunch of people who do stuff together.

Jane, I appreciate your comments. I also am against atheism becoming a religion. I am for people forming groups of like interests and talking about things that are of a common thread. Its a difficult line to draw.

For example, I love many things, the history of the Bible, logic mythology, etc are just a few things that I enjoy.  I don't know of any group, though, that agrees with all the same things I do, and in a way, I don't have set beliefs.

I am still discovering.  I am often made out to be a bad guy because I have broached the subject, and have talked about the true beginnings of Xianity, or shown the problems with the logic of Theism. To some people this seems like an attack, but I look at it as an opportunity to get the record straight.

As you are, I too am against religion. I see no good that can come of it that can't be achieved from other ways.  I have no intention of making atheism, my atheism, or my "theories" as established dogma.

I welcome any one who can correct me, but I would warn them to be rigorous in their scholarship and be honest.  There is no shame in questioning authority, especially with facts and logic. While you have taken a swipe at me for being some militant atheist, I notice you have little to say about the topic other than to claim that religion is bad and so would an atheist one be bad as well.

Of course, I could counter that to suggest atheism could be a religion is like mentioning anarchy and then discussing further political aspects of it. That is, atheism doesn't have dogma and can't be a religion (Secular Humanism, or the like could be vaguely called one I suppose).

But I appreciate you point, and its fine.  I do note, however, that it is sad that the only one talking about the actual/real history of the most impotant religion in the history of the world is a non-believer.  Or maybe that's not ironic. Maybe this is exactly what we need.

Honest appraisal from an outsider.  After all, I have no preconcieved ideas of what we should find out about Xianity (or other religions), but I think being honest and rigorous is a good place to start.

I find it upsettting that religious people claim to have a trick that gets them eternal life but they are too selfish to show us how to do it and why we would favor their method over someone elses...

Because it's flatly not true. Sure I wish superstition would end, but I have seen too many Xians say that without Xianity there would be no reason to not rape, kill and pillage.

I want them to believe there is a god watching them. i think it is important for a decent society that people who would otherwise murder, don't.