If you wanted to believe?

[peaceandlies]

My (lax christian) father asked me if I wanted to believe in God, even though I couldn't. I told him no, and he seemed incredibly suprised. Does anyone else (who doesn't believe in God) wish that they could

Comments

[peaceandlies]

To be fair, several branches of christianity have no ties to the homophobia whatsoever. For instance, in Britan, the quakers have been fighting for LGBT rights to marry.

Overall, though, I would agree.

[queer_theory]

Let me preface this by saying that I have know idea if I'm making any sense. :P

I believe that there are things in this world beyond my understanding. While I don't believe in a Christian God (or the gods/goddesses of any particular religion), I believe that there are forces outside of myself and what I am capable of understanding at work in the world. Organized religions are the work of men and men are fallible.

This is all what I believe. It isn't what I want to believe, but I don't really think belief works that way for me. I don't want to believe anything in particular. I just believe in what I believe in.

[peaceandlies]

Women, however, are perfect...

Yes, it does make sense, and its a pretty nice way of viewing the world if you ask me. Another thing about organised religion is that its pretty much synonomous with righteous corruption.

[lunasol28]

TBH I kind of find the question a bit offensive. It's sort of like asking a religious person if they would be atheist if they could. People believe what they believe. I don't think that atheists sit around wishing that they could believe in a higher power because that's basically ridiculous. I am spiritual but I don't wish to be atheist. So why would an atheist person wish to be spiritual?

I know some people would say that there are people who are religious who do wish to be atheist but I've always felt that they are already atheist they just wish to be able to express that freely without ridicule. The religion that they claim to hold is only a front which is mainly perpetrated for the sake of their parents or loved ones who do believe and believe strongly.

I hope that made sense.

[peaceandlies]

Yeah, you do make sense. You're actually arguing my side for me. Although I do disagree with what you say about religious people whishing they were athiests - I think they do believe, and that their religion is more than just a front. Consiously, they think that it would make sense for God/any other deity not to exist, but they 'feel' their existence on a more subconsious level. Thats only my conclusion because I have to admit I've never felt either desire.

I'm sorry you found it offensive. It wasn't my intention.

[lunasol28]

You asking the question wasn't offensive the fact that people assume such things is offensive to me. I can't tell you how many times have had to listen to people go on about teenage atheists only believing in such things because of the angst and that its just a phase that they will grow out of and blah blah blah.

Sorry, I should have been clearer. I thought that paragraph was a bit funky. I meant that there are people who use religion as a shield because it is better than telling their parents or loved ones that they don't believe in anything at all. I've met people like that and understand it. For me I feel like I hold on to spiritual because it's something that I've always known and I'm not comfortable with the notion that there isn't anything else beyond this life or that this is your one chance and that's it.

[peaceandlies]

Lol, don't worry.

Thats what my parents said when I finally worked up the courage to tell them. I was thirteen, and according to them a little bit emo. So they thought it was hip to be an athiest, why was why I was doing it. They carried on asking me when I would come back to church for years after that. I've never been much for lying about who I am, but I can understand why they did it.

((Sorry about the criminally late reply. out of excuses))