Is it because YOU want to be in control, and to relinquish that to God?  Are you too proud to accept someone else's help?  Does NOT accepting God have more to do with EGO than RELIGION?
208880
You wanted an answer, so here it is.\n\nShort answer: No.\n\n***\n\nReasons I'm not a Christian\n\nSummary:\n\n1. Christianity is a “me” religion.\n2. I wasted over twenty years being one and it never benefited me. In fact, it caused considerable harm.\n3. Jesus probably never existed.\n4. Even if Jesus *did* exist, he did not fulfill the requirements of Jewish Messiah as outlined in the Jewish bible.\n5. Even if Jesus *had* fulfilled Messianic requirements, the Messiah was never meant to be God; just a human.\n6. Even if Jesus existed and *had* fulfilled the Messianic requirements and *was* God, the Jewish Messiah was only ever for the Jews, and not the Gentiles.\n7. There is no need for the Christian idea of “salvation”. There is nothing from which to be saved. Adam and Eve didn’t bring death into the world. There is no devil; there is no eternal hell.\n8. The basic theology of Christianity is pure insanity.\n9. The Jesus portrayed in the Christian bible is not a being of love.\n10. Jesus is nothing original and nothing new.\n11. Christians are inconsistent with their views.\n12. The idea of Jesus paying for our sins is completely unethical.\n13. Fear-based belief systems are damaging; a form of emotional abuse, and can hardly be considered valid.\n14. Belief in a deity is not required for a person to be good.\n15. Emotional blackmail isn't my thing.\n\n***\n\nDetailed explanation:\n\n1. Christianity is a “me” religion.\n\nThe very basis of Christianity is incredibly selfish. If I believe in the Jesus story, it helps absolutely no one but me. Whether I believe because I want to go to heaven, or because I want to stay out of hell, it's still all about ME. No one benefits if I believe because I "love" God, or because I fear hell. No one, that is, but ME.\n\n2. I wasted over twenty years being a Christian and it never benefited me. In fact, it caused considerable harm.\n\nThat's basically it in a nutshell: I've been there, done that, got the tee-shirt - and I don't want to do it again. \n\nChristianity taught me to be ashamed for being me; that I was a "sinner" by genetic default, born bad and rotten to the core; that it was my fault that someone killed a guy over 2000 years ago and I should feel personally responsible; that God wouldn't want anything to do with me unless I took a metaphysical bloodbath. I was taught that I was second-rate for being a woman and that my role here on earth was to submit to my husband and pop out babies. That it was my fault that my ex raped me because I was a woman and I was too tempting for him.\n\nDid I have self-esteem issues? You bet I did.\n\n3. Jesus probably never existed.\n\nOutside of the Christian bible, there is absolutely NOTHING that is both historical and contemporary (of Jesus) to show that he ever existed. While there is enough literature left to fill a library from the time that Jesus supposedly walked the earth, NONE of it mentions Jesus.\n\nHere are some of the authors from the time Jesus allegedly lived:\n\nApollonius Persius\nPausanias\nArrian Phaedrus\nMartial Valerius Falccus\nColumella Phlegon\nJuvenal Statius\nDio Chrysostum Pliny the Younger\nJosephus Seneca\nFlorus Lucius Quintilian\nEpictetus Pompon Mela\nLucian Tacitus\nPaterculus Valerius Maximus\nAppian Petronius\nAulus Gellius Philo-Judaeus\nLysias Theon of Symran\nLucanus Suetonius\nJustus of Tiberius Silius Italicus\nDamis Pliny the Elder\nDion Pruseus Plutarch\nFavorinus Ptolemy\nHermogones Quintius Cutius\n\nThis list is from John E. Remsburg's book "The Christ: A Critical Review and Analysis of the Evidence of His Existence". \n\nThese authors were from the time of Jesus' alleged life, or within a century after - yet apart from a forged passage in Josephus' works - just ONE passage! - there is to be found no mention of Jesus whatsoever. (Most historians agree that this passage was forged, and if Josephus had truly believed that
53908
I think it would be a sin to pretend to worship a God without reasoning fist.  If you cannot ask, there´s no freedom of will, no choice.  In almost every religion there has to be choice in order to have real faith.
590002
Yes. I have a very difficult time forgiving myself for many of my shameful actions, even though I've asked the Lord for forgiveness. In fact, some of the things that I regret I still ask forgiveness for, many years later. I know I don't need to, but I just feel so incredibly terrible about those things. I want so badly to be the person that God wants me to be. I want to have Christ-like qualities. It is so hard for me to understand why I can't get there! I struggle almost everyday with self control (especially control over my tongue). I would give pretty much anything to consistently maintain my self control, and yet I can't without God's help. I have found that if I forget to pray before I go to sleep (and thus forget to sincerely ask the Lord to allow His Holy Spirit to be with me every second of the following day to help me with self-control), I have a very hard time the next day. If I do ask, it's so much easier - I mean VASTLY different. I don't know why it seems as though God wants me to request help every night, but I'm sure He has a reason. Probably to get me to rely on Him more. That would be a good reason. When I lose my self-control and yell at my little ones, I feel so much remorse. I'm a stay-at-home mom, so my 4 and 2 year old are the ones who try my patience.  :o)  That is to be expected, and is not their fault (sometimes it is, but not usually)! I want to be a calm and predictable mommy, but it's very hard for me. That's all I have to say, as I am tired now and need sleep.  :o)
663047
Because accepting Christ means holding oneself to a standard of certain behaviors that some just don't want to be bothered with.
413687
It's a combination of several things; with pride and love of self leading the way.  We don't like being told what to do or worse, that what we're doing is wrong.  We love ourselves and our sin too much to realize that God is holy...therefore, we either ignore Him, blame Him or are merely repulsed by Him.\n\nSadly, it was Him that sent His Son to take the punishment for all of us who are filled with pride and love for ourselves, rather than others.
206292
You don't "get" a non-believer to become a believer - that implies you want control of his mind, lending credence to the idea of brainwashing. Instead, you calmly present your opinions (*IF* asked for them), and you have the courtesy and respect for the "non-believer" that you'd wish him to have of you, and allow him to make up his *own* mind *without* any undue outside pressure to "see the truth."
491270
Two things - honest answer is that feeling of being able to give yourself completely to a faith.  That even though there isn't a shred of empirical evidence to support religion, people are still able to accept it.  It gives people a reason for the horrible things that happen in life.  It gives people a purpose when they have none.  I think atheists are too logical and too grounded to give themselves over so completely to a faith that has absolutely nothing to back it up; but sometimes I wonder if being able to believe is something without basis so thoroughly brings about some level of peace...\n\nThe other thing that sucks about being an atheist is having to deal with moronic a-holes telling you you're going to hell.  They're too stupid to realize that there is no hell and that their little fantasy is meaningless; but like gnats flying around on a summer evening they won't go away and they are f*cking annoying.
420978
Well said, and thank you. You might have a point. I'd like to think that one doesn't have to have no faith, to have manners, intellect, and a sense of humor. But If you've ever noticed someone who is deeply religious, they are always trying to convert you, or convince you otherwise. Whereas I've never tried to push my belief on anyone. In fact, If it wasn't for people, mostly coworkers, trying to ask for donations, or just asking me questions about my faith, they would never know that I'm not a religious person. But based on that one principal, now they keep there distance...Goddamn hypocrites!!
359752
If we could be good on our own power, we would be God.\n\nGod didn't make us just so that we would be weak. That is, this was not his aim. But what he created was people, not God. Why didn't he create God? Because there is only one God who exists outside of space and time--who always was, is, and will be--who IS, not who was created. Therefore, God cannot create God. What he made was a creature in his image, but who could not be him.\n\nGod takes no pleasure in our weakness. He has compassion for us because we are weak. This is why he sent our Son--that through Him, we might become perfect, not on our own power, but by the power of God.\n\nIn addition, God created within us the need for Himself. So that upon our constant failures, we would begin searching for the One who never fails.
644220
You are Blessed to know god. Some are not Gods own for some reason they choose to go through life in limbo. But remember God loved you first, and we cannot  change any one, but our self ,but God can. He changed me. So keep praying for the salvation of many souls.
615019
welcome to the club sister.  I don't think you have a problem at all.  I think that you are a free thinking and open minded person.  It's when you feel that pressure to conform and be like everyone else and resist it, that you truly begin to gain a greater perspective of reality.  I suggest you read "the herd" chapter from Nietzsche's "Beyond Good and Evil".  This is the book in which the phrase was coined "God is dead".  Don't let that scare you.  What I think he really meant to teach was that organized religion and the God they invent is dead.  He challenges you, in the chapter entitled "the herd", to ask yourself if all these things that people are telling you that "God" has said are indeed from "God".  Or, are they something made up by leaders of church to influence the masses opinions to get a desired social result.  That result is control.  Don't let anyone but God control you.  He wouldn't force control on you.  He doesn't want to control you.  He offers suggestions and you choose freely.  To me though, all this damnation and hellfire are not products of Christ at all.  Christ is like the sweetest friend I have ever had.  I don't live right at all.  I have done bad things in my life.  Yet, he has never left me.  People, on the other hand, have behaved terribly...  and for that matter... so have I at times.  I decided that I would not be controlled by "the herd" either.  People will accuse you of rebellion.  Rebellion it may be, but against whom?  God?  I don't think so...  The "herd", definitely.  I had to separate myself from them, and while it is lonesome at times, it is at least free.  Knowing God should never feel like being in a social or political prison in which you are interrogated and punished.  They're like religious nazis and they have confused social control with God.  Welcome to freedom sister.  You may find groups that you "fit" with...  I never did.  This is the tragedy of the genuine individual.  Perhaps you should start your own "group" on yahoo groups.  If you do, let me know, and I will join.  This topic is certainly worthy of discussion.  Don't feel like you are alone.  There are many, many, people who have went through this...
373555
Hi, good question...I have just recently gone through some difficult times at my "former" church, and though I did not lose my faith, I did take a break from church, "organized religion".  A very difficult time since worshipping God has alot to do with serving God and it's hard to serve Him if you aren't going somewhere.  I honestly did struggle WITH my faith, but never stopped having my faith.  Once you have that salvation through Jesus Christ, you can't lose it.  I've always heard that if you're not close to God anymore, then you're the one that moved, not Him.   what I did, I clung to Him, prayed to Him and let Him do His work in me.  When I was ready, He was waiting.  He is a patient, loving God.
132878
Good questions!  I like good subjest matter.  God is not some bug eyed monster up in the sky.  Why would he be all hateful when he needs us as much as we need him?  We do have free will, and i can do whatever i want because of it, but heres the rub, i was created by something with a view of the bigger picture.  So by virture of where i was born and my personality there are huge sections of human reality that will never even occur to me to do because of who and what i was made to be. Example : kiss my boyfriend, you betcha!; eat chocolate covered ants, hell no!
457834
It seems like people are avoiding the issue. What's being asked is if you will unquestioningly submit yourself to God. Whether you think God would want you to perform said action or would not be able to do this without you is not in question.\n\nIncident: God tells you to kill someone.\nYou are a self-admittedly insignificant being who could not begin to understand God. Whatever his motivation be, God has told you to do this.\n\nDo you comply?\n\n(My answer's no by the way, but I'm not religious so this question probably was not directed at me. I just think that some of the people passing judgement here are being hypocritical.)
437789
I think church leaders get a little egotistical. Thinking that they are 'higher up' and therefore know exactly what God wants. But end up losing track, and veering others off track too. We are mindless sheep at times. With the a blind shepard, disaster strikes.
615594
No, it doesn't make sense. It's another (of many) reasons people have non-belief. Why would anyone want to believe in a higher power that would punish them, even if they were good people and led very positive lives, just because they didn't acknowledge the existence of or worship that higher power? Not appealing to think the common example of a god is thinking "I don't care how wonderful you are, since you won't bow to me I'm gonna punish you". *shakes head*
315628
He using god like any other man does. Its a tool to get the weak minded people to follow you. Its called a power tool.\n\nMan wrote the bible. Not god. Its used for power/control. More people have died in the name of God then any war. Churches are making people sign 5-year contracts to stay with them. Find the facts about the world and come up with your own conclusion. Read stuff about Einstein's theory and psychology. God won't solve your problems. Only you can.\n\nIts ok to believe in a religion. Just don't let it run your life. Belive in the good, improving ones self, helping others, treating other people the way you would want to be treated. Don't do good deeds because if you do you'll goto your heaven. Thats being selfish. You should do them because you want to. Not because you have too.\n\nIf not you can be a weak minded fool for the rest of your life and believe some crap someone over 2000 years ago said.\n\nAll that praying sure helped Terri Schiavo didn't it?\n\nDoing yoga or clearing the mind does basically the same thing.