are there any believers in god that grew up, in a home without one?
369974
Sure, there are converts. The most famous is Madalyn Murray O'Hair's son William.
28409
I am a non-denominational, right-wing conservative, born-again, fundemetalist(in a nice way) Christian.\n\nI knew there had to be a God. But was this God personal, or some force? In 1971, I had a personal encounter after asking Christ to forgive my sins and fill me with His Spirit. This was at the peak of the Jesus People movement. (yes, I am an old Jesus Freak) From that moment on, I knew that He was a personal God. From that point on I have been trying to teach the Bible to whoever was curious or searching.
1173461
I was very much encouraged by my parents to find my own way, be my own person and for that I am most grateful to them. For a number of years as a youth, I attended an evangelical Sunday group and although I have what I think is a deep understanding of the christian faith, I never really bought into it. I am fairly well convinced that somebody who lived 2000 years ago died a violent death for denouncing the corruption of the religious, political and military leaders of the time and that those ideals gave rise to the christian faith. But therein lies the most contentious point - that this enlightened individual was telling us we don't need self-righteous big-wigs lording it over us, yet from this message a whole new breed of religious zealots were born, who proceeded to enslave minds with their twisted dogma.\n\nBrian (Life of - MP) was so right and probably remains the most accurate reconstruction of that moment of history - by a country mile.
61040
The tradition of having godparents started in the 4th century when Christians, concerned about pagan "spies", decided that new members of the Church must have sponsors to attest to their faith.  By the 7th century, when infant baptism was normal, godparents would take the profession of faith for the child.  It is possible that this tradition was borrowed from Judiasm, which also uses sponsors at conversion.\n\nThis is a direct quote from my second reference, which claims that it is a quote from Spirit of the Home by Jane Alexander:\nIn Russian orthodox spirituality there is a concept known as "poustina". Poustina can mean either a physical place, a retreat, or the secret place inside you - the hermitage within. It's a lovely thought: that even in the busiest, most crowded place, no-one can enter into our own internal poustina - unless we invite them. This sense of creating an internal sanctuary is how people have survived against incredible odds and is something worth remembering if, by now, you are moaning that you cannot possibly create a sanctuary - because you simply don't have the space.
695622
Nope. If you live in God's will you are willing to accept that some times what you want is not what God wills. You do not and can not buy God's blessings or bribe God into giving you what you want.
395052
Once, years ago when I was home from college for a visit, my mother had inadvertently locked me out of the house.  It was winter, there was three inches of snow on the ground in Chicago, and it was ridiculously cold.  My house key did not work, I had no place to go, and no way to get in the house unless I broke a window.  Although this was a time when I seriously doubted the existence of God, I sat down on the porch and explained the situation to him, even though he already knew it.  I also explained that I didn’t want to break a window because that would cost my father money and it would leave the house open and vulnerable.  So I asked if he could please let my key work just this once.  Understand this part:  the door was closed and locked – I had fiddled with it for 20 minutes before sitting down on the porch.  I got back up, and tried to put the key in the lock.  Before I could even get the key in the lock, the door swung open.  Amazed, I stepped into the house and tried the key.  It did not work.  It never worked.  I then tried to reason on the matter – searching for some other explanation.  I could find none.  I have since finished a careful study of the Bible.  My belief in God is not based on emotion but rather on sound reason, investigation and research.  To this day, I believe that he responded, not just as the Creator he is, but as a loving father would respond to a child in need.
1016572
NO one did. He always existed. Its hard for us to comprehend this because we are created beings. We had a beginning. God did not.\n\nGod created all that is so already knew everything. Since we had to learn this is a bit hard to comprehend too.
1150922
I have no problem with non-believers here.  I am not insulted by your presence; in fact, this may be the perfect setting for you.  I pray that God would speak to you in some way that you would believe in Him.  True Christians do not condemn others, however, love them and avoid saying hurtful things. However, I will not refrain from expressing how I feel about my personal relationship with God and how He has carried me through many difficult times.
233598
My husband.\n\nHe was raised as a Catholic. During his teen years, he decided God did not exist and he held to that for years. Then he met Jesus personally and his life was completely changed. He has never been the same since. :)
134026
If she was a born-again believer then yes. If not, no. You don't get to heaven by works only by God. John 14:6, Ephesians 2:8,9
1113207
well i am a believer in god and those that do not believe will have a hard time of it then.. cause they will have no excuse.. i am going to make sure i do my best to follow gods plan the best i can.. i believe in the lord jesus christ and i want to go home to meet him someday...i am going to try and check on some of the answers you get to this question...there is so many people out there with no consious at all. and atheist and i do not think they can explain it theirself...but if they would read the bible and seek the lord , they will find him.. they have to ask him to come into their lives and turn from their sinful ways.. it is not always easy on this earth... cause the devils coming in sheeps clothing.. he comes to kill, steal and destroy... so god  be with us all...
410381
Sure there can be.   It's all a matter of perspective.   \n\nUltimately, you can keep questioning everything to the point where we couldn't comprehend a diety.   Where did we come from?  God made us.   Where did God come from?  He always was.   \n\nI've always had a problem with..."He always existed."   So, if he always existed...what did he do?   Just sat in the middle of nowhere doing nothing.
731795
at a younger age, yeah, it was because i was "taught."  at this age, 44, it's because logically there is no other explanation out there....the big bang...well, where did that come from?  nobody has actually DISPROVEN the existence of God to me just yet.  i practice wicca, which is a totally subjective and personal religion for me.  i choose my "church" and my "altar" and my time for reverance to God and all that He has created.  i believe because it is logical and makes sense.  yes, i believe in Jesus Christ as well, based on facts that have been submitted that prove He existed as well.  i can't cite the sources at the moment, but my desert years gave me the faith i needed.  hope this helped!  blessed be!
1062372
Now that's a good question.  If one was isolated, and never taught about Jesus, and was basically good all through life, but, never heard of Jesus, thus, not believing in Jesus, would that person go to hell?\nAnd if he would go to Heaven, does that make Jesus a liar, since he said, you must believe in the Lord in order to get to Heaven.?
242121
It takes what one would call 'faith'. I personally consider myself to have no religion, therefore I don't entirely understand why someone, rather most people in this world, would believe in a 'higher power', an 'intelligent creator', or 'GOD'.
342456
I don't believe that GHOST haunt houses or people and I do believe in the Bible and am a Christian. Spirits...yes I do believe there are spirits......they are know as Angels that gaurd, NOT HAUNT, people and keep them safe. The Spirit of God is also around your everyday life!
409638
NO...\n\nWe live in a society that believe that they don't need God...So He is more or less letting those who don't believe they need Him...go without Him...\n\nThe rest of us who know we need Him...see His works all the time...and know He's always paying attention.