Atheist or God fearing??
595736
Actually, I believe that I am a borderline Atheist only because my mother has tried so hard to push God onto me that I fear I am not believing in Him, only to make her mad. Instead of letting me find God on my own, she keeps pushing me to go to church with her and stuff. So, that is why I said I believe that I am borderline Atheist.
791767
A person is an atheist based on an analytical view and has therefore settled any questions as to otherwise.  It is not a whim or a notion, it is based on as solid a foundation as any religion, more so actually because it is based on what we believe to be fact.  I would certainly hope that the kind lady would not ask me to change my heart on this matter.  And, in turn, even though I would agree to be the recipient for the kidney that will give her a "reward" from God, I would not ask her to change her view toward God.  Please bear this in mind:  Although it is rare, sometimes people will perform sacrifices for each other with no other motive (i.e. rewards, going to heaven, avoiding hell) than to be good human beings.  That, my dear, is a rare and true sacrifice.
723854
... Hrm. Good question and. Yeah, I think you would be an atheist. Atheism is the unbelief of god or anything above. If you just don't believe in the christian, Catholic, islamic etc etc, with all the "founded" religions, but believe in a greater power you are an agnostic, I think. \n\nEvolution is not part of Atheist belief, it's just a label. Somehow believing in evolution means not believing in god. But there are those who believe in both so why not someone who doesn't believe in either? \n\nAlthough I would like to know if you have any belief about how we got here. or "came to exist" The only other possibility that popped into my head was "aliens dropped us here like my dad suspected" but I'm sure there's more than three explanations as to how humans came to be humans.
632787
I pretty much agree with you. An atheist is sure that God does not exist, and an agnostic isn't willing to commit either way. (Sort of like the dyslexic agnostic who developed insomnia. He kept lying awake at night wondering if there really is a Dog...).
320657
I've been on the other side where I thought that people who didn't believe in god must feel lost.  (I was raised to think they are evil.)  So, I can kinda understand why some religious individuals think that non-believers feel some sort of void or are immoral.  However, I also view that stance as an immature belief.  It doesn't take a lot of looking around to realize that agnostics and atheists are very content with their worldviews and live ethical lives.
1085183
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...
191341
Hello The Great an... :)\n\nI was not raised in a Chrisitan home..my dad was an alcholic..my mom used to abuse us with a belt..If I listened to my mom and my dad, I would still be an atheist..\n\nI was not afraid of going to hell (I did not believe it existed)..I did not believe that heaven existed either (God was not real to me)..\n\nI tried the Wiccan religion..it had no answers for my drug addiction..or for taking away the feeling of loneliness..I did not like the idea of any god or godesses'..for if they were real, my life would not have a hell here on earth..\n\nI also tried Buddism..it said you have to find yourself within to change..that was the problem I was having..I could not change my self..No matter how much I tried.. :(\n\nI could not have followed the marjority..because before I asked Jesus into my heart, I did not even know that Christians were the marjority..I did not even want to know..I hated Christians..because they were sicky sweet..telling everyone that Jesus Loved them..they did not know how to have fun in life, they lived boring lives..\n\nThen one day, I just could not take life anymore (I was going to kill myself that day)..\n\nMy brother came over on Sundays to take my children to Church..he asked me if I wanted to go..I told him I was not dressed, he said he would wait for me..So I went to the Jesus Freaks Church (that is what I called them)..I cursed the Pastor..all he did is tell me that he Loved me and so did Jesus..I said I would be coming back next Sunday to curse him out again..\n\nThe following Sunday before I was able to say anything the Pastor asked if anyone wanted to be baptised that afternoon..before I knew what I was doing, my arm went up into the air..I was baptized that afternoon..\n\nThe next morning I was quoting scriptures from the Bible (I had never even read it before)..my oldest daughter came down the stairs and I said to her, I Love you and for the first time in my life, I felt Love for my little girl, she came running to me and we hugged each other, I was crying, because you see, I used to abuse my little girl.. :(\n\nI was immediately set free from drugs, greed, hatred, anger, self pity, lust, and fear of what tomorrow may bring..\n\nNo one, had ever able to give me total peace within my heart..or given me a reason to live..nor have they ever been able to fill the emptiness within..\n\nUntil that one day on August 28, 1978..when I asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life and forgive me of my sins..for if one asks with a sincere heart, your sins will be washed away and you will feel as clean and as white as snow..a veil shall be lifted from your eyes..then and only then will anyone believe that:\n\nJohn 3\n\n16  ¶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.\n \n17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.\n \n===========================================================\n\nThank-you for asking this question.. :)\n\nIn Jesus Most Precious Name..\nWith Love..In Christ..
210775
I think some people are confused. They don't really realize that many of the people they think of as "atheists" are actually god-fearing individuals.\n\nThey simply point at Hollywood or scientists and assume that these people are godless. They are largely wrong.\n\nI'm coming from a different frame of view. I think that faith divides people and causes them to do terrible things to one another. Worse than that, it justifies these actions. The idea that atheists are immoral is faulty. The idea that one cannot have morals without god is faulty. \n\nThe people who come down so hard on atheism are missing that it truly is a message of tolerance. It's an acknowlegement that there are no rewards or punishments in some made-up after-life, so it is incumbent upon the individual to do the right thing for no other reason than doing the right thing. It is selfless in that sense.\n\nThere is a man in Florida who is trying to start a town for Catholics where abortion (among other things) would be banned. Is it constitutional? I don't know. However, I think that if I were to try to start a town for atheists, secular-humanists, whatever you want to call yourself and the only rules would be "1. No worship of the supernatural and 2. Tolerate everyone" people would go crazy and decry it as a new Sodom or Gomorrah.\n\nAlso, atheists cannot recruit in the traditional sense. We cannot "show you the light." One must reach their own rational conclusions. The further truth is that most atheists do not fault people simply for believing in god. It's when they use their faith as justification for intolerance or violence that we really get up in arms.\n\nDespite our lack of organization, we have something going for us that no other "faith" does. We will never go away. Whether people worship Zeus, Jehovah, or (maybe in 1000 years) The Star Wars Trilogy, there will always be people who say, "This cannot be right."
1187774
You are no different from an atheist. Hanging your believe on mere iron with the suppossed inage of Jesus. He warned you against imaging.\nIf you are truly sincere about God, go search deeper.
445376
well, im a muslim.. n yep, i am afraid of god.. its not really afraid actually,its more like a sense of devotion n respect..cuz no matter wat religion u believe in, the whole point is to have faith =) n faith lights you in the darkest moment.. peace!
341153
Personally, I'm atheist. \n\nI think everyone has right to their beliefs.\n\nI applaud you for being out there. Some people are just so strong about theirs that other people are seen as low or they are downgraded for expressing their belief.\n\nI hope that you can find some sort of peace, if it may be in Christ, Buddha, or no one.\n\nGood luck.\n\n=)
927252
You flatter yourself to think that I, or any other sane human being, would be obsessed with you. I'm not thinking about you and your cronies, and am certainly not talking about you. Haven't uttered the word "atheist" all day, in fact, until now. \n\nYou're not in as much as a minority as you think. There are plenty of atheists where I live. Some of them are my good friends, despite the fact that I'm a believer. \n\nI choose to believe; they don't. It's no big deal.
907339
God makes Herself known to each person individually.  If this hasn't happened for you (and you'll know when it happens) then you're an Atheist/Agnostic.  You're one of the chosen people to have little to no regard for religious dogma and to be like all the great Atheist thinkers of history.
196372
Imagine how scary it must be to not believe in God, or in an afterlife.  Imagine how scary it is...if you are wrong.  I would imagine that many people that claim not to believe in God must have a nagging doubt, some underlying suspicion that they may not even be aware of.  If you live your life in whatever way you choose, claiming not to believe in an afterlife, in heaven or in hell, then what happens if you are wrong?  I would think that must be terrifying...and what do many people do when they are afraid of something..they attack.  They attempt to fight, to disprove, to make themselves feel better, to feel safer, in any way that they can.  That is just my opinion.
1146395
The devil is trying so hard to make sure that people reject God and his ultimate story / love letter to us.  Atheism, whether folks want to admit it or not, is a religion as well.  I love your binary code there!
872705
Hmm, interesting question, but I sense the premisse (and I could be wrong), that atheists do not care about other people, or are worried about the happiness of people.\nI do not believe in god, but I do believe in people, and I made it my job (I'm a teacher) to teach people to think for themselves. Not blindly following words, but testing them for their truth. I don't like to put all christians on a great big heap, I know there are smart christians and dumb christians, and I admire the christians (some of them are my friend) who not only believe in god, but put their faith to the test on a daily basis, just as I try to do with my ideas and convictions. When people parrot other people, there's a great danger, because a lot of things said are said beautifully or convincing, rather than true. And it is my believe to encourage *everyone* including atheists, christians, muslims or anyone else, to make up their own mind about things.\n\nSo in a way I do care if you don't believe in evolution and do believe in god, because I want to make sure you are truly convinced of this, and actually live your life the way you chose. Not because some book or some church or some philosopher or some politician told you so, but because *you* are convinced that it is right, and have checked all the options to make this choice.
996307
I was a Christian for many years. I feared many things... death, evil, Hell, God, "backsliding".... all sorts of things.\n\nI am now an atheist and do not believe in ANYTHING supernatural, so by default Hell, gods, demons, etc. hold zero fear for me. Also, I do not think it will be any different for me after I die than it was for me all those years before I was born, and while I do try to avoid death, I do not fear it. I accept it as part of life. If you listen to what Christians pray for, it's pretty obvious they fear a lot more than the wrath of their own god.\n\nAlso, I no longer have Satan or God to blame for my actions in any way. Taking full responsibility for what you do brings self-confidence, and self-confidence is a great way to get rid of fear. When you think you can pray and some powerful buddy will bail you out of trouble, you aren't showing much self-reliance. Not feeling like you can do anything on your own against ultra-powerful entities should make it obvious to the Christians themselves that they naturally have more fear than atheists.\n\nI know many  Christians who use the argument that if I am wrong and there is a god, I will go to Hell. So if they use fear to recruit new Christians and keep them, doesn't it stand to reason they would have more fear?\n\nAdded after reading other responses: Almost every answer from Christians so far shows a fear I overcame... the fear of not being Christian! LOL!