Blankman

Truth is universal, not geographic. Science is universal. Science is truth.

Aquila ka Hecate

Have you taken leaf of your senses?

Brian DC

Come on, stick to the topic.

Evil Milkman

I agree.

I know there has to be more theistic people out there that are just dying to tell their story. It doesn't even have to be long.

Anyone?

ImGod

In my case, I was taught a specific brand of religion from birth. So for the majority of my christian days, I didn’t need to become a believer; I just was one. When I came to a point in life where I wanted to become a true believer, it required effort beyond the parental “I told you so”.

The honest study and evaluation of my religion and some of the major contemporary and historical religions, lead me to the logical choice of atheism. I’ve scaled back my study of comparative religions for defensive purposes because I’ve found it a waste of my time. I can’t possible learn or experience enough about the different religions to defend my position against each.

Instead, I’ve started studying the things I enjoy, like landscaping and horticulture. I’m still the same person but without the Lutheran or Methodist labels. I just don’t have to feel guilty about staying home on Sunday like the rest of my neighbors and have more money to spend on the things I actually enjoy doing.

hastalavista2u

OK,so I guess I'll also add to your little survey here,for what it's worth.
[BTW--I congratulate you(evilmilkman) for holding to your agnosticism. At least you are still adhering to some form of rationality!
And I'll pray for you,since you're mind is still somewhat open...but don't take it wrong,just doing my duty.]

As for me,basically I suppose I represent the majority of "fundies" who have seemingly grew up believing in God,including some like myself didn't actually convert until later on,but have still always believed.
It was over 6 years ago for myself when I was 26.
There seems to be this thing in believers that enables them to grasp on to their inner faith and to continue to trust in a God even when He seems to be absent at times.
Whatever "it" is,it seems that you either have it or you don't.

And this doesn't have anything to do with one's intelligence,since their are many born-again believers with very high IQ's who don't have an ounce of doubt in their faith.
And I can't really explain why this is,or why I turned to Jesus during a troubled period in my life.
I only know that I needed help and couldn't trust in mortal man/woman to provide it,or to fill the empty void in my soul.
You can call it a "crutch" if you like,but when you think about it everyone has some form of support they turn to to help them cope.

I'm sure many Atheists probably drink a lot,because getting drunk is fun to them,or so they say.
But what would happen if you took all the alcohol away,as well as coffee,cigarettes or any other vices that people use to ease tension and stress?
I'm sure their would be something else that people would use.

I'm sure many even use their family as a "crutch",
although it's not viewed that way.
But you take away every loved one from an unbeliever,and they will surely find something else to fill that void,however vain and useless it may be.

In short,I am one of those who was never capable of disbelieving,so I guess it was natural for me to eventually fully commit my life to Christ.
Even though I was rebellious for most of my life.
Anyway,I hope this helps to satisfy your curiosity?

Take care...

[ September 24, 2002: Message edited by: Theitist ]</p>

ManM

Evil Milkman,
My folks are split-denomination, one Southern Baptist and the other Orthodox (polar opposites on several issues), so I was left to do some thinking on my own. I went off to college and was soundly defeated in an on-line debate by a Mr. Dave Holloway (atheist). After that I flirted with metaphysical naturalism for a bit but found that it had trouble accounting for mankind's experience of itself. I found that the world makes more sense looking at it through the lens of theism* as opposed to metaphysical naturalism, and so now I'm firmly in the theist camp.

*This does not mean I agree with all theists about God. It only means I found a specific conception of God that explained the world better than metaphysical naturalism.

motorhead

Can I ask why you "turned to Jesus" and not to Islam?

Why do you immediately think that atheists turn to cigarettes, coffee, or other vices when they support, or to ease tension and stress? Also, you seem to be stating that your belief is just one of many vices used for support and to ease tension and stress.

Why is family considered a crutch? I love my family very much and I'm happy they are there to support me, as I try to be there to support them. I see nothing wrong with this. I don't see it as a crutch at all, unless it's somehow an unhealthy relationship. Again, you seem to be implying that religious faith is one crutch among many.

Why wasn't it natural for you to commit yourself to Islam? Your basic answer to the question at hand is...you want to believe, so you believe.

Marz Blak

Can you expand on this a little bit? I am interested to more precisely what you mean.

If you do respond, and if it's not too much trouble, could you maybe even start another thread (in this forum)? I'd not want to be party to a thread-jacking....

Thanks,

M.

[ September 24, 2002: Message edited by: Marz Blak ]</p>

Panta Pei

Well, that sums it up quite nicely.

Still, I really enjoy reading the various testimonials...they are inspirational in that they show that we are not that different after all.

As for me, I have chosen to define myself by what I am rather than what I am not.

Just what that is, you may never know.