5 Steps to God (for Atheists/Agnostics)...

kelly1

I'll post this here rather that the A&A forum. Don't want to break any charter rules!

http://www.conversiondiary.com/2008/04/finding-god-in-5-steps.html

I'd be interested to hear from atheists if they've tried these things?

After all Jesus did say that if we seek, we shall find and that he'd never turn away anyone who came to Him!

God bless,
Noel.

P.S. This might also be of interest http://www.conversiondiary.com/2008/01/from-atheism-to-christianity-conversion.html

robindch

kelly1 wrote: »

I'll post this here rather that the A&A forum. Don't want to break any charter rules!

Over in A+A, in broad terms, you're free to discuss any idea you like, and in the terms you feel are appropriate. You're more than welcome to post this in A+A if you want to.

Just looking at the page briefly, it seems that Ms F. took a conscious decision at some point to acquire a religious belief. In what I read, she doesn't mention why she made this decision, but the steps she outlines -- repetition, conscious suspension of disbelief, reading just one side of the argument, ignoring conflicting evidence and drawing inappropriate linkages and conclusions -- are quite likely to help implant sincere beliefs of any kind.

From what she says, I think she could follow exactly the same steps and, by effort of thinking alone, have acquired islamic, jewish or animistic beliefs, or indeed, just about any other belief that she cared to. It's just coincidental that she happened to acquire catholicism, or catholicism acquired her (depending on how you look at it).

kelly1 wrote: »

I'd be interested to hear from atheists if they've tried these things?

In years gone by, I was certainly encouraged by many people to do this kind of stuff, but no matter how hard I tried, it remained impossible to ignore the central meaninglessness of the exercise. I'm sure just about anybody could make themselves happier or more secure (or whatever emotion one would feel) by convincing themselves that they're never going to get sick, never have a car crash, win the lotto, become immortal, spend the rest of eternity joyously shagging 72 virgins -- I'd imagine that gets tiresome real quick -- or enjoy or endure whatever other glorious future one could dream up.

But, in my case anyway, it was impossible to forget that, had I succeeded, it would have been me, and nobody else, who had convinced me this glorious future awaited.

It would have been the kind of happiness you feel when you pat yourself on the back, or the kind of security you feel when you close your eyes and block your ears.

toiletduck

I have to say I don't really think much of it. It seems more aimed at lapsed religious or hopefully leaning agnostics.


Found this interesting though

live, for a while, as if God did exist.

togster

Im not any religion, so i'm taking this from my point of view

In the article she says God=Love which is true.

I would have said God= Life, but that's my definition.

You don't have to take steps in order to reach God. Life is all around you, it's whether or not you actually live it is the issue. There is no past and future only right here right now, so "hoping to find God" in the future is never going to work.

While I agree in principal to most of her points, it still perpetuates the Christian idea of a God outside of ourselves, and i don't agree with this.

I agreed with most untill she said

The bottom line is this: seek, and you shall find.

You don't have to seek God. God is you and me and the space in between

btw i live in principal with alot of what she says. Although meditation is my form of "prayer"

togster

shaz22 wrote: »

there is nothing wrong with being an atheist so why should we change our beliefs?

Why should Christians change theirs?

PDN

I'm locking this thread as some atheists appear unable to respond without breaching the forum charter.

Noel, I would advise you to post this in the A&A forum instead.