# Why don't people believe in God? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 21, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766 "2013-08-21T00:49:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/61 "2013-08-21T02:47:05Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > Just out of curiosity, why don’t people believe in God? I’m interested in your personal experiences or just events that prevents your belief. I don’t think you are or else, you would just ask questions. And in fact, you’re preaching. > [@](#): > > The reason I’m asking is because why wouldn’t people want to have a relationship with a loving God. There’s no reason to assume that a god, let alone a loving one, exists. > [@](#): > > If you respond with “because how can there be a loving God in an evil world”. It’s not God that makes it evil, it’s us. He gave each human free will, which means that we each have the ability to do what we please. That would make sense if : -There wasn’t any bad events that aren’t caused by humans. Why would children be killed by a Tsunami? -God couldn’t at the same time grant free will and prevent evil from happening. And it’s what most Christians believe will happen in Heavens. You might not suscribe to this belief, but in this case, you have to assume that people in heavens have no free will. > [@](#): > > However, even if this does occur, don’t you think that eternal punishment in hell for those who harm the innocent bad enough? Think about it, eternal means forever and ever and ever and ever, it’s never-ending, 24/7. If you’ve ever sat near a huge campfire, you’d know that as it burns bigger, you sit further away. Think about it, you’re not even in the fire, and you can already feel your skin hurt. Hell is a lot worse. You’re actually in it. That’s indeed sounds like a loving god… > [@](#): > > Then if you say, why would a God allow people to burn in the first place. I’ll just ask you, would you allow just anyone to live in your house? Heaven is where God dwells. Home is where you dwell. Would you let a murderer, who doesn’t repent of his wrongdoings, to live with your family? I might not want him at home, but I wouldn’t sentence the worst criminal ever to an eternity of torment. Doing so would be evil beyond belief. Since you’re reasonning by analogy, who you torture your child for days on end because he disobeyed? I guess not. Nevertheless, what you’re saying your god does is immensely more evil. No (limited) fault can justly deserve an infinite torment. > [@](#): > > (God did not make people murder, it’s their free will, they have a conscience. Jeffrey Dahmer a serial killer drank a lot of alcohol before killing his victims and sometimes cannibalizing them. Also, not all children abused or with terrible childhoods at a young age become serial killers. ) It doesn’t really matter since according to your theology, Dahmer might very well be in Heavens if he repented right in time and his victims in hell if they didn’t before he murdered them. Again a great example of justice, isn’t it? > [@](#): > > Would you let a corrupt person who takes advantage of others to live with you eternally? I know I wouldn’t. It’s the same with God, why would you expect him to do the same? First I thought that your god was a toughest guy than that. So, somehow he can’t bear being in the presence of people who sinned? Even if for some reason he cannot, he could let them live a happy life outside his presence. Or just let them dead. Or punish them proportionnally to their crime. But he doesn’t. he chooses to have them tortured forever. Only a madman of incredible cruelty would do that. If your god exists and acts accoridng to what you said, he’s more evil than the worst human criminal of all times. > [@](#): > > And then you might say, why would a God let terrible events happen. Why doesn’t he just show himself? And this is just probably one reason out of the many. But it’s like, God wants us to choose to love him (again, free will) because don’t you think love is truly tested if you love what you can’t see? No. Only a fool would love someone he can’t see and interact with > [@](#): > > I’ve struggled with these thoughts before. I even though God was cruel to let bad events happen, I even thought that I couldn’t follow a God who would allow negativity in the world. Sometimes, I still unconsciously do when I read the news. But then I just have to remind myself that God has everything under control. We know how the world is going to end (Antichrist), and we just need to have faith. I note that you didn’t explain here why god let terrible events happen. Evidence that everything is under control, please? > [@](#): > > Look at the clouds, look up cuttlefish, look at the exotic animals like those giant fish and turtles, look at the The Wave in Arizona/Utah, Look at the national parks, in short, just look at nature, and just think, there’s a God that made it all. And everything you see will become more incredible. And look at a decaying body, at a puddle of mud and blood, at a starving child, at a tear on an elderly face, and tell yourself “there’s a god that made it all”. Inspiring, isn’t it? I note that you have in fact shown no interest in actually asking why people don’t believe. My reason is much simpler than what you thought : I’ve no evidence that he exists, hence no reason to believe he does. Lat me ask you a question too : why don’t you believe in Lord Shiva? Why don’t you pray to him? ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/62 "2013-08-21T02:48:36Z")
If it was an easy thing to believe in God, then Believers would have no reason to feel virtuous and self-righteous, now would they? ---
**Author:** ![Timo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@Timo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timo)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/63 "2013-08-21T02:49:52Z")
> [@Apollyon](#): > > We are god’s glove-puppets?! :eek: > Well, that adds a horrifying new twist to the idea of being “filled with the Holy Spirit”. > > _“Now show me on the doll where the bad deity touched you…”_ > > Seriously though, and flipping your analogy around, one might equally suggest that god is the glove, and you are standing there amazed at just how well the glove fits the hand when the reason is simply that the hand made the glove. > > Humans created all of the gods and used them to help explain who we are, and where we came from, and why, of all the animals, we can anticipate and fear our deaths. That doesn’t make any of the gods real, though it does perhaps tell us something about ourselves. Hm, never thought of it like that. Good point. But yeah, like what Qin Shi Huangdi said, there’s a verse in the bible about the potter and the clay. Maybe that’s a better example. Jeremiah 18 “Family of Israel, you know that I can do the same thing with you. You are like the clay in the potter’s hands, and I am the potter.” ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/64 "2013-08-21T02:53:08Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > I’m not knowledgeable in like… evolution and ideas like that which supposedly disprove God. However I do think that you should provide some insight in the statements that do such. This is what I think. God made this blue-ish liquidy thing on earth, and people called it water. God made the fluffy, white stuff in the sky, and people called those clouds. God made tiny things in our body, and people called those atoms. (I’m not well versed in science either) In a way, I look at the world as though God made everything, and we’re just trying to figure it all out. We’re constantly trying to discover the world, and we’re also trying to use it to disprove God. Which, to me, in my opinion, will never work. In my opinion, I think God made science, or at least what we call science. > > Because I’m a Christian so I believe there is only one. Maybe the word I used as why there are so much evil in the world was a bit strong. Maybe like…sinful. If worship isn’t the right word for you, then go with loving. > > “And yet another reason to condemn Christianity and its god; a god of torture, that condemns finite beings to infinite torture.” - > If you only knew how sinful humans can be. Would you like Hitler to be in Heaven with you? Would you like criminals to be in Heaven? I can see what you’re saying though, eternal pain is a bit much. However, God sees all and he’s a just God. When Cain killed Abel, whom God loved, God didn’t kill Cain immediately. When God told Cain to leave the land as a punishment, Cain couldn’t handle it. Even though Cain killed Abel, God still told Cain that he would protect him. > > Don’t risk and make yourself one of those people who refuse, it’s not worth it. Think about it this way. If a person killed a brother of yours, or sister, or mother, or father, or child, or friend, and was not regretful. Would you not be angry? Would you not want eternal punishment or curse them for it? Would you not want to be revengeful? Would you want to invite that person into your house for eternity? Maybe that may shine a light on a lessen horror to eternity in hell. To us, we are God’s children, and when he sees another killer others, especially innocents, He’s furious. Yet, he can forgive, if you have a _willing_ heart, and he knows when you’re willing. > Rom. 10:12-15 "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him; 13 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD will be saved.” - Just a quote I found interesting > > Genesis 4: 10-16 > > 10 The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. 11 Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” > > 13 Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear. 14 Today you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.” > > 15 But the Lord said to him, “Not so[e]; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 16 So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod,[f] east of Eden > > 1 Tim. 2:5-6, “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time.” - Also ironically ran into this verse while searching for verses online > Romans 1:20 > 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, nhave been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,7 in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Do you not see the inherent silliness of quoting the Bible to prove that the god in that Bible exists? This type of post would only work if one _already_ believed in the Bible, and if we _already_ believed in the Bible we would _already_ believe in some variant of your god. Before you come in here and throw Bible verses around willy-nilly, it might behoove you to ask around and find out how many here have already read the book and still don’t believe in your particular deity. ---
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/65 "2013-08-21T02:53:15Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > I’m just saying that I, myself, will never be able to prove physically that God is real. It’s more of an internal experience between you and God. > Read the book of Psalms. What those people felt back then, is how many people who love the Lord feel now. It can’t be a coincidence. It’s the Holy Spirit. What would you say if someone opened his heart to God but God did not reveal Himself to that person? ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/66 "2013-08-21T02:54:02Z")
this is what happens when creationism is taught in schools. i think we should all stop feeding him till he answers the question of why he chose Christianity over the other options. **Timo** , why are you a Christian? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/67 "2013-08-21T02:54:50Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > Hm, never thought of it like that. Good point. But yeah, like what Qin Shi Huangdi said, there’s a verse in the bible about the potter and the clay. Maybe that’s a better example. > > Jeremiah 18 > “Family of Israel, you know that I can do the same thing with you. You are like the clay in the potter’s hands, and I am the potter.” You can’t quote the Bible to prove the Bible. What else have you got that I can’t find in any other religion? ---
**Author:** ![Timo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@Timo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timo)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/68 "2013-08-21T02:55:52Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > If it was an easy thing to believe in God, then Believers would have no reason to feel virtuous and self-righteous, now would they? Jeremiah 9:23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:9 Not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Proverbs 27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. I think it’s tempting to do such, but we have to constantly remind ourselves that it’s not good to boast in oneself, because it can be harmful. That’s actually how Satan fell, from his pride. Besides, who likes a person that boasts? Basically, they shouldn’t be boasting or thinking that they are “virtuous” because of themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/69 "2013-08-21T02:57:16Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > I hope this helps/hope this was what you mean > > Romans 14:1-23 \ > > Luke 20:46-47 \ > > Mark 7: 1-23 \ > > 6 He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:For Moses said,… \ > > 14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said… \ **Timo,** If all you can bring to this argument is biblical quotes, you should know that these are absolutely worthless unless you first establish that the bible has any validity beyond what a bunch of ignorant sheepherders wrote down over 2000 years ago, an era marked by a remarkable lack of education and scientific knowledge, an era where what we would consider preposterous now was accepted as commonplace then, in spite of any good evidence. These people were amazingly gullible and uncritical. I’m sure you are aware of the great strides civilization and learning has made since? Should we throw all that away just because your personal knowledge hasn’t progressed beyond 2000 years ago? ---
**Author:** ![OurLordPeace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e8c25b/32.png) [@OurLordPeace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OurLordPeace)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/70 "2013-08-21T02:58:23Z")
Timo, stop a moment and read the most recent page of responses. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/71 "2013-08-21T02:58:47Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > Jeremiah 9:23 > Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, > > Ephesians 2:8 > For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, > > Ephesians 2:9 > Not a result of works, so that no one may boast. > > Proverbs 27:2 > Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. > > I think it’s tempting to do such, but we have to constantly remind ourselves that it’s not good to boast in oneself, because it can be harmful. That’s actually how Satan fell, from his pride. Besides, who likes a person that boasts? Basically, they shouldn’t be boasting or thinking that they are “virtuous” because of themselves. Could you please respond to our queries instead of throwing Bible verses out there? I’ve read the book several times already. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/72 "2013-08-21T03:00:35Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > But if you take a leap of faith and ask to have a relationship with God, what harm can it do?, then later, you’ll be able to decide yourself Did you try to do that with Allah, Ahura Mazda, Vishnu, Amenominakanushi ? What harm can it do? Later, you’ll be able to decide for yourself. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/73 "2013-08-21T03:04:51Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > I don’t think “because it would be nice” is reason enough to believe in god. And the OP’s version of god woudn’t even be nice. It would make things significantly worst IMO. So, not even that. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/74 "2013-08-21T03:05:29Z")
> [@shijinn](#): > > this is what happens when creationism is taught in schools. > > i think we should all stop feeding him till he answers the question of why he chose Christianity over the other options. > > **Timo** , why are you a Christian? That’s a good question. Of the religious philosophies I’ve studied, the one I find most fulfilling (and I used to be Christian) is Buddhism. I’m not a good practitioner of it (it, of course, is not at all incompatible with being a UU), but to me its the only one that has a real chance of delivering on the inner peace thing. So, Timo, why aren’t you a Buddhist? ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/75 "2013-08-21T03:07:43Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Could you please respond to our queries instead of throwing Bible verses out there? I’ve read the book several times already. And to non-believers, they really are self referential meaningless drivel when used in a debate on the existence of God. There really should be a ten yard penalty every time a Bible verse is used to debate the existence of God. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/76 "2013-08-21T03:08:02Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > This is what I think. God made this blue-ish liquidy thing on earth, and people called it water. God made the fluffy, white stuff in the sky, and people called those clouds. God made tiny things in our body, and people called those atoms. (I’m not well versed in science either) In a way, I look at the world as though God made everything, and we’re just trying to figure it all out. We’re constantly trying to discover the world, and we’re also trying to use it to disprove God. Which, to me, in my opinion, will never work. In my opinion, I think God made science, or at least what we call science. Humans made science. And there’s no evidence for any gods at all, much less that they created anything. > [@Timo](#): > > “And yet another reason to condemn Christianity and its god; a god of torture, that condemns finite beings to infinite torture.” - > If you only knew how sinful humans can be. Would you like Hitler to be in Heaven with you? Would you like criminals to be in Heaven? I wouldn’t want them to be tortured forever; that’s infinitely worse than anything they ever did, or could have done. > [@Timo](#): > > I can see what you’re saying though, eternal pain is a bit much. However, God sees all and he’s a just God. I see no reason to consider the Christian god as is typically described to be anything other than a monster. And eternal pain isn’t “a bit much”, it’s _infinitely_ much. By definition. > [@Timo](#): > > But if you take a leap of faith and ask to have a relationship with God, what harm can it do? It can turn you into a monster, or cause you to harm yourself. Religion is destructive. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/77 "2013-08-21T03:19:01Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > Just out of curiosity, why don’t people believe in God? As at least one other poster said, why should I believe in any god? None of these stories make sense to me, and as far as I’m concerned a universe with gods makes much less sense than a universe without one. > [@](#): > > The reason I’m asking is because why wouldn’t people want to have a relationship with a loving God. I wouldn’t describe the Biblical God as loving. In the second half, maybe sometimes. In the first, uh, no. But your free will explanation isn’t satisfying anyway. > [@](#): > > However, even if this does occur, don’t you think that eternal punishment in hell for those who harm the innocent bad enough? If I don’t believe in God, which I don’t, I wouldn’t take this threat seriously either. It only sounds like a real danger if you think there might be a God. You wouldn’t be scared if I said you were in danger of a leprechaun attack, would you? > [@](#): > > Then if you say, why would a God allow people to burn in the first place. It’d be nice if you actually answered this. Nobody ever does. 😉 > [@](#): > > But it’s like, God wants us to choose to love him (again, free will) Why would he care about free will? He made it up in the first place. I admit this is about the best any religion can be expected to do with the facts at hand, but the truth is that it’s a weak explanation for the state of the universe. > [@](#): > > God can fulfill what’s missing. Or be used to torment people psychologically. > [@](#): > > Haha, that’s just my take on it. Also, in a way, God already does show his miracles. Look at the clouds, look up cuttlefish, look at the exotic animals like those giant fish and turtles, look at the The Wave in Arizona/Utah, Look at the national parks, in short, just look at nature, and just think, there’s a God that made it all. And everything you see will become more incredible. Except your God isn’t required for any of those things. And I think those things are more enjoyable if you appreciate them on their own terms instead of viewing them as props. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/78 "2013-08-21T03:26:49Z")
> [@Timo](#): > > I’m not knowledgeable in like… evolution and ideas like that which supposedly disprove God. Just for your information, evolution doesn’t disprove god. The wide majority of Christians around the world aknowledge evolution and believe in god. Only strict literalists (who are almost all Americans) believe that evolution is incompatible with Christian beliefs. > [@](#): > > If you only knew how sinful humans can be. Would you like Hitler to be in Heaven with you? Would you like criminals to be in Heaven? Yes. That would certainly be more just. Why would I care about Hitler if I’m in perpetual felicity? Especially after a couple billions years or so… > [@](#): > > Maybe that may shine a light on a lessen horror to eternity in hell. To us, we are God’s children, and when he sees another killer others, especially innocents, He’s furious. Yet, he can forgive, if you have a _willing_ heart, and he knows when you’re willing. No loving parent could torture his children. If he does, it proves he isn’t loving. Since you probably know what love is, you certainly know that. Besides, according to your religion, plenty of people who haven’t commited any serious crime, or even who have been exceptionnally good on earth will be in hell, while many murderers will be in Heavens. depending on whether they chose to worship your god, not depending on whether they have been good or evil. I still fail to see any justice in that. ---
**Author:** ![Timo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@Timo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timo)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/79 "2013-08-21T03:28:25Z")
> [@shijinn](#): > > this is what happens when creationism is taught in schools. > > i think we should all halt the pile-on till he answers the question of why he chose Christianity over the other options. > > why are you a Christian? I wasn’t taught about it in school. I don’t think that’s allowed in most public schools…I could be wrong. Maybe private ones though. My mother is Christian that allowed introduced me to Him. I was basically dragged to go to church when I was young…haha. I also didn’t really understand it, but I didn’t really have a choice. To be honest, when I grew older, the only reason I still attended church was because of the people. I had friends, and it was fun. So…I slept sometimes through the messages because they were really long. Then my mom wanted me to be baptized at 13. At that time, it didn’t occur to me to want to be baptized. But to stop her nagging, I agreed. Haha, In fact, when a full-timer asked why I was baptized, I told him it was because Jesus was baptized at 13…which it totallly not true at aalllll. So then I continued going to church, and what not. It was basically my mother’s God and not mine. There’s this saying in our church, that, although the same God, you want your own personal experience with God. And that’s what I didn’t really have. But through troubles in High School, where Junior and Senior year were the worst, I had to really lean on something to help me. So, I kind of thought, what the heck, and out of desperation, I just prayed to Him constantly. Prayers like, and not word for word, because I have no clue, but like small prayers, like when a full-timer would tell us to ask God to come into our lives or to be real to us, that’s what I did. The change didn’t come drastically, like it was a sudden life change, but it came eventually. Sometimes it felt like this, beautifully explained by him. “The thought was involuntary and unwanted. I crowded it out of my mind. But I never wholly forgot it or the occasion. I had to crowd it out of my mind. If I had completed it, I should have had to say: Design presupposes God. I did not then know that, at that moment, the finger of God was first laid upon my forehead. - Whittaker Chambers” This thought happened to him, I believe, when he looked at his daughter. So as you can see, I didn’t really fully, consciously, acknowledge, or wholly believe that God was real. He was just my mother’s God. But it was the first step, of baptism, and then prayer, that allowed me to be Christian. It was definitely with his mercy. And not trying to be a drama queen or anything haha, but I feel this is important, and nobody that I know face to face knows this, but I definitely did try to commit suicide by hanging because of the emotional pain, but something inside me said no, it was just a stronger feeling than the emotional pain. So it wasn’t like I was introduced to any other religions before Christianity that allowed me to outweigh which religion was better or more logical. I don’t know, I feel like this is a bit too personal to share, but whatever. I’ll just click submit reply. Just want to push something out there, if you do try to walk with God, to try to build a relationship with him, it doesn’t mean all worries will end. In fact, God Prov 3:11-12 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Job 1:21 - “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” James 1: 3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. And if you are tested and wonder why this certain way is happening just remember Psalm 18: 30 As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him. ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766/80 "2013-08-21T03:31:40Z")
I don’t believe in god because i don’t need to. The Buddhist faith works for me with no gods required. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-dont-people-believe-in-god/666766.md?page=5)