I don't know what to believe - Atheism vs Christianity

Message from discussion I don't know what to believe

Drafterman

More options Jul 1 2008, 5:11 pm

From: Drafterman <drafter...@gmail.com>

Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2008 05:11:35 -0700 (PDT)

Local: Tues, Jul 1 2008 5:11 pm

Subject: Re: I don't know what to believe

  Reply to author
  |
  Forward
  | Print
  | View thread
  | Show original
  | Report this message
  | Find messages by this author
  

On Jun 30, 9:43 pm, khalaly <kalilah.zi...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello, I see many people are touching bases with this interesting
> topic, and I would like to do the same. I am a young girl, which is
> rather hard to tell, because of my writing, but I am only a young
> teen. In fact, people judge me for questioning, and trying to learn
> about the way things work. But I want to learn. I am again interested
> in this topic, because I don't know what to believe. I want to believe
> in God, but not to the extent of having a religion, for those matters
> have are to mixed up for me. But I want to believe in God, but it's
> hard. All this suffering. and unfairnes. Isn't a god supposed to help
> prevent those things, and help make peace in the world for all people.
> I'm stuck should I be of some faith, just believe, or be a complete
> atheist. Atheist is my closest option.

You should take solace in that you are not alone. I remember going
through several years and periods in my life when I wanted to believe
in god. In fact, to this day, I admit that there is a part of me that
looks out at the universe, this world, the life here, and wants to
insert some *purpose*, some *reason* for it all to be. Why is anything
here at all, rather than nothing?

This is all natural and good. Our desire to make sense of the world
stems from an innate survival factor and is necessary for us to live.
It is also the driving force for all human advancement.

The issue here should not be abandoment of your desire to make sense
of things, but, rather, whether or not to let compulsion rule you.
Throughout your life you may have the impulse to jump to a conclusion
because of emotional concerns. This can be a trap not unlike a pitcher
plant. The goal is emotionally appealing and going there may *feel*
good, but once inside you may find it hard to get out. You are content
in your answer and would rather stay there instead of reevaluating it.
Unfortunately the answer may corrode and dissolve rational and logical
thinking until there is nothing left.

It is important to keep yourself honest. Regardless of how you have
arrived at a conclusion, be humble and honest enough to constantly
scrutinze it. You will be surprised at how many things you are
absolutely certain are true right now, turn out to be not-so-true
later in life. If you become attached to these answers, ego and pride
may prevent you from letting them go. There is nothing wrong with not
having all the right answers. We are *all* ignorant in some fashion,
that is simply the human condition. If someone asks you a question it
is alright to answer "I don't know".

If you feel bad for not having an answer, or not being sure about an
answer, that is just your natural desire to keep finding one. But it
is a balancing act. You must keep your desire for a truthful answer in
balance with a desire for any answer.

I would have you ask yourselve why you want to believe in a god. What
is the source for that desire? Think of this independently of familial
or social influences. Think only about yourself and your desires. Why
must there be a god?

Reply to author Forward