Why Did You Loose Your Faith? (Poll)

[humanguy]

All notions of god vanished once I became well and truly convinced that god is nothing more than an ancient human invention.

Human guy - do you remember what it was that convinced you that Christianity is merely a human invention? Was it science, or textual criticism - or did you just wake up one morning and say, "this is stupid. I'm going home"?

I guess you could say that one day all the pieces came together and I really began to consider that idea, that the whole thing is nothing more than a human invention, until finally I was completely convinced that it's the only thing that makes sense.

[Josiah]

3) the Bible contains technical contradictions in its recounting of certain events, such as the death of Judas. Again apologetic reponses to this story are ridiculous.
There's also Jesus' claim that if you have basically any faith at all you can move mountains, etc. This obviously doesn't happen and again the explanations for it are either awkward or insulting. There's also his claim that God will take care of his people the same way he "clothes the lilies of the field". If tons of Christians starving to death, getting tortured and persecuted, and going through the same crap that everyone else goes through is God "taking care of them", I'd hate to see what God NOT taking care of them looks like. The only way this claim is true at all is in the idea that Christians get cushy homes in heaven for all their trouble here on earth. So this promise of Jesus' gives me no earthly practical comfort whatsoever.

HI Turtle Girl. Just wanted to let you know that I posted my explanation of the Death of Judas on my blog,

http://nolongerbechildren.wordpress.com ... y-a-field/

Yes, I have certainly read the dismissive answers in my research, but there were some good answers too. Anyways, not trying to convert you or anything (I understand that these things are a part of a larger life event, or crisis, at which we "convert" - one way or another - and changing one detail after the fact won't change your decisions now, any more than you pointing out the manipulative teaching of my parents in my infancy would change my current Christian beliefs...not that they were manipulative...but you get the point....) Anyways, just thought you'd be interested.

[Dr Mundo]

understanding the nature of logic and reason. Easy as that. I was raided RC but semi converted to a protestant form of Christianity when I was in HS.

[gary_s]

What do you guys think about the Quaker notion that god is an "inner light"? Does this reduce god to nothing or elevate it to something profound? Do it hold any meaning to you? Is there anything about your thinking that allows for inner inspiration and a spiritual existence? Would this conflict with any of our knowledge of the universe?

[NH Baritone]

What do you guys think about the Quaker notion that god is an "inner light"? Does this reduce god to nothing or elevate it to something profound? Do it hold any meaning to you? Is there anything about your thinking that allows for inner inspiration and a spiritual existence? Would this conflict with any of our knowledge of the universe?

These questions appear related to the "numinous" feelings that folks can consciously perceive.

When the grandeur of existence more fully captures our attention, any one of us can experience a "Wow!" moment. Relating that to a deity is, however, an overlay from our particular culture. We're trained by mom, dad, and the scout master to see God in the stars. But to my mind, talk of God sullies the experience. To quote Douglas Adams, "
Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?"

Perhaps I repost the following far too often, but there may be some new users around who haven't seen it.

A Unifying Spirituality:

• Awe and wonder at the complexity and grandeur of the universe
• Acknowledgment that no one is self-created and that none of us is self-sufficient
• Attention to birth, life, and death as common experiences worthy of exploration
• Awareness that no single perspective contains all the truth

I find this list useful in communicating important, shared human experiences without culturally-born superstitions obscuring the common ground.

[Brad]

I don't think Christians need to run from the truth, because we are right. If we just have courage to pursue truth, we will see that the truth will set us free, and will lead to a deeper and stronger faith, and a wider and more powerful impact on society. That has been my experience, and is my belief at any rate.

Well, Josiah, I offered you encouragement (note the middle of that word) by suggesting you were courageous to ask your questions. But apparently I was being too kind in an effort to be kind. You are immersed in the sort of group think that is now, and always has been, a danger not only to the members of the group, but to humanity as a whole. And that's the very kindest way I can put it. In short, being convinced that you are "right" and having that conviction reinforced in your seminary and church community surroundings, your opportunities to recognize where you're mistaken are almost entirely eliminated.

I'm sure it will not register with you at all that believers in thousands of gods and "faiths" have been equally as convinced or their righteousness as you are today, and have been equally able to present "testimony" and non-evidential arguments to themselves and to their peers.

Still, I understand and even empathize with where you're coming from, because in the past I, too, had the sort of religious certainty you display.
My hope for you is that one day you'll have the same good fortune I've had and begin to see the world and life with a broader perspective.

[humanguy]

Gee-golly-gosh dim bulb hypnotized goody-two-shoes idiot Josiah, he's not around anymore, is he?