Christian losing faith in God

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You have so many burdens. It's good to let the unnecessary ones go. Wishing you the best under your circumstances.

How does one do this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the PPs saying losing their faith was a relief, can you explain how? For me, losing faith would mean all my suffering (and suffering of others) is meaningless. And more important, that all the love and joy I experience are equally meaningless, to be snatched away at possibly at moment for no reason, no justice, no point.

Yep, you got the gist. People are meaningless. People also feel the need to attach meaning and purpose to life. That why and how mythologies all over the world were created - greek gods; Roman gods; jewish- christian god; all the gods in other religions that would make the list too long. Humans have the need to invent gods and meaning to feel purpose - there isn't any. Religious beliefs are what people invent when their needs for survival have been met.

[Anonymous]

If it's any help, you are in good company. Mother Teresa and many other saints experienced a "long dark night of the soul". It does not reflect poorly on God or you, although it is miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, OP. When I accepted that there was no god, it was actually a relief. Freeing. And liberating to accept that it wasn't me not praying enough, it wasn't me not being good enough, and it wasn't about me, period. It was just life. The cards we're dealt (which unfortunately, are not fair). But it allowed me to take the wheel and try to steer myself to a better life, instead of relying on hope or prayer.

Good luck.

+1. I usually don’t make “atheist” posts because I tend to leave well enough alone for other people, but personally, losing my faith was a relief. It gave me strength to take the reins myself.

God helps those who help themselves.

That sounds manipulative.

Or maybe, it's just the person helping themself. Taking care of themself. Realizing that they alone are in control. Working very hard to make positive changes, all by themself. Maybe with a kind helping hand from a fellow human.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the PPs saying losing their faith was a relief, can you explain how? For me, losing faith would mean all my suffering (and suffering of others) is meaningless. And more important, that all the love and joy I experience are equally meaningless, to be snatched away at possibly at moment for no reason, no justice, no point.

It felt like a relief for me, because it made me realize that the hardships were just circumstance - it had nothing to do with not being "blessed" enough by God, or me not putting in the effort.

I don't think suffering is meaningless - there are always opportunities to learn, grow, and strengthen.

To me, when I realized that religion/god were not real, and I learned to let go, it actually made me think better of a lot of humans. It meant that their kindness and love was because of them, not a god. It meant that the goodness in the world was all because of people who had chosen to do good. Yes, there is a flipside - there are crappy people who do crappy things. But we all have a choice. We all make our own choices. It's MORE genuine, more authentic, because there is no afterlife or reward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Crying as I type this, I'm a Christian who is losing their faith in God. My life has been nothing but an utter train wreck of abuse as child, life long disease, no family, no kids to help me and for years (like I feel sorry for myself how I told myself it would get better, prayed and prayed and nothing) now I'm thinking this is has been all lies to myself. Things aren't getting better, I don't feel God with me, I don't hear him, I don't get any help from him. I'm losing my faith here which is also making me sad and depressed. I feel utterly alone and in a dark hole I can't get myself out of. I'd like to know what other Christians would say for advice here. I'm at a total loss.

May be stop believing in God's goodness but believe in your own. Move your focus from finding solutions for your problems to helping others who are hurting like you or worse. Raising others can raise one in strange ways.

This. Focus on how you can bring joy or comfort to others - it can be the smallest gesture - but giving back is life's greatest purpose.

[Anonymous]

I still follow Christianity to give me strength to forgive and to give me hope but I've basically realized the world is full of people who regardless of what they believe, do anything from the most evil to the most loving thing any given day because they can. We as humans every day have that choice. I think of God as like the force. A positive force in the world that is within each of us. And act to try and bring that positivity to myself and others. It's a mix of discipline and love and I do not do it for anyone but myself. I let others fall on their own sword. I live my life how I can be my best person.

[Anonymous]

You’ll be ok. It’s normal to waver but the seed is planted in you. When you are on your deathbed it comes into overwhelming focus that the only lifeline from heaven is Jesus. Once every earthly issue and care is irrelevant and trivial your post death peril needs immediate attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You have so many burdens. It's good to let the unnecessary ones go. Wishing you the best under your circumstances.

How does one do this?

If God is merciful, God can wait out your human weakness. If you cannot carry God on your shoulders, you can set that down. Maybe one day you'll feel ready to carry again. Maybe not. It's OK.

[Anonymous]

God is not the cure for your troubles.

God puts the strength within you to endure your troubles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
You’ll be ok. It’s normal to waver but the seed is planted in you. When you are on your deathbed it comes into overwhelming focus that the only lifeline from heaven is Jesus. Once every earthly issue and care is irrelevant and trivial your post death peril needs immediate attention.

Post death peril? I'm sorry, but so many Christians really seem to believe for incredibly self-serving reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the PPs saying losing their faith was a relief, can you explain how? For me, losing faith would mean all my suffering (and suffering of others) is meaningless. And more important, that all the love and joy I experience are equally meaningless, to be snatched away at possibly at moment for no reason, no justice, no point.

I'll answer: Reality is wonderful, and you can spend your time maximizing the value what you know you have and not worrying about afterlife or any other unlikely supernatural thing. It's liberating. And rewarding - you act good because you choose too, which means you ARE good, and not because of fear of eternal retribution. I have many more reasons, but for this thread and your question that should suffice.

What confuses me is how suffering in meaningful? Why would it make more sense that a supreme being was permitting your suffering (when they could change it), rather than the fact that it is simply an unfortunate part of life?

Even more confusing: how would love and joy be meaningless in any context? (Aside from that being logically impossible).

Love and joy would just be meaningless neurotransmitters firing. As would be your “choice” to do good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the PPs saying losing their faith was a relief, can you explain how? For me, losing faith would mean all my suffering (and suffering of others) is meaningless. And more important, that all the love and joy I experience are equally meaningless, to be snatched away at possibly at moment for no reason, no justice, no point.

It felt like a relief for me, because it made me realize that the hardships were just circumstance - it had nothing to do with not being "blessed" enough by God, or me not putting in the effort.

I don't think suffering is meaningless - there are always opportunities to learn, grow, and strengthen.

To me, when I realized that religion/god were not real, and I learned to let go, it actually made me think better of a lot of humans. It meant that their kindness and love was because of them, not a god. It meant that the goodness in the world was all because of people who had chosen to do good. Yes, there is a flipside - there are crappy people who do crappy things. But we all have a choice. We all make our own choices. It's MORE genuine, more authentic, because there is no afterlife or reward.

Most don't believe hardships or success were about being "blessed by God." That's not how suffering works.

[Anonymous]

After a lot of hardship, I lost my faith. About five years later, I'm starting to feel it again. It feels different but familiar.

I had to accept a lot of things first that I did not want to accept.

So you may feel it again.

For me, if I had not, I still think I would have been okay.

My faith has nothing to do with church going or not going. It does have to do with prayer now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crying as I type this, I'm a Christian who is losing their faith in God. My life has been nothing but an utter train wreck of abuse as child, life long disease, no family, no kids to help me and for years (like I feel sorry for myself how I told myself it would get better, prayed and prayed and nothing) now I'm thinking this is has been all lies to myself. Things aren't getting better, I don't feel God with me, I don't hear him, I don't get any help from him. I'm losing my faith here which is also making me sad and depressed. I feel utterly alone and in a dark hole I can't get myself out of. I'd like to know what other Christians would say for advice here. I'm at a total loss.

Read “Disappointment With God”, by Philip Yancey. It will change your perspective.