How do you find God if you don't believe?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is it about “faith” that you think will help? Community? Structure? Unconditional love? Life after death?

Other than the last one, can you find a way to recreate these elements in your life without religion?

I think a lot of people take comfort in ritual and community. Maybe you’d feel comfortable attending Unitarian services? Or a humanitarian congregation somewhere?

a humanist congregation, like WES (Washington Ethical Society) - not humanitarian

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s more about accepting we are not 100% in control and therefore being open and embracing to the mystery/ wonders of life and our journey here together. Obviously in my darkest moments I can’t manage this, few can. But just working on it goes a long way. I recommend listening to Sharon stanburg’s talks which have very simple, pragmatic ways in which we can find a sense of connection, ie, at a checkout line, you read the name tag of someone helping you, and repeat the name in your head, and then interact them with an intention and awareness in which you are wholly present with them.

Sorry that should read Sharon salzberg

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op seems to be speaking of the God of the Bible.

But that’s the God he is having hard time believing.
God of the Bible and the Bible itself.
That’s why I am suggesting he explores Buddhism and Taoism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op seems to be speaking of the God of the Bible.

It's the god of the Bible - and of Catholicism - that OP has rejected. Sounds to me like OP is seeking another kind of diety.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am asking this question after reading a previous post about people being depressed because they don't have religion in their lives. I am an atheist in my 40s, although I considered myself Christian until my early 20's. However with life and experience I find it impossible to believe in a 'God' and especially anything written in the Bible. It all seems totally unbelievable to me and I hate the way it has given people reasons to discriminate against LGBTQ communities.

I struggle on and off with depression and sometimes I wished I did have a faith to comfort me. It is very easy for people to say you should turn to Jesus etc, but to me it is like believing in Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.

Sounds like you're seeking religion as a cure for depression. Plenty of depressed people are religious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn't find God. He found me.

For a few years I felt something needed fixing. I was raised Catholic and hated catechism, hated going to church, didn't have my kids baptized. It all seemed fake to me. I thought how can I be perfect when I'm not perfect ? I am human. Humans make mistakes.

My family was highly religious, cousin was a priest, I call my brother The Pope, my aunt regularly entertained priests at her home. I took a personal beating, mouth that is, regularly for not doing what I was supposed to do. But I held my ground. My husband was raised the same way. My FIL told me God would take my kids because of what we were doing. God does NOT do that. There were times we were shunned by family especially on religious holidays. I wasn't offended. I did think they were wrong to treat us that way.

Aren't good christians supposed to love unconditionally? Be giving, caring, nonjudgmental ? I didn't see any of that. The family was religious but not spiritual. There is a difference. All their goodness came with strings. FAKE FAKE FAKE. I accepted that. Didn't like it but life goes on.

About 7 years ago I had a spiritual awakening. Immediate, intense, very moving. I was shocked. Not something I expected. From that day on my whole outlook on life changed dramatically. And it's been wonderful.

If you are human you have God DNA in you. You don't have to believe in him. HE believes in YOU.
Your questioning alone says you are on your way to finding what you need.
AMEN !

This post was very interesting until the last paragraph, in which pp expresses their opinion as fact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don’t have to believe in the Abrahamic concept of GOD.
Buddhism or Taoism with the emphasis in meditation might be something you should explore.
I am like you and Taoism philosophy is the best for me.

In addition I believe in Jesus as historical person and a great ethical, spiritual enlightened teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op seems to be speaking of the God of the Bible.

It's the god of the Bible - and of Catholicism - that OP has rejected. Sounds to me like OP is seeking another kind of diety.

We don’t need to argue about what op wants or needs. Op can read posts and take what they find useful and disregard the rest.

op, I believe God is hard to find sometimes. Look at this world…it’s a mess. I don’t blame anyone who feels like if God existed, why would so many bad things happen? The Bible was written a very long time ago. It’s hard to understand. And after all- believing in the unseen takes faith.

You can speak to pastors, or priests, and ask them questions. They would be happy to share their thoughts with you. You have to figure out what you are looking for and what you need.

I didn’t think I needed God for many years. I thought He was just there, and I was where I was. I had to actively seek Him and learn about Him. I am envious of people who have an earth shattering experience that leads them to faith. That seems easy enough! But my journey to God was a slow, dark slog. Nothing made me reach for Him but my desire to find Him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok I'll try again. If you are of the opinion that people feel less depressed if they have a faith. How do you suggest a depressed person finds a faith, if they struggle to believe in the concept of a God?

For me, I find God in intelligent community that equally values faith and intellect and kindness. None of us have all the answers to anything. It is in relationship with others who are open to the divine mystery but who also like science/ critical thinking and trying to respond to all the injustice in the world with acts of love and service that I feel the presence of God.

We also need to make time for inner reflection and prayer to feel The still quiet voice of God within.

There are many great faith communities in DMV that fit this criteria.

Best wishes OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are curious about finding God, you can read the accounts of atheists who did just that. There are many. They were in your shoes at one point.

https://www.everystudent.com/wires/atheist.html

here’s the story of one. If you google “atheist who found God,”you will find more people who have done so.

C.S. Lewis is an atheist who became a great Christian writer. He has many books you could check out from your local library.

As a lifelong Christian who has struggled with anxiety and depression, you will not become perfect or never experience sadness or pain or hardship if you become a Christian and find God. But you will have God to comfort you, and everlasting peace and love when your earthly body dies.

Surrounding yourself with believers who love God is very uplifting. Our pastor’s wife absolutely shines with happiness when she worships God at church.

Praying for you, op.

That link is laughable. Here's a quote:
"As I read the Bible it seemed that God was spelling out who he is and how he viewed this relationship with him. It was amazing. What really surprised me is how often he talked about his love. I hadn't expected that. In my mind, I was simply acknowledging God's existence. It was a logical conclusion that God exists. I had no expectations of him, but as I read the Bible, he chose to communicate his love to me. That was a surprise."

Meanwhile, there are people who become atheists because of reading the Bible, so just reading the Bible is not the answer.

[Anonymous]

I think taking a long quiet hike will help with physical and spiritual side of your question.

[Anonymous]

I consider myself a Christian agnostic, I don't really have much faith. But that's what church is for - other people can hold you up and ritual matters. And frankly there arent many places in our culture where its acceptable to talk about really existential stuff through ANY lens, like "why is there suffering and how do we deal with it." I would recommend finding a good welcoming church and just showing up to stuff. Look for "open and affirming," which means LGBTQ-friendly as a church policy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I consider myself a Christian agnostic, I don't really have much faith. But that's what church is for - other people can hold you up and ritual matters. And frankly there arent many places in our culture where its acceptable to talk about really existential stuff through ANY lens, like "why is there suffering and how do we deal with it." I would recommend finding a good welcoming church and just showing up to stuff. Look for "open and affirming," which means LGBTQ-friendly as a church policy.

PS i just answered this from my own experience, I don't know if it will help you find the comfort you're looking for, but I'm really sorry you're going through a hard time and do hope you find a source of peace.

[Anonymous]

I have no identity as a Christian but I have really come to spirituality and believe we are all children of the universe and “god”.

A beautiful and easy meditation is “21 days of abundance” w deepok chopra, you can get it on Spotify

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op seems to be speaking of the God of the Bible.

OP here - I mean any version of 'God' doesn't have to are the one in the Bible.