Did anyone become an atheist late in life?

[Anonymous]

Finally quit all pretense of believing in my mid 30s. I grew up in a very religious household. My husband and kids go to church, I don’t. There seem to be plenty of people here who have become atheists as older adults.

I’m glad I was raised with a strong religious background. I understand why people believe and the positive, and negative, things about religious belief systems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God does not respond to prayers on demand. This is one of the biggest mistakes that all Christians, irregardless of a denomination, make. We should pray to God for wisdom and discernment to understand His message and to become more faithful and more like Christ in our conduct.
God already knows what you need, even before you ask him. He is not looking for prayers on demand, He is looking for a humble heart and discernment of His message. He is looking for disciples. He is looking at your heart to see if you have turned away from your sins, if you have crucified your flesh and denied yourself earthly, fleeting pleasures. Only after you have done all of that can you call upon Him in your hour of need. That's how God works. And He does not respond to every prayer and when you want Him to, He responds in His own time, on His schedule, and according to His will.

Barf.

This explanation of god is really just a way of explaining away all the bad stuff that happens in the world.


NP here. I was raised Christian (my parents are evangelicals) but I became atheist in middle school. I was always skeptical, even as a young child. But right around 6th-7th grade was when I just stopped trying to believe.

Double barf -- This point of view is usually stated (as above) in such a sanctimonious way, as if the person is speaking on behalf of this omnipotent being who sometimes uses its powers to make, or let, people suffer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God does not respond to prayers on demand. This is one of the biggest mistakes that all Christians, irregardless of a denomination, make. We should pray to God for wisdom and discernment to understand His message and to become more faithful and more like Christ in our conduct.
God already knows what you need, even before you ask him. He is not looking for prayers on demand, He is looking for a humble heart and discernment of His message. He is looking for disciples. He is looking at your heart to see if you have turned away from your sins, if you have crucified your flesh and denied yourself earthly, fleeting pleasures. Only after you have done all of that can you call upon Him in your hour of need. That's how God works. And He does not respond to every prayer and when you want Him to, He responds in His own time, on His schedule, and according to His will.

Barf.

This explanation of god is really just a way of explaining away all the bad stuff that happens in the world.


NP here. I was raised Christian (my parents are evangelicals) but I became atheist in middle school. I was always skeptical, even as a young child. But right around 6th-7th grade was when I just stopped trying to believe.

Sorry to break it to you and PP - Christianity is simply not a religion on-demand. You might have better luck elsewhere.

Double barf -- This point of view is usually stated (as above) in such a sanctimonious way, as if the person is speaking on behalf of this omnipotent being who sometimes uses its powers to make, or let, people suffer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God does not respond to prayers on demand. This is one of the biggest mistakes that all Christians, irregardless of a denomination, make. We should pray to God for wisdom and discernment to understand His message and to become more faithful and more like Christ in our conduct.
God already knows what you need, even before you ask him. He is not looking for prayers on demand, He is looking for a humble heart and discernment of His message. He is looking for disciples. He is looking at your heart to see if you have turned away from your sins, if you have crucified your flesh and denied yourself earthly, fleeting pleasures. Only after you have done all of that can you call upon Him in your hour of need. That's how God works. And He does not respond to every prayer and when you want Him to, He responds in His own time, on His schedule, and according to His will.

Barf.

This explanation of god is really just a way of explaining away all the bad stuff that happens in the world.


NP here. I was raised Christian (my parents are evangelicals) but I became atheist in middle school. I was always skeptical, even as a young child. But right around 6th-7th grade was when I just stopped trying to believe.

Sorry to break it to you and PP - Christianity is simply not a religion on-demand. You might have better luck elsewhere.

Double barf -- This point of view is usually stated (as above) in such a sanctimonious way, as if the person is speaking on behalf of this omnipotent being who sometimes uses its powers to make, or let, people suffer.

Sorry - really? You don't sound sorry at all - sounds more like another sanctimonious attempt to defend a religion with a deity who is sometimes cruel or insouciant.

Or maybe just trying to convince yourself that it's OK for god to sometimes (appear to) turn down heartfelt requests from sincere believers

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God does not respond to prayers on demand. This is one of the biggest mistakes that all Christians, irregardless of a denomination, make. We should pray to God for wisdom and discernment to understand His message and to become more faithful and more like Christ in our conduct.
God already knows what you need, even before you ask him. He is not looking for prayers on demand, He is looking for a humble heart and discernment of His message. He is looking for disciples. He is looking at your heart to see if you have turned away from your sins, if you have crucified your flesh and denied yourself earthly, fleeting pleasures. Only after you have done all of that can you call upon Him in your hour of need. That's how God works. And He does not respond to every prayer and when you want Him to, He responds in His own time, on His schedule, and according to His will.

Barf.

This explanation of god is really just a way of explaining away all the bad stuff that happens in the world.


NP here. I was raised Christian (my parents are evangelicals) but I became atheist in middle school. I was always skeptical, even as a young child. But right around 6th-7th grade was when I just stopped trying to believe.

Sorry to break it to you and PP - Christianity is simply not a religion on-demand. You might have better luck elsewhere.

Double barf -- This point of view is usually stated (as above) in such a sanctimonious way, as if the person is speaking on behalf of this omnipotent being who sometimes uses its powers to make, or let, people suffer.

Sorry - really? You don't sound sorry at all - sounds more like another sanctimonious attempt to defend a religion with a deity who is sometimes cruel or insouciant.

Or maybe just trying to convince yourself that it's OK for god to sometimes (appear to) turn down heartfelt requests from sincere believers

NP. To me the sanctimony and condescension here is coming from the atheists.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God does not respond to prayers on demand. This is one of the biggest mistakes that all Christians, irregardless of a denomination, make. We should pray to God for wisdom and discernment to understand His message and to become more faithful and more like Christ in our conduct.
God already knows what you need, even before you ask him. He is not looking for prayers on demand, He is looking for a humble heart and discernment of His message. He is looking for disciples. He is looking at your heart to see if you have turned away from your sins, if you have crucified your flesh and denied yourself earthly, fleeting pleasures. Only after you have done all of that can you call upon Him in your hour of need. That's how God works. And He does not respond to every prayer and when you want Him to, He responds in His own time, on His schedule, and according to His will.

Barf.

This explanation of god is really just a way of explaining away all the bad stuff that happens in the world.


NP here. I was raised Christian (my parents are evangelicals) but I became atheist in middle school. I was always skeptical, even as a young child. But right around 6th-7th grade was when I just stopped trying to believe.

Sorry to break it to you and PP - Christianity is simply not a religion on-demand. You might have better luck elsewhere.

Double barf -- This point of view is usually stated (as above) in such a sanctimonious way, as if the person is speaking on behalf of this omnipotent being who sometimes uses its powers to make, or let, people suffer.

Sorry - really? You don't sound sorry at all - sounds more like another sanctimonious attempt to defend a religion with a deity who is sometimes cruel or insouciant.

Or maybe just trying to convince yourself that it's OK for god to sometimes (appear to) turn down heartfelt requests from sincere believers

Does it bother you so much that Christianity doesn't work on-demand? If you are an atheist or if you want to dabble with other religions, feel free to do so. Christianity will not change for you.

[Anonymous]

So not late in life but in my mid 20s. As a cradle catholic, I didn't think much about it but already had doubts regarding religious doctrine. Anyway, I was driving in particularly bad weather and someone asked what's the worst that could happen and what if we died, and boom, I just blurted out "but I don't believe in god".

[Anonymous]

I did at 29, and it was a lightbulb moment, just as you describe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God does not respond to prayers on demand. This is one of the biggest mistakes that all Christians, irregardless of a denomination, make. We should pray to God for wisdom and discernment to understand His message and to become more faithful and more like Christ in our conduct.
God already knows what you need, even before you ask him. He is not looking for prayers on demand, He is looking for a humble heart and discernment of His message. He is looking for disciples. He is looking at your heart to see if you have turned away from your sins, if you have crucified your flesh and denied yourself earthly, fleeting pleasures. Only after you have done all of that can you call upon Him in your hour of need. That's how God works. And He does not respond to every prayer and when you want Him to, He responds in His own time, on His schedule, and according to His will.

Barf.

This explanation of god is really just a way of explaining away all the bad stuff that happens in the world.


NP here. I was raised Christian (my parents are evangelicals) but I became atheist in middle school. I was always skeptical, even as a young child. But right around 6th-7th grade was when I just stopped trying to believe.

Sorry to break it to you and PP - Christianity is simply not a religion on-demand. You might have better luck elsewhere.

Double barf -- This point of view is usually stated (as above) in such a sanctimonious way, as if the person is speaking on behalf of this omnipotent being who sometimes uses its powers to make, or let, people suffer.

Sorry - really? You don't sound sorry at all - sounds more like another sanctimonious attempt to defend a religion with a deity who is sometimes cruel or insouciant.

Or maybe just trying to convince yourself that it's OK for god to sometimes (appear to) turn down heartfelt requests from sincere believers

Does it bother you so much that Christianity doesn't work on-demand? If you are an atheist or if you want to dabble with other religions, feel free to do so. Christianity will not change for you.

Kidding right? There are many, many forms of Christianity, over the decades and centuries. Christianity has changed many times and is continuing to change, just as people and times change. Some Christians, possibly including pp, believe that their brand of Christianity is the only correct one and that other Christians will burn in hell unless they are saved into the one pure brand of Christianity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:God does not respond to prayers on demand. This is one of the biggest mistakes that all Christians, irregardless of a denomination, make. We should pray to God for wisdom and discernment to understand His message and to become more faithful and more like Christ in our conduct.
God already knows what you need, even before you ask him. He is not looking for prayers on demand, He is looking for a humble heart and discernment of His message. He is looking for disciples. He is looking at your heart to see if you have turned away from your sins, if you have crucified your flesh and denied yourself earthly, fleeting pleasures. Only after you have done all of that can you call upon Him in your hour of need. That's how God works. And He does not respond to every prayer and when you want Him to, He responds in His own time, on His schedule, and according to His will.

Barf.

This explanation of god is really just a way of explaining away all the bad stuff that happens in the world.


NP here. I was raised Christian (my parents are evangelicals) but I became atheist in middle school. I was always skeptical, even as a young child. But right around 6th-7th grade was when I just stopped trying to believe.

Sorry to break it to you and PP - Christianity is simply not a religion on-demand. You might have better luck elsewhere.

Double barf -- This point of view is usually stated (as above) in such a sanctimonious way, as if the person is speaking on behalf of this omnipotent being who sometimes uses its powers to make, or let, people suffer.

Sorry - really? You don't sound sorry at all - sounds more like another sanctimonious attempt to defend a religion with a deity who is sometimes cruel or insouciant.

Or maybe just trying to convince yourself that it's OK for god to sometimes (appear to) turn down heartfelt requests from sincere believers

NP. To me the sanctimony and condescension here is coming from the atheists.

The nerve of them - talking back to Christians

[Anonymous]

I think that atheists, especially those that were formerly Christians, have a a place in the history. They are essential to God's prophecies as written in the Bible, especially in end times (which can last thousands of years and in which we are living).

"At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other" Matthew 24:10

I never try to convince an atheist to change his/her mind because they play an important role.

[Anonymous]

No, quite the opposite. We never went to church or temple as children (mixed marriage). I considered joining one when I got pregnant with my first, but kept it in house instead.

It started with teaching my DS Greek mythology, then the Egyptian gods, then we landed on the Unnamed God, God. He comes up a lot in our house, routinely. We pray for friends, but not before meals or bed.

I teach them the social justice messages from the Bible. They also know that just because someone looks like they follow a religion, like wearing religious attired or talks about attending church, or celebrating a religious holiday, doesn't mean that they follow the good behavior as the religion guides them. We focus on the behavior and feelings, with occasional quotes thrown in to give it life.

FWIW, we weave Science and God together. He gave us this great Earth and look at how it evolved. Stuff like that.

I take comfort in the children having something larger than me to inform their moral behavior. We practice our faith by being good neighbors, gratitude, and compassion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I became atheist in my 30s. After a lifetime of dealing with extremely hateful and violent family members who did disgusting abusive things to me, I realized the concept of a god was useless.

It's like a lightbulb went off and I saw the truth. I felt much freer afterwards, realizing that there is no reason for the shitty stuff that happens in life, and that there is no glory in me or anyone else suffering.

And yet, those hateful, abusive, violent family members were acting exactly the opposite of how Christ tells us we should act.

[Anonymous]

Yes, when I had my first child. I realized that someone now completely depended on me and it was time to grow up and take responsibility. I mean, it was a planned child and I was taking responsibility, but I just had this moment of complete clarity that "the buck stopped" with me. And that the universe, although beautiful and mathematical, does not have feelings or give a sh-t about anyone.

[Anonymous]

My mother, who was raised in a devout Irish Catholic family, went to Catholic schools and sent all 6 of her kids to them as well, and was an overall extremely adherent believer, is now an atheist in her late 70s.