Topic: Have you ever known someone who was ultra religious but they ended up losing their faith?
swamplights !!V3J448+/B started this discussion 15 years ago #5,974
Or have you known somebody who used to be an Atheist but converted? If so, I would be very interested in hearing about them.(Edited 2 minutes later.)
Anonymous B joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 56 seconds later[^] [v] #103,931
> Are have you known somebody who used to be an Atheist but converted?
wut
wut
swamplights !!V3J448+/B (OP) replied with this 15 years ago, 1 minute later, 2 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #103,935
Flapjack !!vHCjY3yik joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 1 hour later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #103,974
Yes. I once prayed 5 times a day. Wololololo.
swamplights !!V3J448+/B (OP) replied with this 15 years ago, 1 minute later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #103,977
Ks !KansasxqvM joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 21 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #104,000
No. But I think it would be more interesting to hear about an atheist who converted. A religious person going atheist, or even agnostic is just like, common sense man.
swamplights !!V3J448+/B (OP) replied with this 15 years ago, 5 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #104,004
Anais joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 28 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,025
@104,000 (Ks !KansasxqvM)
You can't be a true atheist then become religious without some kind of mid-life brain damage involved, or something more cynical going on. Take those opportunistic evangelists for example. Just my thought.
You can't be a true atheist then become religious without some kind of mid-life brain damage involved, or something more cynical going on. Take those opportunistic evangelists for example. Just my thought.
Anais double-posted this 15 years ago, 1 minute later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,028
Ks !KansasxqvM replied with this 15 years ago, 10 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,038
@104,025 (Anais)
@previous (Anais)
I agree completely Anus. But religious people becoming atheists or agnostic is fairly common, atheists turning religious however is something I don't think I've ever heard about.
@previous (Anais)
I agree completely Anus. But religious people becoming atheists or agnostic is fairly common, atheists turning religious however is something I don't think I've ever heard about.
+1 (919) Meowth 0 joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 58 seconds later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,041
LOL. I turn people that are religious to be non-religious. I show them statements and ask for proof. Then I show them statements with proof.
Ryan !PArADOx9ZU joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 9 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,052
My old Sunday School teacher from when I was like five is now a Muslim. It's actually really kind of awkward.
Anais replied with this 15 years ago, 2 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,055
@104,038 (Ks !KansasxqvM)
@104,038 (Ks !KansasxqvM)
> I agree completely Anus.
Yes, i thought you might. :)
@104,038 (Ks !KansasxqvM)
> I agree completely Anus.
Yes, i thought you might. :)
Flapjack !!vHCjY3yik replied with this 15 years ago, 31 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,062
@103,977 (swamplights !!V3J448+/B)
Well I was raised a Muslim by my dads side of the family. My mom was always a catholic and I actually got baptized as well. Not like being baptized means anything to me today. Anyways, I was living in the UAE for a couple of years and it was an ethnic nationalistic country. Meaning their ideals, rules, and morals follow the code of Islam. I took Islamic classes (it was optional) and I was so horror-stricken by all the consequences I would face if I didn't do this or I didn't do that. Ex. Not covering your hair or not praying 5 times a day. Especially doubting God. Even thinking such a thought would result in fatal punishments in your next life (APPARENTLY). I would read the Quran at night while praying, just wishing for all my dreams and hopes to come true. I remember when I actually stopped praying for a while because my friend told me that every time you pray, you should change your underwear. And if you don't, your prayer is invalid. She wasn't even trolling. I found this absolutely revolting and unnecessary. I told her that God should give me new underwear everyday if he wanted to enforce such a silly rule. She said "astaghfirullah" which means seeking forgiveness from God. I would wear abayah's and cover my hair, which was also due to social pressure. Seeing girls your age doing that kind of stuff makes you feel left out and whatnot. But yeah, I soon got out of that wololo god phase when I was in deep depression for a year or so. I'd pray to God for all my problems and miserable feelings to go away and they never did. That was when I also realized God was just another "11:11".
THERE IT IS.
Well I was raised a Muslim by my dads side of the family. My mom was always a catholic and I actually got baptized as well. Not like being baptized means anything to me today. Anyways, I was living in the UAE for a couple of years and it was an ethnic nationalistic country. Meaning their ideals, rules, and morals follow the code of Islam. I took Islamic classes (it was optional) and I was so horror-stricken by all the consequences I would face if I didn't do this or I didn't do that. Ex. Not covering your hair or not praying 5 times a day. Especially doubting God. Even thinking such a thought would result in fatal punishments in your next life (APPARENTLY). I would read the Quran at night while praying, just wishing for all my dreams and hopes to come true. I remember when I actually stopped praying for a while because my friend told me that every time you pray, you should change your underwear. And if you don't, your prayer is invalid. She wasn't even trolling. I found this absolutely revolting and unnecessary. I told her that God should give me new underwear everyday if he wanted to enforce such a silly rule. She said "astaghfirullah" which means seeking forgiveness from God. I would wear abayah's and cover my hair, which was also due to social pressure. Seeing girls your age doing that kind of stuff makes you feel left out and whatnot. But yeah, I soon got out of that wololo god phase when I was in deep depression for a year or so. I'd pray to God for all my problems and miserable feelings to go away and they never did. That was when I also realized God was just another "11:11".
THERE IT IS.
(Edited 58 seconds later.)
Flapjack !!vHCjY3yik double-posted this 15 years ago, 2 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,064
@104,038 (Ks !KansasxqvM)
I agree completely Anus.
> Anus
hahahahahaahahahhahahahahahahahahhaahha :')
I agree completely Anus.
> Anus
hahahahahaahahahhahahahahahahahahhaahha :')
Anais replied with this 15 years ago, 32 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,076
Flapjack !!vHCjY3yik replied with this 15 years ago, 2 minutes later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,077
@previous (Anais)> :O~
> ~
> Nope.jpg
Hey I need to ask you something actually.
(Edited 27 seconds later.)
Anais replied with this 15 years ago, 1 minute later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,079
Anais double-posted this 15 years ago, 28 seconds later, 3 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,080
Anonymous H joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 2 hours later, 5 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,140
@OP
> Or have you known somebody who used to be an Atheist but converted? If so, I would be very interested in hearing about them.
I myself used to be an atheist but now have differnt views. I haven't really spoken about it before so I'm not sure how to explain it all but recently I had a life changing experience. It made me stop and seriously think about everyhing. I thought there had to be more to life than this, so while I was in town one day I went into the local church and just sat there. It was...weird, I went in feeling stressed out and generally unhappy about a lot of things, and came out feeling really comforted. My entire life I was brought up and was always around atheists. I was so sure that I myself was an atheist (I'm not saying atheism isn't right btw, everyone has their own views and opinion, and I respect those views and opinions) but some things in my life just made me want to explore and find new things. So I did, and I'm happy I did. I feel like a whole new person. It is funny though because my entire family and most of my friends are atheists, but we've agreed to keep religion out of our discussions.
> Or have you known somebody who used to be an Atheist but converted? If so, I would be very interested in hearing about them.
I myself used to be an atheist but now have differnt views. I haven't really spoken about it before so I'm not sure how to explain it all but recently I had a life changing experience. It made me stop and seriously think about everyhing. I thought there had to be more to life than this, so while I was in town one day I went into the local church and just sat there. It was...weird, I went in feeling stressed out and generally unhappy about a lot of things, and came out feeling really comforted. My entire life I was brought up and was always around atheists. I was so sure that I myself was an atheist (I'm not saying atheism isn't right btw, everyone has their own views and opinion, and I respect those views and opinions) but some things in my life just made me want to explore and find new things. So I did, and I'm happy I did. I feel like a whole new person. It is funny though because my entire family and most of my friends are atheists, but we've agreed to keep religion out of our discussions.
(Edited 38 seconds later.)
Anonymous I joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 56 minutes later, 6 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,152
Anonymous J joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 12 hours later, 19 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,516
@104,140 (H)
that sounds cool,
I'm assuming it's like "ok, there is no god but this culture is kinda cool anyway"
if it involves believing in god that's fine too, the only thing that bothers me is those who try to tell others how to live their lives or what to believe in.
that sounds cool,
I'm assuming it's like "ok, there is no god but this culture is kinda cool anyway"
if it involves believing in god that's fine too, the only thing that bothers me is those who try to tell others how to live their lives or what to believe in.
Ks !KansasxqvM replied with this 15 years ago, 2 minutes later, 19 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,519
@previous (J)
> he only thing that bothers me is those who try to tell others how to live their lives or what to believe in
How do feel about parents teaching children the ways of religion?
> he only thing that bothers me is those who try to tell others how to live their lives or what to believe in
How do feel about parents teaching children the ways of religion?
swamplights !!V3J448+/B (OP) replied with this 15 years ago, 29 minutes later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,546
@104,062 (Flapjack !!vHCjY3yik)
Thank you so much for sharing that with us. How do you feel about religion now?
Thank you so much for sharing that with us. How do you feel about religion now?
swamplights !!V3J448+/B (OP) double-posted this 15 years ago, 1 minute later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,548
@104,140 (H)
I'm glad that you have found something that improves your life. What religion are you currently following?
I'm glad that you have found something that improves your life. What religion are you currently following?
Anonymous J replied with this 15 years ago, 14 seconds later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,549
@104,519 (Ks !KansasxqvM)
good question.
It's a bit tricky since most religions kind of are like "This is how it is! This is how the world works", but I think if they're all presented as theories rather than proven facts it would all be healthy.
I think it could even be understandable that a parent focuses a bit on one theory due to believing that themselves, but as long as all doors are open (and not misrepresented as something evil) it should be fine.
(even though some religions have homophobic and transphobic components which I consider evil, I think it should be outside of religions to encourage acceptance and for a child to make their own decision about a religion based on what it says is right or wrong)
good question.
It's a bit tricky since most religions kind of are like "This is how it is! This is how the world works", but I think if they're all presented as theories rather than proven facts it would all be healthy.
I think it could even be understandable that a parent focuses a bit on one theory due to believing that themselves, but as long as all doors are open (and not misrepresented as something evil) it should be fine.
(even though some religions have homophobic and transphobic components which I consider evil, I think it should be outside of religions to encourage acceptance and for a child to make their own decision about a religion based on what it says is right or wrong)
swamplights !!V3J448+/B (OP) replied with this 15 years ago, 1 minute later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,551
@104,519 (Ks !KansasxqvM)
I don't like it, but I have learned to live with it. But I do feel that most religious books are horrible and are not appropriate for children.
I don't like it, but I have learned to live with it. But I do feel that most religious books are horrible and are not appropriate for children.
Anonymous K joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 30 minutes later, 20 hours after the original post[^] [v] #104,582
@104,140 (H)
> but we've agreed to keep religion out of our discussions.
Why wouldn't religious discussions be interesting? Worried you convert back? ;P
> I thought there had to be more to life than this
I don't understand. What do you mean by "this"? Why does anything "else" need to exist?
> I went into the local church and just sat there. It was...weird, I went in feeling stressed out and generally unhappy about a lot of things, and came out feeling really comforted.
Churches are nice places! I still go occasionally, even though I don't believe in God.
> but we've agreed to keep religion out of our discussions.
Why wouldn't religious discussions be interesting? Worried you convert back? ;P
> I thought there had to be more to life than this
I don't understand. What do you mean by "this"? Why does anything "else" need to exist?
> I went into the local church and just sat there. It was...weird, I went in feeling stressed out and generally unhappy about a lot of things, and came out feeling really comforted.
Churches are nice places! I still go occasionally, even though I don't believe in God.
swamplights !!V3J448+/B (OP) replied with this 15 years ago, 4 hours later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #104,953
mountainman joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 5 hours later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #105,085
The pastor of my church became a christian after reading his friends bible on a surfing trip. He was not raised christian.
Another pastor at my church became a christian outside a nightclub (can't remember the details).
A pastor at my old church converted at uni in his dorm one night.
My mother became a christian in her teens.
Every week at church there are multiple salvations but I don't necessarily know their backgrounds, or whether they remain christian.
I know many people who have converted and then fallen away relatively quickly (within a year).
I don't personally know anyone who has left the faith after being a christian for a long time.
Another pastor at my church became a christian outside a nightclub (can't remember the details).
A pastor at my old church converted at uni in his dorm one night.
My mother became a christian in her teens.
Every week at church there are multiple salvations but I don't necessarily know their backgrounds, or whether they remain christian.
I know many people who have converted and then fallen away relatively quickly (within a year).
I don't personally know anyone who has left the faith after being a christian for a long time.
swamplights !!V3J448+/B (OP) replied with this 15 years ago, 8 hours later, 1 day after the original post[^] [v] #105,277
(Citing a deleted or non-existent reply.)
I don't care for religion. What are you talking about?
I don't care for religion. What are you talking about?
Anonymous N joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 18 hours later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #105,697
I became an atheist as a final "fuck you" to my control-freak parents. Haven't seen them since. May be a bit of a paradox, but I hope they're both rotting in hell anyway.
mountainman !4EB6xd.Oos replied with this 15 years ago, 1 hour later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #105,705
Anonymous N replied with this 15 years ago, 12 hours later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #106,121
swamplights !!V3J448+/B (OP) replied with this 15 years ago, 3 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #106,129
Anonymous N replied with this 15 years ago, 2 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #106,132
swamplights !!V3J448+/B (OP) replied with this 15 years ago, 56 seconds later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #106,134
Anonymous N replied with this 15 years ago, 10 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #106,151
swamplights !!V3J448+/B (OP) replied with this 15 years ago, 5 minutes later, 2 days after the original post[^] [v] #106,158
mountainman !4EB6xd.Oos replied with this 15 years ago, 3 hours later, 3 days after the original post[^] [v] #106,331
Lol he is lying. You can stop attending church to spite your patents but you cant become an atheist lol @previous (swamplights !!V3J448+/B)
Anonymous N replied with this 15 years ago, 6 hours later, 3 days after the original post[^] [v] #106,579
@previous (mountainman !4EB6xd.Oos)
Are you saying it's impossible to consciously reject belief in a deity?
Are you saying it's impossible to consciously reject belief in a deity?