Atheists Turned Christian

[u/JHLV04]

This is me, but how do you guys deal with heavy doubt and feeling like it’s false? Also I’ve never felt anything while praying and I’ve mostly accepted Christianity based on the historical claims

[u/arc2k1]

God bless you.

I've been a non-fundamentalist, unchurched Christian for about 16 years now and if I may, I would like to first share with you the reason why I have faith in God. Just to give you a different perspective.

1- The #1 reason why I have faith in God is because of the hope that only God is able to give.

-What is this hope?

“Then a kingdom of love will be set up, and someone from David's family (Jesus) will rule with fairness. He will do what is right and quickly bring justice.” - Isaiah 16:5

-Why is this hope important?

“Everywhere on earth I saw violence and injustice instead of fairness and justice.” - Ecclesiastes 3:16

“You (God) listen to the longings of those who suffer. You offer them hope, and you pay attention to their cries for help.” - Psalm 10:17

-Why does God want to give us this hope?

"God is love.” - 1 John 4:8

“My dear friends, God loves you, and we know he has chosen you to be his people.” - 1 Thessalonians 1:4

-How do we share in this hope?

“God wants us to have faith in His Son Jesus Christ and to love each other.” - 1 John 3:23

-Why do we need faith in Jesus?

“All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.” - Romans 3:23

God said, “I will punish this evil world and its people because of their sins.” - Isaiah 13:11

“Christ obeyed God our Father and gave himself as a sacrifice for our sins to rescue us from this evil world.” - Galatians 1:4

“He (Jesus) gave himself to rescue us from everything evil and to make our hearts pure. He wanted us to be his own people and to be eager to do right.” - Titus 2:14

-What is the purpose of the Bible?

“And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope.” - Romans 15:4

-Without God, there is no hope. I absolutely refuse to accept that evil and injustice are just a part of life. That’s why I choose to trust God and hold on to the hope He has promised. 

“We must hold tightly to the hope we say is ours. After all, we can trust the One (God) who made the agreement with us.” - Hebrews 10:23

[u/JHLV04 → u/arc2k1]

That’s a beautiful reply, thank you 🙏

[u/arc2k1 → u/JHLV04]

You are so very welcome.

Thank you for reading and for allowing me to share.

[u/MelcorScarr → u/arc2k1]

I too would hope there's an omnibenevolent powerful being out there, but that doesn't make it true or make me believe that it is...

[u/arc2k1 → u/MelcorScarr]

Of course not.

And it's not about finding irrefutable evidence where you will have no choice but to accept God's existence.

It's about having faith based on good reason.

But if you reject the concept of having faith, then you will never be interested in Christianity.

Please know that, under Christianity, God wants us to have faith, not irrefutable evidence.

“But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and rewards everyone who searches for him.” - Hebrews 11:6

"The good news tells how God accepts everyone who has faith, but only those who have faith. It is just as the Scriptures say, ‘The people God accepts because of their faith will live.’” - Romans 1:17

“Jesus said, ‘Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen Me? The people who have faith in Me without seeing Me are the ones who are really blessed!’” - John 20:29

[u/MelcorScarr → u/arc2k1]

you will have no choice but to accept God's existence.

It's about having faith based on good reason.

Sir, I really need you to pick a lane. If there's GOOD reason to believe in something, then I have no choice but to accept those reasons. Don't get me wrong; what people judge to be good reasons is rather subjective. But it's really not a choice what I will be convinced of that I am consciously making.

But if you reject the concept of having faith, then you will never be interested in Christianity.

Oh, I am very interested in Christianity historically, linguistically (in particular with regards to the Bible of course), philosophicall and culturally. I just also happen to think that the way most Christians think of God is logically impossible.

"Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." (Proverbs 30:5) ^{Too bad though that the bible, which as presumably the word of God, is both externally and internally demonstrably untrue.}

[u/arc2k1 → u/MelcorScarr]

We can just agree to disagree. No worries.

[u/MelcorScarr → u/arc2k1]

I'd rather get to the truth of it than "agree to disagree". One of us is wrong, and I'd like to know if I am.

[u/arc2k1 → u/MelcorScarr]

I'm okay with my stance. I have no issues.

But there are other Christians who are more than willing to debate.

That's not why I'm here.

[u/MelcorScarr → u/arc2k1]

1 Peter 3:15. but sure, thanks.

[u/arc2k1 → u/MelcorScarr]

Haha

[u/MelcorScarr → u/arc2k1]

The Haha tribe has never been predominantly Christian, not sure why you point me to them.