An honest question for atheists....

reply to post by OptimusSubprime

Originally posted by OptimusSubprime
By definition I am a Christian, or maybe a Deist. Maybe I'm agnostic. I believe in God and that he is the creator of everything. I believe in heaven and hell.

Well, you're not a deist. Deists don't have a conception of heaven and hell, merely a naturalistic deity. You're a Christian (or maybe a Muslim). Now, the agnostic thing: do you claim to know that you are correct?

I am not, however, a Christian Fundamentalist or a religious zealot. I despise "organized religion" in any form, because I believe that religion was designed by the ruling class of the past in order to intimidate and control the masses.

Ok, but you're still accepting the stuff that's supposedly created within that framework..

I am also currently involved in some inner "soul searching" (for lack of a better term) in regards to the bible.

Alright, definitely a Christian then.

I respect the bible and consider it God's word in it's original form.

You must read Hebrew and Greek then...or not. And if it is such then why is it definitively wrong in so many places?

I believe the bible was written by God inspired men in it's original form. My problem with the bible is that I have no idea how many times it has been manipulated by man in order to carry out an agenda, or to scare and control people.

I'll give you a hint: every single word...well, in the loosest sense of what you mean. The whole book is an account of people trying to either do the above or to make sense of the world around them or comment on historically relevant issues.

There is one thing about religion that I do love and that is the faith that people have in God.

So you love people accepting things without evidence?

I also love the hope that people find in God.

So you don't mind false hope?

When a loved one is sick, I have faith that God will help them or comfort them.

Then you must not bother with medicine or medical science.

I guess what I'm saying is that God is the primary source of hope for billions of people.

Again, false hope.

My question to atheists is... where do you find hope?

Within and without. I find hope within myself. I find hope in learning about the advances made in the world (Were you aware that science is getting close to letting blind people see!?). I find hope in the acts of compassion I learn about. I just find hope in people.

What gives you strength in the face of adversity?

Myself and those around me. My girlfriend is a continual reinforcing strength, she's just an incredible woman...but I wouldn't be entirely lost without her. I have a stubborn inner determination.

Do you ever feel alone and empty inside without a belief in a higher power?

Nope. Only tend to feel alone when I'm truly lonely...like when I've been stuck inside sick for a week or I'm travelling on my own. And I only tend to feel empty when I'm hungry or when I have a stomach bug of some sort.

I have always wondered these things.

Well, wonder no longer.

My intent with this post is not to challenge your belief as an atheist, we can have that debate at another time and in another thread. I welcome it. I respect your belief, and would never try to cram mine down your throat, and I expect the same courtesy. I know that there may be some who reply to this with contempt or insults, but I am looking for the atheists who are willing to honestly answer the question of " without a belief in God, where do you find hope?

I would just like to point out that you contradicted yourself. Atheists have no belief. That's the definition. We have no belief in any deity. Without a belief in a deity.

Where do I find hope? In people. Fallible, flawed, wonderful people.

The differnce between religion and atheism is that events and life changes or emotions are placed in the faith of a deity.
For atheists, it is placed in the self. You are responsible for your actions, you are responsible for your emotions. Things don't happen because a couple of deities are fighting over the world.
You don't find strength in God, you find strength in yourself and in others.

Hope? Hope is the denial of reality.

2nd

Originally posted by OptimusSubprime
. where do you find hope?

Thou my own actions giving me an increased chance of a better tomorrow .

What gives you strength in the face of adversity?

Strength of character.

Do you ever feel alone and empty inside without a belief in a higher power?

No.