Can you refer some resources to me to know more about Atheism?
I know God exists because once I was praying 6 years ago an angel appeared to me, called my name and other stories that I don’t wanna go into details here.
But I can’t choose a religion now. My background is Islam but couldn’t stick with it after age 22 when figured out more about other religions such as Christianity and Bahaism and read their holy scriptures.
Now I don’t have any religion and no religion can satisfy me (all are contradictory) and I feel empty without purpose or identity but still I know God exists.
I wish I had never started investigating other religions and I could be again have prejudice and belief about Islam but I can’t any longer because simply many topics don’t make sense to me now.
Am I becoming an Atheist? I need help to find my inner peace and love back.
Any advice?
Thanks
Posted: September 20th 2010
Dave Hitt www
If you still believe there is a god, you are not an atheist.
Which is fine. You’re searching and learning and finding out about yourself and the world around you. It’s a quest that too few people embark on, and one that all humans should experience. It may result in you becoming an atheist eventually, or, as others have suggested, becoming a deist, or a pantheist, or something else. As long as you’re not using religion to hurt people, or forcing it on others, you’re better off than most people.
I’d only suggest that you stop looking for external sources of well-being. Inner peace comes from within, not from something outside yourself.
The journey never ends. Enjoy it.
Posted: October 3rd 2010
Eric_PK
It sounds to me like you are rationally an atheist but are still emotionally a theist. This is a pretty common place for people to be when they realize that religions don’t hold together very well logically. Most of us became theists when we were very young, and it’s not something we really had a choice about.
You will need to figure out how to find inner peace on your own.
Posted: September 30th 2010
logicel
It is heartrending that you can’t have inner peace and love without practicing a religion. Your psychological situation is similar to how in the past American pioneers traversed huge swaths of land attempting to find a home. It can be terribly lonely when you are homeless, not anchored, and displaced.
Be patient and do not be afraid. Trust yourself. If you have god belief, there is no reason for you to tether it to an theistic religion. Perhaps deism is your cup of tea. If not, you need to just accept you are unsettled at the moment. It’s OK. Most people go through unsettling periods.
I suggest being practical. Find something that makes you feel positive and do it, each week. It may be as simple as taking a walk in nature. And build up from there. People are important so focus on nurturing rewarding relationships.
My very best to you.
Posted: September 30th 2010
SmartLX www
If you think you know there’s a god, you remain a gnostic theist by definition. You may no longer be a Muslim, but you’re by no means an atheist.
If you were to begin to wonder whether you were wrong about the angel, and think that you didn’t really know for sure, you would move from being gnostic to agnostic. Only if you were to shift your opinion until you didn’t even think there’s likely to be a god would you become an agnostic atheist. If you were to suddenly think that you knew there was no god, you’d then be a gnostic atheist, but not many people get that far.
Disillusionment with your hereditary religion can be the first step in an eventual transition to atheism, or you might soon find another religion that satisfies you, or you might even find a new perspective on Islam and come right back to it. It’s far too early to tell where you’re headed.
Posted: September 30th 2010