Conversion from Theism to Atheism

[Hanging Garden]

I appear to be going through a period of heavy religious doubt, since I partook in a thread about criminal systems. For some reason, I ended up contradicting myself, eventually reasoning that nothing exists, and then I just sort of lost it from there.

Point being, I perceive this as a conversion- or a transition- from theism to atheism. For some reason I don't really believe that there is a god anymore. Anyway, is this merely a "phase", in which I will find theism again, or is atheism more of a permanent position? I am fairly new to the concept of atheism, so forgive me for any ignorance or naivety. I am just really confused.

[Pope Joan]

Were you proselytized? Did some mean atheist twist your arm, manipulate your emotions?

Because that is how old time evangelists used to work.

Otherwise, be free in your conscience; it is your only judge.

[Russels Orbiting Teapot]

No one can possibly answer that for you but yourself.

That said, plenty of people deconvert to Atheism for life. (It's not a conversion because atheism isn't a religion.)

Here's a blog by another recent deconvert that might be helpful for some of the things you're going through.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/yearwithoutgod/

[Prussia-Steinbach]

...since I partook in a thread about criminal systems. For some reason, I ended up contradicting myself, eventually reasoning that nothing exists, and then I just sort of lost it from there.

Well that escalated quickly. *promptly laughs ass off*

Point being, I perceive this as a conversion- or a transition- from theism to atheism. For some reason I don't really believe that there is a god anymore. Anyway, is this merely a "phase", in which I will find theism again, or is atheism more of a permanent position? I am fairly new to the concept of atheism, so forgive me for any ignorance or naivety. I am just really confused.

Pretty rare that someone goes from theism to atheism back to theism, in personal experience. I doubt you'll go back, unless you very deliberately delude yourself for the sake of mental security.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

...since I partook in a thread about criminal systems. For some reason, I ended up contradicting myself, eventually reasoning that nothing exists, and then I just sort of lost it from there.

Well that escalated quickly. *promptly laughs ass off*

Point being, I perceive this as a conversion- or a transition- from theism to atheism. For some reason I don't really believe that there is a god anymore. Anyway, is this merely a "phase", in which I will find theism again, or is atheism more of a permanent position? I am fairly new to the concept of atheism, so forgive me for any ignorance or naivety. I am just really confused.

Pretty rare that someone goes from theism to atheism back to theism, in personal experience. I doubt you'll go back, unless you very deliberately delude yourself for the sake of mental security.

I've known some who have gone to atheism and gone back, like myself.

[Hanging Garden]

...since I partook in a thread about criminal systems. For some reason, I ended up contradicting myself, eventually reasoning that nothing exists, and then I just sort of lost it from there.

Well that escalated quickly. *promptly laughs ass off*

Point being, I perceive this as a conversion- or a transition- from theism to atheism. For some reason I don't really believe that there is a god anymore. Anyway, is this merely a "phase", in which I will find theism again, or is atheism more of a permanent position? I am fairly new to the concept of atheism, so forgive me for any ignorance or naivety. I am just really confused.

Pretty rare that someone goes from theism to atheism back to theism, in personal experience. I doubt you'll go back, unless you very deliberately delude yourself for the sake of mental security.

Ok. It's just that, I don't know what to do. I've spent the majority of my life believing in something, and now it's sort of just gone.

[Diopolis]

I appear to be going through a period of heavy religious doubt, since I partook in a thread about criminal systems. For some reason, I ended up contradicting myself, eventually reasoning that nothing exists, and then I just sort of lost it from there.

Point being, I perceive this as a conversion- or a transition- from theism to atheism. For some reason I don't really believe that there is a god anymore. Anyway, is this merely a "phase", in which I will find theism again, or is atheism more of a permanent position? I am fairly new to the concept of atheism, so forgive me for any ignorance or naivety. I am just really confused.

It's not uncommon for theists to go through a period of doubt in the existence of God, but it is uncommon to go through absolute disbelief.
When I went through my time of doubt, I just eventually learned to see God in all things, and then went to confession over it and was fine. I'm not sure you can recover from full-scale disbelief, though, or at least it's significantly more difficult.

[Prussia-Steinbach]

Ok. It's just that, I don't know what to do. I've spent the majority of my life believing in something, and now it's sort of just gone.

Same. It's hard. You might have some sleepless nights. But you'll make it. *lightly punches shoulder*

[Russels Orbiting Teapot]

Ok. It's just that, I don't know what to do. I've spent the majority of my life believing in something, and now it's sort of just gone.

We all believe in many 'somethings'. I believe that there are other people in the world and they are each valuable, for instance.

You've just removed 'gods' from the list of things you believe.

[Hanging Garden]

Ok. It's just that, I don't know what to do. I've spent the majority of my life believing in something, and now it's sort of just gone.

Same. It's hard. You might have some sleepless nights. But you'll make it. *lightly punches shoulder*

Yeah. Thing is, what do I say to my parents? I mean they are quite...well, I sort of inherited their beliefs, so...yeah.

[The Nexus of Man]

Well that escalated quickly. *promptly laughs ass off*

Pretty rare that someone goes from theism to atheism back to theism, in personal experience. I doubt you'll go back, unless you very deliberately delude yourself for the sake of mental security.

Ok. It's just that, I don't know what to do. I've spent the majority of my life believing in something, and now it's sort of just gone.

You gave up on Him, and now He can no longer influence you as you have abandoned Him.

[Nightkill the Emperor]

Same. It's hard. You might have some sleepless nights. But you'll make it. *lightly punches shoulder*

Yeah. Thing is, what do I say to my parents? I mean they are quite...well, I sort of inherited their beliefs, so...yeah.

I wish you luck but it seems more like a thing for an advice column, TGs or something aside from a thread in a debate forum.

[Equusia]

It is up to you to decide what you believe or don't believe, look at facts and evidence to come to your own conclusion. Personally I went through many stages before becoming an Atheist; I have been a fundamentalist Christian, a new age spiritual, a Buddhist, a Deist and an Agnostic before I decided I was an Atheist. I decided that I was not going to simply "have faith", I decided I needed evidence.

[Cyrisnia]

As someone who does believe in a God/Deity, and who has gone through doubts before, just do what ends up making you happy. I'm not really good at explaining things sometimes, but theres gonna be a time when you end up deciding what you believe in. Whatever makes you happy, and its your call. I'm pretty sure regardless of whatever side your on, people on NS will support your choice, and be respectful.

Some won't, but you just gotta do what makes you happy.

[Russels Orbiting Teapot]

Yeah. Thing is, what do I say to my parents? I mean they are quite...well, I sort of inherited their beliefs, so...yeah.

That's really up to you. I'd give yourself some time to sort things out before saying anything.

Are you still financially dependent on your parents? If so, be extremely careful about coming out as an Atheist.

[Cyrisnia]

Yeah. Thing is, what do I say to my parents? I mean they are quite...well, I sort of inherited their beliefs, so...yeah.

That's really up to you. I'd give yourself some time to sort things out before saying anything.

Are you still financially dependent on your parents? If so, be extremely careful about coming out as an Atheist.

Can't stress this enough.

[Hanging Garden]

Ok. It's just that, I don't know what to do. I've spent the majority of my life believing in something, and now it's sort of just gone.

You gave up on Him, and now He can no longer influence you as you have abandoned Him.

I didn't really abandon Him. I never heard anything back from Him and caught onto that fact only recently.

[Zunkwentania]

http://rationalwiki.org/wiki/RationalWi ... econverted
Read this; it's a pretty good article.

[Diopolis]

You gave up on Him, and now He can no longer influence you as you have abandoned Him.

I didn't really abandon Him. I never heard anything back from Him and caught onto that fact only recently.

If you still want to believe in God, it may be that you simply never learned how to pray. Depending on your denomination(most Christian ones should be OK), I might be able to help you.

[Pope Joan]

When I was a child, I thought as a child....

If we begin to doubt the moralisms and catechisms of childhood, good. It is time we were growing up.

One of the strengths of Buddhism is its innate skepticism. I wish Christianity had something similar.

It seems to me that the bridge to be crossed into mature faith does not involve rationality. but mystery, the encounter with what is beyond number crunching materialism.

I recommend Thomas Merton, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, and The Cloud of Unknowing.

http://www.amazon.com/New-Seeds-Contemp ... 0811217248

http://www.amazon.com/Contemplation-Wor ... 0268008345

http://www.ourladyswarriors.org/saints/wayperf.htm

http://www.icspublications.org/bookstor ... oss01.html

http://www.amazon.com/dp/1590306228/?ta ... qn6e786c_b

[Cyllea]

Alternatively; have you ever considered exploring new religious ideas? There isn't just Christianity and Atheism, unlike what many people think.

[Cyrisnia]

You gave up on Him, and now He can no longer influence you as you have abandoned Him.

I didn't really abandon Him. I never heard anything back from Him and caught onto that fact only recently.

Happens with some people. Just how you interpret and take things, y'know?

[The Nexus of Man]

You gave up on Him, and now He can no longer influence you as you have abandoned Him.

I didn't really abandon Him. I never heard anything back from Him and caught onto that fact only recently.

He cannot speak to you directly, for He is not Metatron. His gospel, however, is His voice and His word, both in literal senses and metaphorical senses.

He has never spoken to me before, but I know He is real for His revelations to me in the real and physical life I live.

If you're Christian (or ex-Christian in this case), I can help you more by TGs or this thread.

[Cyrisnia]

Alternatively; have you ever considered exploring new religious ideas? There isn't just Christianity and Atheism, unlike what many people think.

Join me in the glorious Zoroastrian takeover of NSG.

[Macedonia proconsulares]

I am an atheist who went through this period of doubt and used to be Christian. Some people deconvert permanently, some go back to their faith. You could go down either path and nobody else can really tell you which one to go down or should judge you for taking either path.