Former Atheists, what did it take to change your mind?
441402
Well God. i did the 'help' prayer and God helped. i KNEW God existed when my youth leader prophecied over the youth group and he told me something i had thought not even talked about. i was left with two choices either my youth leader was physic or God existed. since then god has blessed me with a whole host of spiritual gifts and now i just KNOW.\n\nno one sees the wind you can only feel it. i have also studied evolution recently and that it is biochemically impossible. the more i learn about the New World Order, seal of solomon etc and illuminati on dollar bills it makes more sense... you cant argue with fact... the more i read the bible the more it makes sense. for example, the fact that psalm 22 talks about roman torture aka crucifixion which is not Jewish and yet it was written 1000 years before JC was born same as scripture in Daniel, Micah , Isiah etc\n\ni am now hoping to go to bible college and become a minister...\n\nthis is a paper i wrote enjoy...\n\nEvolutionary scientific discoveries unwittingly make the human creation in the book of Genesis feasible to the point of affirmation.\n\nIntroduction\n\nIn the beginning “male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1, 27) This statement has been contested ever since the Age of Enlightenment when human beings with their development of knowledge set about challenging God’s authority in the world around them. Immanuel Kant’s motto “Dare to know” really symbolises the dominant modernistic attitude that was and continues to be embraced by humanity. God has no problem with us gaining knowledge- he invented science and has got it to a perfect art seeing as he spoke all the necessary components into being. Indeed knowledge is God-given to the point that it is one of the fruits of the spirit. Besides, if God really wanted us to remain ignorant of the world he wouldn’t have given us the Word. I therefore want to emphasise that it is only when we think we got here on our own, without God that we come into dispute with God and the truth. But rejection is nothing new to God, who is neither surprised nor shocked by our choices or actions. Before God even created the world he had sent his son to die “it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him” (Isaiah 53, 10) and before he created the universe God knew we would “turn our backs on him and look(ed) the other way.” (Isaiah 53, 3). The fact that Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species caused some controversy and drove people to reject Jesus as the truth was not a ‘heavy blow’ for Him. For one thing, and I say this tongue-in-cheek, if God is anything like me he had probably gotten ‘bored’ of waiting. After all there’s quite a bit of waiting between before the Planck epoch (for those who are interested the Planck epoch is the time between zero and 10-43 seconds of the beginning of the universe) and 1859! Regardless of this publication and the later The Descent of Man (1871) His plan would still prevail over all His creation. The plan had already succeeded before we emerged on day six. Everything else had already been put in place: Jesus’ death and resurrection and all the animals and plants. EVERYTHING! God did NOT need our help or our approval and if he didn’t need it then, he certainly doesn’t need it NOW. What is interesting is that as God allows our knowledge to deepen and technology to improve evidence, particularly genetic and fossilised, appears to be pointing towards the feasibility if not the affirmation of the ‘story’ of Adam and Eve foretold in Genesis.\n\nAssumptions of the Author\n\nBefore I go any further I am making the following interpretations and/or assumptions:\n\n•Evolution (at least in humans) does occur but only within species. I believe that whilst other animals may evolve we wouldn’t as we are God’s chosen creation made in His image. He never changes and thus nor have (or will) we. Within our species implies that if women suddenly found blue-eyed men to be a turn-of
421946
At the age of nine, with a magic show gone horribly wrong (in my case) at a local Baptist church.  I had the numinous belief in the supernatural that all kids have through contact with such beliefs from the society they live in.  Then I saw a guy mystifying children with simple sleight of hand tricks and extrapolated from there, which I am sure wasn't what the pastor of the church intended at all.  It was a life changing moment, though I did not really know it.  I had decided to throw off the shackles of the mind that are required by religion and embraced logic, reason, and science as my "holy" trinity.
551376
Dear Sen831,\n\nYou request personal experience or evidence... \n\nI used to be an atheist. Over a period of time however, I grew convinced of the existence of the Christian God, and ultimately committed my life to Christ. \n\nFor a draft-version of my journey from atheism to Christ, see http://www.godsci.org/gs/chri/testimony/seek.html\n\nCan we believe the Bible? See http://www.godsci.org/gs/chri/bible.htm\n\nFor scientific and intellectual evidence for the existence of God, see http://www.godsci.org/gs/godsci/evidence.htm\n\nFor evidence for the historicity and truth of Jesus Christ, see http://www.godsci.org/gs/chri/jesus.htm\n\nCordially,\nJohn
910615
I called myself a Christian for years.  I wasn't really but I didn't know it at the time.  My mother was Catholic & dad was atheiest.  After husband's death I became a Wiccan.  I studied all sorts of reiligions because I wanted to understand everyone:), I know it's impossible but I have tried.  I became a born again Christian November 2001.  I try to quit putting God in a box and dusting Him off when I want something.  I try to follow the guidelines in the Bible and live as Christ, loving all and praying for all.  Somedays I really just stink at it, I am a work in progress.
1075309
That happened to me.  I guess at first I felt totally betrayed, mad, I didn't know what to do or what to think.  Then I started trying to educate myself to "make sure" that I was correct that my belief system was based on lies.  The whole process has taken several years, but then I started researching many other beliefs and religions and found out that most of them were also.  So I am no longer a part of organized religion and I have discovered my own beliefs.  I'm still on my spiritual quest but my current beliefs probably lean toward New Thought.
866771
Think of religion (and faith) as a rope over a precipice and you have one hand on that rope.  That's your belief.  That is why people cannot just "wake up and and see that".  Too many people have so much invested in their faith that they cannot just give it up.  There are people who would even unravel if they found there was no god.  It's their lifeline.\n\nNo one becomes an atheist overnight.  It can take months or even years.  I read an account by this woman who was a devout born-again and it took her almost 10 years to realize that there isn't a god.  It's a long process.
191701
A lot of things! Go to college, not waste years being an agnostic, spend more time with my kids, try to understand my parents better, generally just be a better person from the get go! If I only knew then what I know now!
457149
You don't "get" a non-believer to become a believer - that implies you want control of his mind, lending credence to the idea of brainwashing. Instead, you calmly present your opinions (*IF* asked for them), and you have the courtesy and respect for the "non-believer" that you'd wish him to have of you, and allow him to make up his *own* mind *without* any undue outside pressure to "see the truth."
626989
Remember that an Atheist is giving up the pleasant fantasy of an eternity floating on cloud nine with harps and/or houris for the stark reality of wormbait. Additionally, they're giving up the chance to run for public office, among other things, and to marry countless millions of people in the world. That's not the most obvious of 'choices' for people to make - in the same sense that we choose between Coke and Pepsi.\n\nAs even the theists have been saying, we aren't born believing in God. Somebody tells us about it and, like everything else, we either believe it or we don't. For me, personally, just like the theist I can read a million pages of support for either side, but in my heart I know who I am and I'm incapable of lying to myself - however glittering the prize for 'belief' is.
346862
It was a process for me, over time. I stopped going to church, after my mother died, and *they* {the christians} told me she no longer had time for me, and I shouldn't 'try talking to her...so followed no path, or religion for many years after that.  Was pretty PO'd at God...didn't matter which one..\n   After I got married, and was pregnant with my son, my husband and I started going to a little baptist church. I can't really say I had any problems with that church, the people were nice, good to us. But it just didn't ..DO anything for me..\n  I started reading up on other religions...and realized, they were all saying, pretty much the same thing. Just said or called it by a different name. And came, again to the relization, that I'd had as a child, that I really don't think any ONE religion...is Right, or Wrong.  They all have the same message...underneath..it's just how the 'People' interpret it..and they allll interpret everything, in about 20 different ways or more..LOL \n  So then they add 'rules' 'regulations' 'laws'...until the real message, get's lost in a jumble of un-related context, which confuses the heck out of everyone, until their numb in the mind and just follow blindly along, out of fear.\n  The Power's that be, gave us..FREE WILL for a reason..So that we can think for ourselves, and seek out the truth on our own. I think everyone's Truth, is their own...I think everyone's journey, is their own personal walk through this life, and every life. It's what you do with it.
11806
If showing them that it is impossible for us to be alive without God, and that God's creation obviously points to a Creator doesn't work, then all you can really do is pray for God to open their eyes. Keep working on them until they either completely refuse to listen, or until they finally realize there is a God. Just keep praying! \n\nAlso keep reading God's Word. Sometimes when you are reading the Bible, God will show something to you that you never noticed before. If you pray about it, He may show you a new way to prove that He exists to that atheist. Just do right, read your Bible, and pray!\n\nI hope God opens the door to lead that atheist to Him. When he finally realizes that God exists, then you should be able to lead him to Christ. God bless!
414803
EDUCATION !!\nThan of course you can judge and think by yourself looking up the religious things..\n(I don't sound educated at the moment..but I'm tired !)
1010930
On Baptism; Read ACTS 2:38 and ROMANS chapter 6.\n\nOn Atheists; Read ROMANS chapter 1 and PSALMS 14:1.
402968
in the army i worked for a major who started out an agnostic. he later became an atheist. as an adult he was a christian chaplain. John Wayne was an agnostic until the week before he died, sometimes it takes longer for some people.
1068406
A truly atheist person should not care whether a person believes in a God.  A true atheist can respect and accept others beliefs and rationally discuss different ideas and points of views intellectually and maturely.  A truly atheist person needs to take the time to edcucate themselves on the power of religion and learn about how religion has shaped our world.\n\nA truly atheist person sees how organized religions have shaped the world and although they do not share those beliefs they do appreciate the impact religion has had throughout history (wars, art, music, etc)\n\nAs an atheist, I have read the Bible and come up with my own interpretations.  I have three versions of the book that I reference just because I know that religion is about interpretation and each person has to discover that for themselves.\n\nI happily discuss and share ideas with people of faith in well balanced conversations.   In fact, I have had several discussions with my family (who are extremely religious), and most of our arguments regarding faith is that they could not leave me alone regarding my non-belief.  They are still trying to counter some of the statements they have been taught that are far stretches from the stories in the Bible because they never took the time to read and interpret the book for themselves.  I give them the respect and courtesy to go to church with them and keep my thoughts to myself.  When they attack me for not believing, trust me, I am well prepared to defend my feelings and correct their assumptions.  I can tell you some stories where I made the pastor of their church have to go back and re-read several passages for them and he did find that my interpretations were rational and plausible.\n\nI know exactly what you are talking about and I have to admit that those "atheists" you are referring to disgust me.  You get those types of people whether they are believers or non-believers.  They give a bad impression on true atheists.  Atheist's should never try to put people down for having faith.  A true atheist should never laugh at one another’s faith.  \n\nI will also admit to being in situations where believers have argued with me telling me my ideas are wrong.  I tell these people that faith is very powerful.  My beliefs are not in a higher power.  There is no need to argue about what is right or what the bible truly means in certain passages.  Our thoughts have been shared and let’s just grow from the knowledge and experience of that.  This is how humanity grows.  Let's appreciate our differences and appreciate the diversified perceptions that help us grow as a society.
168223
How do you do? I'm an agnostic.
1081345
I don't know.\n\nI've learned more about what other's think and why they believe as they do.  I've been challenged to think about and answer questions I hadn't considered.  But my faith remains.