I wish that I had a Faith

Sadly most of Darwin's theories are now proving to be wrong, he just didn't have all the information in those days. we are humans and always have been. He was a leader of his time, but now mostly wrong.

Like Whitewavemarket I am a Humanist.

Been an atheist for the greater majority of my life and never missed - in any way - the reliance on a faith in some sort of higher being.

When my 25 hyear old son died, suddenly, tragically, could not believe the number of people saying to me and his siblings, 'Wouldn't you find it easier if you believed in an afterlife?'. None of us did and wished to do so. Sounded horrible to us. We celebrated then, and continue to do so, his life, and have wonderful memories of him which we share with the next generation so keep him alive for us.

When I grew up I took responsibility for myself. Do not need to feel that someone/something out there can help me if I beg them, etc.

I must admit that I often find it a little embarrassing when someone I think of as an intelligent adult starts to talk about god, or such like - to me it is the same as them telling me they believe in Father Christmas or the Easter Bunny or the toothfairy, etc.

Franbern How I agree with you. I'm sorry about your dear son. We were brought up as staunch Catholics. Nothing was ever questioned. We were bullied and terrorised by nuns and priests. We are all lapsed Catholics now. I too took responsibility for myself. None of it helped me in horrible, difficult times.
Like you, my brother lost his son. My lovely nephew was 16. Someone said to my brother 'I'll have a mass said for you.' My brother would tell them not to bother.

Gosh. I'm not sure how to word this, bless you. The first church or understanding, may not be your church, like a first time at a therapist, he may not be your therapist but another therapist may help and support you, so you know how to change your life and then you realise your best is yet to come.
For me and I mean no offense and certainly not preaching, it took a few churches and lots of choices with consequences before I got it and understood it.
It starts with asking Jesus in to your life, he doesn't need you to get him yet and he doesn't want you to straighten your life out first, he loves you for you, faults in all .
There's no special way to say the initial prayer, that's your way, some simply say sorry for all I've done wrong Lord and I do want a life with you from this day forward, please help me do that, Amen.
I found, "when the pupil is ready the tutor will come " and suddenly little things will happen.
I attended a Hillsong church for some years and slowly surrounded myself with people I knew were from God and popped some healthy boundaries in my life.
It doesn't mean everything is going to be ok, it just for me meant when I really am struggling and only see one set of footprints, it's then he's carrying me.
I talk to him, especially on a dog walk .
I still try and do things myself sometimes and then think why didn't I pray first and then I wouldn't be in this tiswas.
I guess what I'm trying to say as someone wrote I think I saw ..seek and ye will find..
Just be you, don't think your not worthy or compare yourself to someone else ( that for sure is not from God ) .
I hope I haven't offended you in anyway

God is always near us. A little exploration, reading, internet, Youtube may help. Research and education or meeting with others who have faith will help. You wouldn’t understand a new language without studying and practicing and you won’t find God and faith on your own. You sound curious so at the start of a journey of exploration that will lead you to find God. Talk to Him. He is always listening. We are all flawed. Nobody is perfect. Everyday offer all you do, say, think to God. If you remember he sees and hears you always. We all have flaws and bad days but thank him daily for your life and all that comes your way. We have such a beautiful life to be thankful for. We exist, we breath, we have nature, animals. Nurture positive thoughts where you will find God. This may be in quiet contemplation or walking in the park. The wind, the sun, the rain. Bird chatter. Read books that explore faith. You can find them online. Speak to priest/minister to support you. Let go of materialism and negativity. You will find Him and grow in faith.

Try the Alpha course Fanny if you're not sure. Worked for me when I was in my 40s after not attending church since Sunday school.

Lillian40

Sadly most of Darwin's theories are now proving to be wrong, he just didn't have all the information in those days. we are humans and always have been. He was a leader of his time, but now mostly wrong.

Gosh just opened this thread after a recent contribution and this load of old rubbish was at the top of the page.

It is 100%, entirely, completely wrong.

Darwin's theories are not being proved wrong and we evolved as human beings, same as every other animal in the history of the world has evolved.

Have faith if you want or need to, that is your prerogative, but if you start denying science we're into a whole different ballgame.

I’m a Christian, though not a regular churchgoer. I don’t find Darwin’s theories or the Big Bang theory out of kilter with my beliefs. The Old Testament was written by men who wanted to find an explanation for the creation of the world and of man but they had absolutely no idea how it all happened so made up stories. Nowadays we know those stories to be incorrect but that isn’t to say that God, or some higher being if you like, didn’t orchestrate the creation of the universe and the evolution of animals. You may believe that, you may say it’s tosh,, but can you disprove it?

Check my contributions further up GSM, you'll see that I posted several months ago that I can understand how people might think there need to be a guiding hand, but that I personally don't need that because the scientific explanation is more convincing.

I'm not trying to stop you believing what you like, but nobody should make false statements about science just to support their Bronze Age belief system.

I agree with everything Germanshepherdsmum has said. It makes total sense.

Sorry Alegrias, haven’t read all the older posts and intended no criticism of you. I always respect your scientific contributions. Just saying it is possible to reconcile science and faith if one wishes.

Thanks Skydancer (lovely name!).

You could follow the Ten Commandments and the teachings of Jesus, who I do believe was a real person, without necessarily believing in the existence of God such as the ancients believed.

It is indoctrinated in many of us from a very young age and as I type this I can feel myself giving an upward glance and a swift apology just in case.

Thank you Germanshepherdsmum

Germanshepherdsmum

I’m a Christian, though not a regular churchgoer. I don’t find Darwin’s theories or the Big Bang theory out of kilter with my beliefs. The Old Testament was written by men who wanted to find an explanation for the creation of the world and of man but they had absolutely no idea how it all happened so made up stories. Nowadays we know those stories to be incorrect but that isn’t to say that God, or some higher being if you like, didn’t orchestrate the creation of the universe and the evolution of animals. You may believe that, you may say it’s tosh,, but can you disprove it?

I don’t understand you at all. I completely get that non Christians have no belief in God, or anything He has done. It’s sad...but makes sense.

You say all the Old Testament stories are made up, so how is it, that Paul talks about Jesus being the second Adam? This is Adam...the first man, created by God, not evolved from something else...from the Old Testament.

This type of thinking is neither one thing nor the other. Taking some bits of the Bible as truth...but not others.

As Christians, we don’t need to prove or disprove anything. It is something we do for ourselves, and hope others will join us.

Neen loved the post. Excellent advice.
I think we all have faith either in God, an imposter 'god' or indeed 'man'. Much arguement on this thread that we have science so don't need god. As a Christian I find scientific discoveries show how wonderful God is. The 'big bang' theory was first posed by a priest, very much a creation story. As modern physics has developed over the last hundred years (quantum theory, inflationary theory and multi-verses) is actually giving more questions than answers. Seems to me that God's ways are truly beyond our understanding. But to the non-believer their faith is based on 'science explains god away'. How do I put this. I make fire so I don't need God to keep me warm, I am god.
But Neen has told us of her experience - that of the living God. Echoes that of myself and many, many others.

Hello! I’m very pleasantly surprised to see that this thread has been unearthed!
GSM I totally agree with your posts about science and creation stories.
A special hello ? to Alegrias too. It’s nice to see a friendly familiar ‘face’

My dad’s actually a bit of an authority (well, to me, at least) on Darwinism; more particularly his grandfather Erasmus, whose ideas Charles actually built upon (or ripped off, if you listen to my father).

Sorry, I’m reading the thread backwards. So I’m missing out chunks of posts…
I wouldn’t recommend this method

I'm just going to make a post that puts my side of the story.

I don't try to dissuade anyone from their faith, whether they are Christian, Jew, Muslim or anything else. Everyone is entitled to believe anything they like. Such beliefs are, I believe, based on faith, which is the topic of this thread. Faith is, as I understand it, a completely free standing concept, in that "proof" is not required.

That's why I get a wee bit flummoxed when people try to deny evolution, or pretend that the Big Bang theory is a creation story. Science deals in provable theories, not in faith. Believe what you like, but please don't try to justify your beliefs by misrepresenting science.

I try not to engage in philosophical or faith discussion, becuase I'm not equipped. And people who pick up on little nuggets such as a priest postulated the Big Bang, are, I'm afraid, misrepresenting the real world to suit their beliefs. And I don't think that's fair.

Now if anyone would like to patronise me and tell me that God is guiding my thoughts, that I only have to accept him into my life, and that there are no atheists in foxholes, I shall be quite put out.

What’s the atheist in a foxhole thing Al?
I know that this was originally my thread, but I can’t make head nor tail of most of it now!
(Btw, I wasn’t referring to the BBT as a ‘creation story’)

There's a thing around that says that there are no atheists in foxholes because when faced with adversity or even death, people naturally start, miraculously, to believe in God. Not entirely true

ffrf.org/campaigns/atheists-in-foxholes

Other posters have referred to the BBT as a creation story this morning.

Thank you Alegrias
I really should try to read the thread properly.
I got a bit overexcited to see that my thread was still being posted on

I have never thought of the BBT as a creation story in the religious sense. I believe in the science there.

DiscoDancer, I didn’t say that the whole of the Old Testament was a work of fiction, but I don’t take those parts which refer to how the world and man were created as truth as when those parts were written the authors were much further removed from the assumed time of creation and evolution of man than they were from us today. By millions of years. Paul had no greater knowledge of such things when he wrote. I accept Biblical accounts of contemporary, or near-contempory, events. I accept that Jesus existed and there is historical evidence that He did. I believe in God. But being a Christian doesn’t require blind belief in every word of the Bible. Also, being a non-Christian doesn’t mean not believing in God - Jews for instance believe in God but are not followers of Jesus.

I have believed that Darwin's theory of evolution and Christian faith are mutually exclusive.

I wouldn't dream of trying to patronise you Alegrias. Your posts are informative and I respect what you have to say and I agree that it is wrong to misrepresent scientific research to suit beliefs.

The OP states that she wished she has a faith.

Personally, I am really, sincerely, happy that I have none.