Knocking on the doors of atheism
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I've been wanting to write this thread for a while, but I just didn't know if I can find the words to express how I feel. I'm 32 years old. I was born in a Muslim country to a Muslim family. Until I was about 19, I followed Islam blindly. Then after 19, I started to doubt. I bought the bible and read it. I began surfing the net, logging into religious forums, exchanging ideas with people. Although the doubt continued to nag me, I still practiced Islam.
When I was 25, I moved to Australia. The experience was quite an eye opener. When you see a country that is so diverse, that has so many cultures and religions, it really changes you. it makes you think about the idea of a "one true religion" again. Is it possible that all these people are wrong and going to hell, and that only the people who practice one faith (whether Islam or Christianity or whatever) will go to paradise? Did God create us here just to worship him, and if we don't then he will throw us in hell? Isn't that a bit harsh?
Although my faith weakened during these years, I never really considered leaving Islam. What I did was try to fit my beliefs and morals with that of Islam. This was of course hard, since many of my values contradicted the teachings of Islam.
But still I continued to practice. When I returned to Egypt, I began working in an office which had 90% atheists. I didn't really care. I continued praying and fasting and doing my religious duties. But the doubts grew bigger and bigger. Then one day, a few months ago, I felt that I was lying to myself. I simply did not believe in Islam. I was just doing the rituals because I was just to doing them I thought I need to face myself. I need to admit the truth. I am no longer a Muslim.
At this point, I consider myself an atheist/agnostic. I have still not made a decision on whether there is a God or not. I hope there is. I like the idea of a God who protects me and has my back.
Ever since I left Islam, I felt lighter, happier. I felt that I no longer had to practice something which I not only disliked, but actually abhorred.
However, the doubts come to me as an atheist, just as they used to come to me when I was a Muslim. What if I am wrong? What if Islam is indeed the truth? What if I go to hell for all eternity because of my decision?
The thing is I WANT to believe in Islam. I really do. It would make my life easier, especially in a conformist society like the one I live in. But I just don't. I guess faith is a bit like your appetite. You have to wait to be hungry. You cannot force yourself to be hungry. And I am just NOT hungry.
So I don't know what to do. This journey began when I was 19, so I've been living in confusion for 13 years. That's a long time. I want to find the truth and find peace. What should i do? -
Peace Confused.
Start here http//www.total-loyalty-to-god-alone.co.uk/website-pages/test-page/
Keep looking, asking, knocking on the door.
May the Creator open the door of His path to you.
Best of luck.
Peace. -
As an atheist I don't think you can expect any real advice or help. This is something you need to figure out yourself. Most of my colleagues are doubting and still "conform" to Islam and go to the mosque on a Friday to not start rumours about their "CONDITION".
What you need to figure out is how important spiritual guidance is for you and how, if your definition of a god include omniscience, you hope to cheat. Can you pretend to be something you are not? How much will this impose a feeling of oppression and fakery on you? What do you prefer? The feeling of freedom or guilt? You can't have both.
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I suggest learning about the Mathematical Miracle of the Quran, as it helped me attain 100% certainty that God existed
http//www.masjidtucson.org/quran/miracle/index.html -
salaam Confused,
To me, it seems the answer to your concerns is simple.
I simply did not believe in Islam.
Neither do I, and neither do many here.
The question you must now ask is "do you believe in islam?"
(please note the small "i" in islam)To find out more, you must read
http//www.misconceptions-about-islam.com/more.htmI guess faith is a bit like your appetite. You have to wait to be hungry. You cannot force yourself to be hungry. And I am just NOT hungry.
I disagree. If you were not hungry you would not have created this thread and made the post you made.
What should i do?
Good question. It is one we are all asking.
A story
Eric the penguin is in a similar position to you, he feels lost, unsure of himself, his prupose, goal in life, questions about life etc, and one day he is discussing with his fellow penguins and asks them what should I do? A seal happens to be close by and hears him ask his question, so he replies "Eric, do you have a beak?" Eric says yes. The seal continues "do you have a pair of flippers?" the penguin again says yes. The seal continues "do you hav a pair of feet?" Eric says yes. "Do you walk like a penguin, eat what penguin eat, live where penguin live, have a penguin mum and dad, have...." Feeling vexed at the rather obvious questions Eric replies "yes! yes to all of them, what is your point?". The seal replies "Well, it seems to me, that whoever or whatever brought you here, wants you to be a penguin, so since you're asking what should you do, I'd say "Be a penguin!".Ponder in conjunction with the link I gave earlier )
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I suggest learning about the Mathematical Miracle of the Quran, as it helped me attain 100% certainty that God existed
http//www.masjidtucson.org/quran/miracle/index.htmlI agree with @youssef4342!
Read everything and all on that site http//www.masjidtucson.org/ , and learn the purified religion!
Then, if God wants to lead you astray, then that's it! He is the only One who chooses and decides who goes to hell or paradise.Disbelievers probably have more sort of kind of "fun" in this world... well, just look at the advice this woman @es gave you
If I were in your position, I would indulge in all sorts of debauchery.
I couldn't even imagine that that kind of people/women were here on this Forum...
But then it is your fault, you asked for advice like a little kid (what should I do?)You'd better pray God to guide you!
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Hello there Confused.
I'd say that I'm in the exact same boat as you. I have similar doubts, that have been bothering me ever since I started doubting Sunni Islam two years ago. I feel that since we grew up religion/faith, and kept it dear to our sides, we feel sadness when we know that we're heading towards disbelief - something previously alien to us. Personally, i'm drifting away to Agnostic Atheism, and if I state the truth, then I think I've been in denial about this for a good many months now.
What I feel is that instead of remaining in denial, you, me and everyone should embrace who you really are. There much more to life than beliefs. Besides, being a good person and enjoying life is the true purpose of life. No...what you make of life...thats your purpose, and it's completely subjective.
If you haven't read it yet, I made a thread a couple of days ago on this topic highlighting the reasons why I've been heading towards disbelief. Give it a read, I think you'll be able to relate to it. I'd also appreciate it if you drop a post or two, so that we can highlight some common ground between us.
Here it is
http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9604718.0
Take care of your self!
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Peace Confused,
Just wanted to pop in and say that the Quran makes it clear that you have free will and that God does NOT lead you astray "just because". If you're interested to know more about my view on this, you may read this article if you like http//www.free-minds.org/free-choice
The main question one needs to answer before answering all of your questions is What is Islam?
Brother Wakas' link is a great read imho. yay
Peace! sun
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Why complicate things?
One is either a believer or a disbeliever!Anyone who opposes GOD, and His angels, and His messengers, and Gabriel and Michael, should know that GOD opposes the disbelievers.
Do not be impressed by the apparent success of disbelievers.
Have you noted those who received a portion of the scripture, and how they believe in idolatry and false doctrine, then say, "The disbelievers are better guided than the believers"?! rotfl
Others before you have asked the same questions, then became disbelievers therein.
http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5ManZjWaYM
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Wakas, I like penguins, but I want to be a dolphin. I love dolphins! group I like your example, but I think it would be much better if it was about dolphins rather than penguins!
es, I'll admit, dolphins are cool, in fact I've always wanted to swim with dolphins, but the way penguins walk clinches it for me - they are just too funny. They're my fav, hence I chose them.
? ???
fftopic -
Wakas, let's negotiate.
Eric the penguin is in a similar position to you, he feels lost, unsure of himself, his prupose, goal in life, questions about life etc, and one day he is discussing with his fellow penguins and asks them what should I do? A dolphin happens to be close by and hears him ask his question, so he replies "Eric, do you have a beak?" Eric says yes. The dolphin continues "do you have a pair of flippers?" the penguin again says yes. The dolphin continues "do you have a pair of feet?" Eric says yes. "Do you walk like a penguin, eat what penguin eat, live where penguin live, have a penguin mum and dad, have...." Feeling vexed at the rather obvious questions Eric replies "yes! yes to all of them, what is your point?". The dolphin replies "Well, it seems to me, that whoever or whatever brought you here, wants you to be a penguin, so since you're asking what should you do, I'd say "Be a penguin!".
yay
Like?
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Peace.
Questioning things from a philosophical perspective is fine with regards to atheism and/or agnosticism. Atheists don't claim to have all the answers; they merely assert that they don't have sufficient proof for the ideologies that they choose not to accept. This is totally different from a religious perspective, in which religious people assert that they have proof (e.g. in the form of religious doctrine or scripture?) of their religious convictions, even though they actually don't; they merely have faith. In other words, with regards to atheism, there's nothing to doubt - doubt IS your perspective. That doesn't mean you should particularly choose atheism and/or agnosticism as your philosophical position. However, it does mean that you shouldn't be ashamed of questioning anything. Questioning and doubting things are the focal points of mental elevation and development. When you study the Qur'aan or Bible, question the things written in them. Hell, when a scientist makes an assertion, you should question that too. Accept what's most likely or most reasonable. That's the only way you can make an accurate determination of what's true and what's false.
Peace,
Ahmad
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If I were in your position, I would indulge in all sorts of debauchery. But I suppose that doesn't answer your question. Back to your question
Well, what do you want to do?I know you are joking. However, many religious people actually believe this. They think that religion is the only moral compass in this world and that if you don't have a religion, then you are a morally corrupt person. Sad.
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As an atheist I don't think you can expect any real advice or help. This is something you need to figure out yourself. Most of my colleagues are doubting and still "conform" to Islam and go to the mosque on a Friday to not start rumours about their "CONDITION".
What you need to figure out is how important spiritual guidance is for you and how, if your definition of a god include omniscience, you hope to cheat. Can you pretend to be something you are not? How much will this impose a feeling of oppression and fakery on you? What do you prefer? The feeling of freedom or guilt? You can't have both.
I agree. I actually have several friends who became atheists during the past few months. One of them was really devout and used to go to the mosque with me every day. However, of course none of us can be open about our beliefs.
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One of the things that turned me off religion is the idea of hell. It seems really harsh to me that God would let you burn in hell simply because you don't believe in him. So God, created this whole universe just so that people worship him and if they don't then he will punish them forever? Sounds crazy.
Have you guys ever been burned? Maybe while cooking or putting some toast in the oven? Did you see the searing pain that racks your body just because of a tiny burn? Can you imagine what it would feel like to be thrown in hell forever? It's horrible, painful, and actually sadistic. And what is this punishment for? For killing, raping, torturing people? No, it is simply for not believing. Harsh right?
Besides, life is complicated, confusing, busy. Most people get sucked into the craziness of life from a very young age. Most never get the chance to think about spiritual issues. Will they go to hell just because of that?
I also hear a lot of religious people, especially Muslims, say that God will direct you to the right path if he wants to. That God is the one who chooses who will be led astray and who won't. My question is why? Why would God help some people and leave the rest to live a sinful life and rot in hell for all eternity? Doesn't that sound sadistic?
