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    •  Many apologists will say that the arguments for God’s existence should be seen as a cumulative case rather than any single argument being a reason for belief on its own. This is understandable as the majority of arguments for God are second hand inference, God of the gaps or incredulity based, so as evidence goes none of it should not be convincing on its own.

      The cumulative case works in both directions, as there are many reasons to disbelieve in a God’s existence, but any single argument may not be convincing on its own. With that in mind, here are a few of the more common reasons for disbelief and the rabbit hole of questions that these reasons lead to:  
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    • The evidence is clear that evil and suffering exist.
       
      The evidence that god exists?  No one really has any.
       
      Moreover, we know that even if a god does exist, evil and suffering obviously do not offend him.  If it did, he'd have put a stop to it by now.  After all, if he is omniscient, then he knows how much evil and suffering there is; and how broken and miserable it makes human existence.  If he really is omnibenevolent, then he wants to prevent his children from brokenness and misery.  If he really is omnipotent, then he has the ability to prevent the evil and suffering that causes brokenness and misery.  And if he really is omnipresent, then he is present every where that evil and suffering exist.
       
      If god is all of these things, and evil and suffering offend him, then why do evil and suffering continue to exist?  Why has he not moved to alleviate his own offense and save us all in the process? The simple fact that evil and suffering continue in this world is, in itself, evidence that god is not offended by it... or maybe god isn't the omni-max he's made out to be... or maybe god simply does not exist. 
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    • Animal suffering is a subject which I have thought of as simply a variation on the problem of suffering.  If God loved every one of His creations, then why would He set up a system where predators need to kill live prey to survive.  It's a system designed around killing, which is hard to reconcile with a loving, good God.
      However, I came across some other implications of animal suffering that expand the subject in several interesting ways.  The first was that if you are an old Earth creationist, so accept evolution, then the creation of every species that we see was guided by the principles of survival of the fittest, with evolutionary pressure being horrendous suffering (predation, disease, starvation, conflict etc).  The tool that God decided to use was untold misery for hundreds of millions of years, before we get to our current world of diverse life.
      The fact that thousands of T-Rex stalked the lands killing to survive, can't be seen as necessary, when they are all extinct long before His chosen people come along.  Hundreds of millions of years of creatures being torn limb from limb, before any of it mattered for our existence.  Why have that time period of suffering without benefit?
       
      I was talking to a vegan, who said God loves all of His creations, and believing that Christians should be vegan because killing His creations was against His will.  This just led to pointing to the horrors of the OT, where God requests burnt sacrifices on a regular basis, saying that the smell was pleasing to Him.  Or to the Israelites attacks on various cities, where they are told to kill all of the inhabitants, including the innocent animals.  King Saul even angered God for not murdering all of the animals, as some were taken as plunder.
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    • Hello,
      I guess our reasons for joining this site are slightly different for each person and yet perhaps desperation might be a common theme. So, with that said, a brief introduction. I have been involved with Christianity for many years. Out of sheer despair, I suppose I ended up finding this site. 
      Here is my experience with Christianity:
      The unhappiest times of my life were when I got myself involved in Christianity. I marvel at those who appear to be at ease with it all. I conclude, there's something wrong with me. 
      Never, have I felt more powerless, worthless, unfree. 
      • 9 replies
    • Failed prayer, the idea that there is an invisible being , listening to everyones thoughts is beyond laughable. 
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  • Recent Posts

    • Weezer
      Hey, you got that right!   How are you doing with the religious issues?  Would you like further discussion on anything in that area of thought?
    • ABabyBoyAtHeart1977
      That one I really can’t say. I really don’t know what is going on. However, I believe that there must be a reason. Perhaps they are studying us. Perhaps they want to know what we are really like. I mean, why would they abduct some people?but then, you have a whole thing with cattle mutilations and things like that. So, I can’t say what they’re doing here. I just know that it’s kind of spooky. 
    • Weezer
      If you believe they exist, what do you see as to their mission, or purpose for hanging around planet earth?      
    • ABabyBoyAtHeart1977
      Indeed, Weezer, I am into extraterrestrials and UFOs. Very much so. I want to apologize for not getting back to you as soon as I have, but I have been really busy. I’ve been hanging out with a friend across town. I hope you’re doing well. You take care.
    • pantheory
      Interesting idea and parallel reasoning Weez. Like you said,  our supposed "Father," via Abrahamic religions. set us up to think that we are somehow sick and inferior to some perfection standard -- original sin etc.
    • Weezer
      For years I have called the "Doctrine of Original Sin"  a self fulfilling prophecy, which is a prophecy that helps itself to become true, if it is believed!    Reading the book  DIABOLICAL TRINITY by Mark Karris, which is about recognizing and resolving religious trauma, I ran across another way to look at the doctrine.  The doctrine is also similar to Munchausen by Proxy which you may have heard of.  It is demonstrated by a movie that came out in 2020 called RUN, HIDE, FIGHT.  It is when a person makes or keeps a person sick, so they need continual care.  It is typically done by a mother who has an abnormal need to be needed, and is regarded as a mental sickness, and a form of child abuse.  And the mother often comes across as being VERY concerned about her child.  That can even be a tip off to doctors that the mother (or father) can be perpetuating the illness.   And that is what the doctrine of original sin was designed to do!    Our "Father" set us up to be sick and inferior!  And his "holy ones", most having been decieved themselves, have kept it going for ages.  It is now a multi-billion dollar industry.  One of the biggest scams ever played on human beings.   I highly recommend the book if you want to better understand religious (and family) trauma.  Or trauma of any kind.  It is more complex than many realize.
    • Casualfanboy16
      This image perfectly encapsulates my bizarre sense humor. It's Hatsune Miku with Jesus Christ building a sandcastle.  
    • pantheory
      Howdy KKP,   A warm welcome to our forum. Yeah KKP, this forum is dedicated to Ex-Christians, many or most of which are not atheists like I am, since many still believe in a God of some kind, just not a Christian biblical kind of God. As you know, the God of the old Testament is a pretty tough and vengeful God, while Jesus of the New testament is a pussycat like person who turns the other cheek and forgives the enemies of the Jews.   The old testament is an interesting collection of fictional stories, and the new testament is comprised of more gentle and sorrowful fairy tales.    Religion can be a happy or a daunting experience. Your gf unfortunately also believes in the BS in the bible. Many people here have spent a great deal of time studying the bible, and some have studied it from different perspectives including myself. Many believe that all man-made religions are pure BS.   According to my beliefs, humans are simply animals, just more intelligent than the others. There's nothing to be afraid of. Live the only life you will ever have, this one -- to the best of your understanding and ability. If fear is a part of your belief then you haven't studied or learned enough yet IMHO.   Cheers to you and welcome to our forum. Hope you decide to stay with us. If so I believe most of your fears will fade away on an ongoing basis.
    • Casualfanboy16
      Firstly, I would like to say hello @KrustyKrabPizza, and welcome to the forum!! Love the username btw! Spongebob was my childhood!   Secondly, this part here feels pretty similar to my experiences surrounding my sexuality, although I never had a bf. I too would pray for my attraction to men to go away numerous times. I would feel guilty and disgusted by myself for feelings certain feelings, thinking certain thoughts. I tried to convince myself over and over again that I wasn't gay, and did everything in my power to get rid of it, wether it be praying to rid myself of it, looking at Bible verses or preachers condemning homosexuality, looking at stories of ex-gays, or trying to force myself to watch straight porn to try and "fix" myself.   It didn't work, and after so much wrestling with myself and inner turmoil, after countless unanswered prayers, after not even receiving a sliver of acceptance from a god I thought I could wholeheartedly trust, after all the contradictions and questions I had just not adding up, I couldn't believe it anymore. Giving it up wasn't easy, but I feel more free than I did under Christianity's oppressive rules and restrictions. I prefer keeping an open mind, so I go by agnostic because it not only feels right to me, but also intellectually honest because I don't believe in god, but there could be something out there.   I (and the rest of us) hope you will have a positive experience on this forum as you progress through your journey. We will be here every step of the way! This site is full of many wonderful people, so hope you find a little home of sorts here!   See ya on the forums!   -Casual   P.S THE KRUSTY KRAB PIZZA IS THE PIZZA FOR YOU AND ME   (I would send a gif, but my connection is bad)
    • TheRedneckProfessor
      I also had people come up to me with specific prophecies and "words from the lord."  One was an evangelist who came to the church and called me out specifically and shared very detailed information.  I found out later a couple of the guys in the men's prayer group I led had had lunch with the evangelist a few days beforehand and my name had come up during the course of their conversation.  What the guy shared wasn't specific details from god; it was just gossip.   Another was a woman I had never met who knew the particular details of a missions ministry I was preparing to launch.  Turned out she was involved in the same seniors ministry as my mom, who had mentioned my plans in a prayer request.  Again, nothing more spiritual than plain old gossip.   People talk.  Shallow people talk about other people and not much else. 
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    • Ushiromiya_Battler

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      Here because I want to see what more is out there. 
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    • Casualfanboy16

      Casualfanboy16

      Happy New Year to my fellow heathens!!! Hope everyone has a fantastic new year and 2024 goes well for all people here! My New Year's resolution is to get a better sleep schedule (I'm not failing shhhhh! 🤫)
       
      Here's to a great 2024!! 🥳🍻🎊🎉
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