JED

It's interesting as I've been a non believer, then a believer and now probably an apostate. At the moment, I am very happy and don't miss the christian life. I have respect for faiths but worry that people blindly follow a religion and make choices based upon that and see the world through that lense....that is dangerous when in reality they must all be false religions (or 99.9% must be).

I think the burden of proof needs to rely on us proving that God is real and not saying that there's no proof he doesn't. Otherwise we could say there is no absolute proof that rainbow coloured unicorns exist for example.

I don't think God can intervene. Assuming there is a God, which I now no longer believe, there seems to be no absolute proof that he ever has.

In hindsight, I have never seen God actually intervene in a situation. If something turns out the way we had prayed, we gave glory and thanks to God. If it didn't turn out the way we wanted to, that was because God has a greater plan and not everyone can be healed for example. Just try it now....ask God to do something there and then...I'd be amazed if anything happens. So the reason that God didn't stop those atrocities is either because he can't, won't or he doesn't exist.

I believe that you should try your absolute hardest to try and make it work. Maybe try counselling or a book like the 5 languages of love. Try dating again. If you are both unhappy and no longer have the love for each other then I think it is sometimes better to agree to separate. That is once all avenues have been exhausted. It's no good staying together and being miserable when there could be a better life for you both out there. You'll end up resenting each other and why live in complete unhappiness. Coming from experience.

Divorced.

The problem is how do we ensure the Bible is the word of God? Why not the quaran or torah or hundreds of other religious books. Why do we believe that the new testament which was written some time after Jesus was on earth is accurate? I couldn't write an accurate account of something from a few weeks ago let alone years. Then why do we accept the 66 books as the final collection of God's word? Even if it is the word of God without error then we fall into the trap of interpreting it in a certain way. Some things we say must be literal then others not. Lots of questions for me to ponder I suppose.

The problem is that if the bible is not the infallible word of God then I'm nit sure that quoting bible passages are of use? I don't mean that in a horrible way but that's one thing that troubles me. So the bible saying it's the word of God doesn't make it so. I mean people are good in their values and the way they live their life.

Ok that sounds good. Genesis- no way are stars, sun, moon etc 6000 years old. They are billions of years old. So genesis is factually flawed. Adam and eve being created by God from the dust....what about neanderthals? Noah- are you really telling me that a chap built an arc and collected 2 of every kind of animal? Think about this logically... a polar bear from Antarctica and lion from Africa etc....it makes no sense. Jonah being swallowed by a fish and surviving. I mean seems crazy. Thats just a few. Don't mean to sound flippant btw.

Yes I messed up the quote somehow 🤔. Some of your advice makes sense. The scaring into heaven not so much as once you've been a Christain a long time, you get to know the evangelical spiel but I see what you are saying. There are so many intellectual problems with the bible and faith which are hard to reconcile. I don't want to give up on it all but I'm also quite happy in other ways but I can't have them both in reality. Hmm........

I cant say for certain as I'm really unsure now. I don't believe the bible is the infallible word of God so the problem then is which parts should I believe? Slippery slope. I don't believe the world is controlled by the devil either. I think most people are good.

We used to say in church that people have a God shaped hole in their life......I just dont think that is true. The UK is becoming more secular and most people are good. So many people that I know are not religious and are very happy and very good people. I can now see how one good live a life without God maybe......

I no longer attend church. Yes I know a Christian is a follower of Jesus. One who believes that Jesus died for our sins and is the only way to Heaven. The rest is probably differences of opinion. So in that way, maybe I am no longer a Christian as I'm doubting the fundamentals in all honesty. I no longer believe that the bible is the infallible word of God for example. That then causes issues for many parts of the Christan faith. Unless we use the bible as a guide book and not as the 100% truth?

Hi Guys, I haven't been on here for a long time but here goes. I've been a Christian for maybe 20 years. Married quite young and have 2 children. Last year unfortunately we separated and divorced. We are both Christians. I never thought for one second that we would ever not be together, but it seems that we grew apart over the years. I wanted to keep the marriage together but she said it was not an option and that we would be better separating. 100% no infidelity involved. The children are great and we are both getting along pretty well most of the time which makes things easier. Since then I've not attended church very much as this has really affected me. I'm really unsure about the Christian faith in general now and even wondering if God is even there? I haven't missed not going to church at all and must admit that I have ventured into some things that as a Christian I shouldn't do.........but life is never black and white and I'm almost at the point in thinking well let's just do what I enjoy as long as no one gets hurt. I'm a long way from where a Christian should be but trying to wrestle with this all. I would still say that I live my life in a good way and most people would still say I'm a Christian. Not sure what anyone can say in this situation really but I would really like some words of wisdom.