I talked with my minister and Christian friends. they did their best - but they couldn't tell me anything I didn't already know. (they also displayed a shocking lack of science education.)
I went to church regularly. I sang, and knelt, and stood, and listened, and laughed, and fell asleep.
I prayed reeeeal hard. nothing happened.
God obviously either doesn't exist, or else He doesn't want me. what's an atheist to do?Christians - what do I do now your best advice didn't work?
I can't tell by the tone of your question if you are being sincere or if you are trying to say....';I did what the Christians say to and followed their example but it didn't work and now I have proof that what they say is not true. God doesn't really care.';
I wonder what your attitude was....did you want to prove a point...that God isn't who He says He is and who we Christians believe He is? Or were you really trying to find God?
God knows who is sincere and who isn't. If you did those things with your mind already made up then that's why none of those things had the result you were looking for.
As for reading the Bible..
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. 1 Cor 2:14%26amp;15
In other words, the non-Christian doesn't understand the scripture because they don't have God's Holy Spirit dwelling within them to help them to understand.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26
God Himself told Jeremiah...
You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11
Since you have a Bible I would recommend looking up
John 3:16; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8 and 10:9 %26amp; 10.
Go to God in prayer truly seeking Him and He will answer you.
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9Christians - what do I do now your best advice didn't work?
An Atheist doesn't believe a God exists. What do you expect? God is a Spiritual concept and belief is a basic requirement. Don't waste anymore of your valuable time .... until you can be more objective.
A true scientist approaches an experiment with an open mind. You have declared yourself an Atheist. So your ';experiment'; failed because your mind was already made up. The results were flawed by your own unbelief.
Face it; the reason why you choose to run from God is because you know that if you accept that He exists, then you will be required to change your life in ways you're not ready to change.
You find it easier and more convenient to live with he lie, ';There is no God,'; then to come to the conclusion that you are a sinner in need of grace.
For instance, you can choose to believe or not believe you are your father's child, but your choice will never change the fact you are.
God is real; He sent His Son to save you from yourself, and only you can make the choice to accept His gift, or not.
God wants to be found by you. You are just misunderstanding Him. There are Christians out there who rely on evidence and not just feelings. You have to talk with THOSE Christians, because they relate the best to your mindset. (I am becoming one of those ';evidence'; Christians as we speak, but I am a work in progress.)
And what is it that you want to know? Care to email me?
For starters you can stop testing God. His word has no place in your heart, because you don't believe his word as the truth and that he is GOD. Faith comes by reading, but you reject it, and you are out to prove that God does not exist, so what do you expect?
I don't know what science education has got to do with Christianity, but haven't you heard of Christian Science?
I know of some doctors that are Christians who studied science but that didn't change there views on God. They give him the honor and praise that he DESERVES for all his creation. You know what else? ...they acknowledge this fact, that God gave them the knowledge and wisdom to become doctors. (healers in a sense)
It is up to you to accept or reject God. What ever choices you make in life that you will reap.
Have you tried reading it in latin? Maybe it works in latin. Maybe you tried the wrong denomination. Are you sure your friends are ';real'; Christians.
LOLOLOLOL
God loves everyone. It also depends on what you prayed for. God has a tendency of doing things on his own time line. Also there is nothing about god that is scientific it comes down to do you have faith or not. But meanwhile I will pray for you to find yor path
God isn't Walmart. You can't just read the Bible and pray and expect instant Gratification. Saying you tried is saying you didn't want it to work. Just remember that God loves you and wants you to love him back. As Yoda said, ';Do or do not; there is no try.';
God Loves you!
you my friend have the intellect to decipher religious bs, its a gift so embrace it.
i highly recommend torrenting ';ttc philosophy of religion'; it is very interesting and settles the questions about religion.
Choose another path.
If you attempted all of this in earnest and looked within and did not find that which you are seeking, then find a path that has meaning for you.
find some educated open minded Christians and do some soul searching. Personally I think as long as your seeking truth, God will be happy with you whether or not you settle on Christianity.
Seeing is not believing, believing is seeing.
Did you have an open mind? Did you believe that God actually could exist?
We need to give it more time. Moses wandered 40years in the desert. Give it time. Everything happens in God's timing
Christianity is not magic honey
and what exactly where you hoping to happen?
You shouldn't lie anymore for starters.
what are you thankful for?
sorry... a question with a question...
When you prayed, did you talk, or did you listen?
You are not looking n the right place..Go to your library and check out Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch..The truth in this miracle book will set you free..God bless
You aren't a Christian.
Probably went to a bad church
turn to God. He is the answer.
did you rub the bible three times before reading it?
Deal with it!
Check out: NotReligion.com and try another ';Church'; if possible. (Just don't give up searching out there!)
You can accept or reject GOD. It is your choice. If you want to meet Jesus then all you have to do is say ';hello';.
Yup, you got a bargaining problem.
What did you expect to happen?
So how long should you build the foundation for your life?
Is your life for sale, how much? Is it, give me what I want, ';knowledge, wealth, a pretty girl, a fancy car...'; and it's yours kind of sale?
You already know faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Belief is powerful! Take a look around this world man. Hearts and minds are controlled by belief. Choose to believe in the most powerful force on earth LOVE! I recommend it for everyone, Love. Now I'm not the smartest man in the world. But I know what love is!
I have no idea ';how'; one reads history. But usually turning Saints back into people so you can feel the dirt between your toes keeps things in context. From loaves and fishes to filet-o-fish sandwich. Now go re read your bible.
Your already smart but Science will only educate you, but you are more than the sum total of an IQ test.
When in a spiritual desert, dig into the word for spiritual context, retreat and refreshment. Which gives you the strength to love your God with all your heart and your neighbour as yourself.
I sense your in a hurry.
With all the information available today, as in thousands of years of recorded history and beyond, one would come to understand how slow life really is instead of the, ';not as advertised'; we experience today. It takes some people 40 years wandering in a desert wilderness to learn to live life with patience, and listening to the silent lessons.
What will your wilderness be a life without love and being loved? Genuine real love.
Slow down at least you'll get there.
The ';love'; of money is the root of all evil.
What ever you choose if you don't beleive it you'll never be it.
Two hands WORKING are better than a thousand hands clasped in useless prayer. Non-existent supernatural beings who can hear, listen, and act are logical contradictions. Just live in the NATURAL world - it's the only reality that we know.
No one knows anything about the supernatural, and anyone who says they do is either smug and arrogant in their woeful ignorance, or are just plain delusional. Think about that.
(But I suspect you are already with me on this).
Have you considered going to a more contemporary church?
When you read the Bible cover to cover, what is it you were looking for? Without God in your heart how can you understand His word? When you really want to study the Bible it's so much easier to join a Bible Study or begin a devotional first before trying to read it entirely without structure.
When you went to church, did you go with a willing heart or were you just going through the motions? When you sang were you really worshipping God, or were you just going through the motions?
When you prayed did you simply make requests, or did you thank God for your blessings and show Him some admiration. Did you confide in Him and admit to and apologize for anything you may have done that goes against Him? When you prayed, did you listen for Him?
';Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.'; -Matthew 7:7-8
God wants all of us. He is right there waiting, all we have to do is knock. If your heart is truly willing to let Him in, then He will. He is waiting for you, it's your decision to make, He can't and won't force it upon you.
';Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight'; -Proverbs 3:5-6
When someone becomes a Christian it's not an instantaneous transformation and then everything is fine and dandy. I speak from personal experience. If you truly desire Christ's love and forgiveness, if you truly want to understand God and have a relationship with Him then your heart would be open and willing. When you accept Christ's love and open your heart to Him you will notice a big change in your heart. That is the beginning!
Believing takes a lot of patience, faith, change and effort. God will help you but you must let Him into your life first. He cannot help you until you are ready to receive Him.
Do not give up. Try approaching this again. Start by ditching the ';atheist'; label. If you like you can refer to yourself as a seeker.
Consider joining CBS (Community Bible Study). It's a Bible based study open to anyone, even non-believers. They are conducted in many states and you will meet lots of great people who can surely encourage you.
If you want to start out more slow go to a Christian bookstore and ask for Daily Devotionals or Bible Studies which were made specifically for seekers or someone new to Christianity. Here's a decent place to start online:
http://www.communitybiblestudy.org/
May your journey be fruitful and blessed. Please let me know if I can help you further! :)
Try praying to Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Ask her to help you believe in her Son. Never has it been known that anyone who fled to her protection, implored her help, or sought her intercession was left unaided.
http://www.medjugorje.org/rosary.htm
http://www.rosary-center.org/howto.htm
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The fifteen promises of Mary to Christians who recite the rosary:
1. Whoever shall faithfully serve me by the recitation of the Rosary shall receive signal graces.
2. I promise my special protection and the greatest graces to all those who shall recite the Rosary.
3. The Rosary shall be a powerful armor against Hell, it will destroy vice, decrease sin, and defeat heresies.
4. It will cause virtue and good works to flourish; it will obtain for souls the abundant mercy of God; it will withdraw the hearts of men from the love of the world and its vanities and will lift them to the desire of eternal things. Oh, that souls would sanctify themselves by this means.
5. The soul which recommends itself to me by the recitation of the Rosary, shall not perish.
6. Whoever shall recite the Rosary devoutly, applying himself to the consideration of its sacred mysteries, shall never be conquered by misfortune. God will not chastise him in His justice, he shall not perish by an unprovided death; if he be just, he shall remain in the grace of God and become worthy of eternal life.
7. Whoever shall have a true devotion for the Rosary shall not die without the Sacraments of the Church.
8. Those who are faithful to recite the Rosary shall have during their life and at their death the light of God and the plenitude of His graces; at the moment of death, they shall participate in the merits of the saints in Paradise.
9. I shall deliver from Purgatory those who have been devoted to the Rosary.
10. The faithful children of the Rosary shall merit high degree of glory in Heaven.
11. You shall obtain all you ask of me by the recitation of the Rosary.
12. All those who propagate the Holy Rosary shall be aided by me in their necessities.
13. I have obtained from my Divine Son that all the advocates of the Rosary shall have for intercessors the entire Celestial Court during their life and at the hour of death.
14. All who recite the Rosary are my sons, and brothers of my only Son, Jesus Christ.
15. Devotion to my Rosary is a great sign of predestination.
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