To envy people who have a faith?

[RitaHayworthHair]

I'm an atheist. Absolutely science and fact based in my thoughts and approach to life.

But.

I do envy people who have faith as I'd imagine it must bring great comfort to think there is a god (of their choice obv) looking over them. That good will prevail.

AIBU?

woollycardi I know what you mean, I have a huge faith in God and Jesus Christ. Some may say I’m cherry picking, but don’t we all. I don’t follow my religion anymore because so many aspects I don’t believe in. But I don’t think that matters. It doesn’t matter that you’ve not found your community. Just enjoy your personal relationship with God.

I really understand! I don't have a belief. I have anxiety and some of it is around losing loved ones. Also around not making the most of my life. I do think if I had faith it would be nice. I'd absolutely love to think I'd be reunited with my loved one. (it's hard writing that getting a bit weepy) but I don't believe it no matter how much I'd love to. I do find faith funerals hard for that reason too.

Thanks restawhile. Yes I suppose that's what it is. When I think about Jesus and the bible stories I don't really understand why I should 'worship' in the traditional sense. I believe if Jesus was around he wouldn't really care whether or not we were going to church, he would just question continually if we were living out of a place of love, which would mean our action would vary from moment to moment depending on the situation. I agree with you, we do all cherry pick, thank goodness we can!

Christian here for a long time. I have a couple of close friends who were part of my church but no longer believe. One of the hardest things they struggle with is not being an active part of the community anymore. The structure of everybody meeting in one place once a week and then smaller groups meeting outside of that does provide a framework to build up all age, living communities that I don't think is easily replicated

Restawhile77 - It’s the Book of Genesis v all life evolving from primitive single celled organisms.

What, are the Abrahamic religions the only ones?

I'm a Christian and I work in health. I did my final year dissertation on the role of spirituality within healthcare and it was fascinating. Lots of people mock religion but actually, it becomes VERY pertinent to people who are going through palliative care and being at the end of your life brings up all sorts of questions about what happens afterwards, the point of life etc.
Religion and spirituality definitely have an important role in people's lives

YANBU. I envy them as well.

But, then again, I also envy people who grew up with parents who loved them, who had a nice, warm, clean home, who had friends and then went on to do well in education, meet somebody who loved them and they loved, are employed and in a position to buy a home, then have the children they wanted, so that they simply don't have a concept of pain, abuse, fear, poverty or loneliness other than in the abstract.

I've met a few at a hobby group - much, much older than me, and they are absolutely lovely people. I wouldn't want them to know what it feels like. But I still feel that pang of 'I wish I could have that innocence'. They're still very aware of how fortunate they have been, they are compassionate towards anybody who has suffered - but they don't 'know' what it feels like.

It's a natural feeling, I think.

@MitziK

You make an excellent point. Never thought of it like that. I have a similar experience that you refer to.

I am a Christian and a biologist. Seeing the complexity that exists within even a single cell and the intelligence and intricacies of it really solidifies my faith and I feel so privileged to be able to be able to spend my days learning about God's design and creation.

I used to be an atheist for a few years and it was during my undergraduate degree in biology where I went from atheist to Christian. The first thing that led me back was the same way you are feeling. I felt envious of Christians and the way they had this sense of peace and I wished I had that too. I also noticed Christians just had this light about them, this childlike trust and peace that I envied and wanted. Then I just started developing a faith in God. I can't explain it except to say He just called me back to Him.

When I have moments when my faith waivers, I think well even if none of this is true, I live a happier and more meaningful life as a Christian then I did as an atheist. It makes me a kinder more selfless person, reminds me of how fragile and important life is and makes me have more gratitude - all good things.

I do find it interesting that those quite a lot of those who do not have faith will still reach out for something, anything to believe in - astrology, the Law of Attraction, trusting "the universe" (not saying there is anything wrong with believing in any of those, I respect other people's beliefs). I think all humans have a longing for God which leads us to seek those kind of things out.

YANBU. I'm agnostic. I don't believe in any religion but think it's not completely impossible that a 'creator' of some sort exists, far beyond the realm of human knowledge.

I envy people who have faith in an afterlife, because the idea of death terrifies me. I can't make myself believe in it, though.

I was raised with conservative religious beliefs and certainly don't miss/envy any of the authoritarian dogma or guilt. Being a nine-year-old frightened that I might go to hell because I didn't think I believed in God any longer but wasn't completely sure (and if I was wrong, then hell!) was definitely not fun.

I do find it interesting that those quite a lot of those who do not have faith will still reach out for something, anything to believe in - astrology, the Law of Attraction, trusting "the universe" (not saying there is anything wrong with believing in any of those, I respect other people's beliefs). I think all humans have a longing for God which leads us to seek those kind of things out

Totally agree. My dissertation on spirituality explored this too. Many people who were against religion and stated it was pure fantasy still put faith in other "fantastical" things - as you say, astrology, the universe, tarot cards, mysticism, superstitions, ghosts etc

@MitziK your post shows your pain. I am sorry you have suffered and hope you are in a better place now? The difference between the things you say you're jealous of and faith is that you feel sad about are things you cant get back. You can always acquire faith but no one can give you are happy childhood now.

I do not take for granted the privileged position I have been born into. Its one of the things I regularly thank God for but equally I know that it doesn't mean he loves me more or is rewarding me and I cannot guarantee my life will always be so easy.

I find huge comfort in the church. It's a big part of my life and I love liturgy and music.,

YANBU OP. I identify more with humanism than any organised religion as such but even just to feel like I belonged to a community in the way religious people do, would really be a great thing.

I was brought up religious. I went through a period of agnosticism but that gradually turned into atheism. I often feel very sad that I don't have a faith as it brings so much comfort and community to people.

I believe in God and feel there has to be "something more" to life .Looking around we have such a beautiful planet ,Can it really be just a coincidence ? DS has a Science Degree and is not really on board TBH .I pray for him . Faith is a gift and many people are searching for meaning in life .Every disaster is brought up as there being no God .Yet good things happen all the time too! Sackfuls of food being dropped in disaster zones ,people from all over to help the recent Australian relief effort .Surely that is God in Action?We

Dottie - if their is a God (which I don’t believe) why does he lets babies die of horrible illnesses, families murdered in Syria, children raped and murdered and school shootings?

@springflorals. Lovely post

@Parker231 My belief is that God gave us free choice. To choose to live life how we please. And unfortunately some people choose to do bad things. No-one should expect a life without suffering. Suffering is a part of life. Without sadness there can be no joy.

And for those that believe in Heaven/Hell - Earth is the test to see where you will end up. Those taken early (the children) get more time to spend in Heaven. Those that commit the atrocities will get what they deserve in Hell.

Not a very compassionate God then!

My belief is that God gave us free choice. To choose to live life how we please. And unfortunately some people choose to do bad things. No-one should expect a life without suffering. Suffering is a part of life. Without sadness there can be no joy.

Many find it very hard to understand why the people doing the bad things don't necessarily suffer for them whereas innocents do.

For example, I know of a woman whose 3 children died of a genetic disease before the age of 8. She's a good woman, devout, kind, etc, etc. Her children were innocents. Why would a benevolent God do this?

And yeah I get that the deal is they'll be in heaven, but why wouldn't they get to enjoy their lives as a family before that, as much less worthy people are?

@dottiedodah

Sackfuls of food being dropped in disaster zones ,people from all over to help the recent Australian relief effort .Surely that is God in Action?

Isn't that the people actually doing those things in action?

Holyfork Yes of course ,but the way the efforts are set up and instrumented means that there is a bigger force /God helping everyone .The point of faith is that most people will encounter difficulties of some sort, and turn to God to help . People will often pray and expect help instantly ,but problems are complex ,and as we have free will sometimes take a while to sort out.I personally cannot see how we are in such a beautiful natural enviroment by chance,and there has to be some kind of divine intervention if you like .

I wouldn’t talk about the beautiful natural environment to those who have lost everything in the floods this week. God hasn’t done anything to help them?

Personally God doesn’t exist - there is no evidence but if we does he’s a cruel heartless being!

I too am very glad I have a faith, I am not overly analytical about it, I don’t believe every comment written in the Bible, but I do get a great deal of support from my Church family. I am sorry others have not experienced the same support, at the Church I attend there is enormous amount of support for the elderly and sick; our Church is also involved in lots of social outreach projects - Food Bank, helping rough sleepers, debt support etc etc.

Also, we have moved around the country a lot and it is so easy to meet like minded people if you attend Church. Even when I rented somewhere for just three months there was an immediate opportunity to get involved with the local church and I made friends straight away.