Are there any Atheists that have converted to a religion because they had a religious experience?

[somewheresouth]

Originally Posted by GCSTroop

Yes that's all a very nice story but to me it's all a story. Again, the only evidence I have to go by as far as the "Doubting Thomas" is concerned is the Bible itself. I don't just believe a book because it says I should, nor do I believe it because it says I should because it says it's the word of God.

With that being said, and I've said this before, I take no issue with picking and choosing certain parts of the Bible to adhere to in life. I don't believe Jesus was anything more than a man (and I have my doubts about Jesus existing at all, but that's still up in the air). I don't believe in God. I don't believe that any story in the Old Testament bears any weight, etc.. etc... Regardless, there are some things in the Bible that I DO like.

For example: I Corinthians 13:7 is a good one.

Good morning all. What a beautiful day in Montana!

GSC, is there any historical book or story that you consider accurate? If so why or why not? If we weren't around to see it, did it happen?

[actonbell]

Originally Posted by bigstu

Your reality is not my reality

Our reality is confused?

This reality is the game of man

Confusion will/ must have to end? For the future of us?

I attack empires and multinationals

One tribe, one race, one people, one hope halfway infinite

One world

the god of the infinite, that stretch to that place?

Reality is as reality does;

Normal is as normal does.

What is good for others is not what is good for me

And so shall it be this world of mine.

So shall we ever endure.

The wolves howl for the great white hope.

They howl up into the sky for hope to come.

The hope of man they continue to seek

and through the great evening nights

one can hear their call.

Yet He never appears.

[Tesaje]

Originally Posted by actonbell

I'll try again, where does the wind come from? and try to keep it short. Better yet PM me you answer as we are getting off topic.

That's an easy one. The wind come from uneven heating of the earth, and it goes to the same. When equilibrium is reached, the wind ceases. Since equilibrium is never reached, the wind is always blowing somewhere.

Did you think that was a hard question and had some supernatural answer?

[ParkTwain]

Use of the term "religious experience" in the OP's original question is an example of "begging the question."

[gdblauvelt]

Oh my God after not seeing any replies for a week I moved on to another thread to watch. When I saw that there were 33 posts I was shocked I hope that more people come to post their experiences.

I myself have always believed in God, and Christ. Although my Father's side of the family is Dutch, came here on the mayflower in 1620 and was the Reverend who organized the mayflower. My mothers side of the family is Native American and White mix so she has both influences, as well as being a psychic, and Christian. I've been exposed to alot of religion, spiritualism, God so it has never been possible for me not to believe in Him. It has been nice to hear about all the ways he has reached people, and how.

I love how the majority of the experiences that I've heard on this thread, and in my life, are the "soft touch" kind of experiences. Where there is no Angel, voice, Spiritual apparition just a whisper that turns into a scream. All of the posts are great to read and I feel very happy for all of you who have had these experiences. I can feel how powerful they were to you.

Please keep 'em coming!

[GCSTroop]

Originally Posted by somewheresouth

Good morning all. What a beautiful day in Montana!

GSC, is there any historical book or story that you consider accurate? If so why or why not? If we weren't around to see it, did it happen?

That's an interesting question. While a lot of history we can trust with a certain amount of accuracy it is hard to surmise a guess as to what REALLY happened. To give an example: When I was living in Japan I made a trip to Hiroshima. I went to the atomic bomb museum while I was there. Although very depressing and sad I got to take a look at the "pamphlets" we dropped over the respective cities prior to us bombing Nagasaki and Hiroshima. They were all in English. Now, my better judgement tells me that we dropped pamphlets in Japanese as well but this side was not presented. It was a subtle hint as to a different version of history. Although I do follow a lot of history with a certain amount of truth I am also reminded that, in many cases, the victor of wars often writes history. I've often wondered what the history books might read if the Nazi's had won WWII. I assume it would be much different than the version we are familiar with. However, a lot of the same facts wouldn't have changed. Certain places, buildings, big battles etc.. may have stayed the same but many events would be quite different or perhaps thought of in a different way. I imagine the extermination of the Jews would be held in a much different light.

With all of that being said, I can't help but think that while there are accurate places in the Bible I don't think the events within them were true. This is especially true since we are trying to invoke "miracles" and "supernaturalism" to prove that what is within the Bible is true. Nowhere else in history, except within religion, do we trust that the supernatural occurred to prove our history.

So really, my return question to you is: "Why don't you believe what is corroborated in the Quran as being true? Or for that matter, why don't you believe any other holy book other than the Bible?"

I am assuming, hopefully not falsely, that you are a Christian who believes in the Bible. If you do not believe in the Quran (or another holy book) as being the true word of God than I must also pose the same question you asked me.

[gdblauvelt]

I was intending this thread to be for conversion experiences. I really wasn't wanting it to turn into a debate thread as to whether they were rational experiences, to be judged by others. Just a place to post what the experiencer, experienced. Maybe someone could start another thread that could be used to debate whether the conversion experiences are rational, or not. Or if there is a God, or not. Or why there is, or why there isn't. That would be the best place to have an open debate. I believe that a debate on every persons experience would scare people off from sharing their experiences, and that isn't what anyone wants.

[GCSTroop]

Originally Posted by gdblauvelt

I was intending this thread to be for conversion experiences. I really wasn't wanting it to turn into a debate thread as to whether they were rational experiences, to be judged by others. Just a place to post what the experiencer, experienced. Maybe someone could start another thread that could be used to debate whether the conversion experiences are rational, or not. Or if there is a God, or not. Or why there is, or why there isn't. That would be the best place to have an open debate. I believe that a debate on every persons experience would scare people off from sharing their experiences, and that isn't what anyone wants.

You are, of course, correct. My apologies for leading the thread astray. Really, I do mean that.

[actonbell]

Originally Posted by Tesaje

That's an easy one. The wind come from uneven heating of the earth, and it goes to the same. When equilibrium is reached, the wind ceases. Since equilibrium is never reached, the wind is always blowing somewhere.

Did you think that was a hard question and had some supernatural answer?

Do you believe every thing you read and every thing some one tells you? How do you know this answer is the truth? How do you know that the people that came up with this answer have the intelligence to know this is how the wind is formed; this is where wind comes from?

See some where along the line, a person has to have faith and trust in another human being that they have an understanding of something, they do not.

They have to take them at their word, or be left in the dark. Oh wait, I asked about wind, not electricity.

nightie-night

PS by the way, you have both faith and trust. oh wait a minute those could be misconstrued as being spiritual words...supernatural to have faith....no, you have neither.

lights out