Religion problems

I feel as if I am being scared into being Christian. I do not believe in god, but I'm still afraid that if somehow heaven and hell is real, then I don't want to "burn in hell forever".

Also I'm an atheist, but I feel as if I have to keep it a secret. My own father is a deacon of a baptist church, and tells me that for not going to church I will burn in hell. Everyone I know is christian, and probably wouldn't want a thing to do with me if they found out I was an atheist.

Can anyone give me some advice on this? Thanks

 

Forcing religion on people is terribly unethical, regardless what they say. He, and those ministers, know nothing more about the afterlife than anyone else. I myself was forced to go to church until I was 16, and my grandfather was a minister. I wasn't old enough to talk to him about religion but wish I had, knowing he was a great man. I hope you choose your own decision. Egnostic is an easier way to put atheist, as basically you believe something happens but you don't know what. That may put you in the position where they try to "convert" you.

how does he feel about LYING to hundreds of people who are close to dead in order to collect money and give them false hope?

110million were killed in the name of catholics, estimated 200million killed in the name of islam. I could never participate in these or many other religions knowing how and why it was founded. Choose for yourself, there's no need to rush or even decide.


john lennon always helps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okd3hLlvvLw

 

I'm a Christian I have my belief's I've been going to church since I was little I stopped going last year when I was 13 cause we moved houses and only thing around here is catholic church's.

If you worried I recommend you go to church see if you like it, if things are too much for then its your decision you make your path. People tell me stuff like your dumb for being a Christian I just tell them I don't care what you think I'm twice more fortunate than they would ever be and its best to be safe than sorry!

 

This is what happened to me and i am now a deist. I had a hard time believing anything people at church said because it was contradicted in the bible. If you do not like going to church do not go. If you are not 18 then wait till then and tell your parents that you do not wish to go anymore. They can not force anything on you and if they do that is illegal. Do not let people dictate what you believe, Believe what you want if you want to believe in the flying spaghetti monster it is your every god given right to do so.

 

You've got no more reason to worry about his particular version of heaven and hell than you do of Thor striking you down with his hammer or Zeus getting you with a bolt of lightning.

That said, obviously you're in a difficult situation since he is your father. The easiest thing I found was to just tow the line and don't cause confrontation until you're old enough to stand on your own. Then you'll be able to tell him about why you've made your decision, and if you want to, go to college or live elsewhere.

You say everyone you know is a Christian, this probably isn't true. From the outside you probably look just like one, think how many others could be in the same situation as you.

But really, the most important thing to do is just live your life. Whether you're 'right or wrong' really doesn't matter, there's nothing to be right or wrong about. There are plenty of far more important things in life than deciding whether you're a believer or not. Just try and live your life the way you want to, because you'll only get one shot at it.

 

God & Burning in Hell -
Just enjoy your life, be a good person, and let it be. If there is a 'God' isn't he supposed to be almighty and forgiving?
Father -
Eventually you should talk to your father about you being an atheist, since everyone should be who they really are. If he has a problem with you or your lifestyle and can't accept one small part of you, then you really should find somewhere else to live. Life's too short to be somebody else .

You say ' no one would want a thing to do with you if they found out you don't believe in God ', but what makes you think you are the only one in this situation?

 

I've had personal experience with this. It's not always the best idea to talk to your parents about being an Atheist as if they are Christian they will try even harder to force you into the religion. Christians like my father feel obligated to get their kids into the same religion as most feel that it's their duty as a parent. Forcing somebody into a religion that they do not believe is not a good idea as the kids will just rebel harder.

When I talked to my father about not believing in god (I got quite angry at him for continuing over a period of 10 years after showing him I am not interested) I told him I respected that he has beliefs in a religion but I do not feel the same way towards the same religion and if he could please leave me be. He did not take it the right way and started to preach to me. I lost a lot of respect knowing he does not respect my opinion.

That was not my own personal rant, I'm simply saying that the same thing could happen. If your worried of it getting worse, you just need to acknowledge that parents that are religious will continue to do this until you are an adult. Just because you do not believe in a god, heaven, or hell does not mean your a bad person. I can't say I believe in it either but I always help others more than myself. Ever since I was young I treated everyone with the respect they deserved, yet people think I'm a bad person just because I don't believe in god. Out of honesty, if anyone ever accuses you of having the wrong beliefs please know you are not wrong. In reality, they are the wrong ones for telling you how to live your life due to a religion.

As said by xKurt, just live your life as a good person. If there really is a god, it is told he is forgiving. The way I see it is if you live your life to the fullest as a good person and stay out of trouble then why would you burn in hell? You can't be told your wrong just because you choose not the believe this. From the looks of things you seem like a really good person, and I'd hate to see this happen to you as the same thing happened to me. Just wait it out till your a bit older then things will lighten up. For me, it lightened up when I was 17-18 (I'm still 18) though I can not say the same thing will happen as everyone is different. I wish you the best of luck, though there is not much you can do as he's your father. Sitting down and talking to him would be best if you waited till your a little bit older (depending on your age, if you are 14 - 16 it's best to wait a few years) so he realizes your an adult, you make your own choices and he needs to respect that. Forcing things on people never solved anything, I just wish more people would understand that.

 

Pascal's Wager does NOT constitute belief; therefore you'd be deluding yourself if you professed belief out of fear of consequences.

 

For that very reason I despise religion. Follow your heart if your heart says god isn't real then he isn't don't believe stuff you don't want to in fear or because someone else makes you..if there is a god that's the exact thing he wouldn't want you to do! It's human nature to question our existence, find your own answer.

 

religion is not just about believing in god going to church bla bla. It's about doing the right thing and being true to yourself

 

One of the many reasons I converted to Shintoism. Much more peaceful imho. Maybe you should give it a try?

 

Always stand up for what you believe.

 

If you are being forced into it and you don't necessarily believe in it. Just roll along with it, i Honestly believe in God/Jesus, Heaven/Hell because well, it's just how i've been brought up.

 

Live your life to be happy as you possibly can. Of course, obey laws.
Dont worry about the heaven hell dilemma until that time comes.

I doubt your God would want you to live your life constantly worrying about it.

I do not believe in anything specifically, but I believe in a higher entity.