Why I No Longer Believe in God: A Personal Journey

Belief in a higher power has been a deeply ingrained part of many cultures and personal histories. However, for me, my exploration into the absence of such belief began early, rooted in both personal experiences and the teachings of my parents. As I will explain, these experiences and the nature of religious beliefs inspired me to question the existence of a higher power. This article delves into my journey from belief to atheism, presenting the reasons and arguments that led me to this conclusion.

Motivations and Early Belief

My initial belief in a god was a result of what I was taught by my parents and the context of my life. Growing up, I was surrounded by a community that fervently believed in a deity, and my baptism at birth and the fast prayers for my survival at childbirth were pivotal moments. My father, a figure of authority and guidance in my life, had his own experiences to share, such as seeing an angel and spending time in a coma where visions became a part of his narrative. His stories left an indelible mark on my early childhood, nurturing a belief that seemed unquestionable and natural.

The Shift in Belief

However, as I grew older, my belief began to wane. One of the major turning points was my father's explanation that the challenges of my birth were "but a precursor of what was to come." This cryptic statement was hard to digest and marked the beginning of my questioning the nature of religious belief.

The issue came down to the fundamental lack of objective proofs for the existence of a god. The subjective experiences, although compelling, were not verifiable, nor were they universally accepted. This led me to realize that I needed a rational, verifiable reason to believe in a higher power.

Arguments Against Belief

For me, the concept of a god as my creator or source of needs and love was more a matter of emotional comfort than objective truth. The idea that he is constantly reaching out to us in love and is the ultimate destination was more comforting than convincing. The argument that I needed a reason to believe and not a reason not to believe highlighted the subjective nature of religious beliefs. The absence of concrete evidence for the existence of a deity made the idea less compelling.

Critique of Religious Beliefs

When I began to critically evaluate the beliefs of others, I stumbled upon two main categories that I found deeply flawed. The first group are individuals who are mindless and brainwashed by religious teachings, believing in promises of a second life and eternal existence. The second group includes religious leaders and those who profit from religious practices, often using deceptive methods to sell their books and beliefs.

The religious leaders, including figures like the Pope and other clergy, are often seen as timeless and infallible, but in reality, they are just as human as the rest of us. The promotion of religious practices as a path to wealth and power rather than a sincere belief in a higher power is a clear example of the dissonance between public teachings and the private beliefs of religious figures.

The widespread use of direct sales pitches and the sale of religious books through TV advertisements is a stark reminder of how religious beliefs are often exploited for financial gain. The rational mind struggles to reconcile the claims of an eternal afterlife with the cold, hard facts of science and the observable realities of the universe.

Conclusion

In essence, my journey from belief to atheism is rooted in the lack of objective evidence for the existence of a higher power. The subjective nature of religious experiences, the critique of religious leaders, and the clear motivations behind the promotion of religious beliefs led me to a clear and reasoned conclusion: there is no compelling reason to believe in a deity.

I believe that the value of arguing about the existence of a higher power lies in the pursuit of truth, not in the confirmation of faith. My journey is not about rejecting the idea of a higher power but about seeking a rational, evidence-based approach to life and the world around us.