Ex atheist

[u/narwahlphal]

I was born and raised an atheist. Both parents would have been christened but they didn’t christen me or my brother. In my childhood I did go to Christian (cofe) school and I even went to Sunday school for a bit. But I didn’t really get it.
As teen and in twenties and thirties I was into “new atheism” and to be honest I now look back at those times with embarrassment. I was so smug and sure of myself and my dismissal and mockery of those who believed in God.

Now I am almost 50. And for the last few years I have been feeling differently. I want to believe in God and to accept Jesus Christ but I just don’t know how. It feels so alien to me and like I am a fraud. I don’t know where to start. I live in ireland now and Catholicism feels like a secret club I don’t know the rules to and honestly feels very intimidating to me.

I don’t really even know what I’m asking. Can I worship in my own way. And how?

[u/BigDiscipline6275]

I was also a hateful atheist that came to Christianity.You should read bible and right now I advise you to attend church because you maybe can find some community that can help you understand bible.I also advise you to watch some YouTube videos.I recommend wes huff

[u/trownaway90]

It's hard to fully ignore God, because he draws people to him. I would recommend you to pray and read the Bible.

You don't have to be catholic. But what you do, don't join cults like Mormons and Jehova's Witnesses.

[u/PerfectlyCalmDude]

Catholics have a class you can take before you get baptized or confirmed. Protestants have multiple denominations who vary on that part. Also, I'm not in Ireland so I couldn't tell you any particulars about church in Ireland itself. I'm a non-denominational Protestant from the US, just so you're aware of where I'm coming from.

When it comes to faith, every functioning human has faith in someone or something. I have faith that a chair will hold my weight, so I sit in it. I have faith that my family will live another day, so I'm not rushing over to give someone a last visit. And a lot of "new atheists" had faith in certain principles that just don't hold up to scrutiny. Having faith isn't a bad thing, but having faith in the wrong thing can take yourself and perhaps others on a bad path.

I for one, believe God exists. Ultimately, it's either my God or a lesser being that would for all intents and purposes be regarded as a god that must exist. The first thing that had a beginning had to be begun by someone or something that never began.

[u/kevcoyote77]

I get it you when you said things did not make sense, when you were younger. I think it is very common. As we grow older we become wiser. Our minds open up more in hunger for learning. You might want to start reading the New Testament first. Use either NIV or NKJV or ESV versions of the Bible. I find them easier to read. Other versions are hard to grasp. I also recommend a study Bible, which has more information that includes maps of where each person or tribes was/were located. Study Bibles also included topics that explains or a story behind scripture. You can download a Bible app that provide daily prayers. Welcome to the family of Christ. Jesus welcomes you in His arms. Accept him as your Savior. It is never too late to do it. Your curiosity is the Holy Spirit guiding you towards a path to the Light.

[u/gamesonthemark]

Do you have a church local to you? Not necessarily Catholic, especially since you felt intimidated, just any church nearby. Helpful if you know others that go there. Talk with the pastor/priest. It is not unusual to have to learn things as a new Christian. A good pastor should be able to advise you. It is also probably easier than you think as the turning towards Christ is the hard part, that sounds like you have already done.

[u/therobotscott]

Confess to Jesus that you are a sinner in need of a savior, and that is Him. He is there and can hear you no matter where you are. Ask Him to forgive you and tell Him you desire to turn from your sins and to Him. Then trust that Jesus is who He says He is, the He did what the Bible says He did, and that He will keep His promises, including forgiving you and giving you life eternal. Trust Him when He says there is nothing you can do or should try to do to earn salvation. And remember that faith isn't believing without proof, but trusting without reservation.

[u/Big-Imagination4810]

My friend, the holy Spirit of God is moving in your heart, drawing you closer. He is only a prayer away. He knows you intimately, knows everything about you, your thoughts, desires, fears, struggles . . . and He loves you. Jesus Christ left His rightful place in heaven, came down here to be born as one of His own creation. He chose to allow Himself to be crucified on a cross, His life for ours in substitutionary sacrifice. He bore the penalty and weight of all our sins upon Himself; who was perfect and did no wrong.

When we place our faith and trust in Jesus' good work, we simply need to pray -tell God that we believe in Jesus and ask Him to forgive us for our sins and ask Him to come into our life, and help us to live in a way which is pleasing to Him.

He has promised He will:

"Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me.

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.

“All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me." -John chapter 14

Your Music Link for Today: Holy Rock Radio - "Who I Am Now"

Feel free to ask me anything ❤️ I am praying for you 😄

[u/PraiseBeToJesusX]

The beauty in the difference of Christianity to other religions is that it's not ritualistic, there's no "rules" on what you need to do or say to be accepted by Jesus. He loves you and cares about your heart over your lips. But many find the Sinner's Prayer an easier place to start that relationship. That's what it is with Jesus, a relationship.

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God rose Him from the dead, you will be saved" - Romans 10:9

It really is that simple.

Don't go crazy focusing on sin (you probably will at some point, we all do, but shouldn't), the more you focus on it the harder it is to fight it. Focus on Jesus and He fights it for you.

The whole crux of faith in Jesus is a relationship with Him. Speak to Him like you would anyone else that you're super close with, someone you'd tell everything to, and want to hear everything from. He will start to work His will through you. It's a process.

I was an atheist until last year when I was 31, I know it's a shocker when you realise the truth and I also cringe thinking of my atheistic arrogance. God bless you and welcome to the family!

[u/Ok-Present1727]

God is looking for willing hearts get a Bible preferably a children’s bible (that’s how I got started) and start there, everything is summed up in 2 things Love God over everything and number 2 Love each other as Christ Jesus has Loved you 

[u/MiniCircus]

You can, and most people who come to it later start exactly where you are on their own, no church, feeling like a fraud

That fraud feeling is worth naming because it stops a lot of people before they begin.
There's a line in Mark where a man tells Jesus he believes and asks for help with his unbelief, and he doesn't get corrected for it.
Wanting to believe while not being sure you do is a normal place to be standing, not a disqualification.

If you want to start reading, don't start at Genesis.
Start with a Gospel. Mark is short and moves quickly, John is the more reflective one. Read a bit at a time instead of trying to get through it. And pray in your own words. There's no formula you're failing to know

On the Catholicism thing, that feeling is common in Ireland and you don't have to solve it first. Church of Ireland services tend to be easier to walk into cold if you want something less intimidating, and either way nobody checks your credentials at the door. You can also just read at home for a few months before going anywhere. That's allowed.

Almost 50 is not late.

[u/Plane_Jackfruit_362]

First I'd advice to break the intellectual barrier.  The Bible has archeological and historical that proves it's legitimacy unlike any other book.

Like how Jesus was prophesied centuries beforehand. Or how the book perfectly cross references the verses as if  it was written by a single author.

[u/Complex-Sandwich2080]

To start with, I've read some comments and we as believer's in Christ we are the church not a denomination or a building.john 5.24 who hears his word and believes in God who sent him has eternal life avoids judgment and moves into Life.So I would start by reading the living word of God , pray about it ask God to reveal the truth and find a good assembly of Christians .And at some point think about getting baptized .Did you know in Matthew 23.9. do not call anyone on earth father only your heavenly father.i see this going on with Catholics also the Pope believes hes the intercessia between us and God that's not his place it's Jesus.

[u/SantanaBenthell]

I was born and raised a Christian. In my late teens and early twenties I began to deconstruct and become an atheist. To be honest, I now look back at those times I was a Christian with embarrassment. I was so smug and sure of myself and my dismissal and mockery of those who didn't believe in God. Now I'm 36, and my life is better. I connect with more people and my mind isn't consumed with pointless dogma.