Is it so bad I dont believe in God?

When I was younger I always went to church because my parents made me go because they wanted the whole family to go, which I respected. Now that I live on my own, I am not active and dont believe in "God" or religion for that matter. To me religion is more a part of peoples culture.

Recently I started a new job. All of the ladies in my office are very religious. Most of the time when they talk about religion I ignore it or try and share my opinion - but usually end up getting ignored because I dont share the same opinions. Recently I was confronted by one of the ladies and she was almost attacking me because I dont believe in God! She was telling me its a sin to deny him and that I am not leading the life I should. Why are some people so ignorant to think that everyone has to have to same opinions and beliefs as them? I understand and respect peoples beliefs and in no way would ever say they were wrong for believing in God, so why is it that I must be badgered for NOT believeing?

Well I appreciate everyones answers, but I dont get why people say I NEED to believe in God. I dont NEED him in my life to live happy, I am happy the way I am. I dont need to talk to anyone at any church, I have done all that and I have read the bible (and the Book Of Mormon as well because my parents are Mormon) I have been to many churches and this is what I feel is right for my life! I dont have everything figured out but I dont feel like I need to figure all that out right now. There is nothing wrong with me having different opinions and beliefs than other people, and I thank all those that support that. Thank you for all the answers and responses! :)

Unfortunately, most people believe in a supernatural being. Aside from the whole "cult tradition", I believe that people rely on a "god" or the belief in a "god" in order to help them come to terms with their own mortality. We're taught from a very young age (most of us) to ask where we came from and where we're going after we die.

Unfortunately, instead of realizing on our own that we are complex living creatures who grew from our parents' combined sperm and egg and their DNA and that when we die, our cells die and our bodies rot, we are actually *told* that we are "miracles" and will go somewhere after we die ("heaven" or "hell"). Anyone with common sense and the most basic understanding of science knows this is complete b.s.

I feel sorry for the ladies in your office, and particularly the one who tells you it's a "sin to deny him". It's a "sin" to actively discriminate against people based on their beliefs and lifestyles.

You have found the real "truth". You should always stick to your guns. We will be labeled "atheists", "sinners", "heathens", "non-believers" and many more worse things, but we will never be as ignorant as "believers".

only if you consider intelligence bad. That you do not need a crutch to get through life with is NOT a bad thing.

boy what would happen if i went in there and tore those fu(kers up with some science or some megadeath

Read Descartes.

its a shame you are being harassed. Its a free country and you are allowed to believe or not to believe in any thing you want.

You should tell them such and hopefully they will get off your back

You live and work in the South, right? That would explain their unorthodox behavior.

I'm in the same boat as you. I respect people's beliefs, but yet they attack me saying I'm a bad person. I know a girl that is a stripper, but tells me I'm a bad person for not being a Christian.

No it's not bad, it's YOUR belief. I wouldn't ever ask someone to change who they are for something that is more than likely fake, which I have no evidence for. When your messiah rings my doorbell, I'll talk.. until than respect me like I do you, and STFU.

I don't think it's bad as far as it's an honest statement. I don't believe in the gods I've heard of, including the christian god, and I don't know if any other kind of god can be real, maybe a non-interventionist god, but I doubt it.

I've been bashed due to that as well, but I've found some people who believe in god and try to understand my position.

I guess what's bad is the lack of empathy.

As a Pastor I agree that you should not be badgered for your unbelief in God. However I would urge you to reconsider your stance on this subject as your life and soul depends on the choices that you make. I would pray that someone in your family can assist you in finding an answer.

HOW DARE YOU NOT BELIEVE IN ME, I AM INSULTED!- Back to reality, no, it is not bad. Maybe your "God Gene" is malfunctioning (the hypothetical gene that gives us a need to believe in a god.) There are all kinds of religions, and maybe you will find one that is right for you and maybe you won't. Religion is all about social groups. Spirituality is about God within and without, the Chi. It is not for everyone, but some believe it. You shouldn't accept religious intolerance from anyone, the only reason they would say such things to you is because they are insecure in their own beliefs. Don't worry about those women (I know, easier said than done) and do what you must, and harm none. And remember the rule of three, what you do comes back to thee.

Unfortunately there are way too many theists who think that being an atheist is the same as worshiping sin and the devil. It's not bad that you don't believe in god, I don't believe either. What is bad is the intolerance your coworkers are showing for people of differing worldviews.

You have the freedom to make a choice. Anyone who badgers you for not making 'their' choice is usually suffering from some sort of insecurity in their lives. Deep down they actually may respect you for being yourself.

When I made the decision to choose God, no one was around and occasionally I get badgered by 'fundamentalists' who insist I had to have someone else there to tell me what to do and say...

It is insecurity on their part.

In a cult (and in fundamentalists), the knowledge that there are people who do not believe in the same things is seen as a threat. After all, if the cult is correct, it is impossible for anyone to believe otherwise - thus either you are attacking the cult by disbelief itself, or maybe... there is a problem in the cult and that is too scary to contemplate.

ONE HAS TO FEEL SORRY FOR CHRISTIANS! THEY FEAR THE TRUTH, SO USE THE EXCUSE OF "FAITH" TO JUSTIFY ALL MANNER OF NONSENSE!
THEY GET ANGRY EASILY, BECAUSE ANY CHILD CAN MAKE THEM LOOK RIDICULOUS BY POINTING OUT THE FOOLISHNESS OF THEIR CONVICTIONS.

Hey...i dont think you should worry so much. Im muslim and when people come to me they ask me, How can i know what the real religion is." And i tell them, its the one that makes sense to you, the one that makes you feel good, content. Who cares what your co-workers are...and its always nice to make friends when your at work, but who wants to be friends with someone who doesnt value their opinion. At my work, i work with Catholics, Buddists, Athiests, christians, and other various religions. Its cool cuz of the variety and everyone is respectful so we dont go into attacking other religions.

IM sorry you have to go through all of that. I know how you feel. They shouldnt be bothering you. You should tell them straight up that you dont appreciate how they talk to you and you have your own beliefs and that they should respect them...they should shut up about bothering you!I do hope, that everything works out. You seem like a good person. Keep your chin up and dont worry so much...some people are just ignorrant...but what can you do, and you really dont want to associate yourself with them....take care

I am sorry that your co workers are so rude. I do not believe in god either. when such topics come up I make my position known, and let them know that I respect their belief in god, but to not preach at me. I am all for a good theological debate. but when it turns into a "lets convert the non believers" I can get pretty mean. go to your manager. if that does not work and the harassment continues then tell your manager that you will file a discrimination harrasment complaint with the better business beuro(sp). if that does not work then I would find another place to work. you should not have to work in such conditions.

According to John 12:47 in the King James Bible, Jesus said:

"And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world."

So, if even Jesus won't judge you for not believing, why should those hypocritical Christians?

Christians are extremely threatened by nonbelievers. They can become very arrogant and frustrated when you attempt to explain why you choose to be a non-believer, or that you are still a worthwhile person with morality and compassion. They sometimes refuse to accept that you are no threat to them.

One good thing to say, is "I believe that I am a good person. I believe that it is arrogant and inappropriate for you to tell me that anything I do is a sin. I am asking you nicely to never accuse me of sin or judge my choices. We can have a conversation about why and how I believe what I do, and how our beliefs differ, but you are crossing the line when you say it's wrong."

no its not ,not every one believes in GOD.although others do it doesn't mean you have to.its not forced apon you at birth and one doesn't have to believe in GOD to be intelligent.although I'm sure some people do figure they learn some thing from GOD and I'm not saying they're wrong.but no it not bad and as i see it even if you dont believe you will still go on to a better place after death.(unless you have done something so bad that you deserved to go to some bad place like hell or any where else unpleasant)

YOU ARE NOT...YOU ARE NOT...TO BE BADGERED.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CHRIST BADGERED NOBODY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IS YOUR BELIEF IN GOD SO BAD, TO ME?

NOPE. NONE AT ALL.

I LOVE YOU AS A HUMAN BEING.


YOU KNOW TRUTH..YOU HEARD IT.. YOU ACTED ON IT.



I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.



I FAIL TO SEE WHERE ANY CHRISTIAN WOULD. UNLESS HE IS A WANNA_BEE AND CAST YOU INTO HELL.

HAHAHAHHAAHAH..LOL LOLO LOL

TRUST ME, WHEN I SAY:

CHRISTIANS ARE THE FIRST....TOO CAST YOU THERE !!!!!!!!


LETS SEE WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT "CASTING", AND WHO DOES IT, AND WHEN. AND WHY.

YOU KNOW WHAT? IT WON'T BE THE LITTLE JESUS' WANNA_BEE'S RUNNING AROUND THE WORLD. I ASSURE YOU OF THIS !!!!!!!!

HAHAHHAAHAH


HAHAHAH.. GOOD QUESTION.



HAVE A NICE WEEK.


GOD BLESS YOU.

To be honest I think it is idiotic to attempt to badger someone into converting to a religion. All they are demonstrating is at best a lack of understanding of Christian values, at worst a direct contempt for the teachings of Jesus.
As an ordained minister I feel very strongly that it is very wrong indeed to claim to follow Jesus, Allah, Jerhova, Jahweh, or whoever without fully reading all the appropraite religious texts.
If they try this sort of thing on you again then demonstate how ignorant they are of their own supposed beliefs. Use the following lines on them:
-In the Bible does it not say "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Do you consider yourself so righteous as to be without sin and therefore qualified to lecture me?
-Jesus gave the commandment "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Would you like me to point out all your many and varied flaws in detail?
-In places the Bible advocates genecide. In several places actually. "When the LORD your God brings you into the land you are about to enter and occupy, he will clear away many nations ahead of you: the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. These seven nations are all more powerful than you. When the LORD your God hands these nations over to you and you conquer them, you must completely destroy them. Make no treaties with them and show them no mercy. Do not intermarry with them, and don't let your daughters and sons marry their sons and daughters. They will lead your young people away from me to worship other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and he will destroy you." (Deuteronomy 7:1-4 NLT) Is one of several examples.

As a Christian and a minister I consider the only way to convert others is by leading a life of virtue and people may choose to follow your example, and truthfully answer questions based upon facts, research and considered arguement. They prejudiced ranting of your co-workers has no place in the teachings of Jesus.

No as along as you dont cause harm to other people. And help ppl in need you are good.
Not believing in God DOES NOT MAKE YOU A BAD PERSON.

You're looking at it the wrong way. Anyone who cares enough to exert an effort to try and guide you and save you - though you think you can't or don't want to be 'saved'- is what matters. all they're doing is giving you sincere advice and looking out for you (from their point of view). Of course, they cannot force you to believe, and they have to respect that after a certain amount of insistence, enough is enough. Also, they cannot insult you in any way for not agreeing with them. Understand that heir intentions are only good - whatever religion they may belong to - and they probably care about you more than you care about them (which is what true believers are). So don't get aggrevated if someone respectfully invites you to their religion; you have the right to get upset only if they insult you or do not stop when you have repeatedly asked them to.
Peace be with you.
p.s: I'm not christian, and have never talked to someone about religion unless they asked or wanted to know.

People want their beliefs validated. It is because of this that they try to co-erce other people into following the "way" they embrace. They badger you because you represent their own doubts. They are afraid you may corrupt their children with reason. Or corrupt them.
Your beliefs play on their insecurities. Until that changes, expect more dissent.

I would never badger anyone for their believes. My philosophy in life is don't bother me, and I won't bother you.

But I have a hard time myself understanding how someone can deny God. Where did we come from? Everything has to have a creator. And this 'we evolved thing' is ridiculous...what did we evolve from? Even if you think we came from some little spec of whatever....that little spec had to come from somewhere.

she was wrong to talk to you that way. she does not know how to "witness" correctly. please forgive her. but, as to your main question, yes i believe it is very bad to not believe in God. unbelief has grave consequences.

One day you WILL beleive in God.

God is everything, you really need to go back to Him

Why dont you believe in God? What is it that causes your unbeliefs? You should talk with the pastor of a church. Read the New Testament too! It will help you out!

whats wrong with people nowadays..you should not have to be harassed.you have your beliefs i have mine..were i work we have discusions..but you should be able to say what you feel ...i dont think i am religious... i believe in life...sounds like there full of crap were you work..you can contact me if you want non religious chat..just ignore the idiots..

u r dead ,it is bad