In Need of some assistance

Originally Posted by ExMuslim

Hi, I'm an Ex-muslim. After I realized Islam was not only wrong but if there is a devil it must be it, I tried to talk to God and I asked him for help and I begged for guidance but I don't think anyone is there. I never wanted to be an atheist, never even thought that would even be a possibility. I looked at christianity and other religions but my heart is just screeming "You'd be lieing to yourself and you know it". Right now the idea that I had been wrong and cheated for so many years is so painful it's unbearable. The idea that the God I loved has never been there. It is the worst pain I have ever felt and I'm an army vet so trust me when I sa I know pain. My question, How do you deal with this? How do you reconcile with the truth without losing your sanity and going in a deep depression. Any help would be very appreciated as it is much needed at this time. Thank you and I hope this is not just another dead end.

Hello sir,
welcome to the discussion.
do not give up. You are missing something that you have told since birth is ESSENTIAL, you have now discovered that it isn't so. You need belief in yourself, your sib's , wife and family if applicable. I never went through this, although my Dad tried real hard. I didn't realize I was an atheist until just a few years ago.
You have now found that there probably isn't magic men in the sky.
So now you have to look about and really see who is in charge of your life, YOU.
There must be buddies, I just read an article about a US Vet group forming to help you, My memory is going so I can't recall where I read it or what they called them selves. The photo for the article has 5-6 guys in the desert somewhere holding up a banner "Atheist's In Foxholes."
They were set up to help folks like yourself.

ExMuslim,

I wish I knew the right advice to help you. I can't say I experienced the same problem. I struggled with trying to believe most of my young life and when I finally realized what a waste of time religion was I felt like a great weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I don't remember ever feeling like I'd lost anything, more like I had finally gained clear vision. If you were active in a religious community and find yourself no longer welcome there I can certainly understand how that could make you feel isolated. I think if you keep checking out and participating in skeptic and atheist forums and blogs you may be able to find a new sense of "belonging". I have never met any of the people from this forum or the JREF or Pharyngula or Think Atheist or Dispatches from the Culture Wars or The Friendly Atheist or Greta Christina or Butterflies and Wheels or WEIT, etc. but I really enjoy following the discussions and I feel like I have learned so much from them.

Also, you might want to see if you can find the video "Letting Go of God" by Julia Sweeney.

I think you should be commended for being concerned enough about what is true to call bullshit on your childhood brainwashing.

Firstly, sorry for such a slow reply.

While it may be hard to reconcile that you've been cheated all of these years, at the same time most of those that would have you believe in god probably don't know any better. With that in mind, instead of being upset, you should try and feel happy that you've made the realization that god isn't real after all. Being able to place yourself outside of the religious box will empower you to see religion in so many different ways. Perhaps you might see how it has marginalized you personally and how it oppresses others. Don't be upset, be happy that you are no longer participating in the propagation of a value and belief system which continues to oppress and restrict the rights and freedoms of others.

Originally Posted by ExMuslim

Hi, I'm an Ex-muslim. After I realized Islam was not only wrong but if there is a devil it must be it, I tried to talk to God and I asked him for help and I begged for guidance but I don't think anyone is there. I never wanted to be an atheist, never even thought that would even be a possibility. I looked at christianity and other religions but my heart is just screeming "You'd be lieing to yourself and you know it". Right now the idea that I had been wrong and cheated for so many years is so painful it's unbearable. The idea that the God I loved has never been there. It is the worst pain I have ever felt and I'm an army vet so trust me when I sa I know pain. My question, How do you deal with this? How do you reconcile with the truth without losing your sanity and going in a deep depression. Any help would be very appreciated as it is much needed at this time. Thank you and I hope this is not just another dead end.

Dont expect that God will talk to you right away and talk to you personally.We are name the same with Moses and other disciples already. Everything was change, Asking answer's with pope is not the best way too, all you need is just believe in him and wait till he shows you some answers to your questions.

Originally Posted by Ram_brand

Dont expect that God will talk to you right away and talk to you personally.We are name the same with Moses and other disciples already. Everything was change, Asking answer's with pope is not the best way too, all you need is just believe in him and wait till he shows you some answers to your questions.

John: "Hank is a billionaire philanthropist. Hank built this town. Hank owns this town. He can do whatever He wants, and what He wants is to give you a million dollars, but He can't until you kiss His ass."

Me: "That doesn't make any sense. Why..."

Mary: "Who are you to question Hank's gift? Don't you want a million dollars? Isn't it worth a little kiss on the ass?"

Me: "Well maybe, if it's legit, but..."

John: "Then come kiss Hank's ass with us."

Me: "Do you kiss Hank's ass often?"

Mary: "Oh yes, all the time..."

Me: "And has He given you a million dollars?"

John: "Well no. You don't actually get the money until you leave town."

Me: "So why don't you just leave town now?"

Mary: "You can't leave until Hank tells you to, or you don't get the money, and He kicks the shit out of you."

Me: "Do you know anyone who kissed Hank's ass, left town, and got the million dollars?"

John: "My mother kissed Hank's ass for years. She left town last year, and I'm sure she got the money."

...

Source

Only the names have been changed to protect the deluded.