What Is The Main Reason Why You Don't Believe in God?

If you had to choose, what would be the 'main' reason why you don't believe in God?

I suppose for many it would be the issue of suffering, so called 'unreliability' of the Bible, or not being able to put faith in something which can't be seen. But what is it for you?

The "issue of suffering" and "not being able to put faith in something which can't be seen" are not that strong as the third reason, "unreliability of the scriptures".

Whatever we know about god is from scriptures and when the one and only thing that is suppose to teach us about god is sometimes contradictory in itself and presents some facts that are scientifically impossible, and some of the things it preaches that simply doesn't sound fair enough to be god's words, it loses its credibility. To be an athiest you need to have an open mind and don't need to rely heavily on faith, and if you find it hard to believe a particular aspect of science, you at least have the chance to research about it. But in case of religion - you basically need to have faith at the end of the day.

EDIT:

My actual reason for being an athiest is because I grew up this way (being logical). This is normal for me and is something I am comfortable with. I can't be religious without disagreeing with a lot of the things I know are correct and make sense. Religion is an unecessary diversion from the reality. 

Well the bible is not a good reason in my opinion. It might be a decent foundation for disbelief, but that's about it. Humans have created thousands of gods, and Yaweh is just one of them.

Lack of belief was the starting position for me. As far back as i can remember i didn't have any faith in any kind of deity.

The main reason is probably that i don't see the need for a god. This is closely followed by the burden of proof.

Well the intellectual default for any kind of belief is scepticism. You are sceptical about something until some evidence or a peice of reasoning comes across to change your mind.

For me the main reason to not believe in God is the absence of that evidence or reasoning.

1. Lack of Evidence
2. Suffering in the world, why would a loving god allow suffering? Now if it turns out there is an angry, pissed off god, I hope it's Thor. That'd be the ****.

1. The absurdity of the very concept itself.

2. The questionable reliability in the Bible.

3. The concept of an omnipotent God cruel enough to watch his creations suffer their whole lives whilst not intervening.

4. The even greater absurdity of the concept that God loves everyone but still sends "sinners" to Hell based on ambiguous morals that aren't even shared across cultural boundaries.

5. The absence of any "miracles" in any historian's records.

It appears the main reluctance to believing in God is the matter of him allowing innocent people to suffer.

Well, first I must address the fact that 'no-one' is actually "innocent".  Jeremiah 17:9 says - "the heart is wicked and deceitful above all things", and Romans 3:23 says - "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God". So no-one is in fact "innocent" in the sense of being sinless. Adam and Eve first brought Sin into the world (I don't want to divert onto a debate about Original Sin here) and because of that, all around us we see the affects of that original decision - suffering.

But, rest assured, God has not left us here to suffer pointlessly. The Lord has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish his purpose. In John 16:33 Jesus said - "in the world you shall have tribulation". And in the fallen world we live in, trials and distress are not unusual. However, God uses the pain to draw us closer to Him. And through Christ we have an anchor that holds fast in all the storms we go through, but how, if we never sail into those storms, are we to know that? 

We are His Children and it is during times of sorrow and despair that we reach out to Him. His Love is always there to comfort us and keep us strong. As Romans 8:38-39 says - "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord".

If we never went through trials, we would never be able to feel God's comfort through them.  

Now, during the suffering and pain, which is inevitable to this life, it is those who have faith in God that will remain intact and safe throughout it. These are the people who do not question the Lord's goodness, but instead, as James 1:2 says - "count it all joy". Because these trials are to prove that we truly are children of God. 

We must remember that this world will pass away, yet the kingdom of God is eternal. What's a few years of suffering, so that we may find faith in the Lord, compared to an infiniteness of glory and happiness in His presence?

So, could God remove suffering from the world? Certainly, but that would be counter productive. He assures us "all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according his His purpose" - Romans 8:28

God's plan is perfect and righteous, His character is flawless. Those who trust him, will not be disappointed.

God Bless you all :) 

The main reason is I see nothing with my own two eyes that show anything which to believe otherwise. I see no miracles. I hear about them (that always take place in a distant place curiously), but have yet to see any indication of actual evidence. Even so, if I didn't see it with my own eyes, I would not believe it. Even then it's questionable. Why did the events in the Bible happen 2,000 years ago? Yes, I know why, but why don't we see anything like it today? Are we late to the show? We only get the pamphlet? It's unfortunate, it would save much argument if we could've all seen the performance.

I also find many of the claims of the Bible and many other religions so absurd that they pass the point of lunacy. A large, evil, charismatic talking snake? A huge boat with every animal and plant ever in existence on board crashing over the waves of an Earth-wide flood? The parting of a sea? A women being created from the rib of a man? A man rising from the dead? The creation of the world in 6 days?? And the best yet.....dinosaur pets. I cannot comprehend how some people can believe that. It boggles my mind to no end.

About suffering, why do some people suffer much more in life than others? I have gone through more suffering so far in my life than many people will their entire lives, am I a worse sinner? Did I do something wrong? There's no degree of fairness.

Those are some of the reasons.

1: No evidence of God's existence.

2: The hipocrisy, contradictions and overall absurdity of religious texts.

I was never subjected to any religious indoctrination, such as CCD growing up. I've always been a logical, common sense-believing person. There really no hard evidence for any supernatural beings, including "God". While I love mythology, I'm not willing to worship it, that's absurd.

I came to an understanding that primitive men with enough power and charisma, could generate an imaginary friend and call him "God", and garner followers during my first (and unwilling) trip to a place of worship. "God" was a way to explain the things we didn't understand, but "God" has become a tool, and a powerful one at that.

1- No evidence for god.

2- All sited references to tangible evidence are antiquities from an age of extreme relative ignorance.

3- Too many contradictions and inaccuracies in all supposedly divine texts. 

4- Organized religions clearly benefit many of the clergy.

5- It is indistinguishable from any other flights of fancy fiction.

As to the issue of suffering that apparently others see a reason against god, I don't see it as such.  Rather I see it as a reason against heaven.  The only way we know pleasure is by contrasting it pain.  The Tantric Buddhist philosophy lets you overcome a desire by overindulgence in it; essentially your baseline gets moved and you grow numb.  Similarly, I live better than kings thousands of years ago, yet in my relative view of the world my life seems less "blessed" to me than those king's lives seemed to them.  The more pain and suffering in the world, the more you realize how good you have it by not suffering.  A real utopia that you were forced to live in forever would inevitably grow very boring and ultimately very unheaven-like. 

As to the issue of suffering that apparently others see a reason against god, I don't see it as such. Rather I see it as a reason against heaven. The only way we know pleasure is by contrasting it pain. The Tantric Buddhist philosophy lets you overcome a desire by overindulgence in it; essentially your baseline gets moved and you grow numb. Similarly, I live better than kings thousands of years ago, yet in my relative view of the world my life seems less "blessed" to me than those king's lives seemed to them. The more pain and suffering in the world, the more you realize how good you have it by not suffering. A real utopia that you were forced to live in forever would inevitably grow very boring and ultimately very unheaven-like.

Sitri_

While I do agree that suffering is necessary to see the beauty in life and needs to be there to make us truly appreciate all the good that it holds, this only holds true to an extent. Constant, unbearable suffering is overwhelming and horrible, and seeing the bright side while always living in darkness is very difficult. But I do agree that a certain amount of suffering is absolutely necessary in life to fully appreciate it, no doubt. However I don't think anyone can give true thanks for the blessings they have in life, even though they see others going through horrible times, until they themselves have also gone through their own.

I agree with you, but too much of anything can be a bad thing. :)

Primary: Gut feeling. I always go with my gut.

Secondary: No compelling evidence.

The Lord has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish his purpose.Lansdowne5

I don't BELIEVE that suffering has any place in the "purpose" of a TRULY loving God my friend. :)

Primary: Gut feeling. I always go with my gut.

Secondary: No compelling evidence.

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]The Lord has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish his purpose.Sargatanas13576

I don't BELIEVE that suffering has any place in the "purpose" of a TRULY loving God my friend. :)

Without suffering we would not be able to appreciate what a Loving god God really is. It is only through suffering that our finite minds can perceive it. :)

Which brings up another point, religion was something based around peace, yet it has generated more war than any other cause in human history. Ironic, no?Stryder1212

Which religion? Generalizations are no good because not all are based solely on peace. Plus, do you have statistical proof that it has generated more war than anything else? Because I highly doubt it has.

Without suffering we would not be able to appreciate what a Loving god God really is. It is only through suffering that our finite minds can perceive it. :)Lansdowne5

I must respectfully disagree good sir. :) My mother doesn't have to punch me in the face from time to time in order for me to know that she loves me by contrast. Also, I find the human mind to be one of the least finite things in the universe when at it's full potential.

Because I have no reason to.Funky_Llama

[QUOTE="Sargatanas13576"]

Primary: Gut feeling. I always go with my gut.

Secondary: No compelling evidence.

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]The Lord has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish his purpose.Lansdowne5

I don't BELIEVE that suffering has any place in the "purpose" of a TRULY loving God my friend. :)

Without suffering we would not be able to appreciate what a Loving god God really is. It is only through suffering that our finite minds can perceive it. :)

[QUOTE="Sargatanas13576"]

Primary: Gut feeling. I always go with my gut.

Secondary: No compelling evidence.

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]The Lord has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish his purpose.Lansdowne5

I don't BELIEVE that suffering has any place in the "purpose" of a TRULY loving God my friend. :)

Without suffering we would not be able to appreciate what a Loving god God really is. It is only through suffering that our finite minds can perceive it. :)

Do you think that seeing your friend being blown apart by gunfire right in front of your eyes in a warzone would show you this? Or being tortured endlessly? Or watching a loved one eaten alive by cancer, in unbearable agony until death? One of the reasons I don't believe in God is that I wouldn't worship anything that would put me in a world where such occurrences are possible. Thanks God, but please don't do me any favors.

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="Sargatanas13576"]

Primary: Gut feeling. I always go with my gut.

Secondary: No compelling evidence.

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]The Lord has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish his purpose.Rekunta

I don't BELIEVE that suffering has any place in the "purpose" of a TRULY loving God my friend. :)

Without suffering we would not be able to appreciate what a Loving god God really is. It is only through suffering that our finite minds can perceive it. :)

Do you think that seeing your friend being blown apart by gunfire right in front of your eyes in a warzone would show you this? Or being tortured endlessly? Or watching a loved one eaten alive by cancer, in unbearable agony until death? One of the reasons I don't believe in God is that I wouldn't worship anything that would put me in a world where such occurrences are possible. Thanks God, but please don't do me any favors.

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="Sargatanas13576"]

Primary: Gut feeling. I always go with my gut.

Secondary: No compelling evidence.

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]The Lord has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish his purpose.Funky_Llama

I don't BELIEVE that suffering has any place in the "purpose" of a TRULY loving God my friend. :)

Without suffering we would not be able to appreciate what a Loving god God really is. It is only through suffering that our finite minds can perceive it. :)

Think of a world without suffering, can you actually imagine it? 

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="Sargatanas13576"]

Primary: Gut feeling. I always go with my gut.

Secondary: No compelling evidence.

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]The Lord has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish his purpose.Lansdowne5

I don't BELIEVE that suffering has any place in the "purpose" of a TRULY loving God my friend. :)

Without suffering we would not be able to appreciate what a Loving god God really is. It is only through suffering that our finite minds can perceive it. :)

Think of a world without suffering, can you actually imagine it? 

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="Sargatanas13576"]

Primary: Gut feeling. I always go with my gut.

Secondary: No compelling evidence.

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]The Lord has a perfect plan to use that suffering to accomplish his purpose.Funky_Llama

I don't BELIEVE that suffering has any place in the "purpose" of a TRULY loving God my friend. :)

Without suffering we would not be able to appreciate what a Loving god God really is. It is only through suffering that our finite minds can perceive it. :)

Think of a world without suffering, can you actually imagine it? 

It is entirely relevant. Because to imagine it, you also have to imagine a world without free will. ;) 

It is entirely relevant. Because to imagine it, you also have to imagine a world without free will. ;) 

Lansdowne5

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]

It is entirely relevant. Because to imagine it, you also have to imagine a world without free will. ;) 

Funky_Llama

99.9% of Human suffering is caused by Man. For God to remove it, he would have to remove Man's ability to choose his actions, therefore removing his free will in the process.  

Would you care to point out why I'm so "stunningly wrong", Mr. Llama? 

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]

It is entirely relevant. Because to imagine it, you also have to imagine a world without free will. ;) 

Lansdowne5

99.9% of Human suffering is caused by Man. For God to remove it, he would have to remove Man's ability to choose his actions, therefore removing his free will in the process.  

Would you care to point out why I'm so "stunningly wrong", Mr. Llama? 

God could simply have created humans so that they were morally perfect beings. No restrictions on freewill are necessary: an infallible moral compass and a simple understanding of humans' moral obligation to do good are all that are needed.

On another note, what is your explanation for that other 0.1% of human suffering?

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]

It is entirely relevant. Because to imagine it, you also have to imagine a world without free will. ;) 

Funky_Llama

99.9% of Human suffering is caused by Man. For God to remove it, he would have to remove Man's ability to choose his actions, therefore removing his free will in the process.  

Would you care to point out why I'm so "stunningly wrong", Mr. Llama? 

God could simply have created humans so that they were morally perfect beings. No restrictions on freewill are necessary: an infallible moral compass and a simple understanding of humans' moral obligation to do good are all that are needed.

On another note, what is your explanation for that other 0.1% of human suffering?

That's a separate issue. Dealing with why God didn't make us with an infallible moral compass is different to why he allows it now. But deviating slightly, if we 'were' perfectly moral, evil could not exist, and evil does have a specific purpose. You can't comprehend the plan God has throughout all of time, so it is pointless speculating on why God makes the choices he does. He is thinking about an event with repercussions echoeing throughout all of time, yet our finite minds are only percieving the circumstances which are happening now.

I don't have an explanation. But what I do know is that all suffering is the result of Original Sin.

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]

[QUOTE="Lansdowne5"][QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="Lansdowne5"]

It is entirely relevant. Because to imagine it, you also have to imagine a world without free will. ;) 

Lansdowne5

99.9% of Human suffering is caused by Man. For God to remove it, he would have to remove Man's ability to choose his actions, therefore removing his free will in the process.  

Would you care to point out why I'm so "stunningly wrong", Mr. Llama? 

God could simply have created humans so that they were morally perfect beings. No restrictions on freewill are necessary: an infallible moral compass and a simple understanding of humans' moral obligation to do good are all that are needed.

On another note, what is your explanation for that other 0.1% of human suffering?

That's a separate issue. Dealing with why God didn't make us with an infallible moral compass is different to why he allows it now. But deviating slightly, if we 'were' perfectly moral, evil could not exist, and evil does have a specific purpose. You can't comprehend the plan God has throughout all of time, so it is pointless speculating on why God makes the choices he does. He is thinking about an event with repercussions echoeing throughout all of time, yet our finite minds are only percieving the circumstances which are happening now.

I don't have an explanation. But what I do know is that all suffering is the result of Original Sin.