From: news@illusn.enet.dec.com (Mark Sornson)
Newsgroups: alt.atheism
Subject: An open question on the A.A FAQ/Intro ...
Date: 28 Dec 92 20:55:56 GMT
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation


    I have a question that is derived from part of the alt.atheism
    FAQ: Introduction ... that was posted recently.

    Although I'm NOT an atheist (which I feel I should state up front), I'm
    sincerely interested in hearing honest answers to my question(s).  Since 
    I don't follow this group regularly (which gets too busy for me to keep 
    up with), I'd prefer e-mail answers.  Due to various limitations on my
    time, I feel I cannot follow-up on any posted replies.

    As a guarantee in advance, this is NOT a covert attempt to proselytize.
    Although I'm open to any questions in return, and any conversational
    path any exchanges may naturally take, I'm really only interested in
    reading what any of you feel like saying in reply (though I'm not
    interested in flames and anti-religious diatribes).

    Here's the relevant portion of the FAQ (in claim/counter-claim form):

>"But of course atheists see no evidence for the existence of God -- they are
> unwilling in their souls to see!"
>
>Many, if not most atheists were previously religious.  As has been explained
>above, the vast majority have seriously considered the possibility that God
>exists.  Many atheists have spent time in prayer trying to reach God.

    My question is:

        Q:  For anyone (currently an atheist) who has had this experience
            (having spent time in prayer trying to reach God), what did it
            mean for you to have tried to reach God?  (In other words what
            were you praying for and what sort of answer were you hoping
            to receive?)

    Why am I asking?

        A:  I recently read an outline for a presentation on evidence
            of God in the world around us, and the outline's introduction
            asserted one or two reasons for why many people are atheists.
            The FAQ for this newsgroup seemed like an obvious place to turn
            to for additional opinions; and as I read the FAQ, I was struck
            by the above point from it -- and hence my question.

    One point from the outline was that some people are atheists because in
    the course of their education, they are influenced by authority-figures
    (particularly in the realm of science) who are also atheists -- which
    is to say that some follow the course of their 'intellectual superiors'
    due to the fact that they ARE viewed as authorities (which, I believe,
    is similar to the notion that some people become religious because the
    authority figures in their life are also religious).  If anyone has
    something to say on this point, I'd be willing to listen to it as well.


    Again, I'm REALLY not interested in debates of the sort that regularly
    make up the content of this newsgroup.  If you are a thoughtful person
    and can answer objectively, without grinding any particular ax, I'd be
    interested in hearing what you have to say.


                                                            regards,
                                                            -mark sornson.