From Atheism to Catholicism

[Nick]

Greetings!

This is the story of a young man's journey from reason to reason, from belief in no gods to belief in One God, from love to love. This young man is myself.

I was ten years old. I didn't believe in God or any religious, spiritual, or supernatural thing. I received a blue Bible on my tenth birthday called 'The Good News Bible'. I didn't like it; I thought it was ugly and had a stupid name, so I left it. It sat on the table in the living room for a long while. But one day, I felt impelled - not by some force but only by my curiosity - to read it, to see what this strange book was all about. So I knelt at the table (it was a low table, so I had to kneel, even though I hate to kneel because it hurts my knees) and opened up the Bible to a random page. I thought it was a very stupid book, what with the name Matthew on the top of each page, footnotes at the bottom of each page, and the text in columns. It was very different from any other book I had ever read before! But I began to read about a man named Jesus being scourged at the pillar. As I read further the story, my heart began to open to this man. Pontius Pilate said he was innocent - why was this innocent man being made to suffer so? The man was condemned to death, and had to walk to where he would die. I wanted to comfort this man at this point, to bring him consolation for such cruel and unjust punishment. I turned the page and read about Jesus' crucifixion. My eyes filled up with tears. I had never read a story like this before! I remember I looked at a picture at the top of the page, and it was a sketch of Jesus on the Cross, seen from a bird's eye-view. I felt so much compassion for this man that in my mind I cried out: Jesus!

Suddenly, there was a flash of light, like lightning, and a man appeared above the table. He wore a white garment and had his right hand raised in a strange gesture, which years later I would learn was a sign of blessing. He was a very beautiful man, dazzling bright, and he spoke to me in a strong yet gentle voice.

"Nicholas, do you wish to console me?" he asked.

"Who are you, sir?" I replied.

"I am Jesus."

"Sir, why did you have to suffer and die like that?"

"Nicholas, do you wish to console me?"

Suddenly I saw myself sharing in Jesus' suffering: being condemned to death, dragging a cross to a little hill, and there being crucified.

"Yes, Sir."

"Than enter my Church and suffer for me."

At those last three words, I understood that I would not only be suffering for Jesus but also with Jesus. The man vanished: first his feet, than his body, and finally, his face. I looked to the left and saw another man, also dazzling bright, but he was not like Jesus - this man looked like someone wrapped up in a sheet. He had a golden arrow on a golden bow, and pointed the arrow at me and shot it. The arrow went right through my heart, and in an instant three things happened at once: I fell in love with God, I was filled with a peace I had never experienced before, and I was overwhelmed with a joy I had never experienced before. The man vanished, and than a female voice, motherly and gracious, spoke.

"Do not be afraid. I and my Son will be with you always, even to the end."

May this story open those hearts closed to God and relieve and strength those hearts who are weak and weary from searching for God and rekindle the faith of those hearts who have stopped believing.

In addition to sharing the story of my conversion, I would like to share with you a possibility you might not have thought of: namely, the compatibility between God and man, prayer and action, faith and reason. Below is a little parody I wrote, which speaks about this possibility, and I hope that it helps you to better understand and love your fellow men who believe in God:

"A Christian loves God, himself and his fellow man. A Christian knows that heaven is something for which we should work now - here on earth - for all men together to enjoy. A Christian thinks that he can get help through prayer and that he must find in himself the inner conviction and strength to meet life, to grapple with it, to subdue, and enjoy it. A Christian thinks that only in a knowledge of God, a knowledge of himself and a knowledge of his fellow man can he find the understanding that will help to a life of fulfillment. Therefore, he seeks to know God, himself and his fellow man. A Christian knows that a hospital should be built just as a church may be built. A Christian knows that a deed must be done and a prayer must be said. A Christian strives for involvement in life and not escape into death. He wants disease conquered, poverty vanquished, war eliminated. He wants man to understand and love man. He wants an ethical way of life. He knows that we can rely on God and do both action and prayer and hope for an end to troubles now and in the hereafter. He knows that we are our brother's keeper and keepers of our lives; that we are responsible persons, that the job is here and the time is now."

[templeboy]

You know what comes next:






 

ATTENTION: THIS THREAD IS NOW ABOUT MENS SHAMPOO

[Forseti]

i'd believe your story if you mention mushroom somewhere in it

[Recusant]

Nick, old fruit.  

You just strutted into the front room and crapped on the rug as if you were doing us all a favor.

BAD NICK.  BAD!

(By the way, lately I've been using Suave® MENâ,,¢ 2IN1 DANDRUFF.  It's cheap, it works, and it doesn't smell horrible, unlike what that reprehensible cur just did.)

[karadan]

I 'd at this thread.

I use anti-dandruff shampoo. Not because i have dandruff but because i have great looking hair!

[Will]

NO PREACHING: While everyone is welcome to discuss their views in a civil manner, this forum is not a podium for those that only wish to preach. This rule applies to atheists and theists alike.

Happy Atheist Forum Rules

[Chimera]

Why does it have to be about men's shampoo? I wouldn't mind talking about my shampoo, but I'm a girl...*sigh*

The man is always bringing me down! Women unite! *burns bra*

[Whitney]

Why does it have to be about men's shampoo? I wouldn't mind talking about my shampoo, but I'm a girl...*sigh*

The man is always bringing me down! Women unite! *burns bra*

We could make it about shoes instead

[Will]

Real men don't use shampoo, anyway. I use steel wool from a battleship, followed by mud from a Gettysburg, and wash it off from K2 meltwater. And that's only once a year, on Bastille Day.

[Kylyssa]

Why does it have to be about men's shampoo? I wouldn't mind talking about my shampoo, but I'm a girl...*sigh*

The man is always bringing me down! Women unite! *burns bra*

We could make it about shoes instead

I wear mens shoes, they are wider than womens shoes and the arch is closer to where I need it to be in most of them.  Then again, I was born with too many toes.  Six on each foot.  Probably why I'm an atheist.  Mark of the beast and all that, you know.  Anyway, they took the extras off when I was still an infant but my feet are still wider than average.

[SSY]

No one is addressing the real question here, it is what makes me so sick of this forum sometimes and all the people in it. You all go along, willfully ignoring the important stuff to talk about rubbish.

Why is no one talking about conditioner? I think we all know that debate about the merits of 2 in 1, or stand alone conditioner are well overdue, but no one ever talks about it, makes me sick.

[joeactor]

No one is addressing the real question here, it is what makes me so sick of this forum sometimes and all the people in it. You all go along, willfully ignoring the important stuff to talk about rubbish.

Why is no one talking about conditioner? I think we all know that debate about the merits of 2 in 1, or stand alone conditioner are well overdue, but no one ever talks about it, makes me sick.

2 in 1 is a lie!

... and what ever happened to Wella Balsam?

[Tom62]

I use Nivea for Men Active 3 with natural micro tec. It is a 3 in 1 product (shower, shampoo and shave).

[Renegnicat]

I use soap.

I also am growing a beard.

Very manly man.  

[SSY]

I use Nivea for Men Active 3 with natural micro tec. It is a 3 in 1 product (shower, shampoo and shave).

It cleans and SHAVES YOU? Wow, that is one sophisticated fluid.