God is Hidden. (How I became an Atheist from Christianity - Part 3)

[@jod35.]

Hey guys, I was born and raised in Christianity, and even after that, I went on a personal journey to know God beyond what I was taught in church. However, it can be painful when Christians still label me as someone who is not a 'true Christian.' Could you share any dismissive or hurtful things Christians have said to you regarding your beliefs?

[@Mar-dk3mp]

Dude, stop thinking about God... now you have atheism, now you have to think about the nothing it gives to you, this religious empty cutl, forget forever about God, it is not for you anymore. With atheism you abandoned willing him.

[@elijiahburgess5506]

I’d love to have a discussion/debate with you on the existence of God. I promise I’m fair and won’t Bible bash you. I debate Christians all the time and I never touch the Bible for my arguments. Let me know what you think.

[@SsaliJonathan]

@@Mar-dk3mp Atheism isn't some "religious cult" of nothingness-it's just stepping away from believing in something without reason or evidence. It doesn't leave you empty; it frees you to think critically, seek your own purpose, and not be bound to outdated stories or dogmas. It's about intellectual honesty, not some void you're imagining. So no, I didn’t abandon a god. I abandoned the idea of pretending there’s one in the first place. What fills my life now is my own making-not what someone else tries to sell me about the divine. And let me add this: if your god actually spoke, you wouldn’t need to waste your time preaching in my comment section. If what you believe was so clear and undeniable, you wouldn't feel the need to convince me.

[@jod35.]

@@Mar-dk3mp Atheism isn't some "religious cult" of nothingness-it's just stepping away from believing in something without reason or evidence. It doesn't leave you empty; it frees you to think critically, seek your own purpose, and not be bound to outdated stories or dogmas. It's about intellectual honesty, not some void you're imagining. So no, I didn’t abandon a god. I abandoned the idea of pretending there’s one in the first place. What fills my life now is my own making-not what someone else tries to sell me about the divine. And let me add this: if your god actually spoke, you wouldn’t need to waste your time preaching in my comment section. If what you believe was so clear and undeniable, you wouldn't feel the need to convince me.

[@jod35.]

​@@elijiahburgess5506 I’m not a fan of debates with theists, and I say that with all due respect. Theists often try to defend their faith with arguments, but the truth is, the reasons they believe aren’t really rooted in reason; they’re more about the benefits like comfort, feelings, and community that religion provides. My goal on this channel is to share my personal experiences with religion and explore the harm it can cause. These videos aren’t made for theists-they started out as a way to speak to a small group of people in my circle.

[@isidorejoseph6636]

You are on the right track, young man,keep it up

[@20justaguy]

Nice insights. I'm a non-believer too, and time to time I enjoy going back to listening to other people's opinions on the topic of belief and religion. Please don't stop creating these videos. I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos. You are very eloquent, by the way. Keep up!

[@jod35.]

Thanks for the kind comment

[@RickySTT]

There are 2 problems with the free will argument: 1) Knowledge of God’s existence does not destroy free will; on the contrary, will (free or otherwise) is best exercised with more information. Christians expect us to make the most important decision of our life based on insufficient data. 2) Is there free will in heaven? (Christians, take all the time you need to think about this.)

[@jod35.]

You raise a good point here

[@liljammy6434]

Awesome video broski! Your points were all concise, and to anyine reading this message wether your athiest or religious, always have faith in yourself, because you are the most important person in your life. I look forward to seeing more of your videos :D

[@malusimathaba4040]

When i visit uGanda next year, i would love to have lunch with you ❤its your Authentic calmness and Truth that i love so much about you keep it up

[@jod35.]

😂 kindly tell me when you get here. I’ll love to meet you

[@malusimathaba4040]

@jod35. will definitely keep in touch brother 😃

[@angegabriel8008]

God is a champion of playing Hide and Seek, apparently he showed himself to Abraham more than 2000 years ago but now we have TVs and other technology gadgets , he can not be found 🤣🤣

[@unknownx7252]

The more we understood the world the more hidden God became.

[@Nokky258]

Thank you for the video, I can totally affirm all the points you raised as I have had similar experience within christainity. Also to add that many so called "christains" predominately fundamentalist that I know even pastors/elders doesn't like to be scrutinised or held accountable for certain actions. They will often dimiss and put you down when issues are raised for bad practices. Higer management within the church will often play favouritsm to those who follows them and dimiss those who question their leadership style. So on the outside they seem to be all caring/loving but they all have hidden agendas and are selfish. They adopt policies that suit their advancements...so yeah....all fake.

[@LanceMonarch]

I recently discovered your channel and I can relate to you in many ways, I too was raised christian and recently left the faith and became agnostic at first it was hard for me to leave I felt like an outcast, but I feel better when I find people like me thank you for sharing your story wish you the best

[@Mar-dk3mp]

Dude, stop thinking about God... now you have atheism, now you have to think about the nothing it gives to you, this religious empty cutl, forget forever about God, it is not for you anymore. With atheism you abandoned willing him....

[@jod35.]

@@Mar-dk3mp Dude, stop pretending to be your god's most important representative. If he speaks for himself, why not do it?

[@liljammy6434]

​@@Mar-dk3mpAtheism is not a religion nor a cult, but I accept you with open arms despite what you said :3 💕💕

[@angegabriel8008]

@@Mar-dk3mp Atheism is not a religion, do some learning, it is not being convinced a god or gods exist, SIMPLE

[@Mar-dk3mp]

@@angegabriel8008 It Is a cult a religious cult. One of the worst always make you sick and obsessed for God.

[@MarathonMadeGalatians5-22]

Bro im sorry about hearing this. I think your still a brother even though you feel let down :) you only need to drink the water Jesus gives you once. Your saved my bro :) give it time or when your body fades, you'll see jesus. I have confidence in Jesus Promise. 17:00 i agree bro

[@annasalmans5523]

I am from the US and was raised in Southern US Baptist Schools. In my twenties, I met my sister-in-law from Ethiopia who was raised as a non-religious Eastern Orthodox. Then in my 30s, I met my now husband from Querétaro Mexico and they are Hispanic Catholic and their highest deity is La Virgen de Guadalupe. There are so many different forms of Christianity. I'm curious as to what form of Christianity you grew up in?

[@jod35.]

I grew up in a Pentecostal church. They call them born again

[@jod35.]

Pentecostal Christian, or Born Again

[@businesswithGodwin]

Hi Do you have a community, would love to have a session with you on my podcast

[@jod35.]

Are you a Ugandan?

[@businesswithGodwin]

@@jod35. Hi No, I'm Nigerian. I have a podcast where myself and some of my friends from different religions share and discuss about religion and rationality in Africa. It would really be an honour to have you on a session with us. Couldn't find your email address, but then I'll love to email you more details so plans and arrangements can be made properly.

[@businesswithGodwin]

Hi. Trust you're doing great. Still reaching out concerning my invite to join our podcast session about religion and rationality. Already we have a Christian, Muslim and An African Traditionalist. We need someone from the Atheist/Agnostic camp to complete all camps. So it'll be a pleasure to have you on the podcast with us... Let me know how I can reach out to you other than Commenting so we can make better arrangements

[@jod35.]

I honestly don’t think I can do a podcast now.

[@dylanm394]

In terms of the argument that God has not shown up in your life or revealed Himself to you, I believe that is false. God doesn’t speak to most of us like in the Bible how he spoke to Moses from a burning bush. You have to actively listen out for God, because most of the time He speaks quietly to us. When you expect Him to show Himself the same way He has to others, you miss out on the ways He speaks to YOU. For me, sometimes God has spoken to me through events in life, i.e. something in my life doesn’t happen how I want it or expect it to, but it opens a door for some other reason I find out down the line. Sometimes it’s a person speaking to me, and the info they give changes my whole life. Sometimes He speaks to me through logic, where I come into knowledge through believing a truth and not a lie. Metaphorically, it’s like a simple knock at a door, or a telephone ring. When you feel Him talking to your heart, that’s what He wants you to answer. It requires real attentiveness to hear God. The devil wants you to have an expectation and measuring stick on God, but seek Him for who He is, not who you want Him to be.

[@jod35.]

I get where you're coming from, but here's my take on it. If God is real and actively trying to communicate, why make it so cryptic? Why leave it to vague feelings or subtle life events that could easily be chalked up to coincidence? Expecting people to "listen out" for something so ambiguous just feels like a way to explain why there's no clear evidence of His existence. If a God exists and wants a relationship with us, why play this game of hide-and-seek? It shouldn't take mental gymnastics to figure out His messages. When someone says "God speaks to me through life events" or "feelings in my heart," it’s a subjective experience-things that anyone could interpret differently based on their beliefs, desires, or personal circumstances. The idea that the devil's trick is making people expect more from God just sounds like an excuse for why the experience isn’t consistent. Shouldn’t an all-powerful being, capable of creating the universe, have no trouble making His presence known in a way that’s undeniable? The fact that people have to work so hard to "find" God, even when they sincerely want to, suggests that it’s not as clear-cut as it should be.

[@GHOSTndMACHINZ]

It all confirmation bias

[@muluulum7953]

@@jod35.I could have written this myself 10 years ago when I was at University. I once asked myself why is he so hidden from everyone else but not from me. Why do I feel his presence and know he’s there but everyone else dosent. It’s a fair question to ask and I don’t know why he chooses to show himself to certain people and why he doesn’t to others. As a Christian I have grappled with this thought. I have heard testimony’s from children, atheists, Hindus, muslims and even demonic satanists who have seen and spoken with Jesus Christ of Nazareth face to face. They all described him as Beautiful, bright, and shining. Full of love and peace. I would say to myself that’s wonderful but wait… how many other Christian’s, pastors, priests, even prophets in the Bible wished too see Jesus but never got the chance in this life. but a sinful non believing man got the chance? Makes no sense to me. But however, I always come back to this conclusion in humility. GOD can do whatever he wants, save who ever he wants, talk to who ever he wants, because he is GOD and we are man. His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways and his thoughts are higher than ours. We struggle to manage our own lives yet he has got an entire universe to manage, an earth to watch over, heaven to rule and Hell to govern. The secret to ever having him speak to you is by humbling yourself. Do not approach him with intellect. Approach him the same way king David approached him in the psalms… GOD have mercy on me! Speak to him according to his promises. Remind him of what he has promised you! And he will speak to you. GOD said If you get closer to me, I will get closer to you. That’s a promise!

[@elijiahburgess5506]

@@dylanm394 that’s the worst argument for god i have ever heard.

[@Pax-Africana]

Why do you think we should care?

[@jod35.]

I think you should care because what you believe affects what you do to others and how you live.

[@Prophet.TaeTae144K]

He's literally not hidden or hiding from any of us the problem is you must be born again (you going to church and following all of these man-made traditions does nothing for you whatsoever) Keep Jesus Christ commandments, be separated from the world and be filled with his rivers of Living Waters

[@jod35.]

All of which I thought I executed perfectly. And being honest I didn’t hear from God, many times “prophets” make conclusions about what God told them but end up being wrong. Should we say God can sometimes get things wrong? There’s absolutely nothing we can know for sure about God’s will

[@muluulum7953]

Until you come to the end of yourself, you will not come to the beginning of GOD. Humble yourself and approach him using his promises in the scripture. Come closer to him and he will come closer to you. Perhaps GOD allowed you to go explore other avenues so that one day when he does speak to you and reveal himself to you, You will know how great he is in comparison to your own ways. You cannot appreciate the light without darkness. The same way as a Christian I can’t fully appreciate GODS Grace without first learning and experiencing what it’s like to live under his Law. Ive been a Christian my entire life and I didn’t know what Grace meant until I was 25 (I’m 27) Why did he hide this beautiful doctrine from me. I must have read this word a hundred times but it never registered. I believe he wanted me to know and experience his Law, then he introduced Grace.

[@jod35.]

That is what I did on many occasions. I did read the Bible and still do even now. As an atheist. If God failed to show up to me back then when I wasn't skeptical, what makes you think I will get an encounter and conclude it has come from God?

[@muluulum7953]

@@jod35. A very sincere question my brother. I’m glad you still read the word of God. Firstly, God and failure don’t go together. It’s not in his nature. Did you see what he did To “win” against sin and death, he sent his only son Jesus to die on the cross for you so that you can live with him in heaven and not be separated from him. That’s love. Why didn’t he show himself to you when you were not skeptical? Perhaps God wanted you to see how deep your roots are. To reveal all aspects of your being. Perhaps this might be the only way of you being “genuine” with him. For you to see the good and the bad in yourself. An opportunity to address them all and to be lord over you entirely. To make you into one of his. It’s one thing to be a believer in God, it’s another to be his follower. I am learning this myself. Remember Paul? Why did God allow him to persecute Christian’s before showing himself on the road to Damascus? Once he encountered Jesus, Paul was a very different man. By the holy spirt he wrote the majority of the New Testament and had a powerful testimony to go with it. You might be finished with GOD. But he is not finished with you. He loves you too much brother. Precious and innocent blood was spilt for your behalf. Too much is on the line for “secret hiddenness” or being “cryptic”. Live your life forwards with Jesus, understand your life backwards with Jesus. You have an enemy that wants you to focus on your failures and dwell in them. What makes you think i will get an encounter and conclude it has come from God? You will get an encounter because you are one of his lost sheep’s. He will Leave the 99 and go after you. One of my personal complaints to God is why do you ignore me as a Christian but when I backslide or leave you, all of a sudden you want to talk to me? Haha he is a kind father! Kind to his sinful children. Just because you have stopped in your faith dosent mean he has stopped being your father. Amen. Like the story of the father who was happy to see his lost son more than the son who didn’t leave him. The blessing of being lost, is being found. That’s what makes me think you will get an encounter. You are lost, he will get you! That’s just who he is and I thank him for it, otherwise I would still be lost. You will conclude it has come from God by the Holy Spirit. He is the guarantee. The stamp of approval. If you have him, no man, no priest, no pastor, no KZbin comment can tell you if you are a real Christian or a child of God. You will know for yourself! The holy spirit will give you the assurance and the confidence. You will know when it happens. I can’t explain it. Some things just can’t be taught, but rather caught! Saved by GRACE, through FAITH, and not of YOURSELF. It is the “GIFT” of God. A gift is free, given to any who are willing to receive it like a child. Amen

[@jod35.]

@@muluulum7953 With all dew respect, how do you know anything about God?

[@muluulum7953]

@@jod35.by the word, by prayer, by the holy Spirit, by personal experience, by the experience of others, by having a faithful and good teacher (my retired pastor), who answered my difficult questions, who prayed for me everyday. Reading some of the Puritans and theologian’s, my favourite being Charles Spurgeon. Having fellowship with God and other believers. By hearing the wonderful testimonies of believers around the world of what Jesus has done for them. The most important is having your own experience. To be deeply rooted yourself. Without this, you will struggle in your walk with him. There are 4 types of people that God described in the Bible in his “parable of the sower”. Read it and Figure out which one is you. Only 1 out of 4 people will respond to him. Read the parable and see why.

[@muluulum7953]

@@jod35. I also want to let you know just from experience. it’s not an intellectual problem. It’s a heart problem. Just as my pastor answered my questions, I still didn’t believe. Underneath my questions was a disappointed, unsatisfied, and hurt young man that felt God let him down. This requires Gods hands only to resolve. This is family business!

[@dalex60]

Define a "true" Christian...

[@jod35.]

I honestly don’t know what a true Christian is. But According to my own experience, I accepted Christ, read the Bible and believes all it said until I started doubting myself what it said. And in doing so, I found myself reading about the faith more to answer my questions only to realize that just like other religions, it’s man made