28 Atheists From Religious Families Share What Made Them Non-Believers

Rev. Patrick from the Journey of Faith Church stressed to Bored Panda as well that faith is not necessary neither for morality nor hope. "If you consider for just a moment the immoral and inhumane acts perpetrated by so-called 'people of faith' throughout history. It is unfortunate but there are strains of all religion which promote violence, prejudice, injustices in the name of 'God,'" he pointed out.

According to the Reverend, doubt is an integral part of faith. "I have always believed you cannot have faith without doubt. Faith, without doubt, is no faith at all. Faith stretches us beyond the known, the comfortable, the seen to trust there is more than I know or can possibly conceive. The opposite of faith is fear not doubt," he explained to Bored Panda.

"Faith is in and of itself a struggle. Constant. The whole meaning of the name given to Jacob in the bible 'Israel' means one who wrestles with God. Faith is a constant wrestle/struggle which is both internal and external. When we stop struggling we stop having faith."

Rev. Adam from the Clackamas United Church of Christ agrees that it is "normal" to have doubts and they're something that everyone has. "People who claim to have the strongest faith are almost always suppressing their doubts. I've noticed these people tend to be spiritually toxic to themselves and others because in suppressing their doubts they lash out against others," he told Bored Panda.

"Please know that it is normal to struggle with faith. The priests, prophets, disciples, and even Jesus all had their struggles with faith. Jesus wasn't sure what he should do in the Garden of Gethsemane. He even showed his doubts when he prayed on the cross, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' Have you ever felt forsaken by God and so you struggle with faith? That's okay. You are not alone. Even Jesus had to struggle with faith," Rev. Adam said.

Previously, Bored Panda spoke to Rev. Patrick about hope. His church is widely known for putting up witty and spot-on signs about the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the Reverend, they were overwhelmed with responses about the sign. While some people were “affirming and appreciative” of them, others were not as friendly.

Rev. Patrick gave some advice for anyone who is losing hope in these dark and trying times. “Honor your feelings of hopelessness. They're legit. But know we don't stay there,” he told Bored Panda.

“In the same space where despair sits in the soul, so does hope. I have found my faith has become healthier when I have accepted the wholeness of the human and divine experience. It's not joy or sorrow but joy and sorrow. It's not love or fear, it's love and fear. But because of the Easter moment and message of Jesus' resurrection—love wins!" Rev. Patrick, from Maryland, shared.

"I believe as followers of Jesus, we need to cling more to our faith which is built around the questions of God and life and not our religion which is too defensive of our answers,” he added.

Meanwhile, Rev. Adam from the Clackamas United Church of Christ, told Bored Panda that “God loves all people and invites us to work for a more just world as we share that love with others.”

For Reverend Adam, inclusivity, acceptance, and tolerance are very important, as is social justice, and “quoting the Bible in a life-affirming way toward immigrants, along with our LGBTQIA and BIPOC siblings.”

Adam told Bored Panda that the last few years “have increased faith for many.” However, he believes that this definition of ‘faith’ isn’t one that his church has been used to. This interpretation of faith is more akin to the need to belong to a community.

"For example, I find that people of different faiths and even people of no faith are looking for a sense of community. Faith is moving much more towards what I think Jesus had in mind—a trust in something bigger than yourself,” he said.

“Sometimes, we find that trust in community, realizing that all communities are flawed and make mistakes, but that participating in something bigger than ourselves makes life worth living. I think people are finding that especially in these most difficult times, faith within a community is something we need more than ever,” Adam said.

The Reverend's congregation believes in defending equality, dignity, and the rights of all people under God. “We are open and affirming of our LGBTQ siblings and believe God calls us to love all of our neighbors, including those who are black, brown, white, rich, poor, religious, atheist, documented, and undocumented,” the Clackamas United Church of Christ proclaims.