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Existential anxiety due to religion...
#11
RE: Existential anxiety due to religion...
Quote:I know what it is all caused by: religion. My life used to have meaning, I used to matter...but now I don't.


Your life did not have 'meaning' because someone told you a fable about some fucking god. You just didn't know any better. You still matter and this life is the only bite you get at the apple. Panic attacks are not to be screwed around with, especially if you are having them constantly. Find a shrink who will deal with those first.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Stop wasting it pining for the childish certainty you once had because grown-ups lied to you.
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#12
RE: Existential anxiety due to religion...
Quote:I know what it is all caused by: religion. My life used to have meaning, I used to matter...but now I don't.

oops, this escaped me... and I was thinking what the actual problem is that you feel that way : ) )

Because I might have a different understanding of what "religion" is, I'll talk about this:
- I don't think that leaving a "religion" in the meaning of official/established/organized religion causes such thing. On the other hand, it causes a feeling of guilt as if you've betrayed them or "shouldn't have done that!" and perhaps a feeling of releasing the chains that were holding you.
- Ceasing to believe in God causes anxiety and insecurity. But this is a different subject than the first.

Anyway, my suggestion as a heretic would be not to join any official/organized religion. There are many problems with this, like brainwashing, manipulation, getting to believe what they believe without noticing (and without having arguments for what you've come to believe), etc. On the other hand, if you believe in God or not, or what philosophy you believe is your personal choice. You have your entire life at your disposal to think about that. And, if you're interested in religions & beliefs & philosophies, you can study about them - the subject is large.
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#13
RE: Existential anxiety due to religion...
You're not alone. I went through a lot of similar experiences. Severe anxiety for years, struggles with meaninglessness, and then severe depression. Treatment of the acute symptoms needs to happen first, and a good psychiatrist or counselor who understands you is really important. Medication can help too, but it can sometimes take a while to find the one that works for you.

I agree with other posters that a fear of death may be related to a lack of meaning in one's life. I alternated between being terrified of death (and that people I loved would die), to being determined to kill myself and put this life behind me. Either of those situations can be truly horrible, and I empathize with you.

I used to find meaning in Christianity, it was comforting and offered a purpose. But I grew up (and got treatment for my issues) and realized that building your life's purpose on lies and myths means nothing at all. It has to be authentic, it has to be meaningful to you.

So for the past 5 years or so, I've been on that journey of building a life that is meaningful to me. I've found something I'm passionate about, and I try to work towards my best possible future. The intense anxiety you're dealing with is no doubt getting in the way of living a personally fulfilling life, so therapy is definitely important, but you can totally get through it. You obviously have lots of insight already, and that will really help you along the way.



[Image: 186305514v6_480x480_Front_Color-Black-1.jpg]
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#14
RE: Existential anxiety due to religion...
by the way, just a note: even if one believes in God he may still see the life as meaningless :)) If he goes to church often and has social activity, these things are those that distract him (or at least they are the main cause).

P.S unfortunately, I didn't find any "laugh" emoticon as the simple "laugh", so it seems I have to write ":))" instead of it.
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