RE: how to hold on to atheism when things keep getting worse?
June 6, 2016 at 8:27 pm
(This post was last modified: June 6, 2016 at 8:29 pm by dom.donald.)
I am only speculating here, because I have never been remotely religious, but is it fair to say that when faith begins to waiver, a person's coping mechanisms are critically weakened as a result? What I mean is, religious folks are clear about the 'meaning' or 'purpose' of everything, and they have a set number of ways to deal with bad stuff (e.g. praying, confessing, atonement). When the faith in God's goodness is shaken, they have a weaker foundation for understanding what they need to do to handle it?
I am a rational and practical person. Many of the problems you have described are pretty shitty, but can be managed with a calm head and a practical set of steps to change the situation.
In terms of what you believe, agnostic just means you do not think it is possible to know for sure if there is a God. Many atheists are agnostic. Agnostic doesn't mean you're sitting on the fence (50:50 as you said). If you do not know if there is a God, then I can only ask that you review the evidence for believing there is one. You don't need to feel strongly that there isn't one, in much the same way that I don't feel strongly that there are no fairies at the bottom of my garden.
p.s. I don't think the idea of clinging on to an imaginary girlfriend is particularly healthy. If you don't know if there is a God, why cling to the hope that there is a heaven? I would like to suggest that you concentrate on this life, on improving yourself, on putting yourself out there and having confidence in yourself and your values. Happiness is an attractive quality, and you have to find happiness in yourself before someone else will see it.
I am a rational and practical person. Many of the problems you have described are pretty shitty, but can be managed with a calm head and a practical set of steps to change the situation.
In terms of what you believe, agnostic just means you do not think it is possible to know for sure if there is a God. Many atheists are agnostic. Agnostic doesn't mean you're sitting on the fence (50:50 as you said). If you do not know if there is a God, then I can only ask that you review the evidence for believing there is one. You don't need to feel strongly that there isn't one, in much the same way that I don't feel strongly that there are no fairies at the bottom of my garden.
p.s. I don't think the idea of clinging on to an imaginary girlfriend is particularly healthy. If you don't know if there is a God, why cling to the hope that there is a heaven? I would like to suggest that you concentrate on this life, on improving yourself, on putting yourself out there and having confidence in yourself and your values. Happiness is an attractive quality, and you have to find happiness in yourself before someone else will see it.
