(July 10, 2016 at 7:56 pm)thool Wrote: I've "converted" from Christianity for almost a year now, and the following observation kind of snuck up on me. I'm curious if anyone else has a similar experience they'd like to share.
With Christianity, there is a "father" type relationship, where you die and go to the Father for judgment and eternity. Having abandoned that belief system, it eventually occurred to me that there is no higher power or safety net, so we're quite literally on our own (alone). As we live an interact with each other, we leave impressions there, but it doesn't get noticed by any higher power. When I was in religion, I kind of banked on the fact that I was just along for the ride, tried to be as nice as possible, and felt that some sort of higher court would look at this transcript and I'd be cool for eternity.
This is kind of sobering to realize that this life is real, and that what I do now is simply part of humanity. In other words, the impact of my words and actions is measured by a minute influence on a small slice of humanity...and that's it.
Anyone else coming from religion feel similar thoughts on this subject of being alone?
The great part about it all is that you aren't really alone. Nothing happens to you after you die. You just simply aren't, anymore. Loved ones will cherish memories of you, but you, yourself, don't have to worry about an eternal hell or always doing the right thing just to get to heaven.
You just simply cease to be, and for me, I'm rather calmed by that. I don't have to "look down" at my kids to wonder how they are doing or what they are doing or anything else.
Disclaimer: I am only responsible for what I say, not what you choose to understand.
