I am very confused...

[LukeMC]

Faith can give you freedom from the 'me' culture. You're not doing stuff for 'you' all the time, but for others instead.

@fr0d0
If theistic faith can be said to free us from a self-centered culture then so can anything. Theistic faith doesn't make you do everything for others (I'd argue you do everything for God) any more than secular atheism does. Whether or not your believe in a deity should have no effect on your altruistic nature. I've run my own charity event to help folk in the niger delta without a god patting me on the back for it. I did it from my own personal will, strength and desires but my purpose was to help those less fortunate. When we talk about doing things for ourselves we don't mean being completely and utterly selfish in every sense of the word. In the context we use this, we mean to find your own strength and do it because you want it and you think it is right- not because of or with help from any mythological beings.

I think what you need is an outlet for your generosity and to learn that outside theism there can also be selfless dedication without personal glory.

@Jenny
I agree with fr0d0 here but it goes without saying really. You don't need a god to push you to do good things. It's a problem found in all the abrahamic religions and western society in general- always looking for help from the outside. If you look into eastern philosophies like taoism you'll find they teach a different story- that the strength comes from within and you should search within yourself for the answers.
Obviously this is within the context of moral strength, personal integrity and finding your way.

Anyway, moving on from that, I think I'm going to take a different approach to your questions, perhaps in spite of everything everyone else has said.

I think you can substitute God in some sense at least. I know I do. If you need something to fall back on to pick you up and something by which to base your life and give foundation to your motivations and goals, feel free. Just remember it doesn't have to be a god at all. You don't need a babysitter nor a parent-like figure to worship and appease, so in this particular sense i suppose god cannot be replaced.

However, here is what gives my life meaning and picks me out of the slums to exceed myself and try harder to make something of myself:

http://img25.imageshack.us/my.php?image=yeargrid.gif

This is a year grid. Looking at it like that makes it seem so small, so contained. Each day you can tick off another box and watch as the grid gets more and more full of ink. Each box you tick off is a full day you will never be able to reclaim as long as you live- it is gone. We know that we only have a finite amount of days and soon enough our time on this planet will be over. This urgency, this sense of imminence is what drives me to make the absolute most of each day as it comes so that my grid won't be a bunch of ticks with no meaning- my grid will be filled with exciting and enriching experiences from january 1st until december 31st.

This is the only life we get and it is our choice as to how we live it and what we make of it (exceptions occur of course eg. africans don't get much choice, iraqis dont necessarily get to make anything of themselves, but within the context of western society). It's quite simple really- if you enjoy feeling happy and fulfilled, pursue these things. If you're grateful for the opportunity to pursue them, help others pursue similar things and give a chance to those who otherwise wouldn't get one (help the africans, the innocent iraqis, homeless people, poor people). If anything, atheism opens a window to beautiful revelations when we realise this is all we get. Make the most of it for yourself and help others make the most of it for their selves. If you feel down and as if you don't have much of a purpose anymore, remember the grid. Your time is ticking- why waste it all feeling sorry for yourself? Light up and shine, enjoy your life and make a difference

Sorry for the essay and welcome to the forum