If you're an Atheist, what comforts you?

[Dragonfly]

Given Khem's statement, I suspect it may be the case that you're seeking comfort for the distress inflicted by the beliefs of Christianity and your doubts about them.  So the question is what is the comfort you seek aimed at addressing?  The continued doubts and such associated with lingering belief, thoughts about your limited nature and mortality, or something else?

Ok, an example would be a crisis like a cancer diagnosis. I had a very aggressive form of cancer at 39. If I ever were to get a recurrence, I'd be scared out of my mind. I want/need something to hang onto when those very trying times in life happen. I want to be more grounded. So I'm looking for things in advance, knowing that I no longer have the crutch of religion. 

I'm in a kind of no man's land right now, trying to figure out how to replace certain aspects that helped me--can't go forward, and can't go back. I think emotional resiliency is partly determined by one's biology and mental health in general, but also developed similar to a muscle. I've spent my life leaning on this crutch, and I haven't had to stand on my own. If you've been an atheist since childhood, you've had to develop a certain amount of ability to self-soothe. It's made you a lot tougher because you HAD to be. How can I be strong enough and confident enough to stand on my own? Is there a way I can expedite the process?

 
One of the things that I think is the most disgusting part of religious indoctrination...is that you're told that there's alot more stuff that requires soothing, if that makes sense?  There are fears and anxieties specifically produced by these religions - they practically feed and live off of them.  In balance, I wouldn't trade places with you..because I'm not really sure that I'm the one that had to or has to get tough.  

You've heard me talk about my family, I hope it comes across when I do that there's alot of love in it, that we are deeply committed to and dependent on each other.  If I thought, for whatever reason, that I could see my wife again after she died - imagine something out of this world..a brand new procedure..they somehow transfer her entire consciousness to a computer....and then, I stopped believing that (maybe because the funding fell through or someone else was selected for the trial, lol)....I wouldn't be here at AF.org, calmly working out my issues with a supportive group of folks.  

I'd be a wreck, out in the woods somewhere, howling at the damned moon.  I mean..yeah, I'd want to do better..I'd know I have a responsibility to myself (and to the rest of my family) to do better...but there would just have to be a few days where the uncle cooked the kids hotdogs for dinner and daddy was "at work".

Thanks, Khemikal. I know I sound like I'm going around in circles, and it feels like it sometimes, but this discussion is helping a great deal.

It's bound to happen...still just glad we can help.

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Before I forget, atheism definitely isn't a unified support system.  Alot of us here have very little in common apart from the fact that we're not believers.  It's not that sort of ground level let me carry those groceries and hey, btw, how are you today kind of communities, though we do have our moments.  

You're looking for a good neighborhood, imo.

Yes, a good neighborhood. People to grow old with. A support network. And when there is no support network available, I'd like to have books, movies, videos and anything else that would be helpful to turn to. And weed, lots of weed.