Mind42 Wrote:...is there more beyond a simple antithesis?
What is beyond the simple antithesis that is atheism is for the individual to determine. In my opinion, the most difficult part about being an atheist is that the purpose of your life is for you to discover. Without a deity to give us purpose, only we can figure out what it is.
For example: I suffered from depression for a very long time, but it has been very manageable for the last 2 years or so. Once I got comfortable not feeling depressed(because depression becomes your comfort zone and it takes time to feel comfortable outside of it) I started to relish feeling somewhat normal and just started to enjoy life which became my purpose. To enjoy my life, is my reason for living. I've also gained other purposes from the depression such as hopefully some day writing a book about my experience, and to help others who are depressed and show them that no matter how bad things get, depression can be overcome.
So each atheist has look at their lives and experiences and determine their purpose. It's not as easy as getting the cookie cutter purpose of 'God loves you,' but I feel it does so much more for you as an individual.
Even if the open windows of science at first make us shiver after the cozy indoor warmth of traditional humanizing myths, in the end the fresh air brings vigor, and the great spaces have a splendor of their own - Bertrand Russell
