RE: Question for Atheists
March 25, 2015 at 3:27 pm
(This post was last modified: March 25, 2015 at 3:37 pm by Nope.)
(March 25, 2015 at 12:36 pm)tonyc4444 Wrote: Hello,
I'm doing research for a book I'm writing in the realm of fiction.
My question is this, when it comes to theists and Christians in particular it's easy to list those things that they hold closest to them. God, family, Country. I'm wondering if there is something similar to Atheists, I don't doubt Atheists believe family and country are important, but is there anything else that follows the same theme? Anything that you can say in general that Atheists would be distraught over losing? Would science replace God in the list that I gave?
I'll give you a bit of why I'm asking, I don't want to give to much of the premise away though till I release the book because it's actually unique. One of the themes in the book explores suicide and how the things I mentioned can drive people towards that. Loss of one or all three of those things suddenly and without warning would push people towards that end. So I'm wondering what Atheists would hold closest to them in the absence of something like God that helps ground theists. Hope I'm articulating this well enough, and thoughts you have would be appreciated.
Another poster put it well, as a group (as much as possible. I know this is difficult lol) is there anything Atheists would consider giving them Happiness and Emotional Security in the same way God does for Christians?
Tony
I started to read this thread and left. When I returned it had added pages quickly.
Losing all of my children, friends and family would probably make me suicidal but, hopefully, I will not find out for certain.
One of my sons and my son's close friend, suffers from depression and bipolar disorder. My son's friend is a Christian. When they are depressed it isn't because they lost something. Their depression stems from a chemical imbalance in the brain. Luckily, my son is getting therapy and taking medication. I admire my son greatly for working so hard to find resources for, what I consider, is a physical disease. My son, by the way, LOVES his medication. He says that for the first time in his life, he is even. I mention depression because I think that would be a factor in why someone might react to loss by committing suicide. Perhaps if someone believes, or is told, that their faith will help them overcome depression than they might become suicidal when their faith doesn't cure them.( I should point out that I know a lot of very lovely Christians who have sought outside help for mental disorders. )
