Let's Start Over, I'm Blackrook and I'm Here to Get Some Answers to Important Questions

[festive1]

My life has basically been one shitty experience after another, ad infinitum.

If I thought this life was all there is I seriously could not stand being alive.

The only thing that keeps me going, the ONLY THING, is believing that at some point something really good is going to happen to me.

I've given up on something good happening to me in this life, so all I have left is the life in the hereafter.

So if I was an atheist, I would probably kill myself so my wife could get the life insurance money.

I am being totally serious here.

To this I say: I've been there. The only good things in life are what we make for ourselves and take pride from. There are always new things and views to explore. Don't give up.
As far as being raised in an abusive home goes, I've been there, too. It'll tear you down in often insidious ways, but the reality is once you are out of that environment, it can be uphill from there.

[Jackalope]

Blackrook -

Haven't read most of this thread except the OP and some on the first page.

I appreciate the effort you're taking here to re-introduce yourself - hopefully it will have the desired effect.

Anyways, on to your question

Anyway, let's start over.

My name is Blackrook and I'm a Catholic in crisis and I'm here to get some answers to some questions I have.

Catholicism has been a great comfort to me when I had feelings that I didn't want to live, and felt like killing myself.

I felt God's presence, literally reaching out to me and telling me I was loved.

Even now, in my current state of pessimism, I can look forward to something better after my bitter struggle in this world is complete.

What can atheism offer to replace that?

First of all, I'd like to say that you don't have to view your dilemma as a choice between atheism and Catholicism. You could, for example, leave the Catholic church and explore your spirituality on your own if you so chose. Not suggesting that you should, but it is an option.

You ask what atheism can offer, specifically with respect to having something to look forward to after a life of struggle. Best answer I can give to that specific question is "I don't know." As far as I'm aware, there is no afterlife.

What atheism does offer is an opportunity to experience your life and to follow your own personal moral compass free of dogma and threat of punishment for "sins" that harm no one.

I do have some empathy / sympathy for you - I understand what it's like to face some very serious life struggles (for one, I also have bipolar disorder, along with a side of post-traumatic stress), ones that feel big enough to break you. We get through them the best we can, and what I learned after I lost my faith many years ago, is that it was my own strength that got me through them all along.

Again, I appreciate the reintroduction and hope you find what you are looking for.

[Simon Moon]

Anyway, let's start over.

My name is Blackrook and I'm a Catholic in crisis and I'm here to get some answers to some questions I have.

If this was your first post, you would have had a much better experience than you have. Not that you deserve anything better than how you've been treated.

Catholicism has been a great comfort to me when I had feelings that I didn't want to live, and felt like killing myself.

I felt God's presence, literally reaching out to me and telling me I was loved.

Even now, in my current state of pessimism, I can look forward to something better after my bitter struggle in this world is complete.

Some of us care whether our beliefs are true, or at least likely to be true. The best way to discern this is by basing them on demonstrable evidence and reasoned argument. Not because they make us feel all 'warm and fuzzy'.

That your beliefs helped you through some tough times says nothing about whether they are true or not.

What can atheism offer to replace that?

Atheism is not a replacement for religious beliefs. It is simply the lack of belief in the existence of gods.

[Tea Earl Grey Hot]

Is Blackrook suffering from amnesia?

Hey, Blackrook, you owe me 2 grand over that lost bet, remember? Of course you don't, it happened before the accident.

[IATIA]

I disagree on the statements that atheism has nothing to offer. Atheism offers freedom. Freedom from trying to please a non-existent entity. Freedom to live your life for you and your family. Freedom to share and enjoy this unique experience.

The main problem most converts have (in my experience), is the fear that they may be wrong in defying god. So try this on for size. If there is no god, you have nothing to lose, if there is a god, do you truly believe that an entity so powerful could possibly stoop to the petty ambitions and ideals of a mere mortal? Could a being this powerful have any interest at all in condemning you to eternal bliss or torture? if you live a good life, you have nothing to fear. if you lead a bad life, the man will get you long before any god.

[FallentoReason]

My main problem with atheism now is that it offers me absolutely nothing. I am disenchanted with Catholicism right now, but there is absolutely no reason to become an atheist.

It's not about what you want, it's about finding the truth about reality and deciding for yourself if you want to live according to it.

If Catholicism is ultimately more comforting for you, then by all means, keep practising it. No one is forcing you to do otherwise.

[AtcAtheist]

Blackrook,
Welcome. I am fresh out of 35 years as a Christian. I just recently stopped believing. I can't say that atheism will give you an answer to all your problems, but for me, it was a reality check. I know you said your live is not really worth living if there is nothing to look forward to in the afterlife...

You may be dealt some bad cards in life, but you have a wife and children who love you and need you. They don't need your life insurance money. Yeah, money would make their life easier, but I guarantee they would prefer to have you here on this earth rather than some money. Suicide is not your purpose for being put on this earth.

Besides, most life insurances will not pay for suicide, unless you have an extra suicide clause added on, and these usually have a waiting period, and cost quite a bit (believe me, I've looked into it myself).

If there is an afterlife, great. But we don't know for sure. The one life we know that we have is this one. We have to make the best of it, and enjoy it to the fullest.

Keep searching for answers. I still have lots of questions about Christianity, the Bible, etc... But don't give up on this life! It is all we are guaranteed! Search for your purpose!

[Reforged]

Anyway, let's start over.

My name is Blackrook and I'm a Catholic in crisis and I'm here to get some answers to some questions I have.

Catholicism has been a great comfort to me when I had feelings that I didn't want to live, and felt like killing myself.

I felt God's presence, literally reaching out to me and telling me I was loved.

Even now, in my current state of pessimism, I can look forward to something better after my bitter struggle in this world is complete.

What can atheism offer to replace that?

Ex-catholic. Been there, done that.
Only thing Catholicism does is delude you and take steps to ensure you never improve the only life you can be certain you have.
Atheism is just the simple lack of belief. It doesn't offer anything other than the safe knowledge that our reality is an utterly mysterious one still waiting to be further explored and explained. Seems like a good enough purpose to exist to me.

Your lifes an unwritten book, I don't pretend to know whats going to happen while you're alive let alone after you die.
Evidence would suggest nothing happens after you die and you simply cease to exist. Seems like all the more reason to make our lives count, enjoy what we have while we have it and to push for the truth rather than a comforting lie.
But whatever, its your life.

[Minimalist]

Only thing Catholicism does is delude you and take steps to ensure you never improve the only life you can be certain you have.

That and pick your pocket.

I always laugh at this "the church does so much for charity" stuff.

Bullshit. I remember all the special collections they would have. Bastards always had their hands out but for my money. You can bet your ass they weren't spending any of their own.

[CapnAwesome]

My life has basically been one shitty experience after another, ad infinitum.

If I thought this life was all there is I seriously could not stand being alive.

The only thing that keeps me going, the ONLY THING, is believing that at some point something really good is going to happen to me.

I've given up on something good happening to me in this life, so all I have left is the life in the hereafter.

So if I was an atheist, I would probably kill myself so my wife could get the life insurance money.

I am being totally serious here.

Since you are being serious, I will also be serious for a second, although maybe few people will believe that I am. What you should do is sell all your material possessions and hit the road, ala Jack Kerouac. You probably share the delusion that owning things will somehow make you happy. Two characteristics I admire of Jesus are those of insulting religious authority and owning nothing. Modern Christians are hypocrits.