Is atheism a liberating and good experience?

[Kirbmarc]

If I have free will it is because my determined environment has enabled me to believe in it, which is just as much of a delusion as believing in god is.

True. But the trick is that the effects are so complicated (and chaotic) than no one can ever predict what you are going to do. Not even you. So who cares if you are determined by the environment? You're going to be surprised by what you do anyway.

And by the way, if you want to get technical even your sense of self is an illusion. We are amazing chaotic bundles of memories and experiences. We just ignore most of the deviation from what we expect of us and remember what we have done, thought, experienced and felt before.

So not only the universe isn't made for us, we ourselves aren't made for us. We are what we do, think, experience and feel. Nothing less, nothing more. So complaining about what you feel is pretty useless, unless it's a rant to make you feel better.

Shaking your fists at the universe and curse it for being meaningless won't solve your problems. Unless you feel satisfied by doing so.

[thesummerqueen]

Nor will proving that Dawkins isn't doing anyone any favors.

[Kirbmarc]

It's almost like this guy is determined to be depressed or something.

It's a rant. I can understand if he's writing it to feel better. But if he's trying to prove a point, I'm afraid he's failing badly.

[Whateverist]

How do I have free will if the environment of the universe is 13.7 billion years my superior? If I have free will it is because my determined environment has enabled me to believe in it, which is just as much of a delusion as believing in god is.

Is that your uncoerced opinion? Is it only me who find it ironic when determinists come up with these zingers?

[naimless]

no one can ever predict what you are going to do. Not even you.

Okay.

we ourselves aren't made for us. We are what we do, think, experience and feel. Nothing less, nothing more. So complaining about what you feel is pretty useless, unless it's a rant to make you feel better.

I'm just documenting what I feel. I can't "ever predict" what will make me feel better.

Shaking your fists at the universe and curse it for being meaningless won't solve your problems. Unless you feel satisfied by doing so.

Existential intelligence is of interest to me at the moment. What will solve my problems?

[Kirbmarc]

I can't "ever predict" what will make me feel better.

You know it when you feel it.

What will solve my problems?

I don't know. You're the one who have to find out a solution. I can only tell you what doesn't work, not what works for you.

[naimless]

I can't "ever predict" what will make me feel better.

You know it when you feel it.

What will solve my problems?

I don't know. You're the one who have to find out a solution. I can only tell you what doesn't work, not what works for you.

Right, well, I'm saying I felt better under a fluffy cloud of areas of Buddhist philosophy even though I realise it is as much bullshit for me to embrace that again as any other "religion" or form of spirituality / agnosticism.

Should I stop being de-facto atheist, even if I think it contains more logical truth, for the sake of my general health and well-being?

[Napoléon]

Should I stop being de-facto atheist, even if I think it contains more logical truth, for the sake of my general health and well-being?

Do what makes you happy.

[Kirbmarc]

Should I stop being de-facto atheist, even if I think it contains more logical truth, for the sake of my general health and well-being?

It depends. There are naturalistic, atheistic philosophies that can help you feel better. No bullshit in those. Check out Sam Harris, he has plenty to say about that.

[Whateverist]

Should I stop being de-facto atheist, even if I think it contains more logical truth, for the sake of my general health and well-being?

It depends. There are naturalistic, atheistic philosophies that can help you feel better. No bullshit in those. Check out Sam Harris, he has plenty to say about that.

I don't think there is any "should" about it. It all depends on what you are predestined for by the relentless fall of the cosmic dominoes dating back to the big bang. Since you can make no sense of free will, what difference does it make?