Who does an atheist lean on in times of trouble?

[strawdawg]

I'm aware of who the Christians go to in times of trouble. Do atheist have a shelter? A place of safety? From what I've read and it's easy to look up atheist are far more likely to commit suicide than others . The atheist has no place to run.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I'm aware of who the Christians go to in times of trouble. Do atheist have a shelter? A place of safety? From what I've read and it's easy to look up atheist are far more likely to commit suicide than others . The atheist has no place to run.

I usually go to Kauri Cliffs. Lovely place.

Boru

[robvalue]

The suicide thing is a dodgy statistic. You have to consider that atheists are a minority, and a pin prick minority in some places. The amount of persecution, exile or plain threat of death they endure understandably raises suicide rates.

So don't take that statistic too seriously.

[Exian]

Not to mention the amount of atheists who aren't "out" that can't be accounted for.

I talk to my friends and family, to answer the OP. Or, lose myself in a hobby where I can sort of meditate on the problem.

What's interesting to me is that the "God" that exists in the theist's mind, the one theists talk to, is nothing but a mental construct in which (not "in whom") they place their confidence and their worries. He's made up of empathy, theory of mind, and attributed with a reassuring authority. I can see that creating this personal god in your mind could actually have tangible benefits, such as pushing past hardships, or passing the buck (not stressing over something). The interesting thing is that atheists could do the same thing; we would just not call it "God", and we'd have an understanding of what was actually going on.

Another interesting thought- If an atheist does make a mental construct similar to what a theist does with God, but knows it is nothing more than a character in their mind that isn't separate fom the mind, would it have the same effect? Would the atheist reap any of the benefits, like passing the buck, or any other problem dealing with uncertainty and stress?

[abaris]

What the fuck are you talking about in your OP?

In times of trouble you go to friends and family like everybody does.

[watchamadoodle]

When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I've discovered that I can enter a meditative state with almost no effort. I just stare at whatever is handy for five minutes and I start noticing colors and other details and forget my problems. (BTW I almost never try to meditate, and I usually don't feel much when I do it. But it really helps when I feel overwhelmed.)

Other times I go for a long walk.

Sleep helps.

[LastPoet]

There is nothing a bottle of whiskey or 10 can't solve.

[Ryantology]

Why is it that we hear "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" and "not asking for help is a virtue" from people who believe that the best way to live one's life is to make a habit of begging God for help and guidance?

Stop being lazy and do your own work, moochers.

[robvalue]

I am a little confused about the idea of this thread.

I turn to my wife, my pets and my friends (including you guys!) when I need help and support.

[Cyberman]

Yeah, this place - and Facebook, of all things - has been a real lifesaver for me. And I mean that without hyperbole.