Suicide

[Regina]

Well in that case there's not need to let your family tie you down. I don't wanna say cut them off completely, but maybe distance yourself from them for a while as you get your head around things.

Just think about what I said, if you are feeling alone as an atheist in your real life circle, this is a good place to be.

[Iroscato]

I'm not going to Hell because there isn't one.

Correct.

I feel the world has become such a mess that it's not worth living in anymore.

Bullshit. The world is better now than it ever has, at any point in history. Less disease, far fewer people living in poverty. The best technology we've ever had, and a slowly-rebuilding will to go out and explore the depths of space. Theocracy has a looser grip on the world than it ever has, with most of the developed, civilised countries now mainly secular (the USA is a partial exception, though really it could be a helluva lot worse). Instantaneous global communication is doing incredible, paradigm-shifting things to and for our species, in many ways bringing us closer together than ever.

We are more compassionate than we ever have been, having fought two major worldwide wars that taught us much about the futility of violence and the value of human life. Has it resulted in a complete end to all wars? Hells no, but we haven't fought one on the scale of WW2 for 70 years now. The EU and the UN have been formed, allowing countries to settle their differences through moaning and bickering rather than through the application of bombs, bullets and tanks.

We are waking up to the realities of climate change and the impact our species is having on the planet, and many have been actively working to lessen that damage and bring us into more of a harmony with the natural flow of the planet. Clean energy is beginning to take off, with some quarter of our energy needs now being met by a renewable source of some kind.

I don't see a purpose.

Then give yourself one. Your life is your own - you are in the driving seat, and you are the master of your own fate. You don't need to save the world, it's more than enough to enjoy it and the relatively short time you will experience it for. What the fuck else is worth doing?

I've alienated my family and friends.

Why, because you had the conviction to stand by your ideals in a backwards-ass environment? I love the human race as a whole, but people annoy the living shit outta me. Just because somebody has a biological relation to you, it doesn't entitle them to shit all over your life as some seem to think it does. Same with your friends - if they really are 'alienated' by you just because of your atheism, then they were never your friends. Get new ones that accept you and love you for what you are.
Let the ones who tried to drag you down fester in their own poison. That's what I did, and I've had the best goddamn years of my life as a result. Was it difficult? Of course. Did I have doubts? Absofuckinglutely. But in the end it comes down to objecitvely analysing, from an out-of-the-box perspective, exactly what kind of net impact they have on your life, and their reasons for doing so. If the maths doesn't add up, it's ejection time, and you'll be well rid of them.

Perhaps they'd all be better off with me gone. They certainly won't be worse off.

Now we come to this part. Stop thinking about what everyone else wants, or at least what you think they want. Hell, unless they are some kind of inhuman, twisted monsters, you topping yourself will most likely shake them and even devastate them - but it'll be their own doing.
What do YOU want to do? You think you don't have potential? EVERYONE has potential - to make the world a better place, to be the smartest kid in class, to become that slippery, elusive bastard known as 'happy'. Like I said before, your life is your own - you have maybe a century of it before your ticker gives out and you stop being capable of experiencing anything, so you better bloody make it count. There is no point to sadness and depression, it is literally the worst enemy you will ever face. Conquer it - or even learn how to control it - and you will never want to look back at what you were before you managed it.

[AFTT47]

They don't like my non-belief. I'm an embarrassment to them.

I know this is easy for me to say because I'm a loner but who the fuck cares what your family thinks? Shinagami, your family is not the world. You are part of a human family of billions of people. If your family doesn't like you, it's their loss more than it is your's. You are a special entity, unique in all the world. It sucks to be on your own when other people have a support group of their genetic kin but it's hardly the end of the world. You have US. I realize it's not as nice as having a genetic group who is close and has your back but that is a luxury, not a need. There is nothing more you need to have an awesome life than what you already have. All you need is YOU. Believe in that and the rest will fall into place.

[Regina]

Being related by blood means nothing anyway. We fall into this trap of thinking we have to love everything about our blood related family when really, we don't. Cut those bastards off if they're having a detrimental affect on your life, you might be better for it. Do what you have to do.

7 billion people out there you could form a connection with and call "family", you're gonna stick with this pathetic excuse for a parent who failed every need you ever had?

Apart from disowning kids for being atheist, gay, or in an interracial relationship. You're a k*nt for that shit, excuse my French.

[AFTT47]

Bullshit. The world is better now than it ever has, at any point in history. Less disease, far fewer people living in poverty. The best technology we've ever had, and a slowly-rebuilding will to go out and explore the depths of space. Theocracy has a looser grip on the world than it ever has, with most of the developed, civilised countries now mainly secular (the USA is a partial exception, though really it could be a helluva lot worse). Instantaneous global communication is doing incredible, paradigm-shifting things to and for our species, in many ways bringing us closer together than ever.

We are more compassionate than we ever have been, having fought two major worldwide wars that taught us much about the futility of violence and the value of human life. Has it resulted in a complete end to all wars? Hells no, but we haven't fought one on the scale of WW2 for 70 years now. The EU and the UN have been formed, allowing countries to settle their differences through moaning and bickering rather than through the application of bombs, bullets and tanks.

We are waking up to the realities of climate change and the impact our species is having on the planet, and many have been actively working to lessen that damage and bring us into more of a harmony with the natural flow of the planet. Clean energy is beginning to take off, with some quarter of our energy needs now being met by a renewable source of some kind.

Well said!

The world is constantly improving, not getting worse. That's why they call it progress!

[Godscreated]

So what?

So they don't like my non-belief. I'm an embarrassment to them. That among other reasons. They won't exactly be mourning the lost potential because there is none.

 
 I don't know what the problem is with your family, other than what you say. Why not sit down and have an honest open talk with them, no getting excited, shouting, cursing or anything that will derail a real family conversation, have everyone to agree to those things before you start and put religion off limits unless you want to make it a part of the conversation. Go have a real family talk and you could discover many people actually care.

GC

[Exian]

Shin, I've been really enjoying your participation here at AF. Your threads have been thought provoking and enjoyable to read. Sure, this is just an Internet forum, but lets be honest, this isn't just an Internet forum. For me it's a life line to sanity, and friendship based on common ground. You're definitely on my radar, bud. I will be deeply saddened if you don't seek help. I know you're new, so we haven't had time to form a relationship with you, but when you've been here a while, you'll genuinely care about Steel's dogs, Snake's new job, how Luckie's doing, where the hell Losty has been, C_L's movements, Uncle K's diaper count, how Rob's energy level is doing today, how Whatevs is spending his retirement, and you'll even care about the new guy's mental and emotional state. The amount you'll care for the many varied stories here will be a direct reflection on how much they care for your story. If you're lonely and sad, and find you can't relate to anybody, you'll make real meaningful friends here.

Honestly, this place has made it so I barely think about religion or my atheism in my everyday life. Before joining here, my insides would itch, I was so sick of theists and being a closeted atheist.

[Shinagami]

So they don't like my non-belief. I'm an embarrassment to them. That among other reasons. They won't exactly be mourning the lost potential because there is none.

 
 I don't know what the problem is with your family, other than what you say. Why not sit down and have an honest open talk with them, no getting excited, shouting, cursing or anything that will derail a real family conversation, have everyone to agree to those things before you start and put religion off limits unless you want to make it a part of the conversation. Go have a real family talk and you could discover many people actually care.

GC

Ah, what's this? A Southern Baptist. I know you well having grown up in North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee. When it comes to belief in God I really did try. I wanted to for a long time. But I can't believe in something I can't see. My parents aren't going to change. I've tried. My dad's a therapist and the story goes that shortly before I was born his own patient left him a Bible that got him interested in "that Christian thing". My grandpa wasn't religious. My grandma wasn't religious. Come to think of it, my mom wasn't even that religious before then. If I ever meet this woman I will kick her ass.

[McDoogins]

Don't kill yourself, talk to a therapist and get medication.

I had intrusive thoughts I would rather not talk about, OCD and depression.

I've been to mental wards in hospitals like 4 times each for about a weeks time.

My parents and girlfriend were horrified and they still stuck by me just like your family would.

Not going to say you won't worry about the future, but it will hurt less if you allow the pain to come out.

Best regards.

PS: The world has always been pretty shitty, you're just focusing on one aspect of the shitiness. You could just as easily focus on positive things.

If you were a Viking you would be depressed about your wife and children being killed or kidnapped. To me that seems a lot worse then worrying about something like global warming.

[Shinagami]

Well in that case there's not need to let your family tie you down. I don't wanna say cut them off completely, but maybe distance yourself from them for a while as you get your head around things.

Just think about what I said, if you are feeling alone as an atheist in your real life circle, this is a good place to be.

I can't do that.

---

Shin, I've been really enjoying your participation here at AF. Your threads have been thought provoking and enjoyable to read. Sure, this is just an Internet forum, but lets be honest, this isn't just an Internet forum. For me it's a life line to sanity, and friendship based on common ground. You're definitely on my radar, bud. I will be deeply saddened if you don't seek help. I know you're new, so we haven't had time to form a relationship with you, but when you've been here a while, you'll genuinely care about Steel's dogs, Snake's new job, how Luckie's doing, where the hell Losty has been, C_L's movements, Uncle K's diaper count, how Rob's energy level is doing today, how Whatevs is spending his retirement, and you'll even care about the new guy's mental and emotional state. The amount you'll care for the many varied stories here will be a direct reflection on how much they care for your story. If you're lonely and sad, and find you can't relate to anybody, you'll make real meaningful friends here.

Honestly, this place has made it so I barely think about religion or my atheism in my everyday life. Before joining here, my insides would itch, I was so sick of theists and being a closeted atheist.

Send me a message privately..if you can even do that on this site.