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Sense of Purpose and Security Without Religion?
- Thread starter Naama
- Start date
Skwim
Veteran Member
Don't let your fears dictate your "facts." Let reason be your guide. Reason doesn't start with a conclusion, but lets its process arrive at one, whereas your heart starts with whatever conclusion best serves your needs, and then, if forced to, goes looking for supporting reasons.
This pretty much mimics the famous cartoon illustrating the difference between the scientific method and the creationist method.
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Naama
Chibi Lilith
21, Student, Working, Part-Time, Family, No-Kids, I have a Cat.
Naama
Chibi Lilith
Don't let your fears dictate your "facts." Let reason be your guide. Reason doesn't start with a conclusion but lets its process arrive at one, whereas your heart starts with whatever conclusion best serves your needs, and then, if forced to, goes looking for supporting reasons.
This pretty much mimics the famous cartoon illustrating the difference between the scientific method and the evolution and creationist method.
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In my head I know your right...but I think I'll fall into depression if I accept it in my heart.
No idea. I'm constantly depressed and full of despair. I tend to think life is pointless and generally can't wait to die. I only like being drunk at this point. I'm not an atheist but I might as well be because I have been spiritually dead for years. I wish I could believe in a loving God like I used to and be part of a community.
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As to purpose even with religion you determine your own purpose. Most Gods gives you the ability to choose, so it is no different without religion. You just loose a few of the religious choices but most of them have non-religious equals.
As to security, it depends on what security is to you.
I'm not a believer in 'purpose by design.' Even if I were a theist, I would never take at a creator's word what is proper use. I have two terracotta planter pots that are currently being used as cheese smokers. Pretty sure that falls outside the intention of their creator, but I gained utility all the same.
Naama
Chibi Lilith
I like the idea that humans aren't alone.
Oh I don't agree with God at all on many things, I'm a lesbian for example and I doubt I'm using my body the way he wanted it to be used XD
Skwim
Veteran Member
There are certain stages in life that I think can be very lonely. I think you are in one of the critical stages where you're being forced to be an adult with all the responsibilities required from an adult. It's a mixed bag between being able to exercise your new liberties and independence but also having to live without parental figures suggesting what you should do.
I've been through your shoes. Many have as it's normal, IMO.
As an atheist for all my life, I can tell you that my sense of purpose has always been self-defined. I might not have known at times what my goals were, what made me happy, what satisfied me as a person. But every step of the way, it was for me to define and no one else. I might have had situations where other people defined it for me... Like ex-bosses, parents, relatives, ex-girl friends. That never worked. It made them happy but never really made me happy. All the conflicts, hurt, depression were for me to learn from, grow and be a better person. I would suggest not to fear it. Embrace them as it will drive you to grow.
If religion makes you happy even at the cost of its demands, then only you can truly answer that. You never know, maybe you might be able to find satisfaction and happiness outside of religion. Maybe you'll find ways to resolve your conflicts without religion? All I can say is that it's for you to define. Just try it. Exercise your choice and by reinforcing it with action. If it doesn't work, try something else. Just keep on trying until you find something that works. Over time, I promise you, you will discover more of yourself and these decisions will innately come to you... One thing that will help a lot is learning and practicing patience. It's a very long process so just keep a perspective of the journey and not the finish line.
Naama
Chibi Lilith
There are certain stages in life that I think can be very lonely. I think you are in one of the critical stages where you're being forced to be an adult with all the responsibilities required from an adult. It's a mixed bag between being able to exercise your new liberties and independence but also having to live without parental figures suggesting what you should do.
I've been through your shoes. Many have as it's normal, IMO.
As an atheist for all my life, I can tell you that my sense of purpose has always been self-defined. I might not have known at times what my goals were, what made me happy, what satisfied me as a person. But every step of the way, it was for me to define and no one else. I might have had situations where other people defined it for me... Like ex-bosses, parents, relatives, ex-girl friends. That never worked. It made them happy but never really made me happy. All the conflicts, hurt, depression were for me to learn from, grow and be a better person. I would suggest not to fear it. Embrace them as it will drive you to grow.
If religion makes you happy even at the cost of its demands, then only you can truly answer that. You never know, maybe you might be able to find satisfaction and happiness outside of religion. Maybe you'll find ways to resolve your conflicts without religion? All I can say is that it's for you to define. Just try it. Exercise your choice and by reinforcing it with action. If it doesn't work, try something else. Just keep on trying until you find something that works. Over time, I promise you, you will discover more of yourself and these decisions will innately come to you... One thing that will help a lot is learning and practicing patience. It's a very long process so just keep a perspective of the journey and not the finish line.
I think your right....I need to do some soul-searching...
BSM1
What? Me worry?
Naama
Chibi Lilith
....thinking there is makes me feel better.....
I think a sense of purpose is religious whether or not you are in a religion. I guess you could say it is a choice if you prefer. A feeling of security usually comes from being in a place where people care for strangers -- good neighbors. I think you are right to be concerned about a feeling of security and about your neighbors, but on the other hand being part of a religion doesn't guarantee it. What guarantees it? You can try to make it happen for others, but somebody else has to make it happen for you. People go where that feeling goes. They follow it like cattle sometimes.
I just see it that we are free to create our own purpose. Understand who you are, what makes you happy and pursue that.
I like helping people. I like enjoying life with friends and family. So that pretty much makes up my purpose in life. Help folks, keep friends and family happy.
BSM1
What? Me worry?
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Well, I look at it this way. The universe got us to this place fine enough. Here we are.
Being we are an integral aspect of the universe, for which purpose and security follows, one could say is included in the package.
I believe that the 'Sense of Belonging' is the most powerful force for an individual to identify with a religious belief for the most part the emotional attachment and investment of the belief system they were raised in. People pay an emotional price for moving far from home base. In Christian culture it is okay to church shop to a limited extent depending on how deeply traditional your family is attached to one church.
In my case I was raised in the Roman Church in an Irish pragmatically religious family. It was okay if I did nothing or attended another Christian Church, but when I became a Baha'i there was emotional hell to pay in family relationships, and the emotional price was steep. I am still a Baha'i despite the problems.
I know it is controversial among some on this site, but I believe if you become an atheist or an agnostic you are still make a religious choice of some degree of non-belief. Unitiarian Universalists are a good fellowship for these religious beliefs.
I consider agnosticism and atheism better choices than other ancient religious beliefs like Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
If it were not for the Baha'i Faith I would be an agnostic.
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