Should I feel fear(asked toward atheists)?

Question

First, I would like to apologize for a previous question posed by myself which seemed to offended atheist. This was not my intent.
I however gained much insight from these responses and now I feel fear.
For what I failed to mention was that I within the course of my own years have gone to predict that I too will become an atheist. I feel it is inevitable.
However, when I begin to ponder on the significance of my life without the god which I used to display much faith toward, I feel empty and afraid of realizing no one cares that I am here and that there is no need for me to be here.
Please provide your opinion on this.

Answer 1

I have friends and family that care about me, love me, and support me. I don't need false love from a ficticious God.

Answer 2

Frankly, there isn't a "need" for you to be here. You're here simply to reproduce.

Of course, humans place emotional need on one another so you are needed by your friends, family and others that rely on or love you.

However, there is no specific need for you to be here and the feeling of 'no one' (is that supposed to be a god figure?) needing you is just self-imposed fear. Why do you need a spirit being to need you? Are you that important out of the billions of people on this planet that you'd be needed any more than the next person?

It's not disrespect that I have, it's just that, on your path to atheism, you will feel that way and, hopefully, you will overcome them because they are only feelings that you place upon yourself.

Once you realise that there isn't anyone there looking over you, needing you or wanting you (spiritually), that burden will lift. The only thing you should care about is how much those around you care about you and need or want you. Cos that's all that matters.

Answer 3

Allow me to pose a question to you: Do you do things to please your friends (peer pressure) or because they're what you want to do? This situation is no different, your only replacing an unknown abstract with a real, vital, physical world.

The truth is, regardless of your faith (or lack there of) your life is only as insignificant as you make it. If you want people to care that your here, give them a reason to care. Volunteer at a hospital or homeless shelter. Do the grocery shopping for the elderly couple down the street that has a hard time getting out. It doesn't matter what you do, just do something.

The universe itself is huge, and on that cosmic scale, nothing on this planet matters much to the rest of the universe. Don't dwell on the size and scope, just focus on what there is in your part of this world. You'll overcome that fear, providing you don't allow it to rule your life.

Answer 4

I do not really relate to what you are going through I have been a Atheist all my life. Do you really think no one cares you are here? Is this what your wonderful religion has you believe? that only god cares WTF? I can guarantee you there are lots of people that care you are here. I am reminded of something I heard long ago that goes something like this. The ordinary, everyday person throughout their lifetime just by doing whatever they did, will have affected over 100,000 different people. That kind of thing is pretty amazing. Now imagine if all of those people were affected positively by you and no god or religion were involved in your life That's pretty ******* significant don't you think. anyway my point is you are the one who needs to decide why you are here and believe it or not there is no God, no heaven and no hell so do not fear. this is what you have been told to believe your whole life and I congraduate you for opening your eyes and seeing the truth. Welcome to the real world, yeah its ugly, but its better than living in a fairy tale world trying to please a god that does not exist, now you can find your real purpose in life. Good Luck

Answer 5

As I worked my way into atheism, there was a time when I felt "fear." As I have talked with other atheists I know in my real life, I found this is a very common thing - especially for people who come out of a very religious background.

Rest assured, that feeling of fear doesn't last for very long. I have great meaning and a lot of happiness in my life. It's just no longer tied to a sky god. It's the joy of my family and friends and the groups I volunteer for. It's the contentment of making a difference in the world.

You will see, your life will still have great purpose. One way to look at it...is a sunset. Like our lives, it is very brief and it doesn't last forever. But it is MORE beautiful because it is so brief and fragile. Life becomes more precious when we realize that it is just a brief moment.

Best wishes to you.

Answer 6

When I first started considering life without god, I got scared too. It's a weird feeling... This is something you've believed your whole life, and you're abandoning it to follow a different path. I got over it, though, and now I am much happier than when I considered myself Christian. I don't have all the fears that churches and the Bible put into me.
Then, I started realizing the true meaning of being alive. People you love, various experiences, and being a good person. These things are enough to make you want to live, you shouldn't have to be persuaded by rewards of heaven.

Answer 7

I completely understand how you feel. I stopped believing in god at about 7 and at first I felt fear. Its like you've been on autopilot and now all of a sudden you realize that what happens in the end is entirely up to you. I think of it as a part of life like when you go away to college and you're all on your own or outgrowing an imaginary friend. Its scary knowing you're all alone but its also empowering having the intellectual freedom to make decisions for yourself. It isn't as easy as having someone tell you what to believe but it is much more satisfying in my opinion.

Answer 8

You have to realize something: it is natural and rational that you live first and foremost for your own sake and no one else's (imaginary deities included). The important part is that YOU care that you are here.

If you are truly a rational person, your rationality will always lead you to doubt any feelings of "faith". Like it or not it cannot be escaped. Embrace your rational mind. It may feel like a curse, but it is not.

The universe is vast and we are in comparison mere molecules of dust specks. Does it matter? NO. Our best option is to embrace the life we have and live for our pleasure while we are still here. Love your life. Cling to it. Do not be lured by tales of an eternal life beyond the grave in a world of bliss. That world does not exist. If you are a rational person, you cannot deny that to yourself.

Confront your fear. Face the void and snicker. Refuse to live upon your knees simply to feel secure in a lie. Stand on your feet and proclaim that you are YOUR OWN GOD.

Good luck.

Answer 9

Really the only way of getting over that fear is knowing that you do mean something to someone. You're a good and honest person for no other reason than wanting to be so. I find that much more fulfilling than being told to be so.

Answer 10

How is there more fear in recognizing the fact that your life is yours, and not some imaginary gods to manage. If you were driving down a crooked road would you hand the steering wheel to Jesus and say, "here you drive a while I'm tired"

Answer 11

Even if there is no God, people do care that you are here, and there is a need for you in the world. You can make a difference, even if only by smiling at someone.