It's difficult to think about mortality and death. The fact that your existence as a conscious entity ceases to be is hard to face. Perhaps for some people, it is too hard to face, they find themselves unable to accept it, and grab hold of a religious belief to hide behind, thereby avoiding having to face this terrible reality.
Are there theists out there who are aware that their faith makes no sense, but cling to it to avoid the reality of death?
2007-04-30 20:59:41 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It wasn't fear of death that caused me to search for God, it was an aching feeling of lonliness, emptiness, and purposelessness of this life.
Now I know that God loves me, that he is always with me, that he lives inside me, and my purpose is to love and worship him forever :) The fact that he is so kind as to allow me to live with him forever is just a bonus!!
2007-04-30 21:03:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think my faith makes no sense - but then I subscribe to my own custom made faith. I am aware that it makes no sense to others and I also admit that I have no proof to show that I am on the right path. I will even admit that it is very possible that all religious faith is born out of a desire to cushion the pain of death and day to day life with hope of better and continued experience.
I will admit freely that I find the idea of living 70 years and then just rotting in a box so thoroughly distasteful that I feel it can not be correct. I also find the idea of a personified god equally distasteful, though - and I reject it equally. What I have come up with is an interesting hypothosis (for there is no way to know the Unknowable) that both comforts and helps me in my day-to-day life, that does account for a divine creative energy at work in the Universe. What is so wrong about that?
Peace!
2007-05-01 12:23:01 · answer #2 · answered by carole 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I believe in your so called "reality of death" before I started to believe, and it took a lot to get me to do so. So no, I do not cling to it for the reason you think. I cling to it because of what I have seen and what I have read. If you knew you would be forced to admit it's awfully hard to reject so much at once and be honest about it. Most atheists who hear and are shown the truth cling to their disbelief as believers cling to their belief. They don't want to believe and so it's a waste of time to show them. Only those who are willing to be honest with themselves and can admit they were wrong are worthy of knowing.
If I showed you a list of 10 things the bible said would happen in the generation before the tribulation, would you believe it? Likely not, because you don't want too, you will try to explain it away, and it's minds and hearts like yours that will empower the antichrist. You will have the chance to break free eventually, but the price will be much more steep then it is now. I wish you luck and hope you remember what you were told here during that time of testing!
2007-05-01 04:09:20 · answer #3 · answered by Stahn 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I can cope with atheism. It is anti-theism that tends to be a 'in my face' annoyance.
I actually enjoy matching wits with a real atheist, but a real atheist is rare. Most that claim it are really just rebellious and rude people who wish to mock the theist mentality.
I am not one of the theists you describe in you last question. I honestly see in the Bible's text truth and proof. But not all are called and chosen, so I also understand why the atheist or agnostic mentality exists.
2007-05-01 04:09:41 · answer #4 · answered by Truth7 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you pardon the analogy, theists are the homophobes of religion. They fear atheists and think that if they hang around an atheist long enough, then they will become atheists themselves.
They bury their own skepticism deep down, and are afraid of being around people who bring that part of them out. They want to believe in their religion so bad, and they often get angry and defensive when atheists prove their beliefs wrong.
2007-05-01 04:10:40 · answer #5 · answered by Abby C 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
What happens after this life is beyond my knowledge and control. I don't fear it for that very reason.
I'm living by the belief that no one will have it all right or all wrong when death comes.
2007-05-01 06:47:48 · answer #6 · answered by hazydaze 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's been my biggest hurdle as an atheist, actually. Personally, I'm petrified of my mortality. It would be an IMMENSE comfort to believe in something bigger, grander and everlasting.
But I can't. As Carl Sagan once said: For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
2007-05-01 04:20:46 · answer #7 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I was an atheist for a long time .... I was quite comfortable with the thought that death is the end and comes to us all
I didnt choose to believe in God out of fear of dying
but from experiences I have had throughout my life
it just took me 20 years or so to admit what was happening
atheism can leave you as blind as the fundies at time
2007-05-01 04:07:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
the crutch of religion is indeed a comfort for many and those who don't conform get their legs hobbled so they can be comforted as well . I'll take the pain of stark reality instead ,in the fulfillment that I maintain my truth, honesty, integrity and heart.
2007-05-01 04:09:42 · answer #9 · answered by dogpatch USA 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As an agnostic, Atheism is just as much of a foolish position as Theism
2007-05-01 04:06:23 · answer #10 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋