I just don't feel like I connect with my spirits anymore. I'm starting to think that it was all what I wanted, and not what I was actually experiencing. But I'm starting to realize that as a parent, I have to focus on reality and not on how I want things to be.
Any advice for someone who is slowly starting to realize that gods don't exist?
2007-05-27 14:34:48 · 35 answers · asked by Marissa: Worker of Iniquity 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I wish I could give you any advice. I don't have any, sorry.
I have never felt the need to convert or deconvert. Born and raised an atheist, never even slightly doubted my beliefs.
All I can tell you is that there is so much more to life than the "god or no god" question. I've heard from friends who became atheists later in life that at the start they somehow felt as if they lost a friend. I guess that makes sense.
I've never felt the need to explain anything with a god in it. For me it simply never existed. And if it helps: I don't feel that i've missed out on anything in that aspect. Life is just as beautiful when there are no gods.
The sky at night is still filled with the same stars, the newborn baby of your cousin still has the same smile, that strange old man is still just as thankful when you help him cross the street.
So, if I would try any advice it'd just be to live your life. And when it gets hard, there are many atheists in this section that have their mails opened for if you feel the need to talk. Including me.
Good luck! And more importantly: no worries!
2007-05-28 08:06:09 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It can be very confusing and scary when you first realize you don't believe in God. In our society it's drilled into our heads at a young age that you have to believe in God. We live in a nation where 90% of people are theists, so being part of that 10% can seem a little scary at first, especially since Atheists aren't the most loved minority group in America.
My only advice is to do some research and see what makes the most sense to you. Since you already think you're close to becoming an Atheist, get some books written by Atheists and/or scientists to better help you understand Atheism, the origins of life, etc. 'The God Delusion' by Richard Dawkins is a really good book you may want to look into. Good luck!
2007-05-27 14:46:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
When I was younger, I proclaimed I was not religious to my family. My mom said "you are far more spiritual than you realize". It took me awhile to come to understand the difference, and to find my own way. My son spent some years in an ashram with me, and later he proclaimed he did not believe in God (he was about 10), and I had to bite my tongue, and respect his process. He has his own beliefs now, and at 20 is so wise.
The God of organized religion makes no sense to me. The experience of myself as greater, that I have directly experienced through my path is real, real to me. And that is all you will ever have, what is real to you. I propose that reality is exactly how you want things to be, it is not one or the other.
Don't give up on magic and possibility as a mom- don't do it!!!!
My son recently told me that he recognizes he was brought up way different then most, and now he understands the advantage this has given him. I strove daily to give him the most open minded upbringing I could. We talked daily about experiences we had in other dimensions- dreams, psychically, visions. It created a profound receptacle in him, to consider everything as possible.
Your spirits are there, and so are your child's. Have fun, have joy, and you will know again that what you experienced was real. Call it what you will, just don't give up on that something wonderful.
2007-05-27 18:00:05 · answer #3 · answered by cosmicshaktifire? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah, that's what happened to me. I went from being a hard-polytheist to an atheist. Really it was an accumulation of a lot of events in my life and looking back at it all. Something just snapped. I do really wish I could believe in gods and in the afterlife, but I can't bring myself to believe any of it anymore. I've just seen to much to have faith.
Some of the people on here who knew me were rather shocked at me turning atheist because I was a rather devout Asatruar, but I think some of the others who were a bit closer to me knew it was coming for awhile.
I guess what helped was having atheist friends to talk to. When I was talking to my one friend, it dawned on me most the benifits I got from practing a religion were purely psychological in nature, nothing supernatural. I had to admit that I had no evidence for the existence of gods, the afterlife, etc..
And I also had a conversation with another Pagan who was going through the same thing, she also decided to become an atheist. So just remember you are not alone.
2007-05-28 07:33:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's been observed that when one converts to a religion, there's plenty of help for the process, but there's no analog for atheism. One person (Buckner) wrote that there is no exit counseling for Xianity. That's probably true of *all* religions.
Ebonmuse has determine several stages that one goes through in losing faith. Dan Barker is a preacher turned atheist who has written a book about his experience. Some selections are on-line. Merle Hertzler has a slew of questions you may want to ask yourself. If you are a Xian, Ex-Christian.net has "extimonials" of people who have left Christianity, though have not necessarily become atheists.
@h20andspirits - I drink to thee. And again!
2007-05-27 15:18:47 · answer #5 · answered by RickySTT, EAC 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Currently agnostic after a few years as a Christian fundie. I'm looking at it logically for the first time. I'm not ready to dismiss what I can't see out of hand, I believe in possibility. However, I no longer believe on blind faith, emotion and coincidence. This may one day lead me to another faith or, more likely, to atheism but I am certain it will be what is right for me when the time comes.
2007-05-28 07:44:28 · answer #6 · answered by Aria 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lokasenna went through this recently as well. She was a hard polytheist prior to becoming an atheist. I think you should do what is right for you and don't worry about what anyone thinks of you for following your path. Take it slowly, and be kind to yourself during the transition. There are tons of lovely atheists here on R&S. They'll happily help you in any way they can.
Hugs,
K
2007-05-27 14:43:00 · answer #7 · answered by Kallan 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
My only advice is to be open to other meanings of "God" and to not throw the baby of transcendence and meaning out with the bathwater of various concepts of gods.
Disbelieving in God or gods honestly is better than pretending to believe in them dishonestly. But I hope you will not become a reductionist in the process!
2007-05-27 14:41:40 · answer #8 · answered by jamesfrankmcgrath 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask yourself to what extent your motives/desires have shaped your belief in Gods. This is the beginning of realizing that we believe in Gods because it makes us feel good to do so, not because those Gods actually exist.
And as a parent, you begin to appreciate how irresponsible it is to adhere to fictions just because they make us feel good. We have to face up to our responsibility to make meaning of this life we have without appealing to imaginary Gods--and teach the next generation to do the same.
2007-05-27 14:40:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I call this relearning the world. To me, there is still something, but it is subtly substancial. There is something rather beautiful about embracing life without a god attachment.
Hard to explain, in short verse.
I've learned that simplicity is really key. Your not alone!
2007-05-27 15:37:48 · answer #10 · answered by shakalahar 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋