Here's a question for Atheists...?

Question

I am not here to criticize your beliefs, this is just an honest question that I am curious about. As a christian, when things get really bad for me and I feel like everything in my life is going wrong or just get very sad what makes me happy is the feeling in my heart that I can rely on Jesus to be there for me. It helps me to believe that there is something else out there for me, a greater being or purpose. What makes you happy when you're down like this?

I mean this for the true Atheists who don't think there is any supreme being. How do you feel happy inside when you are so alone? Please don't respond if you are going to criticize my beliefs or if you are going to be rude, I am not being rude and am not trying to put down your beliefs...I just want to know.

Answer 1

That's a great question! Finally something worth answering..

When i feel alone and hopeless,i try to have a moment with myself and think about things,This is usually when i want the least amount of people around,actually.I write my thoughts down in my journal,take a hot bath,watch a good movie.Suprisingly,these little things help me alot.Music,art,and film inspire me and motivate me;people nowadays have become too weak and simple minded to have any relations with when it comes to depression or loneliness.
Being alone,though,to me is something very important.That's the time when i can think about myself,about my goals,my concerns,and how i can acheive things.I think everyone should do that too,not to consider being alone as a burden,but a time of reflection.
When my mom passed away,i had this sudden desire to research on beliefs and the religions of the world,and also had a knack for traveling.I became more knowlegable of people,belief systems,goverments,and possible alternate planes of reality.My brother did help me cope with her death,but wisdom and the thought of questioning my beliefs due to such a sudden and terrible event made my interests and needs point elsewhere,I wanted to know of things,to know the truth,to find some justice.

Answer 2

I'll be real honest with you. I don't know if I'm to the point where I'm an Atheist yet, but I'm definitely in an Agnostic stage right now. But I haven't prayed like others do in years and I don't look for some "Being" if I'm sad or everything is going wrong. I usually look back on the situation and see if maybe I caused it myself by my actions (and a lot of times I have) or I just know that whatever it is I'm going through is not going to last because it never does. I always get through it with or without a "God." I was a Christian for about 25 years and I can honestly say that the troubles and joys in my life haven't been effected one way or the other by my ability or inability to connect with "God." My reliance on "God" up until the last 5 years or so, was my inner self needing a scapegoat to either thank for a blessing or question if I was being taught a lesson. Once I let that go, I realized that all those blessings and lessons would of happened anyway and they still happen to me now without "God" in my life. So what does that tell me? Not a damn thing. But thanks for making me stop and take a look at myself.

Answer 3

My best friend in the world died of a massive heart attack, in my arms, when I was twenty two. I don't think I've ever felt more sad in my life, and the only thing that made me feel better was accepting the fact that he was gone, and taking time to grow accustomed to the loss.

I never understood how calling for help from an unseen entity lessens pain? My friend would still be dead, I would still be alive, in the same place in life, and surrounded by the same people.

How do you know the "feeling in your heart" comes from an invisible god, and is not being generated by your own unconscious mind as an elaborate defense mechanism to protect you?

I just don't understand what you mean by "rely on Jesus." How do you rely on something you can't interact with? Seriously? How is talking to Jesus any different than talking to a statue, or talking to yourself? How do you even know for sure Jesus is really listening? Wouldn't be immensely more empowering and helpful to know that YOU picked yourself up when you were low, as opposed to some external, invisible force?

Personally, I would much rather talk to a real person who can offer me answers or insights, which is essentially what I do when life gets tough.

Answer 4

But atheists and some agnostics who do not acknowledge deities are not alone. We have family and friends who can give us love and support.

I am not alone, I have a wonderful husband, a very large & close extended family and friends so I do not feel the need to try to rely on something that I see no proof of being an real entity.

When I'm down, I accept that I am because life comes in cycles - it has ups and it has downs and we have to go through both. I do know if I have trouble getting through my downs I can pick up the phone and hear a loving voice on the other end, get in my car and see one of those many people who will give me a hug. I want the touch of humanity, not the abstract coolness of something that is not there.

Answer 5

I don't believe in a god, I believe in people. When I am down I seek the help of my friends or my family, or I simply know that they will be there if I call for help. That is enough. Having that strength to back me in time of need helps me go through those bad times, sometimes even without calling on that help. Which in a way comes to the same feeling you have with your own belief. Isn't it strange?
So no, I am not alone.

Answer 6

You say we are alone. That is ridiculous. I have a family, loads of friends and a great job. All of which keep me busy and very full filled.

I get great satisfaction out of a lot of what I do, and when things go wrong I have a good group of people I can talk to.

I do what I can to improve the planet in little ways so that the next generation will have a green world and not a burnt out cinder to live on.

I do NOT sit around dreaming of death and the imaginary after death, floating on a cloud with a harp and wings. I have things to do in my life, while I am living it and have no desire to waste it on non existent fantasies.

Answer 7

I was raised as a catholic and as a child I had two thoughts. First, I felt so lucky to be catholic because everyone else would be going to hell. Second, the church scared me to death. I would go into confession and make up sins because I truly did not know what they were talking about. There is almost a brain-washing going on and being raised catholic makes you afraid to question anything...it's similar to communism. In my twenties I began to question may of the church's teachings and felt very guilty about it. This went on for about ten years and during that time I read more about spirituality than religion. I do not know God's name but I do know he exists. Is he energy? Is he the sun? Is he a she? Is he an invisible source? It doesn't matter, he/she lives within us and loves us. We are all a part of God and I believe that millions of us are part of the whole. If we try to do our best, respect the beautiful world we live on, love others even if we do not agree with them then, yes, we can know God.

Answer 8

This is a sincere answer, I promise you that I am not mocking anyone or anything.

When I get that low, I actually read parts of the NT. I was raised a Christian, and I suppose that old habits die hard. I truly feel that Jesus lived, and I don't have to believe in his divinity to agree with his message. I find comfort in reading from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and especially John.

My circumstances are such that I really have no one to turn to. There are a few people who might listen but I don't wish to burden them. So, I look inward, and I look to what helped me as a child. I find that it still works for me.

Answer 9

Is Jesus really there for you? I think that's like relying on a crutch when you're limping. Have you ever seen a mime using fake crutches? It's kinda like that.

I look within myself to get through the tough times. I persevere and tell myself that these things shall pass. I strive to get through it and it makes me stronger and wiser (even with the cliche). And sometimes I do consult friends, family and if need be, counselors. They are tangible, valid sources of comfort.

Answer 10

Atheists realize that there is no God who will solve problems, that life is in our very own hands. Realizing such, we learn to have confidence in ourselves and give time and thought into the decisions we make; if we make a bad choice, we have to be prepared to live with it, as there is no Jesus standing by with a spiritual eraser to make everything better. Thus, we try to live the best lives possible, not just in consideration for ourselves and not just in the hope of doing the bare minimum to achieve residence in a fictional heaven, but to live the best in harmony with all people. Christians often fail to make decisions and act, as they have learned not to trust their own judgement, referring all decisions to a spiritual illusion. The Christian finds it easy to ignore issues such as global warming and overseas war, because they lull themselves into thinking that nothing can happen that isn't in "God's master plan." Atheists realize the folly of this.

If there is any hope for this world, it is from atheists and their committment to action and change.