Atheism help.?

Question

I have finally "fully" accepted my atheism in the past few months. It isnt as though I would choose to be an atheist if l had a reason to believe in a higher being. However, seeing that there is little to no proof that there is a "God" figure roaming around the cosmos, I have reluctenly accepted the fact that there is no reason to believe in one... and I now find myself a bit more cycnical.

1) Is this Cynicism a normal tranistion for most atheist to go through, and enventually l will shake free of it?

2) What helps you (as an atheist) to find purpose in life? Or should l just get over myself and come to terms with the fact that I am sitting on a rock in the middle of nowhere.

By the way, I am not married and I don't have children (nor do l want to ne married or have kids at this moment in my life).. So I am keen to quit my job and live out the rest of my days on an Island in Southeast Asia.

Answer 1

Southeast Asia sounds nice! Why not?

God could exist. but I'm agnostic. I'm not "FULLY" convinced that "A" god doesn't exist.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/program.html
Check string theory out and tell me its not possible that there could be a "god" somewhere deep in there. Just not one that seems anything like our idea of "GOD".
I think "IT" is just math... math we don't understand

I hear the reason in life is "to be" some argue that its to make a difference.

I'm here to raise offspring to concededly spread my DNA hoping I could possibly spread some intellegance and compassion.

I keep learning......
abstract quantum theory

Answer 2

1. I have been an atheist all my life. There was never a moment I believed, though I tried. I can't say from experience that the cynicism is normal, but I imagine that it would be. You go through several years thinking there is a father-god, one who cares for and protects you, who is waiting for you in heaven... to believing that none of it is real. Of course you are bound to feel a "let down"

2. I like your analogy :) Honestly? Yes! I promise you, there can be a strange kind of comfort in that. You are a small part of something very big. The universe. And all of us are on the journey with you. You are sitting on the rock in the middle of nowhere with the REST of us :)

What helps me get through is the fact that I am not alone. And, reality. It doesn't get much better than reality. I know that I have my life to live, and it can be as good as I make it. It will end someday, and there is nothing I can do to prevent that. Nor could the billions of people before me prevent it. I am no more special than they were, but I am just as lucky to have this chance at life! And so are you. Enjoy it :)

Answer 3

1) I am not an atheist, but honestly it seems that if you are cynical, you should listen to your instincts. Usually when my gut says "this isn't right" it is correct.
2) To find your purpose in life, you must find what you are passionate about. How do you do this? By trying things & seeing what you enjoy doing.
3) This is important...SERIOUSLY! You may not have concrete evidence that there is a God. But in all honesty, you don't have concrete evidence that there is NO God either.

I completely understand what you are feeling because I have often questioned the meaning & purpose of life. But any person will eventually have faith: Either faith God doesnt exist, or faith that God does exist. Here is the strange part, if you live your life how the bible says to live it, it actually does get better. Try it. It is hard sometimes, but if you actually try it you will feel much happier about life.

This is what I suggest you do:

1) I live like the bible says. I am married, I work, I take a day off every week, and I pray about things that are on my mind-that's it. You said you aren't married nor have children. My marriage has brought me more happiness than anything else in life. I promise it is worth your while to find a good spouse. Kids also make you life so fulfilled that you could never imagine living without them once you have them.

2) Find something you are really super interested in doing in life for your career. Then dedicate yourself to it. You will be successful & feel that you have a purpose. You can start by seeking your talents/interests, and then find a way to use it to help others & make money doing it.

3)Whenever I get to feeling like there isn't a God, I read on the internet every single trace of evidence for & against God's existence. I also ask tough questions on search engines about difficult bible passages & theology. Every time I do this, I realize that every biblical difficulty has a resonable explanation, and overall the evidence points to a God existing.

Please just try those things. I am not trying to influence your beliefs. Because I feel like it is each person's decision whether or not they believe one thing or another. I am just trying to help give you a perspective because these things have worked well in my life.

After all, if there really is a God, then life does have an eternal purpose. You have to admit that feels much better. If we are just all "rocks & matter that evolved" then life is pretty pointless. It is funny, most atheist are lonely & depressed. While on the other hand, most really religious people are happy & fulfilled....coincidence?? Maybe not!

Answer 4

1) Cynicism is not necessarily a phase for someone to go through, although it sounds like you're grieving the loss of your faith. I will hazard a guess that you are also now feeling cut off in some way from your social connections. (If I'm right about the social disconnects, I wonder whether that preceded or followed your development of atheistic thought.)

2) Most people find meaning in the same things they found meaning in before. Job, family, exploring a passion, making the world a better place, connecting with others, learning a skill, etc. If you're depressed, it may have nothing to do with your atheism, although it might. If you find yourself sleeping poorly, having a poor appetite, low libido, trouble concentrating, suicidal thinking, difficulty making decisions or carrying out tasks, you may actually be depressed. If so, consider talking to your doctor or a psychotherapist about it.

(Sorry to sound so clinical, but cynicism sometimes masks a difficult depression.)

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 5

Being an Atheist has very little to do with empirical evidence of a gods existence.

It is the normal state that all humans are born with. Unless you have been isolated in some kind of freaky cult for years and have had your brain well washed and rinsed, your reason and intelligence should tell you that the concept of invisible, immortal flying creatures, is pretty ridiculous.

Enjoy your life to the full, now you are not sitting around waiting to die and meet your 'Creator'.

Answer 6

Your goals sound oddly Buddhist.

I suppose cynicism is a state familiar to Atheists, but not exclusive to them, if that is any comfort.

Perhaps it might help if you volunteered in a humanitarian effort. Seeing the virtues of mankind might inspire you. And contributing might help you feel productive. There are many non-religious organizations, like Habitat for Humanity, or the Peace Corps, that you can check out.

Schools and Community Centres might also be another option since the are not affiliated with any religion either.

All the best to you.

Answer 7

Pick option # 2, second sentence.
Thats how I live. One day I was born, and one day I'm gonna die. And what ever happens in between, happens.
Whatever happens after death, I'll know when the time comes. I'm not gonna worry about pissing off god, or burning in hell, or any of that blah blah blah.
I just take one day at a time, trying to make it in this big hateful world. And when things are going good, I take a moment to savor and appreciate it.

Answer 8

I'm a atheist and i think that Religion is based on belief. God does exist as your belief does. I find that it's so interesting that i can't answer why i do exist. I wonder how unconscious things can transform into conscious things like micro molecules to human.
There is a book named "Life of Pi" which is written by Yann Martel about religion. The book makes me, a atheist feel interesting. I think you should read it.