For a theist... a God alone is reason enough to do whatever... even the impossible.
So to an atheist... what keeps you going when you have nothing... nobody... and beaten down ready for the count?
What DRIVES YOU when you are really at the lowest of lows and you got nothing... alone and have failed yourself with everything?
2007-09-20 01:07:11 · 29 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Didnt I mention when you have NOBODY. So you cant say... my family and friends....
2007-09-20 01:24:13 · update #1
The fact that it would be tragic to waste the only life I have.
Notice that I have a solid, concrete reason for my efforts.
Theism doesn't offer anything like that.
2007-09-20 01:12:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
Inner strength. How can I have nothing and nobody when I have always got myself. If you want to look at it this way I am my own god I look to myself for solutions and inspiration. I am not dependent on an outside entity. I also think atheists are less likely to "fail yourself with everything" because we accept the idea of only you can help your self so self reliance and success are much more likely with this attitude.
I wonder why theists don't all smoke ten packs a day. If I believed in heaven I would be trying to get up top as quick as I could. What makes you go on in this world? Wouldn't It be easier to all drink the red punch and stand in the glory of god this very hour? But if your a christian suicide is a mortal sin.And that is very unfortunate for the rest of us.
2007-09-20 08:24:50 · answer #2 · answered by deztructshun 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You do have the best questions Man in Hat.
The important bit for the non believer is the ALONE. The buck stops here. There is no free pass, no get out clause, no miracle salvation. So the buck stops here. When at the lowest ebb I never have nothing, never have failed myself with everything.
I live by my own moral code, so if I have let myself down, or worse still others then, it is only I who can right that wrong. It is only I who can take responsibility for my actions. Only I can work at ensuring I learn from those mistakes and most importantly never make the same ones again. As a non believer, I have total responsibility for me.
2007-09-20 11:26:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm never down and out but I've been down and in some tough situations during the last 40 years but I know that : Shït Happens and This too Shall Pass.
What drives me?
Well seeing as I don't believe in invisible thingies in the sky - I don't need Gods, Ghosties and Zombies to help me through the day or nite.
I take responsibility for ALL the good things and bad things that happen to me.
I'm not a chicken coward who needs a 'god' to thank or grovel to for the good times or a Satan to blame for the bad times.
I love my life and have done so since I almost lost it in Vietnam over 35 years ago.
Every day’s a bonus and since I retired I have even less stress to hassle me.
2007-09-20 08:59:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I have been at the lowest of lows, I never had "nothing". Always had something. Just had to locate it and use it to climb back up.. And I've never "failed myself with everything". Close your bible, use some rational thinking, and see if you don't feel the confidence to get through this life on your own no matter what happens. I know I can.
2007-09-20 08:58:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a very full life, and I'm happy. I have a lot and a lot of people.
When I was a Bible beating, raving Christian, I was miserable. To me, I would never be worthy because that's what was taught to me. I was beaten then.
I began to look at many other religions that didn't teach "ultimate reward"/"ultimate punishment". Then I began to learn how Christianity came to be. It's a fairly recen religion if you believe in evolution, which I do. It also was the catalyst for destroying many cultures and other religions leaving a huge piece of our history lost forever.
When I am depressed or low, I look to my friends and family, and I work. I live for my happiness as well as those I love. I don't think life could get more fullfilling than that.
2007-09-20 08:19:56 · answer #6 · answered by Allison P 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have never had 'nobody'.
Don't know anyone who has, and I would never get myself into that type of scenario, so your question is pointless.
Being self reliant, and not reliant on an invisible, imaginary creature, makes it far less likely that an Atheist would ever reach the level of hopelessness that you so accurately (from experience?) describe.
Atheist.
2007-09-20 10:36:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The religious individual tries to draw strength from imaginary outside forces. The Atheist draws strength from within.
2007-09-20 17:03:02 · answer #8 · answered by b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All life on Earth has an instinctfor self-preservation.
If yours is lacking so completely you need to believe in an external deity, I highly recommend psychotherapy as this instinct is crucial for survival.
Even at the lowest point, always remember -- "This too shall pass."
2007-09-20 08:13:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Funnily enough, I've never been in a situation where I have nothing, am alone and have failed myself with everything. If it happens, I'll let you know.
2007-09-20 13:52:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Knowing that I have this life, and that I'll make the most of my time here.
The sun always comes back after the rain cloud leaves ya know?
2007-09-20 08:16:06 · answer #11 · answered by Southpaw 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋