I am slowly turning "secular" I am finding more explanations for things that make sense....?

Question

I was raised fairly religious, yet as I get older I find more non-mystical explanations for things in the world....for example, the belief in Karma, I came to realize that Karma is probably not some invisible force that comes back to haunt people, but that peoples own actions will eventually catch up to them.....I am finding more and more "secular" and non-religious explanations for everything and I am not even trying to....I am less of a "believer" now than I ever was....now I think "creation" is the silliest mythical story ever!
In a way I am torn on the inside, I want to believe in a God and believe in invisible forces beyond our control, just because it makes our purpose so much easier to grasp, when in reality I think our purpose is even more unknown...and I don't want to pretend to have the answers and live my life doubting everything......

My question is basically how do I find a balance in this, I am torn between my religious upbringing and my secular outlook on life?

Answer 1

Perhaps it would help to hear how others have managed to find this kind of thinking both liberating and fulfilling. Stick around here, read some of the blogs of secularists that you admire, and see what you come to think of.

The issue of meaning is one that seems to hit a lot of folks. Essentially religions hand "meaning" to their believers on a silver platter. This requires, however, that you buy into their belief system, which as you have noted, frequently easily is shown to be nonsensical.

A secular approach, on the contrary, requires you to think of what gives your own life meaning. It suggests that this life is the only one we have and that we therefore have only a few years of conscious existence before we resort back to our basic chemical elements. Meaning in this context is only approachable if it is claimed by the individual whose life it effects. It is the ultimate responsibility of us all, and we are the only ones who can find satisfaction or disappointment in our efforts.

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Answer 2

Keep questioning things and keep learning. I wasn't raised in a religious family but went to church here and there. I always believed there was a god, but I never really followed any particular religion. However , the more I read and learned I started to see religion and god in a different light. Much like you I still didn't want to give up the thought of there being a god somewhere. I was stuck somewhere between what I thought I knew and what I was learning. I was looking for god but never found him. I soon realized I couldn't pretend anymore. Take your time and don't rush into any decisions. You'll realize your answer in due time.

Answer 3

I'm an atheist, but I can understand if people need to be agnostic. Do you feel that you have to believe in some sort of organized religion? If so, why? Do you need to believe in a higher power out of fear or it is simply an easy answer to the things we don't know? I'm happy believing this life is all we will have, but fear of the unknown is human...and it is also human to try to come up with reasons to solve that fear.
I'm not trying to imply that you are "fearful," but basically that is what it boils down to...uneasiness, stress, and tension because they are big questions until you fully analyze why you believe what you do.
I hope that helped more than sounded rude...such was not my intent.

Answer 4

It sounds like you are learning to think for yourself, and that's good. If you can now see worldly reality in the things you used to believe in religiously, it just means that you are learning the practical wisdom behind the myths. You don't need to discard your upbringing, just realize that these stories were never meant to be taken literally but that they can be powerful metaphors to help you understand life. You will find that life is strange and wonderful enough all by itself that it doesn't need mythologizing to make it seem important.

It can be scary to let go of that magic feather, but remember, if you can't trust your own mind to understand the world, you can't trust it to know which myths to believe in either.

Answer 5

Karma, in biblical terms, it means you reap what you sow. So how are your observations in life any different from what the bible has already stated. I think you are just so busy living that you don't give much thought to God, and evidently things are going good for you, or you would be looking for God. You may try to maintain saying a prayer of thanks before you go to bed or before or after a meal to keep a healthy balance.

Answer 6

Read The God Delusion to counter decades of indoctrination.

Answer 7

checklist me in case you like for being a *****, I formally do no longer care yet Nateena is a bloody liar. 4% of her solutions are suitable solutions. never been given a suitable answer? Take an prolonged stroll off a quick cliff you mendacity rat. yet that became a relatively stable humorous tale. did no longer make me giggle even though it became unique.

Answer 8

It's never too late to grow up.

Answer 9

good for you...