Athiests: What do you do when....

[Annemariels]

I have always wondered what an atheist does to get through difficult times in life.

During the days after the Sept. 11th attack in NY, churches were full. People dropped everything and turned their eyes and hearts upward in prayer. What did the atheists do?

And what do atheists do when a loved one dies? Do they believe that death is the end of the road for them? Where do they find comfort when a loved one is injured or ill?

I am soooo curious to know how you get through difficult times, times when most of us draw closer to God and get comfort from His promises.

I am not trying to start a debate - I am just very curious.

 

[wanstronian]

Speaking for myself, I turn to my friends and loved ones when I’m feeling down. Real people, not invented ones.

When a loved one dies, I accept that death is the end of the road, because there is no good reason to suspect otherwise. I feel sad that they have gone, but I see no purpose in pretending they somehow continue to exist. Such a belief would not benefit me nor them, nor anybody else.

It seems to me that theists have an inherent God-shaped hole that they fill with God, and they can’t understand what fills that hole in those that don’t believe in God. This misses the point - that atheists have no such hole in the first place. A bit like an accountant wondering how a fisherman manages without a calculator. It’s just not necessary.

 

[R_Daneel]

I have always wondered what an atheist does to get through difficult times in life.

I can only speak for myself. Certainly I had my ups and downs, especially when my mother passed away. She had a good life, but the last few weeks were a burden on her. She knew that her body is “winding down”, and she wanted to die as soon as possible. Being a very strong-willed person, she refused to eat. I would have been very happy to have her live longer, if only she had been healthy. But not being bed-ridden, and miserable. I respected her wish and did not try to force her. When she passed away, I was partially very sad to lose her, and partially very happy that she did not have to endure her predicament. Is this something you had in mind when you asked your question?

 

[Will_B]

Maybe I should start another thread / post ?? But this seems like the logical place to post these questions to the atheist.

1. When does life begin?
2. When does life end?
3. How is it that humans are the most intelligent and gifted animals on this planet? I haven’t seen as ape invent anything.
4. What is life all about?

 

[JRKH]

Maybe I should start another thread / post ?? But this seems like the logical place to post these questions to the atheist.

1. When does life begin?
2. When does life end?
3. How is it that humans are the most intelligent and gifted animals on this planet? I haven’t seen as ape invent anything.
4. What is life all about?

Yes - Please start another thread.

Peace
James

 

[Shredderbeam]

I have always wondered what an atheist does to get through difficult times in life.

During the days after the Sept. 11th attack in NY, churches were full. People dropped everything and turned their eyes and hearts upward in prayer. What did the atheists do?

And what do atheists do when a loved one dies? Do they believe that death is the end of the road for them? Where do they find comfort when a loved one is injured or ill?

I am soooo curious to know how you get through difficult times, times when most of us draw closer to God and get comfort from His promises.

I am not trying to start a debate - I am just very curious.

On 9/11, I talked with my family for comfort.

When loved ones die, I talk with my family.

I believe that death is the end of the road.

If a loved one is injured or ill, I spend as much time with them as I can.

I suppose I use my family a lot to help me get through difficult times.

If you have any other questions, ask away. I’ll do my best to answer.

Maybe I should start another thread / post ?? But this seems like the logical place to post these questions to the atheist.

1. When does life begin?
2. When does life end?
3. How is it that humans are the most intelligent and gifted animals on this planet? I haven’t seen as ape invent anything.
4. What is life all about?

I don’t know if you want to start another thread on this, but if not, I’ll give you what I think:

1. Biologically, at conception.
2. At the point of death, when cell function ceases.
3. We have a large brain with a large frontal lobe. We also have the ability to store the knowledge of past generations so that we don’t have to literally reinvent the wheel. Apes don’t have our bra(name removed by moderator)ower, nor our social structure.
4. Ultimately, it’s really not about anything. I don’t believe in a higher goal or purpose in life.

 

[StrawberryJam]

I have always wondered what an atheist does to get through difficult times in life.

During the days after the Sept. 11th attack in NY, churches were full. People dropped everything and turned their eyes and hearts upward in prayer. What did the atheists do?

And what do atheists do when a loved one dies? Do they believe that death is the end of the road for them? Where do they find comfort when a loved one is injured or ill?

I am soooo curious to know how you get through difficult times, times when most of us draw closer to God and get comfort from His promises.

I am not trying to start a debate - I am just very curious.

You do the best you can do to get through them. And, the best you can do is different for everyone.

During the days after Sept. 11th, Chrisitans prayed and many gave donations or other tangible help, while many non theists simply gave donations or other tangible help. I’m not sure that praying would have made me feel that I was doing the best I could do for anyone there at that time, given that I live in the Midwest.
When loved ones have died in my family, we make burial/cremation arrangements asap. Yes, I believe death is the “end of the road” but, I’ll likely be fertilizer for at least a short period of time. I find comfort when a loved one is injured or ill in taking all possible steps to reduce or correct that situation if it is reducible or correctable.
I’m not a fan of the argument from Consequences. I may/could really really find great comfort and joy in believing there is “more” than this, but I have no reason to simply because it sounds so appealing to most.

 

[Moonstruck888]

1. How is it that humans are the most intelligent and gifted animals on this planet? I haven’t seen as ape invent anything.

Actually, you have. Human beings are a type of ape…

 

[Annemariels]

hmmmm. so it sounds like you pretty much do all the things we do during difficult times, minus the faith and minus the belief in everlasting life beyond the grave. Our spirits die with our body…they aren’t two separate parts of our being?

Another question: Are the majority of atheists raised as atheists, or do they evolve into atheists from their own logic?

 

[Moonstruck888]

hmmmm. so it sounds like you pretty much do all the things we do during difficult times, minus the faith and minus the belief in everlasting life beyond the grave. Our spirits die with our body…they aren’t two separate parts of our being?

Another question: Are the majority of atheists raised as atheists, or do they evolve into atheists from their own logic?

I was raised by atheists. I wasn’t forbidden from taking part in religious activities, nor was I encouraged… My parents were just aloof to it…

This may interest you on this topic. I not only believe there is no life after death, but it comforts me. I know that there is a way out of hell… I know that when I die I shall have sweet oblivion. No one can bully me, manipulate me or threaten me, because I don’t believe there is any invigilation of my life from beyond the grave…

For a theist, when you die that’s when the real fun starts…

 

[Annemariels]

Actually, you have. Human beings are a type of ape…

Again, not trying to pick a fight - just trying to understand - do all atheists think humans are apes? If we are apes, why are we so different? Can you give me a simple analogy?

I don’t want to get into a big heavy discussion or debate about this - I just want to hear what you believe in a clear, simple way. I am not going to come back with a reply trying to convince you that you are wrong. I just want to understand your doctrines (?) and how you view certain things.

Please, don’t anybody try to turn this thread into an attempt to convert anyone either to Christianity or to atheism. I just want to learn about what your everyday, basic atheist believes and how they handle life’s ups and downs.

 

[Annemariels]

I was raised by atheists. I wasn’t forbidden from taking part in religious activities, nor was I encouraged… My parents were just aloof to it…

This may interest you on this topic. I not only believe there is no life after death, but it comforts me. I know that there is a way out of hell… I know that when I die I shall have sweet oblivion. No one can bully me, manipulate me or threaten me, because I don’t believe there is any invigilation of my life from beyond the grave…

For a theist, when you die that’s when the real fun starts…

So would I be correct in assuming that atheism is often passed down through generations in a family, the way religion is passed down through generations in families?

You say that you know there is a way out of hell - does that mean atheists believe in hell? or that life is our hell?

thank you

 

[Moonstruck888]

Again, not trying to pick a fight - just trying to understand - do all atheists think humans are apes? If we are apes, why are we so different? Can you give me a simple analogy?

We aren’t different…

Look at what you’d expect to find in an ape.

High Intelligence.
Body Hair.
Bilateral Symmetry.
Pentadactyl limbs.
Binocular Eyes.
Opposable Thumbs.
Ability to use Tools.
Advanced Social Skills
Communication
Coordinated Pack Behaviour

We also have a 98% match in Orthologus genes with the other great apes… There is actually very little difference in our level of awareness and theirs.

 

[Moonstruck888]

So would I be correct in assuming that atheism is often passed down through generations in a family, the way religion is passed down through generations in families?

I don’t know… I don’t think it would have mattered. It’s in my nature to be skeptical.

You say that you know there is a way out of hell - does that mean atheists believe in hell? or that life is our hell?

I don’t believe in a supernatural hell, no… I have seen people suffer horrendously though, for one reason or another…

 

[Zatzat]

During the days after the Sept. 11th attack in NY, churches were full. People dropped everything and turned their eyes and hearts upward in prayer. What did the atheists do?

They didn’t pray.

And what do atheists do when a loved one dies? Do they believe that death is the end of the road for them? Where do they find comfort when a loved one is injured or ill?

My mother died recently after a very lengthy illness. I didn’t feel any need to ask an invisible God to comfort me. When my mother died, her existence ceased. I don’t need a God to help ease the pain…(not just your God, but any God. ) Life is hard and the universe doesn’t give a darn about us. I cannot change that, but I accept it.

 

[StrawberryJam]

hmmmm. so it sounds like you pretty much do all the things we do during difficult times, minus the faith and minus the belief in everlasting life beyond the grave. Our spirits die with our body…they aren’t two separate parts of our being?

Another question: Are the majority of atheists raised as atheists, or do they evolve into atheists from their own logic?

Hi again Annemariels,

I reject the idea of spirits to begin with, so I can not answer the question you ask here in this follow up post.

I was raised by persons who did not have belief in supernatural God/Goddesses/spirits/beings.

However, I certainly knew many persons in my life that did, and do.

If I can answer any other questions you have I will try.

 

[Zatzat]

‘What we godless folk know is that the universe is a heartless place, almost entirely inimical to our existence, and that there is no guiding father figure with our best interests in mind who is shaping our destiny. There is no god. There is no absolute good. We’re free to struggle to make a better world for ourselves, with no illusion of an all-powerful superman to help us out.’

P.Z. Myers

 

[Annemariels]

So, do you know and experience love? Is your perspective on love different from ours?

Being an atheist is not the same as being involved in the occult, is it?

I can’t imagine how it would be living in a religion-less home. Can you tell me what it is like? Do you just go about your daily life without talking about anything having to do with God or no God? Or do your families instill their beliefs in you like we instill our beliefs in our children?

Is there a feeling of peace in your relationships? It seems like I detect a sense of bitterness and anger in the atheists posts here and at amazon.com’s Christian forums, but realize that it might be because of the conversations and not a reflection of how you go about your daily lives.

Do you feel happy and peaceful and experience love? Or do you feel combative and negative about life? Or is it like us Christians, where it all depends on our personality type?

 

[Annemariels]

‘What we godless folk know is that the universe is a heartless place, almost entirely inimical to our existence, and that there is no guiding father figure with our best interests in mind who is shaping our destiny. There is no god. There is no absolute good. We’re free to struggle to make a better world for ourselves, with no illusion of an all-powerful superman to help us out.’

P.Z. Myers

Do all atheists view the universe as a heartless place? Or does it depend on your personal perspective?

For me, I look for the good in people and circumstances and even though there is a lot of badness going on, I see more good than bad in the universe. But that could be due to my optimistic personality that I was born with. I know some devout Christians who agree with you that the universe is a heartless place, but they are of a more pessimistic personality type.

Is a heartless universe a universal atheist belief, or is it separate from that and just a personality trait?

 

[Zatzat]

So, do you know and experience love? Is your perspective on love different from ours?

I’m married, have children, a large family, lots of friends and yes, I love many people unconditionally.

Being an atheist is not the same as being involved in the occult, is it?

I’m a third degree Atheist.

I can’t imagine how it would be living in a religion-less home. Can you tell me what it is like?

It’s Godless.

Is there a feeling of peace in your relationships?

Some days yes, some days no. Do Christians experience nothing but peace and bliss in their relationships?

Do you feel happy and peaceful and experience love? Or do you feel combative and negative about life? Or is it like us Christians, where it all depends on our personality type?

Yes, yes, sometimes, once in a while and yes.