I hate being an atheist

systemicrisk · 13-01-2014 02:36AM

Slutmonkey57b wrote: »

Why on earth would you consider death an "injustice"? What exactly do you believe you are "owed" or "deserve" from existence? Immortality?

How arrogant.

Did your parents not play with you when you were a child or is there some other reason why you are cruel? The OP came on here with what seems like a genuine question regarding something quite important and it seems you go out of your way to find the only part of the post that could be criticised. I think its time for you to have a long hard look in the mirror and question why you respond to peoples insecurities in this manner. I really hope you are not like in real life.

Captain Chaos · 13-01-2014 02:39AM

systemicrisk wrote: »

Did your parents not play with you when you were a child or is there some other reason why you are cruel? The OP came on here with what seems like a genuine question regarding something quite important and it seems you go out of your way to find the only part of the post that could be criticised. I think its time for you to have a long hard look in the mirror and question why you respond to peoples insecurities in this manner. I really hope you are not like in real life.

If the OP isn't happy with the idea of being an atheist then don't be one and go back to religion and or a faith/belief system that works for them.

It's a frame of mind the OP is clearly not comfortable with so why punish themselves until they do more soul searching for want of better word.

Nestle · 13-01-2014 02:41AM

WilyCoyote wrote: »

I truly do, the thought of an infinity of nothing is terrifying.

The opening salvo by the OP above. Why in God's anybody's name would you hate being an atheist? I've been one for about 48 years now and have never felt this way. I think you need to take out the beads before a full breakdown!

Because, it means dying is really dying. I'd like it to mean going to a world without pain with a lot of hot girls without clothes with the desire to have sex without condoms.

Slutmonkey57b · 13-01-2014 02:43AM

Evelyn Cusack wrote: »

If I sound arrogant, I hope I'm proven wrong

Think of it in terms of the idea that consciousness is something to be granted, stolen or owed, is arrogant instead. To feel that one deserves immortality simply because one feels so special that the loss of it is cruel implies that one believes the universe should exist to please our whims and needs. While that's a good explanation of why religions start, it's not going to help anyone in the long run.

Ultimately, all you can do is try to . understand why you need to feel special and exceptional. That might assuage the issues you're experiencing.

systemicrisk · 13-01-2014 02:45AM

Captain Chaos wrote: »

If the OP isn't happy with the idea of being an atheist then don't be one and go back to religion and or a faith/belief system that works for them.

It's a frame of mind the OP is clearly not comfortable with so why punish themselves until they do more soul searching for want of better word.

Perfectly reasonable coherent answer and I agree. I was just questioning why the poster had to immediately jump in and call the OP arrogant for what seems like a question borne out of a possible state of turmoil. Seemed uncalled for to me

poundapunnet · 13-01-2014 02:45AM

Captain Chaos wrote: »

If the OP isn't happy with the idea of being an atheist then don't be one and go back to religion and or a faith/belief system that works for them.

It's a frame of mind the OP is clearly not comfortable with so why punish themselves until they do more soul searching for want of better word.

"Don't be an atheist"? As in "stop not believing in any higher consciousness and decide to start believing it"? How does that work? You can't force yourself to really believe something.

Nestle · 13-01-2014 02:48AM

Slutmonkey57b wrote: »

Think of it in terms of the idea that consciousness is something to be granted, stolen or owed, is arrogant instead. To feel that one deserves immortality simply because one feels so special that the loss of it is cruel implies that one believes the universe should exist to please our whims and needs. While that's a good explanation of why religions start, it's not going to help anyone in the long run.

Ultimately, all you can do is try to . understand why you need to feel special and exceptional. That might assuage the issues you're experiencing.

The universe thinks it can bring us into existence with a strong will to survive indefinitely, have life be fairly shocking and then have us to to sleep for eternity. Screw it's terms and conditions.

RE-REG USER BANNED.

Mod.

kylith · 13-01-2014 02:49AM

I'm an atheist and I think it's great. I have no fear of Death, why should I? There's nothing I can do about it. As for an afterlife, I can't think of anything worse than eternity. You'd go out of your mind with boredom. I wasn't overly concerned about what was going on before I had brain activity so I can't see why I'd be bothered about what happens after it stops.

Senna · 13-01-2014 02:55AM

I'm with the OP on this one, I think a believe in some kind of afterlife would be very comforting (I see it in my own mother following the death of my father). But I just can't believe in it myself and I think as I grow older the lack of believe will probably haunt me more.

rossie1977 · 13-01-2014 02:58AM

Evelyn Cusack wrote: »

I truly do, the thought of an infinity of nothing is terrifying.

really? for me an infinity of an afterlife would be terrifying.

the first hundred million years might be fine but the next hundred million after that and the next hundred million after that...and when those are finished you still have infinity to go :eek:

Czarcasm · 13-01-2014 03:23AM

Evelyn Cusack wrote: »

I truly do, the thought of an infinity of nothing is terrifying.

And Yes I know that you aren't conscious of it so you won't feel the pain, but that is the very tragedy of it, the loss of consciousness.

I love life and the world, all my thoughts will be lost like tears in the rain, to steal a phrase.

I'd prefer to live in blissfull ignorance and I hope I don't offend anyone by saying belief in an afterlife is ignorance because, if faith is a gift, then the receivers of this gift are luckier than I.

Religion is comforting, give me that comfort , it is a terrible injustice to think that all us fine fellows will cease to exist, in every single form.

I see older folk find religion as they age, they see so many pass on so I don't blame them, hope I have the same.

Any former atheists here who have had a religious awakening??

OP an infinity of nothing is, well, nothing! So you actually won't feel anything, neither pain nor joy. Part of being human and feeling alive is finding motivation and meaning in your life, and it doesn't have to be religion or atheism. You can have faith in yourself, faith in other people, helping them to achieve their potential, fulfilling your own potential and giving your own life meaning in the process, and long after you've gone, those people whose lives you made a difference in will carry your memories and thoughts with them. Your body isn't immortal, but your consciousness certainly is, in those you leave behind when your body can no longer function.

Your body is only a useful tool for your consciousness, so use it and make the best of it and make the best of your life and the lives of those people around you and inspire them to want to inspire other people. That way when you die, it doesn't mean your memories are dead.

zenno · 13-01-2014 03:25AM

The Backwards Man wrote: »

These threads go nowhere, theists and atheists are two peas from the same pod, no difference in them. I'm off to listen to some uplifting music to cheer myself up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxbIU0X-lCI

Great song, I remember it well. That was a blast from the past and at the right time

Dirk Hardpeck · 13-01-2014 03:30AM

I'm not an atheist but I do love this quote from Richard Dawkins:

We are going to die, and that makes us the lucky ones. Most people are never going to die because they are never going to be born. The potential people who could have been here in my place but who will in fact never see the light of day outnumber the sand grains of Arabia. Certainly those unborn ghosts include greater poets than Keats, scientists greater than Newton. We know this because the set of possible people allowed by our DNA so massively exceeds the set of actual people. In the teeth of these stupefying odds it is you and I, in our ordinariness, that are here.

Insect Overlord · 13-01-2014 03:33AM

systemicrisk wrote: »

The OP came on here with what seems like a genuine question regarding something quite important and it seems you go out of your way to find the only part of the post that could be criticised.

systemicrisk wrote: »

I was just questioning why the poster had to immediately jump in and call the OP arrogant for what seems like a question borne out of a possible state of turmoil.

You said "seems like" twice. That's somewhat telling.

zenno · 13-01-2014 03:43AM

Captain Chaos wrote: »

That's agnostic, = not religious but open minded to just about anything.

No. It is not agnostic. I just have the moulder gene that makes me want to believe, but I do have proof, personally, but again, the proof is in me, I cannot show folk this proof, but it doesn't make it un-realistic.

How can I prove to you what I had for breakfast ? I can tell you what I had but would you be sure in believing me of what I had if I told you ? or would you even believe me ?.

DesperateDan · 13-01-2014 03:43AM

Hitch on death.

That is all

Wereghost · 13-01-2014 04:00AM

yawhat! wrote: »

There is one thing I hate about Atheists, they have to tell everyone there an atheist.

But not the ones who don't, obviously.

13-01-2014 04:23AM

Dirk Hardpeck wrote: »

I'm not an atheist but I do love this quote from Richard Dawkins:

We are going to die, and that makes us the lucky ones. Most people are never going to die because they are never going to be born. The potential people who could have been here in my place but who will in fact never see the light of day outnumber the sand grains of Arabia. Certainly those unborn ghosts include greater poets than Keats, scientists greater than Newton. We know this because the set of possible people allowed by our DNA so massively exceeds the set of actual people. In the teeth of these stupefying odds it is you and I, in our ordinariness, that are here.

You should look up the Many Worlds Interpretation, existence could be far crazier than you could possibly imagine

CrinkElite · 13-01-2014 04:25AM

The good life is out there somewhere

nice_very · 13-01-2014 04:36AM

Duck Soup wrote: »

The thing I hate about some atheists is oftentimes they are more pontificating and sanctimonious than religious people.

I'm a confirmed agnostic. Don't know, don't particularly care. But Jesus wept, spare me from the 'intellectual bravery' and searing intellect of an atheist in full shíte.

Catholics are much more fun. Seriously.

when did you "make" your confirmation was it in the auld agnostic satan rituals or with the men in dresses?

Wattle · 13-01-2014 05:04AM

I get the comfort thing that religious people look for. In a lot of ways it's understandable. My mom is a staunch Catholic and sometimes I want to convince her that religion is bullsh1t then I think fuck it why upset her. She's not going to change her mind and I wouldn't be so 100% arrogant to think that I am definitely right and she's completely wrong.

zenno · 13-01-2014 05:20AM

Wattle wrote: »

I get the comfort thing that religious people look for. In a lot of ways it's understandable. My mom is a staunch Catholic and sometimes I want to convince her that religion is bullsh1t then I think fuck it why upset her. She's not going to change her mind and I wouldn't be so 100% arrogant to think that I am definitely right and she's completely wrong.

There is one thing I understand clearly, and it is... have respect for others beliefs. Just because others think they have the answers to life and the universe per se, doesn't give them the right to take a person down regarding their belief system.

In my ramblings, it might seem crazy to other folk, but the number one thing regarding this, is to just respect the person that they are, regardless of a belief system. Every-one has one.

Vito Corleone · 13-01-2014 05:21AM

An infinity of nothing sounds nice.

zenno · 13-01-2014 07:19AM

Vito Corleone wrote: »

An infinity of nothing sounds nice.

I'd hate to burst your bubble, but, infinity is the place we all go to, when the container is empty (what we call "nothing"). The electrical will progress forward into the unknown and recuperate in a new form.

pauldla · 13-01-2014 07:47AM

Evelyn Cusack wrote: »

I truly do, the thought of an infinity of nothing is terrifying.

And Yes I know that you aren't conscious of it so you won't feel the pain, but that is the very tragedy of it, the loss of consciousness.

I love life and the world, all my thoughts will be lost like tears in the rain, to steal a phrase.

I'd prefer to live in blissfull ignorance and I hope I don't offend anyone by saying belief in an afterlife is ignorance because, if faith is a gift, then the receivers of this gift are luckier than I.

Religion is comforting, give me that comfort , it is a terrible injustice to think that all us fine fellows will cease to exist, in every single form.

I see older folk find religion as they age, they see so many pass on so I don't blame them, hope I have the same.

Any former atheists here who have had a religious awakening??

If you seek the comfort of religion to give meaning to your life, OP, go for it. Atheists won't excommunicate you, they won't blacklist you, they won't come around to your house and kick over your milk bottles or pee in your letterbox. And who knows, you might be right to do so; but only you can decide if it is right for you. Live by your own light.

endabob1 · 13-01-2014 08:11AM

CrinkElite wrote: »

The good life is out there somewhere

So stay on my arm, you little charmer

Ghost Buster · 13-01-2014 08:18AM

yawhat! wrote: »

There is one thing I hate about Atheists, they have to tell everyone there an atheist.

Yes, they should never have elected the op to speak on behalf of all atheists

J. Marston · 13-01-2014 08:25AM

Duck Soup wrote: »

The thing I hate about some atheists is oftentimes they are more pontificating and sanctimonious than religious people.

I'm a confirmed agnostic. Don't know, don't particularly care. But Jesus wept, spare me from the 'intellectual bravery' and searing intellect of an atheist in full shíte.

Catholics are much more fun. Seriously.

That's the internet atheist. The arsiest of arseholes.

LuckyLloyd · 13-01-2014 08:44AM

Nestle wrote: »

In Ireland being an atheist is the default position and that held by most. This is because the top level scientists and academic philosophers hold to this position and these are thought to be best equipped to know about that sort of thing.

What a horror show being alive in the 21st century is. We have it so easy physically yet psychologically it's a war-zone. The feeling of utter meaninglessness is so prevalent and the only remedy is to seek pleasurable distractions.

At least in times past life was a struggle so we actually had something to strive for, to see a better day. Now we have all that we could want yet we're still not happy.

Everyone in the world should mutually agree to shoot themselves in the face with a double barreled shotgun at an agreed time and place. It can take place in the middle east since that's at the center of the globe and they will be glad to host the big event as they actually think they'll survive death and get some nice young tush in the process. Perhaps instead of the 2018 world cup in Quatar we can do my plan instead.

The position of 'top level scientists and academic philosophers' has no bearing on my atheism I assure you.

Sin City · 13-01-2014 08:55AM

I think the a better statement from the op is that she wishes that there was an afterlife , not that she wishes she wasn't an atheist. If she wanted not to be an atheist she could simple believe in a god and after life . However logic may be getting in the way of her changing her belief.

Life is all we have tough when we die we expiernce nothing.
Its the same as before to were born. You wont feel or notice a thing as you won't exist so you wont feel that your missing out on something.

We are all on a limited time frame in this world. When you except that everyone dies and there is nothing you can do to prevent it and no matter how much you wish an afterlife to be true isnt gong to change that fact

Live life to the full
Because there are no second chances when its over

I hate being an atheist

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