To: Atheists/Agnostics etc.

[tcsenter]

What do you mean "what keeps you going" as though life could be hard for some Atheists and agnostics? Life is really nice for us, since we have no morals and whatnot. We sleep great after eating the infants, ravaging the virgins, besmirching Baby Jesus, exploiting our neighbors and then defrauding the system to avoid paying taxes. I look forward to each and every day!

We hang-in there because there is a 100% chance or probability that you will NOT find meaning and purpose in this life if you throw in the towel. 100% chance or probability of NOT finding that thing or perspective that makes you want to get out of bed as opposed to merely forcing yourself to get out of bed, if you don't keep going.

There are times in life where you are entitled to define the truth, or rather, your truth. If you believe its over for you, then you're exactly right - its OVER!

 

[Annisman*]

Couldn't sleep, so I thought I would address some of your responses:

@ Trident, that is an excellent quote, and that person may very well be ok with uncertainty and the answers or lackthereof. I however, and some others of course don't want to just leave it at that. And I assume that is why there are many religions worldwide.

@Darkshade You have every right to ask that question! I would not be offended by answering it, though the way you put it seems a little harsh don't you think ?

@PowerEngineer, I am afraid I can't give you what you are looking for. I don't know for certain what awaits in heaven. But if one chooses to believe the Bible it will be 'perfect', what other adjective would be better to describe it ?

If anyone thinks I am using religion as a shield to myself for any deficency, that's fine and you have the right to think that. I have plenty of deficencies and faults and will openly admit to it. No surprises there I think.

@ Jeff, I'll look closer at your post tomorrow when I have some time to take a closer look.

 

[Ruptga]

Someone once said that there is an inverse relationship between happiness and interest in the meaning of life. I can't find where I first read that, but I am pretty sure it was in a webcomic. Either way, they're right. You can be depressed about there being no fundamental meaning, or you can kick ass. Try both and get back to me on which is more fulfilling, then guess which I chose.

 

[Gintaras]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPOfurmrjxo

What keeps you going ? What is your hope for your current life ?

I am honestly not trying to start any kind of argument, I legitimately want to know what it is that you look forward to.

If there is no God, if there is nothing after death, if there is no right/wrong determined by a higher power etc. Then, to be blunt, what keeps you from ending it all right now ?


I've had my share of heartache, and I see many many more people with far bigger struggles and troubles.

If I was completely sold on there being no God or afterlife, I sincerly believe I would have put a gun to my head long ago.

Everyone will agree that we take nothing with us when we die. None of our wealth, posessions or even loved ones.

So what is keeping you going ? What do you put your hope into ?

Been thinking about how depressing that would be, and really wanted to hear some feedback.

 

[Raizinman]

I could easily ask you the same question. I have a son who from a relatively early age started to devote himself to religion. His religion requires him to pray 3 hours a day, even more on Saturday. His religion tells him how to dress, how to cut his hair, what to eat, where to live, who to marry, where to send his children to school, whether to be an organ donor or not, when to have sex, and on and on and on. He has very little decision in his life. Should something come up that confuses him, he will run to his Rabbi and ask him to decide for him. I don’t see this as living. As we have argued for many years, I believe that his is taking the easy route. Following this religious program on the hope for heaven instead of hell? He can’t even describe to me what heaven is or what it will be like, but he is on the path to devote his ENTIRE life on this. Is this living? I don’t think so. Religion has created little software robots that require following of their religious programming with no proof of a creator, no proof of heaven, and no proof of hell. It is all just a story book parable that has been used for thousands of years to force ignorant people to act moral. Without government and police, religion was necessary to control the people. What prevented people thousands of years ago from killing? There was no government, police or such to enforce laws. People did not kill because of their religion. We don’t need religion today. I have my own hopes and dreams. I depend on myself for solving problems. I don’t need to pray all day for a pay raise or to help aunt Betty with her cancer.

 

[Kantastic]

But your hard work and determination leads to what end ? Is what I am asking. Do you want to leave a legacy to mankind ? What is 'success' in your words ?

I want to go a little deeper than just saying I want to be successful. What does being successful or a failure or a good or bad person matter at all if there is nothing after this.

And I assure you, that my belief in God has not made me less hard working or determined, like yourself.

Right now I'm fighting hard to get into med school so I can bank at least 200 grand by the time I'm 30. What does that mean to a god-less atheist like me? It means I can support my parents the way they supported me and ensure that they can live the entirety of their retirement without worrying about money. I can also comfortably support 2 kids of my own so that they can grow up and have an opportunity to do what they are passionate about, and not be forced to pick a safe career that pays well.

Unlike you, I'm not praying to god every night and hoping he'll make things right. If I want something done, I bust my ass for it. The love and sacrifices I've made for my parents and for my future kids isn't like yours; my love is unconditional. People like you seem to think religion is the source of morality. I assure YOU that it isn't. It's merely those worthless human beings who need something to convince themselves that not being a primitive savage is a worthwhile path in life. It's those who need religion in order to be good people.

There have been many thoughtful responses in such a short time, I have been enjoying reading them all.

The general answer seems to be to live a good life, enjoy the time here, appreciate being alive at all.

I'm not trying to persuade anybody to anything, I beleive that people have to experience God to beleive, nobody is going to do that on a message board!

Yeah and I believe people have to experience freedom from the perverse tyrant you call god in order to disbelieve.

 

[randomrogue]

What keeps you going ? What is your hope for your current life ?

I am honestly not trying to start any kind of argument, I legitimately want to know what it is that you look forward to.

If there is no God, if there is nothing after death, if there is no right/wrong determined by a higher power etc. Then, to be blunt, what keeps you from ending it all right now ?


I've had my share of heartache, and I see many many more people with far bigger struggles and troubles.

If I was completely sold on there being no God or afterlife, I sincerly believe I would have put a gun to my head long ago.

Everyone will agree that we take nothing with us when we die. None of our wealth, posessions or even loved ones.

So what is keeping you going ? What do you put your hope into ?

Been thinking about how depressing that would be, and really wanted to hear some feedback.

Why would you kill yourself if there was NO afterlife. Wouldn't it make more sense to kill yourself if there was an afterlife?

I don't need religion to give my life value. I don't need religion to give me value when I die.

I think for me it's the absurdity of organized religion. The idea that I need to live my life according to an ancient crazy book so that I can go to heaven after I die is complete rubbish.

 

[ProchargeMe]

I've been agnostic for most of my life, I'm neither for or against religion. I believe you should just go with the flow of life from sunrise to sunset, sure life gets hard sometimes but that's normally a temporary struggle. Just live, it feels good. I don't think about the afterlife much and i don't think of death much. It happens to everyone. Just live man.

 

[JackBurton]

What keeps you going ? What is your hope for your current life ?

I am honestly not trying to start any kind of argument, I legitimately want to know what it is that you look forward to.

If there is no God, if there is nothing after death, if there is no right/wrong determined by a higher power etc. Then, to be blunt, what keeps you from ending it all right now ?


I've had my share of heartache, and I see many many more people with far bigger struggles and troubles.

If I was completely sold on there being no God or afterlife, I sincerly believe I would have put a gun to my head long ago.

Everyone will agree that we take nothing with us when we die. None of our wealth, posessions or even loved ones.

So what is keeping you going ? What do you put your hope into ?

Been thinking about how depressing that would be, and really wanted to hear some feedback.

<yoda voice> That is why you fail. </yoda voice>

 

[poohbear]

If i were a pure atheist, it would be purely scientific: the purpose of life is to pass on your genes to perserve them. So having children is a big goal for me, otherwise i agree, there would be no point. But im more of an agnostic, leaning heavily towards atheist because i was brought up to believe in god. Ofcourse the more i lived and travelled, i've come to realize its very unlikely god exists, but i can't deny ot completely.(maybe thats the part of my upbringing wherein i was taught absolute disbelief in god is guaranteed damnation, so i'll concede that he MIGHT exist to avoid that, eternal damnatipn in hell is never good. Lol)

 

[sandorski]

If i were a pure atheist, it would be purely scientific: the purpose of life is to pass on your genes to perserve them. So having children is a big goal for me, otherwise i agree, there would be no point. But im more of an agnostic, leaning heavily towards atheist because i was brought up to believe in god. Ofcourse the more i lived and travelled, i've come to realize its very unlikely god exists, but i can't deny ot completely.(maybe thats the part of my upbringing wherein i was taught absolute disbelief in god is guaranteed damnation, so i'll concede that he MIGHT exist to avoid that, eternal damnatipn in hell is never good. Lol)

"Pure Atheist"? I think you meant "Vulcan".

 

[grrl]

OP is a troll and/or shockingly simple-minded.

 

[tommo123]

What keeps you going ? What is your hope for your current life ?

I am honestly not trying to start any kind of argument, I legitimately want to know what it is that you look forward to.

If there is no God, if there is nothing after death, if there is no right/wrong determined by a higher power etc. Then, to be blunt, what keeps you from ending it all right now ?


I've had my share of heartache, and I see many many more people with far bigger struggles and troubles.

If I was completely sold on there being no God or afterlife, I sincerly believe I would have put a gun to my head long ago.

Everyone will agree that we take nothing with us when we die. None of our wealth, posessions or even loved ones.

So what is keeping you going ? What do you put your hope into ?

Been thinking about how depressing that would be, and really wanted to hear some feedback.

let me ask you something. do you believe that everything is predetermined by god? must be if he's all powerful/knowing/seeing. in that case, then you have no free will. you have no choice in anything you do. more to the point, every bit of pain/sorrow/misery in your life was something your god decided to make you feel. but not to "test your faith" as you have no choice whether to "believe". that was predetermined remember? it was all done for shits and giggles.

related note - can't we use this against the religious nuts who won't accept you don't believe? just say "if i don't believe it must be because your god made it that way"

 

[ch33zw1z]

What keeps you going ? What is your hope for your current life ?

I am honestly not trying to start any kind of argument, I legitimately want to know what it is that you look forward to.

If there is no God, if there is nothing after death, if there is no right/wrong determined by a higher power etc. Then, to be blunt, what keeps you from ending it all right now ?


I've had my share of heartache, and I see many many more people with far bigger struggles and troubles.

If I was completely sold on there being no God or afterlife, I sincerly believe I would have put a gun to my head long ago.

Everyone will agree that we take nothing with us when we die. None of our wealth, posessions or even loved ones.

So what is keeping you going ? What do you put your hope into ?

Been thinking about how depressing that would be, and really wanted to hear some feedback.

I consider myself Agnostic i guess...

The Golden Rule is how I try to live my life. The way I see it, our purpose in life is to create a better world for the next generation. Life is short, keep family close, hugs your kids, and be kind to others.

I was raised in a deeply Protestant family, and you are right on the depressing part. At first, when I was trying to break out of the thought process that religion had created, life did indeed feeling meaningless and depressing.

After a little while, it got better because I realized to the things I did, I now did of my own volition, not because I was in fear of eternal damnation. I feel more in control on my life, myself, and who I choose to be. The choices are not longer coerced through fear tactics, and promises that cannot be proven.

Hope this makes sense. I'm tired and may not be articulating. This is just a quick overview, and a long story made short. I've had this conversation with a few different people who asked me the same question as you.

They believe in God, and are Christian. I told them if you truly do, then you realize that God knew this would be my decision before I was even born...

 

[olds]

This thread is kind of funny.
I am not a believer but my morals are better than 90% of religious folks, especially Catholics. I don't lie, cheat or steal. I have to live with myself and can't run off to some church and ask for forgiveness so I can start over on my "sins". I do the right thing even when no one else is looking or it may inconvenience me.

As for what keeps me going: life. I have fun and there is beauty everywhere.
Just seeing a gorgeous sunset or woman makes me want to see another one.

 

[Paul98]

I think this question is better asked to those who actually believe in god and an afterlife. What is the point of living this life when you will live forever in an afterlife. Why would you go out of your way to avoid death if it gets so much better after you die?

Seems if you need a god to make life meaningful you have a problem.

 

[BudAshes]

Sex, Bacon and rock and roll.

 

[olds]

Sex, Bacon and rock and roll.

Damn. Now I am hungry.

 

[BudAshes]

Damn. Now I am hungry.

I just realized I keep capitalizing Bacon :hmm:

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Taboo: Male Virgin

You're on a roll tonight, dude!

Your OP stinks of arrogance, you came here to stir things up..then you exited the thread without making a single intelligent argument. Your kind is all too common.

Damn.. no wonder he thinks life is meaningless and wants to kill himself.

 

[TheShiz]

There is an excellent BBC series that addresses this question in 3 episodes by Richard Dawkins. OP if you are truly interested in how atheists can live a fulfilling life without religion I suggest you watch it. It's on youtube. For all of us AT atheists it's also very entertaining and puts great ideas into thoughtful words.

"sex, death and the meaning of life"

 

[Cookie]

What keeps me going is that I love my life. I love experiencing new things, new challenges, new people, new places, new ideas, new puzzles, new activities. Even when I have bad days, weeks, months, or years, I know the hard times will pass and I'll get back to loving my life and spending my time getting the most out of it while I still have the opportunity. On top of that family and friends, life and love, pleasure and pain, happy puppies and laughing children, all keep me going.

Your description of knowing 100% that there is a god I'm supposed to be pleasing actually makes me a little queasy and depressed. If I want to please anyone I'll do it by my own choice out of love or respect, not because I'm a little obidient pawn of some perverse all knowing god.

I feel that I find much more meaning in life and reason to live than I would if I believed in god. There's so much more to life than religion.

 

[soulcougher73]

I believe Athiest/Agnostics make the world a better place because they usually care more about the now and here than Theists who cant wait to move onto the next stage with God. So they end up caring about what happens in the world and people and want to make it a better place for the future of mankind.

Religion has brought more death and destruction to the world than i care to think about. And with so many different religions in the world how do you know you have the right one? I mean if it was so obvious yours was right there wouldnt be so many different ones in the first place.

 

[soulcougher73]

Also if there is no God, then what *IS* evil? What is the definition of doing something bad? You can kill people if you want, it's not a sin, sin does not exist. There is no right or wrong, everything is neutral. Some people even believe that life is just a chemical reaction that is predetermined and there is no self awareness or freewill. If that was the case then we are equivalent to acid eating through something. The acid is not committing a crime by destroying something else, it's just a chemical systematically doing what science determined. Some people actually believe living things are like that. D: Sad way to look at what life is.

See picture in post 10.

 

[biostud]

There's is still love, friendship, laughter, family, happiness etc., that exists in an atheists life just as much in a person who believe in god. For an atheist that is enough.

You can turn the question around and ask yourself can you live a life with only the belief in god as a marker? Not the love to your family and friends and the world around you?