Discussion for those too lazy to switch religions

[lewisnotmiller]

I almost put this in Jokes, but I'm actually semi-serious (at least) here.

I'm not judging anyone, either. I've been a dyed in the wool atheist-type person for about 40 years. Who knows exactly when it stated, but...anyways. Quite a while. In that time, I haven't deviated. I have changed a little in how I'd define atheism, and I've changed quite a bit in how I view religion, theology, and the religious. But still, an atheist.
I haven't invested massive swathes of my life in researching all the various religions. It's entirely possible that there is one out there that would hit me like a hammer in the forehead, and make me suddenly religious (and/or a theist). What I have done is re-investigated some of the religions that are around me, due to friends and family affiliations.

From a 'google search and read a book' point of view, I've done far, far more than that, but I'm talking more about immersive experiences to see how the religion 'feels' rather than an intellectual exercise.

So, c'mon you 'stayers', be you religious or not. Why have you stayed with your religion/atheism/whateverism? Don't you know there is a rich tapestry of other beliefs out there? How do you know yours is tastiest, if you haven't properly sampled each? And yes, I'm mixing metaphors and horribly hashing up this OP. The best part of being an atheist is that no-one is judging me, so deal with it.

(err...the last was a joke)

 

[Quintessence]

I don't think you are lazy, I think you found yourself and your way of life and are happy with it. Once you figure out who you are, whose you are, and how you relate to the greater world (aka, your religion) you don't tend to deviate from that unless some tumultuous life event has you existentially questioning the roots of your existence again. Once I learned Paganism was a thing, I haven't at any point considered being anything else... because Paganism (Druidry, more specifically) describes who I am, whose I am, and how I relate to the greater world. There's so much richness within my own religious tradition that I couldn't explore all of it in my lifetime if I tried.

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I grew up drawn to humanism and excited by my first exposure to Ancient Near East history and archaeology. Judaism, with its Tanakh, provided a challenging yet entertaining and valuable approach to that intersecting domain, and to community as well. It still does.

 

[JustGeorge]

I actually study other religions. Why? Because its fun(for me). So yes, there is indeed a rich tapestry of other beliefs out there. And there's nothing stopping me from exploring those, either. I've been asked "so if its all fake, then you've wasted your time". Not at all. Some enjoy theatre, I enjoy puja and ritual. Others read novels, I read scriptures or books of a general religious nature(and genuinely enjoy it). Why does it matter if the murals I paint are religious? I am having a blast. And if the religious experiences I have are my brain playing tricks, so what? They've made my life wonderful, and have harmed none.

The further along I get, the less stingy of my labels I get. 'Hindu' best describes me, and it works in a group of people that aren't generally knowledgeable about Hinduism. In a group of Hindus, though, its not as helpful, and I've never had a proper label(which I think is okay). I'm not a Vaishnava, Saiva, or Shakta. What am I? I 'unno. And then that doesn't even address the 'blended' traditions of being in a multi-faith setting.

So, I guess I do immerse myself in other traditions from time to time. I might go 'home' at the end of the party, but its always great to spend time with 'friends'.

 

[sayak83]

I almost put this in Jokes, but I'm actually semi-serious (at least) here.

I'm not judging anyone, either. I've been a dyed in the wool atheist-type person for about 40 years. Who knows exactly when it stated, but...anyways. Quite a while. In that time, I haven't deviated. I have changed a little in how I'd define atheism, and I've changed quite a bit in how I view religion, theology, and the religious. But still, an atheist.
I haven't invested massive swathes of my life in researching all the various religions. It's entirely possible that there is one out there that would hit me like a hammer in the forehead, and make me suddenly religious (and/or a theist). What I have done is re-investigated some of the religions that are around me, due to friends and family affiliations.

From a 'google search and read a book' point of view, I've done far, far more than that, but I'm talking more about immersive experiences to see how the religion 'feels' rather than an intellectual exercise.

So, c'mon you 'stayers', be you religious or not. Why have you stayed with your religion/atheism/whateverism? Don't you know there is a rich tapestry of other beliefs out there? How do you know yours is tastiest, if you haven't properly sampled each? And yes, I'm mixing metaphors and horribly hashing up this OP. The best part of being an atheist is that no-one is judging me, so deal with it.

(err...the last was a joke)

During my US stay, I got an excellent opportunity to study and participate in religious discussions and activities of many faiths...ranging from atheists, buddhists, confucians, jews, muslims and of course Christians (mostly evangelical but some Catholic and Pentecostal as well). I feel that exposure had significantly improved my overall depth of worldview as well as how I practice my faith. As to why I have not left my faith....I think there is a Hinduism that works for any person with any inclination whatsoever. As for myself, I do find the monistic concepts in the core books of Hinduism (like the Upanisads) a good fit both for the world that I observe and the spiritual experiences I have had in my life. So there remains no reason to change.
As for atheism, I find the Epicurean philosophy a good one to follow, and I like the development that have happened by modern epicureans on that front. I find the following to be very salutary, as well as the proposition of the atomistic ideas (similar to Vaishesika principles in India).

When we say ... that pleasure is the end and aim, we do not mean the pleasures of the prodigal or the pleasures of sensuality, as we are understood to do by some through ignorance, prejudice or wilful misrepresentation. By pleasure we mean the absence of pain in the body and of trouble in the soul. It is not by an unbroken succession of drinking bouts and of revelry, not by sexual lust, nor the enjoyment of fish and other delicacies of a luxurious table, which produce a pleasant life; it is sober reasoning, searching out the grounds of every choice and avoidance, and banishing those beliefs through which the greatest tumults take possession of the soul.

— Epicurus, "Letter to Menoeceus"