Terrified of becoming an atheist again

[QuestioningMind]

As an atheist, I would kill myself. I have tried to be an atheist and it lead to me having nothing to live for but drugs and pleasure. It eventually lead to me stabbing a man and I found God in jail. If I knew there was no God, I would end this life and do society a favor.

I'm terrified of who I am without the creator. I am terrified to think of what will become of me if I become an atheist again.

I'm convinced that the voice inside me telling me to be good to others, think positively, renounce and reject the toxic thoughts, forgive others, be meek, humble, charitable, peaceful, and simple is God and spirit-guides directing me.

I'm too scared I'd hurt other people if I didn't believe in God and spirits.

Even as an atheist, wouldn't you agree that for certain people, having belief in God can be healthy? It can motivate them to do good works, be kind to others, forgive, avoid hurting others, and also give them the joy and peace to not hurt themselves

If I don't believe there are spirits guiding me, I'm a dangerous person.

I believe that all there is is the material world and that it essentially doesn't matter if I'm humble, peaceful, forgiving, and kind to people. Either way, I'm just going to die and not be held accountable for my actions and life becomes a selfish three ring circus **** show where I just live for the moment and pleasure and don't care about morals.

I find this to be a very interesting concept. Is it possible for someone to truly believe in spirit guides just because they feel as if they need to in order to not be a dangerous person? It seems to me that you either genuinely believe that the spirit guides exist or you don't.

Personally I think it would be quite comforting to know that there's an afterlife; yet no matter how comforting I might think it would be, until I come across some reliable evidence that an afterlife actually exists I can't just 'make' myself believe that there is one. It kind of like when a theist tells me that first I need to have faith and just believe in God and THEN God will provide me with evidence that He exists. How is that possible? I could pretend to believe, but in order to have genuine belief, my logical rational brain requires evidence.

 

[Willamena]

As an atheist, I would kill myself. I have tried to be an atheist and it lead to me having nothing to live for but drugs and pleasure. It eventually lead to me stabbing a man and I found God in jail. If I knew there was no God, I would end this life and do society a favor.

Re being an atheist, I don't think you were doing it right.

I'm terrified of who I am without the creator. I am terrified to think of what will become of me if I become an atheist again.

I'm convinced that the voice inside me telling me to be good to others, think positively, renounce and reject the toxic thoughts, forgive others, be meek, humble, charitable, peaceful, and simple is God and spirit-guides directing me.

I'm too scared I'd hurt other people if I didn't believe in God and spirits.

You can have that voice as an atheist, too, except we call it Conscience.

Even as an atheist, wouldn't you agree that for certain people, having belief in God can be healthy? It can motivate them to do good works, be kind to others, forgive, avoid hurting others, and also give them the joy and peace to not hurt themselves

Of course.

If I don't believe there are spirits guiding me, I'm a dangerous person.

I believe that all there is is the material world and that it essentially doesn't matter if I'm humble, peaceful, forgiving, and kind to people. Either way, I'm just going to die and not be held accountable for my actions and life becomes a selfish three ring circus **** show where I just live for the moment and pleasure and don't care about morals.

You don't have to be a different person at all, just drop the make-belief.

 

[Underhill]

As an atheist, I would kill myself. I have tried to be an atheist and it lead to me having nothing to live for but drugs and pleasure. It eventually lead to me stabbing a man and I found God in jail. If I knew there was no God, I would end this life and do society a favor.

I'm terrified of who I am without the creator. I am terrified to think of what will become of me if I become an atheist again.

I'm convinced that the voice inside me telling me to be good to others, think positively, renounce and reject the toxic thoughts, forgive others, be meek, humble, charitable, peaceful, and simple is God and spirit-guides directing me.

I'm too scared I'd hurt other people if I didn't believe in God and spirits.

Even as an atheist, wouldn't you agree that for certain people, having belief in God can be healthy? It can motivate them to do good works, be kind to others, forgive, avoid hurting others, and also give them the joy and peace to not hurt themselves

If I don't believe there are spirits guiding me, I'm a dangerous person.

I believe that all there is is the material world and that it essentially doesn't matter if I'm humble, peaceful, forgiving, and kind to people. Either way, I'm just going to die and not be held accountable for my actions and life becomes a selfish three ring circus **** show where I just live for the moment and pleasure and don't care about morals.

I think what you are describing is a failure in our society. God and religion has become our crutch rather than community and the ties of human compassion.

It is sad that one has to have a deity to feel connected or motivated to be decent.

As for your question, yes, in this society I can see where the notion of god could be a useful crutch. I've known alcoholics and drug addicts who said much the same thing.

Outside of religion our society often doesn't have the strong family or community ties we all want and some of us need. We have become a nation of islands, when we should be the nation of interdependent people working as communities our intelligence should allow us to be. Having spent some time in the world, many places accomplish this much better than we do in the US. In poorer nations such cooperation is fundamental to survival and I think it helps them in ways they often don't even realize. But our wealth, combined with our technology, has allowed us to become these pods of independence.

I don't know if that kind of connection would help your specific condition, but I've often longed for it in my day to day life after experiencing it elsewhere.

 

[Altfish]

As an atheist, I would kill myself. I have tried to be an atheist and it lead to me having nothing to live for but drugs and pleasure. It eventually lead to me stabbing a man and I found God in jail. If I knew there was no God, I would end this life and do society a favor.

I'm terrified of who I am without the creator. I am terrified to think of what will become of me if I become an atheist again.

I'm convinced that the voice inside me telling me to be good to others, think positively, renounce and reject the toxic thoughts, forgive others, be meek, humble, charitable, peaceful, and simple is God and spirit-guides directing me.

I'm too scared I'd hurt other people if I didn't believe in God and spirits.

Even as an atheist, wouldn't you agree that for certain people, having belief in God can be healthy? It can motivate them to do good works, be kind to others, forgive, avoid hurting others, and also give them the joy and peace to not hurt themselves

If I don't believe there are spirits guiding me, I'm a dangerous person.

I believe that all there is is the material world and that it essentially doesn't matter if I'm humble, peaceful, forgiving, and kind to people. Either way, I'm just going to die and not be held accountable for my actions and life becomes a selfish three ring circus **** show where I just live for the moment and pleasure and don't care about morals.

Well, doesn't that statement just prove that atheists who don't rape, steal, murder and are generally good guys despite creator looking over them and the threat of punishment in the afterlife are the most moral people on earth.

If you are only good because you fear retribution, what a poor person you are!

 

[paarsurrey]

Well, doesn't that statement just prove that atheists who don't rape, steal, murder and are generally good guys despite creator looking over them and the threat of punishment in the afterlife are the most moral people on earth.

If you are only good because you fear retribution, what a poor person you are!

Why do the government, any government in the world, do punish the criminals? Doesn't fear and love both play a useful part in human development of self?
Regards

_____________
@ Fear and love
"When asked why people stay together, Ms. Kinsey stated that it was due to a “fear of loneliness.” This fear of loneliness keeps couples together, even when it might be best for all parties to ultimately separate. In addition, Ms. Kinsey stated “there is a deep fear of growing old alone.” This fear will keep couples together; in fact, it can even be the motivation to have children. While the desire to have children can absolutely be a biologically driven need, the truth is that some couples have children so there will be someone to take care of them when they get older."
http://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1218&context=srhonorsprog

 

[CogentPhilosopher]

As an atheist, I would kill myself. I have tried to be an atheist and it lead to me having nothing to live for but drugs and pleasure. It eventually lead to me stabbing a man and I found God in jail. If I knew there was no God, I would end this life and do society a favor.

I'm terrified of who I am without the creator. I am terrified to think of what will become of me if I become an atheist again.

I'm convinced that the voice inside me telling me to be good to others, think positively, renounce and reject the toxic thoughts, forgive others, be meek, humble, charitable, peaceful, and simple is God and spirit-guides directing me.

I'm too scared I'd hurt other people if I didn't believe in God and spirits.

Even as an atheist, wouldn't you agree that for certain people, having belief in God can be healthy? It can motivate them to do good works, be kind to others, forgive, avoid hurting others, and also give them the joy and peace to not hurt themselves

If I don't believe there are spirits guiding me, I'm a dangerous person.

I believe that all there is is the material world and that it essentially doesn't matter if I'm humble, peaceful, forgiving, and kind to people. Either way, I'm just going to die and not be held accountable for my actions and life becomes a selfish three ring circus **** show where I just live for the moment and pleasure and don't care about morals.

Why do you need to believe in punishment to not do bad things?

Would you wish to do harm to me or to help me?

I want to help you despite having no reward for myself for it.

 

[LuisDantas]

Why do the government, any government in the world, do punish the criminals? Doesn't fear and love both play a useful part in human development of self?

It seems that you missed the point.

 

[Spiderman]

Why do you need to believe in punishment to not do bad things?

Would you wish to do harm to me or to help me?

I want to help you despite having no reward for myself for it.

Because I wouldn't stay sober for one. I would not see any reason to help anyone. In the end we just die and the spirit doesn't go on living, so I'd just speed the process up and kill myself. In the end we just die and enter into nothingness, so in the end it wouldn't make a difference anyway whether I killed myself or not.

Guess i'm just not a good person. With faith I have done good works and been honest because I believed my higher power was aware of my actions. Yes, I need that faith in order to live an honest upright life. Guess that means I'm naturally not a good person.

Some of it is I simply don't think I have anything to offer others if God doesn't enlighten and guide me.

 

[Polymath257]

Because I wouldn't stay sober for one. I would not see any reason to help anyone. In the end we just die and the spirit doesn't go on living, so I'd just speed the process up and kill myself. In the end we just die and enter into nothingness, so in the end it wouldn't make a difference anyway whether I killed myself or not.

Guess i'm just not a good person. With faith I have done good works and been honest because I believed my higher power was aware of my actions. Yes, I need that faith in order to live an honest upright life. Guess that means I'm naturally not a good person.

Some of it is I simply don't think I have anything to offer others if God doesn't enlighten and guide me.

It saddens me that you feel you need this to be good. I suspect you are wrong, but you are the main one to determine this.

 

[Spiderman]

Well, doesn't that statement just prove that atheists who don't rape, steal, murder and are generally good guys despite creator looking over them and the threat of punishment in the afterlife are the most moral people on earth.

If you are only good because you fear retribution, what a poor person you are!

It isn't just the fear of retribution but the belief that there are spirits that care about what I do with my time...but yes, atheists are the most moral people on earth if they are doing their actions to be good people without any fear of punishment or reward

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

@PopeADope

You should look into Mahayana Buddhism. It's all about being selfless, endless empathy and compassion, has spiritual beliefs including figures similar to deities and such, but lacks a lot of the shortcomings of Christianity as far as I can see. Mindfulness practices could be of great use to you, I think. I'm in DBT therapy and most of it is centered on mindfulness practices, which are influenced by Buddhism.

What Mahayana Buddhists Believe

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Because I wouldn't stay sober for one. I would not see any reason to help anyone. In the end we just die and the spirit doesn't go on living, so I'd just speed the process up and kill myself. In the end we just die and enter into nothingness, so in the end it wouldn't make a difference anyway whether I killed myself or not.

Guess i'm just not a good person. With faith I have done good works and been honest because I believed my higher power was aware of my actions. Yes, I need that faith in order to live an honest upright life. Guess that means I'm naturally not a good person.

Some of it is I simply don't think I have anything to offer others if God doesn't enlighten and guide me.

Err...Might not be an ideal conversation to have with you, but how does permanency of spirit lend meaning to life?

Is an 80 year olds life more meaningful than an 8 year olds?

 

[CogentPhilosopher]

Because I wouldn't stay sober for one. I would not see any reason to help anyone. In the end we just die and the spirit doesn't go on living, so I'd just speed the process up and kill myself. In the end we just die and enter into nothingness, so in the end it wouldn't make a difference anyway whether I killed myself or not.

Guess i'm just not a good person. With faith I have done good works and been honest because I believed my higher power was aware of my actions. Yes, I need that faith in order to live an honest upright life. Guess that means I'm naturally not a good person.

Some of it is I simply don't think I have anything to offer others if God doesn't enlighten and guide me.

Since life is temporary doesn't that give it more meaning?

If you use your life to help others, then your actions will last far after your gone.

 

[Spiderman]

Since life is temporary doesn't that give it more meaning?

If you use your life to help others, then your actions will last far after your gone.

In order for me to stay sober, I have to know that God and my friends in heaven want me to stay sober. I have to know that there is something other than me that has a plan and destiny for me. It's complicated.

I wouldn't find motive to live if I didn't believe in a power greater than myself. I'm too messed up. I'd just do society a favor and kill myself.

 

[Spiderman]

Err...Might not be an ideal conversation to have with you, but how does permanency of spirit lend meaning to life?

Is an 80 year olds life more meaningful than an 8 year olds?

permanency of spirit means I'm held accountable for what I do with my life.

Also, if I believe that there is a God that wants me to stay sober, I'm more likely to stay sober.

I don't know how to answer your last question there. *Scratches head*

 

[Pudding]

Please explain your full definitions for 'atheist'.

As an atheist, I would kill myself.

Why you would kill youself if you're an atheist?

I have tried to be an atheist and it lead to me having nothing to live for but drugs and pleasure.

Why being an atheist lead to you having nothing to live for but drugs and pleasure?

It eventually lead to me stabbing a man

Why being an atheist eventually lead to you stabbing a man?

and I found God in jail.

I see.

If I knew there was no God, I would end this life and do society a favor.

Why you would end your life and do society a favor if you knew there was no God?

I'm terrified of who I am without the creator.

Why would you terrified of who you are without the creator?

I am terrified to think of what will become of me if I become an atheist again.

Why would you terrified to think of what will become of you if you become an atheist again?

I'm convinced that the voice inside me telling me to be good to others, think positively, renounce and reject the toxic thoughts, forgive others, be meek, humble, charitable, peaceful, and simple is God and spirit-guides directing me.

I can understand that is what you believe. I do not have any objections to your rights of having your beliefs.

I'm too scared I'd hurt other people if I didn't believe in God and spirits.

Why you would hurt other people if you didn't believe in God and spirits?

Even as an atheist, wouldn't you agree that for certain people, having belief in God can be healthy? It can motivate them to do good works, be kind to others, forgive, avoid hurting others, and also give them the joy and peace to not hurt themselves

Yes it can be. Just like some people likes reading, some other people likes cooking, some other people likes to enjoy good food...etc. Each to their own.

If some people finds out that they becomes more healthy when they have the belief in God and their belief in God makes them a better person, i do not have any objections to their rights for them to having belief in their God.

If I don't believe there are spirits guiding me, I'm a dangerous person.

Why you would be a dangerous person if you don't believe there are spirits guiding you?

I believe that all there is is the material world

Why do you believe that all there is is the material world?

and that it essentially doesn't matter if I'm humble, peaceful, forgiving, and kind to people.

Why do you believe that it essentially doesn't matter if you are humble, peaceful, forgiving and kind to people?

Either way, I'm just going to die and not be held accountable for my actions

Why do you think you will not be held accountable for your actions?

and life becomes a selfish three ring circus **** show where I just live for the moment and pleasure and don't care about morals.

Why would you just live for the moment and pleasure and don't care about morals?

 

[CogentPhilosopher]

In order for me to stay sober, I have to know that God and my friends in heaven want me to stay sober. I have to know that there is something other than me that has a plan and destiny for me. It's complicated.

I wouldn't find motive to live if I didn't believe in a power greater than myself. I'm too messed up. I'd just do society a favor and kill myself.

Your friends on Earth want you to stay sober. How is that any different?

If you killed yourself you would bring misery to lots of people including myself. But if you lived trying to help others you could bring happiness to many others.

 

[james bond]

As an atheist, I would kill myself. I have tried to be an atheist and it lead to me having nothing to live for but drugs and pleasure. It eventually lead to me stabbing a man and I found God in jail. If I knew there was no God, I would end this life and do society a favor.

I'm terrified of who I am without the creator. I am terrified to think of what will become of me if I become an atheist again.

I'm convinced that the voice inside me telling me to be good to others, think positively, renounce and reject the toxic thoughts, forgive others, be meek, humble, charitable, peaceful, and simple is God and spirit-guides directing me.

I'm too scared I'd hurt other people if I didn't believe in God and spirits.

Even as an atheist, wouldn't you agree that for certain people, having belief in God can be healthy? It can motivate them to do good works, be kind to others, forgive, avoid hurting others, and also give them the joy and peace to not hurt themselves

If I don't believe there are spirits guiding me, I'm a dangerous person.

I believe that all there is is the material world and that it essentially doesn't matter if I'm humble, peaceful, forgiving, and kind to people. Either way, I'm just going to die and not be held accountable for my actions and life becomes a selfish three ring circus **** show where I just live for the moment and pleasure and don't care about morals.

I'm not sure if it's connected to atheism, but what you describe is part of Hollywood values of "public obscenities, decadence, narcissism, hypocrisy, rampant drug use, extramarital sex leading to the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases, abortion, lawlessness and the promotion of the homosexual agenda."

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Your friends on Earth want you to stay sober. How is that any different?

If you killed yourself you would bring misery to lots of people including myself. But if you lived trying to help others you could bring happiness to many others.

Indeed. There's people on Earth who love and care for you, @PopeADope . Please keep us in mind.

 

[Spiderman]

Please explain your full definitions for 'atheist'.

a person who had no belief in God or spirits

Why you would kill youself if you're an atheist?

I would lose all reason to live. Also, I don't trust myself. Without God I would go back to drugs and alcohol and hurt people and just do more embarrassing behavior

Why being an atheist lead to you having nothing to live for but drugs and pleasure?

Without faith in God that's just who I became

Why being an atheist eventually lead to you stabbing a man?

I was on drugs and he was pushing and antagonizing me

Why you would end your life and do society a favor if you knew there was no God?

because without God I'm hopeless. I can't correct my problems or rely on myself to live a good life

Why would you terrified of who you are without the creator?

I'm out of control crazy when I'm not completely devoted to God and my spirit guides

Why would you terrified to think of what will become of you if you become an atheist again?

Going back to that lifestyle horrifies me

Why you would hurt other people if you didn't believe in God and spirits?

because I get out of control if I don't pray all the time and put God first in my life. I don't know why, I just do.

Why do you believe that all there is is the material world?

I don't. I used to and it drove me insane.

Why do you believe that it essentially doesn't matter if you are humble, peaceful, forgiving and kind to people?

because I'm not a good person. That's why I go to God, that He will heal me, enlighten me, and help me be a better person

Why would you just live for the moment and pleasure and don't care about morals?

because that's the type of person I am without God.