Controversial Religious Opinion.

[sarcaustik]

A few weeks ago, one of my closest friends told me that I was a contributory factor in his continued atheism. An interventionist god, he reasoned, would not allow shit things to persistently happen to me, being as I am, apparently, nice and fluffy and mostly harmless. My counter theory, ever so slightly tongue in cheek, was that it was because of

Comments

[azekeil]

Yes thanks for that. kissycat1000 referred me to your post; I've only just now got around to reading it. Well put, well said

Re:

[sarcaustik]

Sorry for the delayed response, thanks for your comment. Nothing I can add to that really ;-) The last point reminds me of a proverb, who's origins I don't know but I have always liked

"It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive". It goes something like that anyway.

[dr_atheist]

*wanders in late... sorry

[sarcaustik]

Sorry for the late reply...

I wasn't asking if anyone had met a happy BAC. They're all happy. Or most of them do an irritating if not entirely convincing impersonation. They all like to think they're happy, at least. What I mean was, has anyone (Other than Hiddenpaw) met a BAC who was happy in the run up to and at the moment of their rebirth? What I was trying to suggest was that finding Jesus is a substitute for true personal happiness, much like a dependency on anti depressants. If you've met one who experienced their renaissance during an emotional high, or at least a period of contentment, I'd be impressed.

I agree that fear is a big driving force behind religion. Ditto guilt, and as you say, ignorance. Thanks for sharing your views, I know you have a unique experience and viewpoint on the whole thing.

[nim]

but bet you'd still rather be you than a happy christian? heh!

[sarcaustik]

Exactly. I think I just needed to remind myself of that.

[green_amber]

I know this is not what you want to hear probably. but I WOULD rather be a happy Christian than me. (If this was a possible choice which of course it isn't. It's rather like the memory erasure of Bad Stuff in Eternal Sunshine - I'm of the camp that would certainly have gone fo0r it, but sadly it doesn't actually exist.) I would also probably rather be a stupider person than me (to show there are panaceas other than religion) as I blame most my life problems on being too much of a smart alec for most people -- I am far more invested in happiness than selfhood. (Maybe this is why I have never been tempted even remotely to be a Goth? ;-p

[sarcaustik]

Oh no, I can completely relate to that. I have quite often said I would like to be less intelligent - it would naturally make me less introspective and less analytical. I suspect there is an awful lot of truth in the expression 'ignorance is bliss'.

I suppose I see religion of this sort as sort of a trauma sponge. There are times when I would love to be able to turn to god or whatever just so I don't have to think about my problems any more, but the way I see it I grew out of imaginary friends a long time ago. I'm just pissed off that I am stuck feeling like this because I'm too much of a realist to take any sort of emotional escape shoot.

[redcountess]

I have certain spiritual leanings, but dislike organised religion. However, while I believe in the soul (or rather a life essence), I doubt that there is an afterlife. Having had dark days myself where I didn't want to go on, the one thing that stopped me is how much it would hurt those I love.

Hang in there.

[sarcaustik]

Having had dark days myself where I didn't want to go on, the one thing that stopped me is how much it would hurt those I love.

Utterly with you on that. Don't you just hate them sometimes for caring though? ;-) *hug*

[redcountess]

:-) *hugs back*

[siani_hedgehog]

Having had dark days myself where I didn't want to go on, the one thing that stopped me is how much it would hurt those I love.

bang! hit the nail right on the head there. it would break my mother's heart if i gave up and let go. and Edwardscissors's. and it'd set a bad example for his kids, and they have far too many of those. so, basically, sheer guilt keeps me going. :/ the other side of this is that i just get so *angry* at people who do have a go at offing themselves that i could just spit. why are they so *mean* and such bad role models etc, when i get up every day and keep on, you know?

[sarcaustik]

God is both a father figure and a scapegoat.

If that isn't a bumper sticker, it should be.

[sarcaustik]

www.evolvefish.com if you haven't already seen it.