Sir Joseph said:
Xephier102, you say: "I've come to the conclusion that I can't possibly have any form of meaningful connection with anyone until I fix myself, but the part of me that's broken is my heart... I can't fix that alone."
This statement is perhaps the most valid belief that you've claimed thus far. Setting aside the arguable political beliefs you hold for your country's society, you obviously have a self identity problem that causes anger, resentment, and frustration with just about everything and everyone around you. Perhaps we can agree that you have a better chance of changing yourself and improving your life than changing the messed up world around you. To that goal, I'll respond once more on the religious aspect which you seem to despise and dismiss.
Whether you acknowledge it or not, our religious beliefs do affect our lives, self identity, perceived worth, and purpose in life. Let me briefly explain the Atheist's view of life versus a Christian's.
The Atheist believes (or should) that we're all products of evolution - just accidents of nature, with humans being mere animals and life having no meaning. We get our temporary sense of identity by how we look, how we feel, what we have, what we do, and what others think about us. And for those struggling with life's problems, there's no objective right or wrong or logical answers to follow - no true path for success in life. And of course, when our short time on this earth ends, there's nothing afterwards to look forward to. It's all over - a meaningless life of struggles, problems, and disappointments with a sad, finite ending.
The Christian believes (or should) that we're all special creatures, made in the image of God. We're created and born with equal intrinsic value, not dependent on our money, career, looks, or possessions. We also recognize our purpose in life - to know and love God and to love and care for others. We see that the world is messed up, but have a guidebook of truth on how to live in it and a loving church family to help us do so. And despite the challenges, deficiencies, and problems we face here in this temporary earthly life, the eternal life that lies ahead gives us encouragement, hope, and strength.
Personally, I don't understand why anyone would willingly choose the first depressing belief system over the second positive one. Many obviously do, but it's an irrational choice of the heart, not a correct determination of evidence since the scientific evidence for a supernatural creator is overwhelming, as is the historical, archaeological, scientific, prophetic, and textual authority of the Judeo-Christian Bible.
If you want to fix your heart and improve your life and relationships, I'd suggest that you not be so quick and callus to dismiss religion as a relevant factor. Christianity has positively changed more lives in human history than anything else. There must be a reason for that. You, like everyone else in the world, have a choice with your beliefs, and I assure you that they certainly affect the course and outcome of your life.
Could look at it other ways too. Religion believes the end of my dick was rightfully cut off at birth cuz god hates foreskin, or someshit(despite that he/she/it made us with it..). Any valid science believes in awareness over senseless genital mutilation being performed on helpless babies.
I prefer the one that actually makes sense, not the one that people have been making up along the way, and bending it's rules to what suits them. I know I said I wasn't gonna argue it, but since you keep bringing it up, here goes.
Think about it, for one, one of the most famous things in the Bible, ten commandments. Do you really think that an all powerful god that transcends humanity in both power and physical being, gives a flying crap if we steal eachothers material belongings, or cares who we ****? The hate and censorship and shame that revolves around sex, is all a very human concept. I mean, there's a million things in the bibles alone that I could argue, but just don't feed me this ******** "plan" thing... Cuz our father who art.. wherever the **** he is; ain't here, and ain't shown any real sign of existence in a millennia.. I've got more proof that my actual father exists, and he bailed at my birth, but at least I can put a face to him..
And put it this way, if he does exist, he knows my suffering, and clearly doesn't care any more than anyone else on this planet, so why should I do anything, but to return the favor?
I'll give you one thing though, belief is required in order to obtain happiness. It doesn't have to be religion though. For many it's this dog and pony show that we call politics. For others, religion. The belief that kept me going as long as I did, was my belief in people. But even that's pretty much gone.. but following something so entirely illogical, isn't going to lead me to happiness. I'm beyond a state of cognitive dissonance. I see it all clearly now..
Funny, I heard a phrase on TV earlier that's relevant to this; a question really "what's more important, your happiness, or your sanity?". It makes me wonder if the mainstream definition of sanity isn't entirely backwards..
Just as an example, not a real statistic, but close enough.
You've got half of society believing there's a magic man in the sky somewhat akin to Santa clause. The other half believing (sternly) in a political system that screws the bulk of them in an effort to overflow the pockets of the rich. And yet most of them aren't happy, not really.. consider childhood Innocence (picture it as a visual). We live in a society that forces us to 'grow up', to act mature; that essentially and on a wholesale level, takes away our childhood Innocence. We no longer skip down the sidewalk laughing and playing. We don't get together with our friends and play make believe games (I don't include religion
). We're told at our jobs (that we work for most of our energized waking hours) to act professional. We're basically turned into robots, forced to act and walk and talk a certain way.. it's not natural.. it's no wonder we can't socialize for ****.. It's all a big ****** act, and if any of us could act for ****, we'd be in Hollywood making millions instead of on here complaining about our problems.
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