Atheist Truth & Christian Tragedy (idk what to name this)
I hate it when people start using personal tragedy as a shield for their religious faith and make themselves sound like such a martyr. Then other people become inspired by their stories and admire them all the more so that they themselves can continue to feel comfortable in their own delusions. And it makes the truth-speaker sound like an unsympathetic asshole.
I have dealt with this kind of issue more than once. Speaking strictly objectively and then someone starts bringing up how they experienced death in the family or other tragedies and if it werent for god they would probably end up dead themselves. And then I have to stop because that’s territory you’re not supposed to mess with. And in a way they “win” other peoples’ hearts with the whole emotional sob story.
I’m sorry but I have known people who were actually able to make it through a tragedy without having to lean on some kind of god. And in some instances, people have lost their faith BECAUSE of loss/abuse and other experiences. Many people react differently to death and abuse so your personal story doesn’t make for evidence that god is real & that everyone should believe just because YOU wanted to believe. There’s also a lot of low self-esteem & confusion involved with people who feel like god is the only reason they want to be alive.
From a psychological point of view, it’s as if they replace their losses… those gaping holes… with an “all-loving” god that can somehow give them back meaning and hope and even at times… a replacement for whatever it is they’re lacking. And for those people who have been raised their entire lives being taught that only god can fill those needs and desires for them, of course they will hold onto that with a tight grip because they’re not brave enough to accept the reality of their losses.
I’m just trying to be honest here & I know most people will think I’m such a jackass for talking like this but I feel like there is a need to help those in grieving because they fall under the god trap way too easily. I have fallen into this trap many times before. When times are desperate and you’re feeling really alone, you do start yearning for something or someone to help you, comfort you, and bring you back on your feet. When no one is there, sometimes we start crying out to a god. I know in the back of my mind that he isn’t really there & that I’m probably talking to myself, but it gives me psychological comfort sometimes & helps me to feel like I can depend on something stronger to help me get through a crisis. Does this mean god is real? Not necessarily. We can repeat something over and over and over again until our minds almost believe what we’re saying (no matter how illogical it may sound). These “testimonies” people have are purely emotional experiences (most of the time), no matter how strong and inspiring their stories may seem.
Truth can hurt. And I know this will hurt me when I lose someone again in the future. That’s where support from friends and family come in. That’s where grief/abuse/trauma counseling comes in. That’s when humans need to start leaning on each other for emotional strength, because we are all we got left. Comfort them with beautiful analogies of the cycle of life and how we are all connected through the cosmos in life and death. Help them to cherish the memories they had from losses, but to move on & know that they will also eventually join them in a beautiful and peaceful passing on as we become part of our mother earth once again. The spirits of our loved ones linger on in the wind, the trees, the skies, the oceans…. It really is a lovely picture when you come to think of it. And so, there is a time for grief and there is a time for joy. Such is life.
God may feel real in someone’s personal life because of the mental & emotional strength that comes with it, but that doesn’t mean that THAT is what constitutes god’s existence. Just please… in a discussion about physical evidence for an all-knowing and all-powerful creator… don’t bring the whole “i have a special & personal relationship with god” as proof for his existence. Again, having faith in a god because he somehow makes you feel good is not a valid reason. At all.
Alrighty I’m about beat tired so I’m off to bed now before I wake up early for a test in school tomorrow. :P
Good Night World!
-
physicaleo4 liked this
-
beautifullyex liked this
-
february29lo liked this
-
lostinthought92 liked this
-
daisydip said:
this is fantastic.
-
contemplatingyoursister liked this
-
autumn-faery posted this
