Hello

[jaymayo]

Hi guys. I'm new here and I've finally come to a conclusion that I'm an atheist! Yipee! I wrote this whole entry that was supposed to go to my blogs but I stopped since it was kind of preachy. But I'd like to share it to you guys first and then if you guys like, I'll finally come out to my whole friends and family.

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I was thinking all day long about how to transition psychologically from being agnostic to become an atheist. Still, I was a firm believer that there is something, some omnipotent presence out there coordinating everything here on Earth and more. But as I contemplate on this thought, I came to a conclusion that this omnipresent thing is the universe itself. This God, if let me in my definition, is a non-material thing that co-exist with material things. That's somehow an anti-thesis of a statement; non-material cannot co-exist with the material, it's like saying life in itself has non-life. This thought helped scaffold my transition towards atheism.
 
But it's hard to transition since growing up, it is ingrained that God is everywhere. If you fuck up, he'd cut you down. Well then, how about those starving children in third world countries who beg and pray towards the almighty and barely getting what they asked for? Looks like they've been cut off. Or those people who pray incessantly to spare their loved one from death discovering later that they lost their loved one. Looks like they've been cut off. I think a good psychology to depart from this theistic thinking is by independently cutting yourself away from God. Taking the act full heartedly and responsibly.
 
It was hard but I tell you, it's great.
 
After the transition, I discovered great possibilities and philosophies. I am now more open and willing to read more religions in this world that could serve as constellations for my life. To treat religions as myths. Myths that tells the story of the human condition and their aspirations in metaphors. When we are closely attached to our dogmas, we fail to see the other beauties of other religions and their dogmas. Releasing ourselves from these will open more avenues for our souls, our psyche. To note from that previous sentence, I'd refer the soul not as a supernatural thing but a phenomena that persists in our psychology.
Now that I am free, I could now appreciate what life is and detach my thought about the afterlife. Some hold to their beliefs with regards to what the afterlife offers. But has anyone stopped and think what the afterlife is? Who has seen the afterlife? Dead people! But they're gone and they don't have the credibility to tell their story since they're dead. Furthermore, wouldn't the afterlife be boring? Heaven, perpetual peace and serenity. Those who can't bear suffering would see this as a great thing. But life florishes from suffering. Life learns from suffering. There is beauty after the suffering. Heaven would sound boring for me. How about hell, perpetual condemnation and pain. Sure, we'd like to stay away from that place but how about those masochists who would enjoy it? And even if you don't like, don't you think you will grow accustomed to it and finally feel that it's routine?
 
The afterlife is nothing but a hope from the pains of this world for those who can't bear it. Life is great and wonderful when you take these pains and suffering head on. As I said before, there is beauty in suffering. Of what can't kill is will make us better. We learn from these ordeals that would be crucial to us in the future. To run away from these things is a gesture that entails denial of life.
 
As we take our minds off the afterlife, we finally see what life is. That heaven and hell is right here and now with regards to our condition. That peace and serenity comes to us on our greatest bliss. That suffering and pain comes to us on our greatest trial. From here, we can see what the meaning of life is, to live and to experience pain and peace. That to share these moments with others is the apex of this experience. It makes me happier to think to not base my good actions so I could go to heaven, moreover, I base my good actions because it makes life more like heaven.
 
I'd like to envision what my thoughts would be when I'm nearing death. I'd be thinking that after this is over, it is over. My mind will be sucked into void, into nothingness. But as I near that darkness, a recollection of what I have done to myself, to my friends, to society, will kick in. To savor memories of laughter, joy, happiness and freedom from those that were close to me. That I will leave no ill-will to anyone. That I will leave this earth with no guilt against anyone. I think death is beautiful when your mind is free from guilt.
 
Well, some people say that atheists are pessimistic and nihilistic. I don't think so. Life is more beautiful when you don't rely on things out of earth. Life is more beautiful when you rely on your reason and your emotion.
 
So friends, I will say it now, I'm an Atheist.

[Whitney]

jaymay, welcome to the forum.  That was a very nice introduction.

[McQ]

Welcome to the forum, jaymayo. Thanks for sharing that. You posted some great thoughts. Glad to have you here.

[tacoma_kyle]

You like mayo?

[MommaSquid]

Those who can't bear suffering would see this as a great thing. But life florishes from suffering. Life learns from suffering. There is beauty after the suffering. ...And even if you don't like, don't you think you will grow accustomed to it and finally feel that it's routine?

Well said.  

Welcome to the forum.

[jaymayo]

Thanks MommaSquid.
And no tacoma_kyle, even though my name ends in mayo, it doesn't necessarily mean I like mayo (I hate mayo)... like if a kid's name is Christian he's not necessarily Christian.  

[tacoma_kyle]

Ok cool.

[Kona]

The world is a much more beautiful place when you turn the lights on!  Welcome to the reality of life!

[SteveS]

Hi  jaymayo - welcome on board!  Thanks for the great intro-story - that was superb.  I particularly enjoyed this thought:

To treat religions as myths. Myths that tells the story of the human condition and their aspirations in metaphors.

Kudos!  Also,

Furthermore, wouldn't the afterlife be boring?

 I had the same reaction to this idea.  Boring!  And who would want to be eternally bored?  That sounds terrible.  :?