R. S. Martin Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 I've never been into logic and reason, neither during my time as a Christian or now that I've left. I've never been a math person either. It takes practice and training to understand logic and I'm a bit lazy. This is why I stayed in the religious camp for so long and left kicking and screaming. Hey r3alchild, how's it going? Going by your posts, I know you've been having a rough time recently. I figure your avatar is you. I see you've cut it to bits and mixed it all up. Is that how you feel inside? Let us know if we can help, okay? Ruby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midniterider Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 I would like to find a secular way to achieve some of the qualities of the supernatural, without the supernatural. Some way to live more courageously. It would be nice if I could figure out some way of convincing myself that I have more power than I think I have, and to draw on that. It would be good to live more optimistically, so that even though I'm just matter, I could perhaps act as though I were more than that, so that I would generally aim higher in life. Try some Alan Watts :-) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3hVc2hWYxg&list=PLfnwWfNewUhY9KPSVU2ABTVppqY73w3jx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Positivist Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 It's easy. I have discovered I have this thing called "self-efficacy". I can do all things. Full stop. I draw on my past coping strategies to use in present challenges. Jesus really never did help me that much. Me, however, I dug myself out of some real challenges! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToHellWithMe Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 I would like to find a secular way to achieve some of the qualities of the supernatural, without the supernatural. Some way to live more courageously. It would be nice if I could figure out some way of convincing myself that I have more power than I think I have, and to draw on that. It would be good to live more optimistically, so that even though I'm just matter, I could perhaps act as though I were more than that, so that I would generally aim higher in life. Oh i used to think this too. It still strikes a chord in me, but i've come to recognize that the real "problem" is i don't care about anything else but matters of cosmic significance. Mundane stuff seems so plain and mundane even though i've considered myself "deconverted" for almost 10 years now. Guess i really am not! Sure i probably possess the power to reach at least a middle class lifestyle, but where's the allure in that? I used to think that there's an all-powerful entity who grants stuff if needed to further his deep purposes. Surely anyone able to assume that also can see why i feel how i feel. Understanding and playing that divine game seems far more tempting and fulfilling to me. It still does, even though i've for long known that there's a good possibility i am a madman for hoping and thinking so. I realized that much even when i considered myself a christian. What others like to call "real life" is just such a puny and pathetic game that how much i "want" to be recognized in that game (and oh i do, i yearn to be a rich man) pales in contrast to what i want more, what i see as more real, despite lack of objective evidence. I cannot do what i want to do if what i want more contradicts with that first 'want'. I see my belief as a problem to my mundane wishes, but my mundane wishes are a hindrance and a distraction to my cosmic ambitions. I choose the latter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cousin Ricky Posted June 9, 2013 Share Posted June 9, 2013 How do you cope now you don't have jesus, please tell your story. Same way I coped when I had Jesus, because Jesus didn't do a damn thing while I believed in him. The only difference is that I no longer look to him to do something he ain't gonna do anyway. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurari Posted June 11, 2013 Share Posted June 11, 2013 I learned to re-inspire those feelings of security, comfort, love, joy, peace, and compassion I used to feel when I was with "God" in myself again. I realized that even though gods probably don't exist, those feelings I had WERE real and they were beneficial and healthy. So I meditate, feel my connection with all things in the world as it is, and I feel that all is right within myself. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exCharismatic Posted June 13, 2013 Share Posted June 13, 2013 I learned to re-inspire those feelings of security, comfort, love, joy, peace, and compassion I used to feel when I was with "God" in myself again. I realized that even though gods probably don't exist, those feelings I had WERE real and they were beneficial and healthy. So I meditate, feel my connection with all things in the world as it is, and I feel that all is right within myself. This is good advice for people like me. Thanks. Tomorrow morning I will start meditating again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralet Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 Off-topic: Where is r3alchild? Does anyone know why he isn't a member anymore? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milesaway Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 I was wondering the same thing. Hope he's okay! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. S. Martin Posted June 14, 2013 Share Posted June 14, 2013 I was wondering the same thing. Hope he's okay! Yes, I do hope he's okay. I've been worried about him, especially after he started splitting up his avatar and some of the posts he was writing. Such as this thread. I guess we'll have to trust he's got someone such as friends or family or co-workers who can take care of him. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kolaida Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 I coped by realizing that I'm no longer being perpetually watched and judged by the supernatural thought-police and judging trio in the father, son and the holy ghost (RIP). I turned that frown upside down. You're alone? Well fuck! That's great news! These thoughts are mine all mine!!!! Fuck the supernatural haters! Preach it, brother!! LOL! But sometimes I do miss it. Honestly, it was such an integral part of me. I'd wanted to be a missionary since age 9 and had dedicated my life to pretty much finding a way to spread the light of the Lord! It feels weird sometimes, but also a huge relief! And, yeah, where did r3alchild go? Hope he's okay. I liked how he always got topics going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
◊ crazyguy123 ◊ Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 Off-topic: Where is r3alchild? Does anyone know why he isn't a member anymore? If he's still looking at the things we post, even if he's not participating in our discussions anymore, I hope he can see that people are concerned about him and that we hope that he takes care of whatever problems he has in his life right now. Good luck in your life r3alchild, wherever you are. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted June 15, 2013 Share Posted June 15, 2013 I grew up in the Catholic version of Christinsanity. I got it Industrial Strength because I went through Catholic schools, first Primary then Secondary. Americans would say Elementary and High School. Suffice it to say I experienced mental, physical, and sexual abuse. That was a long time ago, and I did have the satisfaction of an out-of-court settlement, so that door is now shut. Before the door was finally shut, I tried a couple other denominations of Christianity, but came to the conclusion they were all the same, which they damn well are, albeit they, like any other nest of snakes, will forever attack one another. How do I cope without Jesus? Firstly, I don't have to believe any damn doctrine now, do I? So I don't. I do, however, allow myself to hope there might be an afterlife. Any one of a number will do, just as long as it doesn't turn out to be the Christian one. I do realize there isn't much I'll be able to do should it come about that there is an afterlife and it is the Christian one. If so, then fuck it! So be it! What they gonna do, send me to Hell? Believe you me, I have lived in it, and at a guess, so have some of you! [Aside] If you really want to annoy a Christian, listen to them babbling on about Christ and his sacrifice, then ask, with a shrug, "So what?" Gets their goat every time, guaran-damn-teed. Or, if you know the words, start singing, "I did it my way!" Since they have less capacity for independent thought than the Socialists most of 'em affect to despise, this too almost never fails to provoke a sermon! As you see, there are endless possibilities for procuring cheap (can't get much cheaper than free) entertainment. However, perhaps you have to have something to replace Christ. All right, for me that is a rural property I happen to have inherited. I have devoted my life to improving it, making it better for those who will follow me. Not everyone can do this, but if one strives to make whatever tiny part of the Earth over which they have any control just a tiny bit the better for their having lived in it, I don't think they will go too far wrong. I guess the key is to find something worthwhile in which you can become as totally involved as humanly possible. It might take some time to do this, but you'll have to do it. If the something you choose doesn't work out, find something else. Keep on trying until you find something! Regards, Casey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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