Inspiration for non believers?

So I see lots of videos of mens advice for other men on how to live a good life or get out of depression. I like what most of them have to say and I believe they're right. Mostly they say things like stay busy, don't give yourself time to think, surround yourself with good people, don't watch porn, eat healthy, exercise, etc. But they all have one thing in common. Find Jesus or praise God. Thats all well and good, if that works for you, awesome, happy for you. But it doesn't work for me.

So what's the alternative for non believers like me? I gave it up 14 years ago, its unlikely anyone is going to convince me otherwise. So what do non believers have to believe in that gives them hope for the future?

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robertsnj · 56-60, M

JaJ fellow atheist here and nice to meet you. I am sorry that you are hurting.

I feel like myself and fellow atheists find inspiration in what is real and important around us. In community, in friends in family. When I hurt I lean on my 3 ex-feral cats for support (i tell my friends while I rescued them they also rescued me)

You will have people who have hobbies like yours and that you share a passion with. It might be hiking,, reading philosophy or fiction books of a specfic genre. Some of your neighbors may be inspiratoin or maybe family.

heck, otheratheists are my friends more often than not. Most of them would be yours too if you said hi to them on various forums.

you don't have to think of it as running from people of faith (I mean we are a minority can't run from most people without exteme isolation) but instead of running to those you share vaues, geography, family or even hobbies with.

Also nice to meet a fellow atheist.

JestAJester · 31-35, M

@robertsnj i dont really run from them i just dont normally discuss such things with them. And i dont wanna be lumped in with the stereotype, militant religion hating ones either. I dont really have close connections with anyone anymore. So maybe thats why i feel down all the time

Morvoren · F

I have people. A great husband. Amazing friends. And the will power not to get stuck in a rut.

There’s opportunity and you just have go after it. It’s honestly that simple.

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Morvoren · F

@JestAJester Surely you know some guys right? People you’ve worked with or know from the past?

JestAJester · 31-35, M

@Morvoren Not really. Not anyone I consider close any more. I mean I'm trying but it doesn't seem to go my way.

Morvoren · F

@JestAJester Maybe you should reconnect. Get some plans made gif the summer.

MartinTheFirst · 26-30, M

"Don't give yourself time to think" is not good advice. You need to think about it in a constructive way, people flee from their emotions and problems by distracting themselves too much with videos, music, porn, drinking, etc. It's in those quiet moments that you have all of your meaningful realizations, you'll never have them if your mind is constantly bombarded by distractions. Words from a youtube psychologist. The rest I can agree with.

I'm christian so I can't give you advice on what to substitute it with.

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BlueSkyKing · M

I was raised Roman Catholic. It took decades to abandon any god. My initial doubt came when the concept of limbo was first explained to me. But if I was taught about the slavery in the Bible, I would have been an agnostic long before that.

Slavery is immoral but still endorsed in the Bible.

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JestAJester · 31-35, M

@hippyjoe1955 i was raised in in church since birth. It was just something we did. I didnt really understand until i started asking questions in my teens. Theyre answers never made sense to me. I never felt gods presence. Felt like a cult honestly.

hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M

@JestAJester I agree. The RC church is a very evil place even as it pretends it is Christian. It is not Christian. However that should not prevent you from exploring Christianity on your own. Don't rely on any church or take any teaching the churches offer as absolute truth. Rather look carefully and be willing to move from one church to another as you go. You will be amazed at what you learn and it may have profound effect on your life. It certainly changed mine. I started out as an 'evangelical atheist'. I could do nothing but tell everyone how great atheism was. Then I started to think for myself. Since then I have become a Christian. I have changed churches a lot and to say that I have all the answers to all the questions would be extremely foolish on my part. I see in part and I know in part as through a glass darkly but I know that each day I am more aware than I was the day before. Life long learning.

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YourMomsSecretCrush · M

medication or self medication for some. find a hobby that you like. take a deep look within yourself and do some self reflection. and if none of that works, seek some professional help.

Kuronekko · 41-45, F

Find your own personal religion. Figure out what you believe in and there it is.

hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M

Well since the unbelief is your problem the only solution is to believe. Maybe if you were to be honest this time and avoid the nut bar churches you would do much better.

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