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Mrcnkwcz, in describing your circumstances, I am curious why you hate religious idiots. I don't, most unbelievers I know don't (other than in the superficial sense of "I hate lima beans"), and life is way too short to hate anyone in any event.
Nor have I ever seen nihilism as somehow essential to atheism. It is a possible response, particularly for petulant former believers who can't get over the loss of theism's message that "I'm so special", but it is a largely dysfunctional response. It's entirely possible to have a sense of wonder, to have curiosity, to have engaging interests.
I would suggest lightening up and learning to find meaning, purpose, and enjoyment in life as it actually is.
Something from that troubled Scot Macbeth who was a thinker!
Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more; it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Whoa tough thoughts. Sure hard for me to get inside that. I guess we're all made of different 'stuff'.
2. I recognize that all humans, theist or not, are flawed, and we're all existentially doomed, whether we're aware or not.
Are we existentially doomed or simply finite in time (as we are finite in space)? I don't think I could handle being infinite, whether in space or in time.
I don't think I could handle being infinite, whether in space or in time.
If you were infinite and aware that you were, then that would be your familiar, normal state. In such a state you might be thinking that you couldn't handle being finite.
The best way to be pragmatically tolerant is not to inquire about people's religious beliefs. Granted, some will just tell you, and it's hard to miss the deity-thanking and hand-clasping on social media. But I try to keep people in the context in which I meet them, ie., I see a coworker in the role of his or her job, I see someone in a hiking group as a hiker, etc.
There are really only two kinds of people whose religion matters to me:
1. Those who mix it with legislation or affairs of state (including voters who want to turn their religion into the law of the land by supporting bible-thumping right-wing Christians),
2. People I date--I will not date a church-goer, and I prefer to stick to atheists and agnostics, on the notion that there's a chance something real or permanent could develop.
If you were infinite and aware that you were, then that would be your familiar, normal state. In such a state you might be thinking that you couldn't handle being finite.
Fair enough...but that's a big "if" right? I guess that's a whole new topic.
2. I recognize that all humans, theist or not, are flawed, and we're all existentially doomed, whether we're aware or not.
3. I recognize that all members of society make contributions of some value, and by virtue of numbers, most of them happen to be religious.
4. I am at core a nihilist and don't necessarily care (at core) about #2, #3, and even about #1
Perhaps unresolvable cognitive dissonance ensues.
Discuss, if you wish.
1. I hate religious idiots.
Hate is a bit strong here, don't you think? I am dismayed to be in the 21st century and yet to find myself surround by people who use the fruits of modern 21st century science but who then dismiss the validity of the science that makes it possible, and choose rather to subscribe to ancient childlike superstitions. I don't hate them for being childlike though.
2. I recognize that all humans, theist or not, are flawed, and we're all existentially doomed, whether we're aware or not.
All living things are doomed to perish. One of the burdens of advance intelligence is having to live with this knowledge. The alternative would be never having lived at all. So there's that. "Flawed" is a matter of opinion. Flawed compared to what? Certainly humans are fallible, which is why we will never be Gods.
3. I recognize that all members of society make contributions of some value, and by virtue of numbers, most of them happen to be religious.
This was certainly true in the past, although less so now. And it depends upon which contributions you are referring to. Today prominent scientists, at least, tend to be skeptical of religion. And the choice of no religious belief at all is rapidly gaining popular acceptance.
4. I am at core a nihilist and don't necessarily care (at core) about #2, #3, and even about #1
That's a downer. One of the joys of life is the freedom to subscribe to despair if you so choose. I don't personally understand it, but then I am easily distracted by the infinite amount of things that are interesting about life.
Are we existentially doomed or simply finite in time (as we are finite in space)?
Both. Different ways of saying the same thing.
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