Addicted to the almighty

[br0k3n 0]

This is a recent post that appeared on the The JREF web site.


[I][sic]“I'm 32 years old and have believed in some form of fundamental Christianity my entire life. I've always considered myself a rational/objective person, yet for all these years, my beliefs in an “after-life” were stronger than ever, and I simply accepted things such as Jonah surviving his dubious swallowed-by-a-fish experience.

However, after months of arduous, objective, and scholarly study, I came to a conclusion that I wasn't prepared to come to. Christianity is an outdated, whimsical and washed-up canard and needless to say, no match for science, rationalism & materialism – or simple logic, for that matter.
Up until three months ago, my contentment and joy in life literally revolved around my perceived “relationship with God/Christ,” efficacy of prayer, and gracious heavenly payout. Now that I know this mode of thinking and dream isn't reality, I am experiencing very real – and I'm told, “clinical” – depression, something I have never experienced before. I have endured any past tribulation through reasoning, "God 'has my back'” and is somehow using this adversity to “make me stronger,” and “I can get through anything in this life because it's only temporary and in the end, eternal bliss awaits me.” I thought that, like other Christians, I had effectively already won the "after-life lottery."

Now I know my winning ticket is worthless. I had been duped, and worse, my life-sustaining purpose crutch had been yanked out from under me. Side note: I truly believe that if you could convince Christians in the USA that there was no Jesus/God, there would be a major, depression-laden backlash.
I have sought medical treatment. Ironically, the two psychiatrists and three psychologists I have seen, sincerely believe that a belief in a “higher-power” is essential to recovery. Further, they have all suggested, or flat out told me, that “my lack of faith” could be the cause of my depression. And the psychiatrists have also loaded me up with a litany of pills – none of which have worked. It's as though my psyche “can't handle the truth,” and I've even taken a leave of absence from my job. FYI – I live in a suburb of Houston where, generally speaking, if you aren't some sort of Christian, you'd be better off having leprosy, and Rick Warren is the next best thing to the Messiah himself." [/I]

I thought that it raised a very interesting point in that are we as a species now so dependant on belief in an almighty being that this need has become biologically ingrained in most of us, and the removal of this belief if not done at an early age, can cause clinical depression.

Now im sure the likes of Paj and Mockingbird will simply dismiss this as work of the devil, but if possible can we discuss this with a level or reality and rationale.

Is religion a drug? Are believers in denial and addicted??

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--+ There are 10 types of people in the world: Those who understand binary, and those who don't.. --+

[funkcanna 0]

I personally feel that religion is a comfort blanket to people. God is used over and over again as an excuse by people when both good and bad things happen in their lives. Im not sayin people having faith is necessarily a bad thing but I think some people should open their eyes and realise what the facts are and that having blind faith is like living in a bubble.

So in answer to your question - yes, I beleive that people have become dependant on religion as a way to comfort themselves. Has anyone ever asked a Jehovas witness questions about their beleifs? When you quiz them they run a mile...

To know requires proof
To believe requires evidence
To have faith requires neither.
If you stick with that, we'll never be confused again

[JackC 0]

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Is religion a drug? Are believers in denial and addicted??

Not a drug, possibly a form of delusional psychosis but I'm not qualified to say. Unfortunately, the realisation that God hasn't got your back because he's a fictional character is a source of serious depression for some people. It's understandable too. Absolutely everything you KNEW to be true turns out to be a hoax, that's a serious change in world view all at once and it takes some getting used to. If everyone around you is a believer and those who aren't are a minority shunned by the majority, it's not going to be an easy transition.

Religion is a bit like this picture of the pretty young woman. It's all great until you see that it's a picture of the old woman. There's no going back once you've seen that, it's impossible not to see it for the illusion it is.

Alternatively depression could be Gods punishment for loosing faith. After all, God just couldn't let the guy enjoy all the rampant drinking, shagging and pilaging he can do now he's an infidel before he gets tossed into the pit for eternity. That would just be mean.

[joedirt 0]

Most people who are raised in strict religious environments go through this, it's not new. This is a young mans argument. If any of these questions could be answered, philosophy and religion would be over and a lot of people would be out of work. People who believe these things go on faith so it doesn't matter. Faith in an afterlife isn't a terrible thing.

[Low-Mao 0]

I believe this excerpt from Scripture might explain what happened.

Why does Jesus speak in parables?

Matthew 13:10-23
........10 Then the disciples came and said to him, Why do you speak to them in parables? 11 And he answered them, To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:You will indeed hear but never understand,and you will indeed see but never perceive. 15 For this people's heart has grown dull,and with their ears they can barely hear,and their eyes they have closed,lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. 18 Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 23 As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.

Also.... God designed us to have a relationship with Him which is why we could feel depressed when that relationship is broken. We then try to fill that void with anything, which is why we are never permanently satisfied....

Best Regards,

Corey

[shropshire 0]

I believe that God designed us >> - Fixed it for you.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[Royd 0]

So, let's see, he's gone from trusting God to keep his spirits up, to depending on psychiatrists, psycologists and drugs. Good choice! I wonder if that's going to cost him more than the tithe.

[Royd 0]

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Not a drug, possibly a form of delusional psychosis but I'm not qualified to say.

Who was it that said,"Religion is the opiate of the people."?

His philosophy has really stood the test of time, hasn't it?

[JackC 0]

And what has Karl Marx got to do with anything?

[philh 0]

"Faith in an afterlife isn't a terrible thing. "
It is when it leads one to kill perceived enemies of the faith , be they the victims of 9/11, the Crusades, the inquisition etc etc
Those that killed for the above were likely motivated by their faith.

[Royd 0]

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And what has Karl Marx got to do with anything?

His godless philosophy produced a nation of joyful, industrious, self reliant people. No?

[JackC 0]

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His godless philosophy produced a nation of joyful, industrious, self reliant people. No?

So the happiness, industriousness and self-reliance of a nation is 100% to do with their piousness and has nothing to do with the economic model they follow? OK then, there's no point talking to you anymore.

[jakee 1,279]

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And what has Karl Marx got to do with anything?

His godless philosophy produced a nation of joyful, industrious, self reliant people. No?

The only problem with Marx's philosophy is that it didn't involve God?

Why Royd, I certainly didn't have you down as an economic socialist!

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[Royd 0]

His godless philosophy produced a nation of joyful, industrious, self reliant people. No?

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So the happiness, industriousness and self-reliance of a nation is 100% to do with their piousness and has nothing to do with the economic model they follow? OK then, there's no point talking to you anymore.

Christianity and captialism both give a person the hope of better things to come.

Godless communism took both of those things away from the people. Why would anyone bust their hump day in and day out, knowing that all that they are going to get for the rest of their life is a two room flat and just enough food to sustain the body?

BTW, many a rich man, is a miserable wretch.

[beowulf 1]

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Also.... God designed us to have a relationship with Him which is why we could feel depressed when that relationship is broken. We then try to fill that void with anything, which is why we are never permanently satisfied....

How do you come to this conclusion? There are lots of people out there that don't have anything to do with Christianity that are not depressed. There are also plenty of Christians that suffer from depression.

[JackC 0]

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Christianity and captialism both give a person the hope of better things to come.

But capitalism is real. You can measure CD players, widescreen TV's and electrical tin openners.

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Godless communism took both of those things away from the people.

So your belief in God depends on governmental permission? If the goverment outlawed religion tomorrow, you'd instantly be an atheist? What a load.

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BTW, many a rich man, is a miserable wretch.

So what? Money might not make you happy, but the lack of it sure doesn't fucking help.

[TrophyHusband 0]

i think that many of the christians i know would become depressed if they came to the realization that god didn't exist. i think it could actually kill my grandma. i had a different experience, i felt liberated. it was such a relief not to live in fear and guilt. i'm probably the exception though. i think that most people need some sort of faith to get through life, and that's ok.

"Your scrotum is quite nice" - Skymama
www.kjandmegan.com

[freethefly 6]

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Why would anyone bust their hump day in and day out, knowing that all that they are going to get for the rest of their life is a two room flat and just enough food to sustain the body?

You would only have to travel about the U.S. and ask the many people in this country why they do it.

"...And once you're gone, you can't come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black."
Neil Young

[Iflyme 0]

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Also.... God designed us to have a relationship with Him which is why we could feel depressed when that relationship is broken. We then try to fill that void with anything, which is why we are never permanently satisfied....

We live on one of ten planets orbiting an insignificant star -- one of billions of stars in this galaxy, which is one of billions of galaxies in this universe, which may be just one universe in and endless number of universes. I think you are rather vain to believe an omnipotent being created you, and shares your daily concerns.

It's time to leave the dark ages, and recognize that belief systems represent serious delusions. The concept of "gods" was born to our early ancestors out of fear and ignorance. They did not understand the nature of their surroundings -- things like birth, death, lightning, extreme weather, and so on. They attributed those phenomena to 'gods". Today, we DO understand many of the mechanisms of nature -- and there are no sky fairies involved.

Your god is a literary figure who exists only in the pages of a book, and in your mind.

[pajarito 0]

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i had a different experience, i felt liberated. it was such a relief not to live in fear and guilt.

I got a speeding ticket a couple of weeks ago. I would feel very liberated if I didn't have to pay it. However, I was shown my violation and am bound by the law. I must pay the fine. It does me no good to simply refuse to believe in the law. It will catch up with me sooner or later. Fear and guilt should be there if I don't pay or show up in court. I'm not liberated at all. We are are either slaves to the law (which we cannot fulfill and are, therefore, slaves to Christ; which leads to life) or we are slaves to our own selfish desires and lawlessness (which leads to death). It is appointed unto man once to die, then the judgment.

[Shotgun 1]

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Religion is a bit like this picture of the pretty young woman. It's all great until you see that it's a picture of the old woman. There's no going back once you've seen that, it's impossible not to see it for the illusion it is.

Many people see the old woman in that picture before they can see the young woman. So I guess for those people, you could use the opposite analogy: They saw life as an old hag until they realized it was actually a pretty young woman (discovered religion). And there is no going back now that they have seen the illusion for what it really is.

[beowulf 1]

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i had a different experience, i felt liberated. it was such a relief not to live in fear and guilt.

I got a speeding ticket a couple of weeks ago. I would feel very liberated if I didn't have to pay it. However, I was shown my violation and am bound by the law. I must pay the fine. It does me no good to simply refuse to believe in the law. It will catch up with me sooner or later. Fear and guilt should be there if I don't pay or show up in court. I'm not liberated at all. We are are either slaves to the law (which we cannot fulfill and are, therefore, slaves to Christ; which leads to life) or we are slaves to our own selfish desires and lawlessness (which leads to death). It is appointed unto man once to die, then the judgment.

There is evidence to support the speeding law and the consequences are easily seen and felt. The same can not be said for any god or gods.

[JackC 0]

I got a parking ticket once. I thought I was bound by the law so I must pay the fine. It wouldn't do me any good to simply refuse to believe in the ticket. It would catch up with me sooner or later. Imagine my suprise when I found out that the ticket had been issued by a bogus company that had no business issueing parking tickets. If I refused to pay, there would be no consequences because the ticket wasn't real. If I paid, all I would be doing would be lining the pockets of a fraudster.

[JackC 0]

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Many people see the old woman in that picture before they can see the young woman. So I guess for those people, you could use the opposite analogy: They saw life as an old hag until they realized it was actually a pretty young woman (discovered religion). And there is no going back now that they have seen the illusion for what it really is.

You could say that. But either way the illusion is revealed and they can see both views. The viewer must then decide which one is real and what the consequences of that decision would be. I think it is better to take both views before making that decision don't you?

[Shotgun 1]

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I think it is better to take both views before making that decision don't you?

Yes.