Help me find religion?

College Confidential Community
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<p>So I used to be part of the Cult of Reason. I believed ethical dilemmas could be thoroughly thought through, that all human problems could be resolved through reasoned discussion. Various experiences have led me to abandon this philosophy, and now I believe that men are nothing more than weak, degraded animals incapable of rational judgment, and human attempts to consistently explain the world are doomed to failure. We are also incapable of truly caring about each other, only forming attachments to fill our own emotional needs. [1]</p>

<p>This is a depressing philosophy. I no longer care for truth, and seek only to be happy. I believe religion will give me a sense of purpose and a reason to live. My problem is I am incapable of accepting one. Skepticism has been firmly ingrained in my view of the world. I don't think I could go to church without internally debating and questioning everything the pastor says. Even worse, I'd keep mentally aligning the sermons with the rest of my worldview, which is what I'm trying to throw out. It's become a habit for me, part of my temperament even -- and fundamental habits are really hard to consciously change.</p>

<p>So here's my question: how do I pummel religion into my brain?</p>

<p>[1] Oh, and life is silly and meaningless. But I knew that a long time ago.</p>

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<p>My #1 goal in life: to be happy. :)</p>

<p>There's nothing wrong with doubt and questioning. In some cases, it makes you a better and more religious person. Join a liberal religion where free discussion is permitted. There's so many out there. Just find it.</p>

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<p>I have no idea why you would want that. Being an atheist always makes me really happy! Cause I know there's no "spiritual" or metaphysical ******** to the experience of happiness...it just undeniably is.</p>

<p>Perhaps you're confusing reason or skepticism with being cynical.</p>

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<p>I believe you've made a profound insight into the nature of truth: its existence, or lack thereof, may very well be entirely irrelevant.</p>

<p>People too often consider issues of faith and religion entirely within the confines of what is true and what is false: does God exist? Is there an afterlife? Do one's actions in this world affect one's eternal fate? These questions all involve a practical, almost economic rationale, weighing quality of life now versus quality of life after death. </p>

<p>When it comes down to it, however, all these issues of what is true and what is false are moot points. It has been demonstrated that a complete understanding of the universe is nigh impossible, so the very idea that people can make predictions of what lies beyond with any degree of accuracy is laughable.</p>

<p>What we do know is that we do exist in this universe, in this time. We do not know of any other existence we may occupy, or if any of our actions in this one bears any relation to any others. Millenniums of debate and philosophy have brought us no closer to a conclusion, so it would seem prudent to maximize our personal enjoyment and fulfillment in the here and now, without regard to how it may affect our eventual fates.</p>

<p>The pursuit of fulfillment can be achieved through a variety of avenues: art/culture, relationships, charity, materialism, sensual pleasures, and ironically, religion. Whether or not the tenets and doctrines of a religion are true doesn't matter: how it affects the <em>individual's</em> life is what matters. The most ridiculously far-fetched religion in the world can be of great value to the person who draws contentment from it.</p>

<p>Anyway, this was a major digression, but it was on my mind and I needed to put it down somehow. To the OP, I can't advise you on how to spontaneously conjure faith, but I would suggest searching for other paths to happiness, in addition to religion.</p>

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<p>Do you want to believe in a religion or god? </p>

<p>IMO, religions are intrinsically flawed because imperfect humans create the rules and that we all worship the same god but in different ways. This comes from someone who has "lost" their religion but still believes in a divine creator. Still, they bring a sense of purpose and comfort to those who follow them.</p>

<p>I think you will have difficulty believing in a religion if you believe life is "silly and meaningless," because many religions are centered around a god who has a plan even if it isn't revealed to the followers.</p>

<p>You seem to be a person who wishes for a world of reason, but you also realize reason is sometimes scarce. I think you will have to find your own proof of the existence of a god. For many who want to believe in a god, nature serves as proof as a creator's existence. Others see random acts of kindness as God reminding them he/she is there for them.</p>

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<p>As a super-religious Jew turned Atheist, I fail to understand the virtue in resuming faith. After all, it is a set of rules based on the irrational, which limit your ability to pursue whatever might make you happiest. To me, it seems the issue here is with your take. The realization that there is no God, no objective truth, and no inherent purpose to life should be comforting. Why? Because it means you can, without serious objection, pursue whatever it is that makes you most happy, realizing that there are no ultimate, beyond the grave consequences.</p>

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<p>Don't try to "pummel religion into your brain." If you can't accept religion, there's no way to "make" yourself accept it. You will have to find your own reasons for living.</p>

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<p>This is possibly the most distrurbing topic I've read here on CC. Reason is not a cult. In fact, you are contradicting yourself by looking for a reason to do something. This is called self-detonation.</p>

<p>I hope you're trolling.</p>

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<p>^ She's not.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
I have no idea why you would want that. Being an atheist always makes me really happy!

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well, it's more that I have no purpose in life whatsoever, and really need one. As it is I'm sitting on my bed twiddling my thumbs without any goals or aspirations. And it's a really silly, boring life. Maybe it had something to do with getting into college and being disillusioned with academia and realizing the silliness of academic pursuits. But that's another story entirely.</p>

<p>So I figure religion might give me a purpose or something. And a prettier view of the world. Which would make me happy. Maybe.</p>

<p>(I really do hate thinking of ourselves as mere animals subject to the arbitrary whims of brain chemistry. I wish I could think of men as noble and honorable again. I, in fact, have a biological need to think this way. But I can't.)</p>

<p>
[quote]
The pursuit of fulfillment can be achieved through a variety of avenues: art/culture, relationships, charity, materialism, sensual pleasures, and ironically, religion.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This is, in fact, precisely what I'm aiming for.</p>

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<p>If your god gives you lemons, you find a new god.</p>

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<p>The Cult of Reason is from the French Revolution. So. Kind of missed the point.</p>

<p>But if you consciously realize now that religion isn't real, then you can't just start believing in something. The fact that you know that some god you read about in an old book doesn't exist will always be in the back of your mind. I've tried.</p>

<p>If anything, you could try Buddhism. Not so much worshiping a god as trying to find that internal peace.</p>

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<p>Bokonism is your answer OP. </p>

<pre><code>All of the true things I am about to tell you are shameless lies.
</code></pre>

<p>In the beginning, God created earth, and he looked upon it in His cosmic loneliness. </p>

<p>And God said, "Let Us make living creatures out of mud, so the mud can see what We have done." And God created every living creature that now moveth, and one was man. Mud as man alone could speak. God leaned close as mud as man sat up, looked around, and spoke. Man blinked. "What is the purpose of all this?" he asked politely. </p>

<p>"Everything must have a purpose?" asked God. </p>

<p>"Certainly," said man. </p>

<p>"Then I leave it to you to think of one for all this," said God. And He went away. </p>

<p>Bokonon says of his first book: "Of course it's trash"<br>
-excerpt the books of Bokonon</p>

<p>On the Roots of Bokononism</p>

<pre><code>I wanted all things
</code></pre>

<p>To seem to make sense,
So we all could be happy, yes,
Instead of tense.
And I made up lies
So that they all fit nice,
And I made this sad world
A par-a-dise.</p>

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<p>trivialSublime: I'd like to see more posts from you</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Bokonism is your answer OP.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Wikipedia'ed it. Makes me want to read Cat's Cradle :)</p>

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<p>read Cat's Cradle. its..interesting to say the least :]</p>

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<p>If you're a college student, take a philosophy class and/or a religions class. Don't limit yourself just to searching for organized religion to fulfill you.</p>

<p>Also, read books by the likes of James Van Praagh, Brian L. Weiss, and Neale Donald Walsch.</p>

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<p>well, i like being a Muslim.
there is so many things about Islam that are misinterpreted, but if people read the Quran (the muslim book), there are so many good things. People misinterpret things, which leads them to do the wrong things. IMO, it is a peaceful religion and it certainly keeps me from going beyond my limits. It sets a discipline for me and things that i need to follow. Following Islam keeps me happy and going because i know there is someone "upstairs" to always help me. </p>

<p>My advice: i am not telling you to become a Muslim (unless you seriously read about it and really want to), but you have to look in depth in yourself and your limits. good luck.</p>

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<p>Try Buddhism @_@; not so much based on faith I think</p>

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<p>Thanks for the help guys :)
Today I came to my senses and realized I'd probably be happier just learning to accept my current worldview than finding a new one. I mean, it's probably nearly impossible to change these things anyway, no matter what I did chances are I wouldn't be fully convinced of it. So getting a new religion is a really bad way to solve my problems...especially since most of them don't have to do with religion. I guess I'll think of something else.</p>