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by tnvaught 2959 days ago
>3) Look at your spiritual life...

This can not be overemphasized in my opinion. The natural result of Atheistic Naturalism is, to me, nihilism and its accompanying depression, so I would encourage an honest examination of your worldview and an openness to faith that provides a sense of purpose.

2 comments

You don't have to believe in God to have a spiritual perspective -- see, for example, Buddhism.

As it happens, I do believe in God(dess), but what is needed is not religion so much as spirituality -- see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirituality

>The natural result of Atheistic Naturalism is, to me, nihilism and its accompanying depression,

This is a view of atheism which seems predicated on a common theist belief that morality and "purpose" can only exist through belief in a divine being. Yet there are plenty of atheists who are neither nihilistic nor depressed - and plenty of theists who are.

One can believe that life has value, and that life can have a purpose in the context of humanism, and one can even have spirituality without embracing a belief in the supernatural or the divine. As Douglas Adams said, isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?

I don't think there's any harm in giving it a try, even if you decide it's not for you.
Same goes for trying out atheism.

Which of course makes no sense because this is not a brand of coffee.

If you're already an atheist there is no need to "try it" because you are already familiar.
I know, I was suggesting to try out atheism for someone who believes in something else.

All this to say that such suggestions do not make sense, a belief or lack of is not something which someone can "try out". I can imagine that following some major life events, for someone who is inclined to such a change, "trying out" is an option.

Having had all kind of dramatic events in my life I never felt the need to invoque a superior being. YMMV.

That's false though. You don't have to start out committed to anything. You can simply pick up a religious book or attend a religious service and see if it speaks to you.