Many Old Atheists Might Be Suffering from a (very interesting) 'God complex'

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  1. God shet profile image60
    God shetposted 9 years ago

    http://s1.hubimg.com/u/11966302_f520.jpg

    We all know how it feels when we lose an opportunity that could change our life. I know people who repent throughout life because they didn't complete their education, which in the end forced them to accept a 'lower' form of employment. Deep in their heart they know that they 'deserved' something better ~ but their own choices in life had blocked their way.



    Atheists - when they are over 60 - might feel something similar. They have spent their life believing that God doesn't exist. But now, as they've reached the end-part of their lives, they might get that terribly disturbing precursor on the back of their minds that they might have squandered away an opportunity cherishing an illusion.

    The atheists have no button at their disposal to undo that mistake. They have only one way open to them to relieve:  advising others (especially young adolescents) to become as successful atheists as themselves.

    1. wilderness profile image94
      wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Most people seem to have a tremendous fear of death, and/or want to live forever - as death approaches and becomes inevitable the fear increases.  An obvious solution to the problem is to believe in eternal life, and whether it has bearing on reality is of no import.  Some embrace the solution, keeping them happy, and some continue to embrace reality, keeping them happy.  In neither case is an earlier desire for reality a "mistake" - as we age our wants and desires (and fears) change for all people.

      1. God shet profile image60
        God shetposted 9 years agoin reply to this

        You might want to reconstruct this sentence:  "In neither case is an earlier desire for reality a "mistake""

        1. wilderness profile image94
          wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          Why?  Is the grammar police after me?  It sounded correct to me...

          1. God shet profile image60
            God shetposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            What I mentioned in the opening post was not anything as if (some) old atheists suddenly realize that they were wrong about God ~ and now they want to follow a spiritual path, or reinvent that 'interest'. It isn't as simple as that.

            You need to realize (I hope you do) that 'a life with God' - and a 'life without God' ~ would be two totally different experiences even when experienced by the same person. That's the argument here.

            1. wilderness profile image94
              wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

              Yes, I understand that.  The point was that "a life with god" is not very desirable until the point of death becomes emotionally real and close; only then does that "life with god" take on a desirable quality as a method of avoiding both death and fear of that death.  Up until then the atheist is not concerned and does not desire it as living in an imaginary reality (so they see it) offers little of value and certainly nothing to override the desire to learn and grow in the real world.

              1. God shet profile image60
                God shetposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                Not exactly so. They (the 'old' atheists) might also realize that they could have utilized their 'spiritual potential' had they only known the reality of God, when they were young. It is comparable to the situation when someone inherits a large sum of money at the age of 60 ~ from a deceased grandparent who lived in another country.


                The recipient is 60 years old now, and is suffering from various diseases.

                1. wilderness profile image94
                  wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  That would be incorrect; utilizing one's "spiritual potential" does not require belief in a non-existent god.  Not unless you define the world "spiritual" to mean just such a belief, and most people today do not.

                  1. God shet profile image60
                    God shetposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                    Utilizing one's 'spiritual potential' requires the knowledge of God. At-least the knowledge of oneself being a part of God.

                    One can only regret if they receive that at 60 ~ after living a life as an anti-God atheist.

  2. Paul Wingert profile image59
    Paul Wingertposted 9 years ago

    @God shet Here you go again, posting BS about things that are way over your head. You should be more worried about proving the existence of your god than making stupid comments about atheists - thinking you're sound so smart. The burden is on the accuser (that means you)  and thousands of years later, there's still no proof. Everyone is born atheist. Kids are lied to about Santa, Easter Bunny and God/Jesus and they outgrow Santa and the Easter Bunny but the other disillusion still continues. Some kids out grow this BS while others are beyond brainwashed, like you.

  3. Kathryn L Hill profile image79
    Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years ago

    I met a man in the hall of of a beautiful old Unitarian church in Pasadena, which I had wandered into out of curiosity. He was sitting in a wheel chair and he invited me to sit down next to him on a bench. We chatted and discussed his beliefs. I discovered he did not believe in God and really only believed in himself, according to the teachings of his so called (?) church! He was very old and in a wheel chair. He did not seem happy and yet he proclaimed, "I have done well in living as long as I can."  And that was all he had. Nothing more. The emptiness I saw in his eyes gave me cause to sympathize.

    1. profile image0
      Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      You saw emptiness in his eyes because you assumed he was empty. "I have done well in living as long as I can." doesn't seem empty.

      1. Kathryn L Hill profile image79
        Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

        I know when I see joy and fulfillment in someone's eyes and when I don't.
        Living to be old for the sake of living to be old, is really wonderful... is it not?
        I really doubt it.

        1. Righteous Atheist profile image59
          Righteous Atheistposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          Unless they are ten years old huh? wink

          1. Kathryn L Hill profile image79
            Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            ( ! You are right. I should have looked more closely…)

            1. profile image0
              Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

              Well, do you think we would have been happier if he convinced himself that he is living his life to gain access into heaven for eternity. What you are saying is ignorance is bliss. BTW, we don't live our lives to get old, we live our lives for the experience.

            2. Righteous Atheist profile image59
              Righteous Atheistposted 9 years agoin reply to this

              Fair enough - I won't bring it up again.

              1. profile image0
                Rad Manposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                She didn't understand you. Surprise!!!!!

                1. Kathryn L Hill profile image79
                  Kathryn L Hillposted 9 years agoin reply to this

                  - just energy recycling kilowatts.

        2. God shet profile image60
          God shetposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          +

    2. God shet profile image60
      God shetposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for sharing this account.

  4. psycheskinner profile image80
    psycheskinnerposted 9 years ago

    Even if your completely made up scenario is true which I doubt, where is the problem?  They repent and go to heaven, right? No worries.

 
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