I believe that the universe is, in a way, decided. I do not necessarily believe in free will. We are slaves to our brain. We cannot make any decisions other than the ones we make, or why would we have made (or not made) them? I think my future is already decided. I think the future of the universe is already decided. However, (and this is a big however) I believe that I have a responsibility to ensure that future. I have faith in myself. I have faith in myself as my God. I have an unreasonable (unreasonable only because empirically it should not happen) expectation of an outcome that I see in my head. I have no choice than to do the things I do because of my faith. There is a future my in my head. My actions now can do nothing but result in that future. That's just the way it is, and I have no reason to think otherwise. That is my faith.
My point is that you can only make good choices after you have complete faith and trust in your ability to create the future in your head. Part of that process is identifying when choices you've made in the past are counterintuitive to your future self. The other part of it is embracing an inherent selfishness and borderline internal arrogance. That includes embracing every part of your brain. In doing so, you may find that the emotions you once feared transform into great strength. Another is realizing that pain, sadness, and other emotions with negative connotations are necessary.
Mentors often tell me to pray to God. This would have bothered me a lot a couple of years ago. It doesnt anymore because every time I make myself feel like I'm grinding or pushing myself to that future, I am praying to God.
Please do not take this the wrong way. I am not trying to be conceded. Realistically speaking, the chances are that every person fails to reach most of the goals they make. Therefore, a faith in ones self is just as reasonable or unreasonable as a religious persons faith in their God, but it is also just as important. I guess that is all that I am trying to say.
I am apprehensive about posting this.
This reminds me of something my mom has always told me. When you're making life choices now, think of it as taking care of your 40-year-old self. And so on and so on. I also have a friend (who is atheist) who says she likes hanging out with her religious friends, because they're so positive. She says though, that instead of using that positive energy to pray to god, she uses that energy to insure positive outcomes for herself. I think what she said is similar to what you're saying.
ReplyDeleteKudos for posting this. This is a positive post, so only positive things can come from it. :] Actually, I almost believe there are only positive outcomes in this life. Although circumstances may seem terrible at the time, they are necessary for more positive outcomes. Can't have the good without the bad/whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Not everyone believes in the traditional definition of god, or god at all, but it doesn't mean they don't have faith or aren't spiritual. The important thing is to find your faith on your own terms, in your own way. I don't think anyone's faith (or life philosophy) has to be the same, or that there is a right or wrong way. Just as long as we are working to better ourselves, do the right thing, and be good to others. Faith is the strength, courage and inspiration to do all of that. I think my atheist friend and her religious friends have the same positive energy to do good. One derives her strength from herself (her faith that she has the power to do anything she sets her mind to); the others derive their strength from god.
It's all good.
I didn't intend for that to be so long! Haha, sorry. :]
Thanks for you comment, Alexis :)
ReplyDeleteYour friend and I have a lot in common when it comes to this topic. It's a bummer because Atheists often get put into a box that disallows variety and spirituality. At the same time, it often takes awhile for an Atheist to find spiritual identity, and it can be a pretty dark time for people. Paying attention to how religion effects the lives of religious people does help a lot.