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News & General Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Paolo on February 18, 2021, 03:39:16 AM

Title: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: Paolo on February 18, 2021, 03:39:16 AM
I at least ''consider'' myself an atheist (despite the accusations on that thread), but I suffer from a lot of mental disorders. I have been unemployed since I reached ''legal age''. I realize that there's not much a random message board can do to help me, but I wanted to ask nevertheless: if I don't have faith in ''God'' to help me, how I will overcome these problems and diseases? I've tried everything, and religion seems to be the last resort, but I have serious doubts/conflicts about it.

So, this thread's question is this: if atheists don't have God, what is their last measure for dealing with seemingly incurable illness?

I don't know if I should post that here, but it seemed the most approppriate place. Mods can move it over. Or delete the thread if it doesn't fit anywhere on the forum.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: Mr.Obvious on February 18, 2021, 03:51:25 AM
Let me first ask, how does faith in god help in the first place?

One of my former clients, as a social worker, has severe mental retardation. His Christian mom is fighting the care set up for him, making him worse off. All because she believes god will one day miraculously cure him.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: drunkenshoe on February 18, 2021, 05:24:01 AM
Paolo? You've somehow started to doubt and question all this... god, religion...etc; it has arrived to a tipping point, and now, while you cannot go back, you also feel depressed and intimidated about the position you are in? Atheism looks, sounds lonely, cold, depresif and dark, most importantly unclear? Is that what you are going through?

Is that the reason why you are using the word atheism in a very alienated manner? Use the word unbeliever instead of atheist; unbelief instead of atheism. Forget the a word. It doesn't mean anything in an individual level.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: Paolo on February 18, 2021, 06:13:06 AM
Quote from: drunkenshoe on February 18, 2021, 05:24:01 AM
Paolo? You've somehow started to doubt and question all this... god, religion...etc; it has arrived to a tipping point, and now, while you cannot go back, you also feel depressed and intimidated about the position you are in? Atheism looks, sounds lonely, cold, depresif and dark, most importantly unclear? Is that what you are going through?

Yes, exactly.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: drunkenshoe on February 18, 2021, 06:30:28 AM
Quote from: Paolo on February 18, 2021, 06:13:06 AM
Yes, exactly.

Ah...Paolo, this is not some sort of a test. You should give yourself a rest. You don't need to do anything. Just relax. This is not a religion. You are not expected to do anything. It's going to take some time. Don't force yourself into anything. Let it go.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: aitm on February 18, 2021, 07:49:40 AM
Ah...but the bigger question is which god do you think will help you? Of all the gods they all seem to offer the exact same chances of giving you what you want. Odd that eh? I mean....what are the chances that all the gods offer the same success rate? And what exactly is that success rate? Doesn’t take a lot to realize the chances of the answer being no before you even ask is extremely more likely than yes. Lots of people claim god answered their prayer, but an awful lot won’t admit that ole god was retry silent.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: Cassia on February 18, 2021, 09:32:42 AM
The fact that you are even studying alternatives (other than faith) suggests that you are smarter and more rational than most. Give yourself some credit. Understanding the realities of life may not give me false comfort of an eternity but I am free to understand the true value of every day I AM alive and to make the most of it. The beauty becomes so real, every moment is something that can be cherished and not diminished by empty promises of infinite life. A bird singing from a branch, the sounds of Mozart, the understanding of Newton's Calculus...that is my heaven. Human compassion is real too. I wish you wellness, Paolo !

The brave dying Hitchens really hit the point.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDTObha5lUE
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: SGOS on February 18, 2021, 09:34:48 AM
There is no way to verify that a god is responsible for the good in your life or getting rid of the bad in your life.  I believe that some data shows that a belief that this is true sometimes facilitates a feeling of well being and may even help.  But this is not saying that there is a being that actually does this.

I wish you a productive journey, no matter what you decide.  For myself, I'm not confused about any of it.  I don't worry about my soul, or what's going to happen when I die.  Instead of sin and damnation, I follow a system of ethics that I believe is far more powerful and useful than a set of commandments for hypocrites to worship while they violate them.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: Blackleaf on February 18, 2021, 06:41:26 PM
As someone with untreated major depressive disorder that began in my teens (Jesus Christ, I'm 31 now, and I still haven't found help), I was no better off with religion. I believed that if I leaned more heavily on God, he would heal me. Well, I leaned, but I just ended up tipping and falling over, because religion can offer nothing but empty promises. Rely on things that actually do help, like medical professionals. And yes, I should be following my own advice, I know. One thing that sucks about depression is that it makes it harder to seek the help you need. I tried once and got put on a three month waiting line. This was during Covid, so they were likely busier than normal, but Jesus Christ. I finally get the motivation to call, and they don't call me back for months?
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: Paolo on February 19, 2021, 05:36:26 AM
Thanks for the answers. I think most have been helpful to me. I may have additional comments at a later point.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: SoldierofFortune on February 19, 2021, 06:45:08 AM
Like a father figure superior than you in your childhood that you can trust because he will provide protection for you, this is no difference from a god figure. because god is all-powerful etc.

there is no relation between believing a god and being without mental disorders, other than god can make you feel safe.

Believing a god or not is an intellectual issue, it has not to do with feeling safe from the cathastrophic world outside home.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: There and back on March 04, 2021, 02:10:35 PM
I was a Christian for a long time (30+ years), and there were times when my belief in this system helped me with major depressive illness. But overall, it did not help at all, and more often than not made it worse. Leaving theism was one heck of a mental battle and I ended up in hospital after a failed attempt at bailing out. But now that the dust has settled, I feel freer and am happier than I have ever been, though I still have my moments. Why? Because I am now certain that none of the people I have loved are in hell. I am also free to encounter people as people regardless of their beliefs, sexuality, hangups, theology, and so on. A wanker is a wanker and a decent person is a decent person regardless of their baggage. I am reasonably convinced that once we die that that is it - I am 100%  happy to become dust. I didn't exist until 56 years ago, and it didn't bother me a bit, I have no evidence that my death will be any different.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: PickelledEggs on March 04, 2021, 06:40:37 PM
Sounds like op is definitely not an atheist... or at least someone with an underlying urge to believe in the supernatural, to explain and resolve their issues.

Re your question "if atheists don't have God, what is their last measure for dealing with seemingly incurable illness?"
Last measure?
Doctors. Even if there is not a cure, there usually is remedies for pain and symptoms.

Even when there is none of that either, the only thing we can do is come to terms with what reality is. Sometimes the comfort is in recognizing reality.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: Gawdzilla Sama on March 05, 2021, 12:44:39 PM
NB I'm 70 and life-long atheist. I've been in constant pain for 18 months now. My wife holds the morphine bottle so I don't lose track of how much I've taken. When it wears off I'm very careful not to move. But, of course I have to move sometimes. The doctors have other things to do so I don't see a resolution to this other than death. I am, however, not scared or worried about "what comes next". I don't believe anything comes next.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: drunkenshoe on March 06, 2021, 04:47:12 AM
He is wating for something extraordinary to happen [to him] in this process. :lol:
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: SGOS on March 06, 2021, 07:48:20 AM
Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on March 05, 2021, 12:44:39 PM
I am, however, not scared or worried about "what comes next". I don't believe anything comes next.
I'm not worried about that either.  I consider your exceptional attitude as a worthy goal for humanity.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: Mike Cl on March 06, 2021, 10:24:36 AM
Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on March 05, 2021, 12:44:39 PM
NB I'm 70 and life-long atheist. I've been in constant pain for 18 months now. My wife holds the morphine bottle so I don't lose track of how much I've taken. When it wears off I'm very careful not to move. But, of course I have to move sometimes. The doctors have other things to do so I don't see a resolution to this other than death. I am, however, not scared or worried about "what comes next". I don't believe anything comes next.
Not worried about death.  Only concern I have in that regard is unnecessary pain.  Necessary pain I can deal with--but to prolong my life because of a dr. ego is a bit much for me--hope I don't have to deal with it.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: drunkenshoe on March 08, 2021, 06:01:37 AM
I've donated my corpse to a hospital yeears ago. This is not something that comes up in a conversation naturally. But the reactions people give is something you should see when it happens. Any kind of reactions. Young nurses in hospitals, approching people for organ donation act pretty funny. Mostly they get stunned, assume I'm lying (?), but then they can't help but ask about it. I think, it is a kind of urban legend around here and people have all kinds of conspiracy stuff. But then when they see the card, this time they treat you extremely kindly. One old nurse, nodded, and asked me if it's OK to see my card if I have it with me and made me cut in the line in a very discreet way, I didn't even get it what was going on first.

One religous childhood friend, very honestly from her position said that it's a good thing for 'someone like me' to do that. Someone like me. :lol:

Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: aitm on March 08, 2021, 07:31:04 AM
I’m planned for a “body farm” where they put your stiff ass in some type of contrived situation..wait a pre-set amount of time and turn some forensic students loose on me to fill in the blanks. It’s my hope I stink up the place.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: Paolo on March 11, 2021, 11:38:43 AM
Quote from: drunkenshoe on March 06, 2021, 04:47:12 AM
He is wating for something extraordinary to happen [to him] in this process. :lol:

Is this a petty attempt at a personal attack?
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: drunkenshoe on March 11, 2021, 12:42:40 PM
Quote from: Paolo on March 11, 2021, 11:38:43 AM
Is this a petty attempt at a personal attack?

No, it isn't. You think you are going to find/discover something extraordinary. Understand something hidden everybody has missed.
Title: Re: Atheists with mental issues
Post by: Paolo on March 12, 2021, 09:56:38 AM
Quote from: drunkenshoe on March 11, 2021, 12:42:40 PM
No, it isn't. You think you are going to find/discover something extraordinary. Understand something hidden everybody has missed.

OK, if you say so...