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Non-Religious Conversion Reactions (Angry / Sad)?

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nsfwjonathan:
I've never met someone that was unhappy with any conversion that stayed in that position for any amount of time.  Constantly, I'm stopping myself in some debates because I remember how sure I felt when i was a believer - and it's a sure as I feel right now ;)

That said, my stepping away from superstition wasn't easy.  While I'm not sure if I should be, I feel rather ashamed that i still cling to the hope of an afterlife.  Quite a powerful belief in my life for varying reasons (some being quite obvious).  I feel like this question may be more about how people commit to changing their minds for fear of being wrong after the fact, maybe?

Desert Fox:
Fear of death is hard to deal with. . .
Probably the hardest thing was dealing with that
Trouble is that I think it was harder as a (nominal) believer.
I guess I kind of knew I was lying to myself and so bothered me a lot.
Facing that I am just gone when I die has helped.

In fact I use a biblical signature in another forum
Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.

lorryfach:
I don't know about a more constant anger/sadness, but I know that it's not uncommon to react with sadness in the face of certain events. e.g. I see this kind of thing on atheist forums ALL. THE. TIME: "[My friend/my friend's child/my awesome relative] [died/got cancer/became critically injured] and I really wish I believed [there was a heaven for them to go to/there were some greater meaning or purpose behind it]." I also see more vague statements like "I wish there were a god" but rarely with an explanation of why. These sentiments always stand out to me because I don't get it at all, but I keep seeing it.

seaotter:
Y'all have to listen to Dan savage on this subject in the latest this American life. It's hilarious but you will also cry.

nsfwjonathan:

--- Quote from: lorryfach on Apr 22, 2012, 06:32:34 AM ---I don't know about a more constant anger/sadness, but I know that it's not uncommon to react with sadness in the face of certain events. e.g. I see this kind of thing on atheist forums ALL. THE. TIME: "[My friend/my friend's child/my awesome relative] [died/got cancer/became critically injured] and I really wish I believed [there was a heaven for them to go to/there were some greater meaning or purpose behind it]." I also see more vague statements like "I wish there were a god" but rarely with an explanation of why. These sentiments always stand out to me because I don't get it at all, but I keep seeing it.

--- End quote ---

While I'm not an atheist, my belief in the after life is hanging on by the most improbable of strings (see what I did there?).  If I'm going to explain the stuff you described seeing on atheist forums, here is how it would work in my own head:

Let's say my four year old nephew died for cancer.  I would be pissed, sad, devastated to my core.  I'd likely cry silently at night, clawing at my own  chest for the lost hope of some wonderful afterlife for this child I cherish so deeply.  I would want 'god' to give him absolute comfort after having died such a terrible death.

We all seem to  brought up with certain concepts of 'justice,' and discovering that there is probably no ultimate justice (and I don't mean hell).  The child that is kidnapped and torture raped to death's last thought EVER is of complete fear, pain, misery and confusion.

That's probably the #1 reason I yearn for an afterlife.

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