"What exactly is his world view? from Cofty I see nothing but, anti-life, anti-love, anti-hope"

by cofty 37 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  cofty

  Villagegirl's question on another thread was probably supposed to be rhetorical but I want to respond to it.

  Many times people of faith express similar misapprehensions about those who don't share their views on eternity.

  I want this to be a positive thread. An opportunity for atheists to share what moves and inspires them. What do you live for, what gives your life meaning and purpose? Why does rejecting belief in the supernatural not lead to "anti-life, anti-love and anti-hope" but to the very opposite?

  Speaking for myself....

  I am one of the most positive and optimistic people you could hope to meet. I am in love with life and inspired by human potential. I believe we are living in the greatest time in all of human history. The progress in knowledge and understanding of the world is growing exponentially. From the far reaches of the universe to the smallest particles inside an atom the boundaries are being pushed daily.

  Diseases are being cured that were a death sentence just a few decades ago. The fruits of genetic research will lead to cures that we hardly dare dream possible.

  Morally and ethically society is showing signs of growing up. Racism, homophobia and mysogyny are in retreat. There has never been a safer time in which to live. Poverty is no longer excusable - the world is developing a conscience.

  On a personal level there are so many things that give my life meaning. I love my family very much, including two grown up children I am very proud of. Since leaving the Watchtower I have made loads of new friends. I got involved in sports coaching almost 20 years ago and have been able to help literally hundreds of young people as a result. I have been fortunate enough to win a number of sporting and community awards for my work.

  I am interested in almost everything. I love walking and combine that with learning about birds, wild flowers, insects and butterflys, trees - every living thing. I could take you on a guided tour of the night sky on a clear night and tell you stories about the ancient spots of light you are looking at. Sometimes I stare at my hands and marvel that I am made of star-stuff.

  I know almost nothing about poetry and art and classical music and opera but I know how to enjoy it and how it moves me. I love jazz and funk and soul and blues. Miles Davis is the messiah.

  As for hope. I know that this life is the only one I will ever have and that's what makes it so important. My atoms will get recycled and life will go on without me. I hope the world will go on getting better. I hope that religion, superstition and ideology are not allowed to hijack our future. I hope my children will enjoy their lives and live them in a way that makes them happy and meaningful. I find no attraction to false hopes about spirit worlds.

  I could go on and on but that's enough. And all of that without believing in supernatural things.

  So fellow non-believers, don't tell us what you don't like about faith, please share a positive thought about why is your worldview not "anti-life, anti-love, anti-hope"?
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  cantleave

  Life is wonderful, so much to be in awe of, so much to learn, so much to explore. I know this state of consciouness is fleeting so I desire to do what I can to make the most of it, to look for opportunities to contribute positively to my community, to enjoy the good experiences and learn from from the negative ones.
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  bohm

  excellent answer .
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  Yan Bibiyan

  To come to terms with one's mortality and finite existence is liberating and envigorating.

  May seem illogical and backwards at first, but knowing that there is one of you and there will only be one of you, as sofisticated and improbably complex as you are, makes for a heck of a realization - we have won the biggest lottery of all.

  Now we simply have to enjoy and cherish it.
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  confusedandalone

  " What do you live for, what gives your life meaning and purpose?"

  I live for my children, they both give my life meaning and utter happiness. My parents were/are hardcore believers. They believe demons were everywhere and that in order to be safe we had to do everything the "good" book said. That meant avoiding school, good jobs and just enjoying day to day activities. It left my brother, sister and I poor and unhappy. We were constantly beat and they are old and will obviously die leaving us with nothing monetarily or emotionally. All because bible god and his son Jebus said it is good to be poor and constantly rely on someone who is either not there or if they are they have no interest in you.

  Leaving all that mythology behind I constantly think:

  1. What can I do today to make my kids live more fun and enjoyable.

  2. What valuable lifeskill can they learn from this moment.

  3. WOW! It is so much fun to just watch my kids play with each other.

  4. What can I do to make their dreams come true and make them better members of society.

  I literally wake up everyday just loving the fact that I can love them and show them how they can enjoy a good life free of superstition that will prevent them from learning and prevent them from WANTING to help their fellow man out of the kindness of their heart and not because they think they will be rewarded by someone in the sky
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  Band on the Run

  Very well said and I am not an atheist. I do prefer atheists to those "Christians" who insist that they alone have relatity. Sometimes I can't believe my eyes as I read the ignorance. Shock that an atheist would/could have moral values. It is their way or no way. Some of us have not moved far from the Witnesses.

  You state your view point well.
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  prologos

  You expressed well how I feel and live, uncontaminated from the fog of the "super natural"

  I enjoy the work I can still do, children learning, music, the movement of surfing, riding, but

  still feel at a distance there is a creator, not a god.

  Grateful for learning, reading every day.

  Am still waiting for the big answer, the definite proof that there was nothing or something before the energy singularity starting its move into time.
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  Hortensia

  Well, I revel in freedom, especially freedom to think and learn. I find that knowing life is finite makes me appreciate life more, not the highs/peaks of excitement but the everyday beauty of life. I also think much more about community, and I know that other people have the same desire to live free and to enjoy life, so I'm more inclined now to see myself as being part of a group, no more or less important than anyone else. I'm glad I live in a time when there is less suffering in the world than ever before and I hope it gets better and better in the future. Who knows?

  I'm sad I won't be able to see what happens on earth a hundred or a thousand years from now. But that's the way it is.

  I never had children, never wanted any, but I was able to help hundreds of people, I think about 2000 altogether, through my vocational school. Mostly women with children, I feel really good that I was able to teach them skills so they could earn a good living and support their children.

  I really love living where I do, in a beautiful natural area. I love the sight of green trees against blue sky, it gives me an amazing feeling to look up at the sky through the leaves of a tree. I'm generally positive and cheerful, most people who know me like me.
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  Berengaria

  I often wonder if Xtians are simply putting in their time, like a job they don't enjoy, just waiting for the payoff. They seem to be either fearful of or disgusted with the world around them and the people in it.
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  Comatose

  Cofty I feel just like you in your post. I can't say it as well, but here is a poor attempt.

  The life I have is precious. I don't get another chance. I live as good as I can and try to make each day count. I no longer think an invisible powerful presence will step in and fix things. So I got off my butt and started trying to make the world a better place. I think if every person tried to pay it forward the world would be a lot better.

  I used to be Conservative and upset at all the bad people who expected things. Now I gladly will give my money to help those less fortunate than me. I am hopeful that Obamacare can fix some problems despite its growing pains. I joined vittana.org and started giving money to help people get schooling. I have logical and accurate views towards women, minorities, and homosexuals.

  I have a better life right now than I had as a believer. I don't say god cannot exist. I don't say god definitely does not exist. I doubt his existence. I hope if he did exist he could look at all of us with humor, including those like me. I was thinking about it today... I often speak out angrily against god on here. It's not god I have that anger toward, it's this Jehovah creation of the JWs. I know this Jehovah of the witnesses does not exist. My anger and disgust is toward that creation. That was a big realization for me today.

  My kids give my life meaning. My desire to leave the world a better place does as well.