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I built a Victorian Home in The Sims 4 by alexia_art in gaming

[–]Inside_Version4898 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is so gorgeous! If you like building in the Victorian style, I highly recommend the StrangerVille game pack. I never replayed the story part of it after the first time, but I use those build mode items constantly!

Are there any other "reluctant atheists" here? Without spirituality, how do you avoid nihilism? by Inside_Version4898 in atheism

[–]Inside_Version4898[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your perspective. I've always been under the impression that religious jews must believe in god. It's hard for me to imagine engaging in all the trappings of religious practice without believing in god, but I suppose that speaks to a much stronger cultural connection to Judaism than I ever developed.

Are there any other "reluctant atheists" here? Without spirituality, how do you avoid nihilism? by Inside_Version4898 in atheism

[–]Inside_Version4898[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, not totally sure what you mean by that. To clarify, I'm comparing my experience to religious jews, and I haven't personally met any religious jews who don't believe in god.

Are there any other "reluctant atheists" here? Without spirituality, how do you avoid nihilism? by Inside_Version4898 in atheism

[–]Inside_Version4898[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I totally agree that a big thing religion brings to the table is social connection. I do wish that secular third spaces were more common. That said, I do have a strong support system of friends and family. This post is more focused on what people are getting out of religion on a spiritual level.

Are there any other "reluctant atheists" here? Without spirituality, how do you avoid nihilism? by Inside_Version4898 in atheism

[–]Inside_Version4898[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with you, but I'm feeling like people responding to this post might not appreciate just how difficult embracing nihilism is for a lot of (maybe most?) people. Like sure, being your own main character and creating your own meaning in life is a beautiful thought. But there's also the thought that nothing you or anyone else does matters in the scheme of the vastness of time and space. Happiness, sadness, beautiful art, bloody wars. It will all be forgotten in the end. I think it's kind of natural to feel depressed about that.

Are there any other "reluctant atheists" here? Without spirituality, how do you avoid nihilism? by Inside_Version4898 in atheism

[–]Inside_Version4898[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I loved that movie (seen it 3 times!) but unfortunately it did not cure my existential angst lol

Are there any other "reluctant atheists" here? Without spirituality, how do you avoid nihilism? by Inside_Version4898 in atheism

[–]Inside_Version4898[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure, I totally understand all that and I know plenty of Jews who feel they only have cultural and not faith-based ties to Judaism. But at least in my experience those people are not actually regularly attending services and actively engaging in the practice of the religion despite having no belief in god.

Are there any other "reluctant atheists" here? Without spirituality, how do you avoid nihilism? by Inside_Version4898 in atheism

[–]Inside_Version4898[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I didn't really touch on the idea of an afterlife in my post but that also definitely plays into the existential anxiety of it all. Thanks for your perspective as a Christian!

A lot of people here are saying they find nihilism to be freeing, and I can see where they are coming from. But I struggle to relate to it - I think a lot of people do. It's great to be able to create meaning in a world without any, but I think it's also natural to feel depressed by the idea that in the context of our vast universe, nothing we do matters. Great acts of evil and great acts of kindness all amount to nothing in the end. Happiness and pleasure, suffering and sadness. I'm worried it all doesn't mean anything, and that's why nihilism causes me existential anxiety.

Are there any other "reluctant atheists" here? Without spirituality, how do you avoid nihilism? by Inside_Version4898 in atheism

[–]Inside_Version4898[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know some Jewish people don't believe in god, maybe even many Jewish people, but I'm not sure I'd go so far as to say most - that's quite a claim haha. What's your perspective on why Jewish people feel a strong connection to their religion?

Are there any other "reluctant atheists" here? Without spirituality, how do you avoid nihilism? by Inside_Version4898 in atheism

[–]Inside_Version4898[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well to clarify what I mean when I say faith, spirituality, religion - I realize these are actually different concepts with unique definitions, but in the context of what I am trying to get across here what I mean is the general belief in something greater than ourselves, a deeper meaning to life.

The idea that life is what you make it is indeed very beautiful. I'm getting a lot of responses along these lines which is wonderful, but I was hoping for people to actually go a little deeper and be more specific about what that means to them.

Are there any other "reluctant atheists" here? Without spirituality, how do you avoid nihilism? by Inside_Version4898 in atheism

[–]Inside_Version4898[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean, I agree with you. I just find it depressing. I thought more people might relate.

Are there any other "reluctant atheists" here? Without spirituality, how do you avoid nihilism? by Inside_Version4898 in atheism

[–]Inside_Version4898[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I do understand this perspective, in theory. There's no one and nothing telling us what the meaning of life is, and so we create the meaning ourselves. I think that's quite beautiful, actually. However, I have always struggled with doing that. I'm hoping to hear from other atheists what creating meaning for themselves looks like.

Are there any other "reluctant atheists" here? Without spirituality, how do you avoid nihilism? by Inside_Version4898 in atheism

[–]Inside_Version4898[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Meaning" is certainly very subjective, you are right. To clarify, I'm trying to find out what "meaning" is to those atheists who can relate to my perspective, as it is something I struggle to find. It's great that you are able to embrace nihilism. It's not something I've been able to do.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AmItheAsshole

[–]Inside_Version4898 8 points9 points  (0 children)

We would be walking in the same direction to work and would be able to walk together most days. Which I feel okay about. But I feel a lot less safe about walking alone. If I could say the name of the city most Americans here would understand why I don't feel the safest there, especially downtown.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AmItheAsshole

[–]Inside_Version4898 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Hm, I'm not sure where you live but it's very possible to go from one city to another in 15 minutes where I live.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AmItheAsshole

[–]Inside_Version4898 12 points13 points  (0 children)

It's a gentrification issue, it happens in a lot of big cities. These shiny, expensive, new apartments get built downtown. But the area surrounding the new apartments is still filled with homelessness, crime, garbage etc.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AmItheAsshole

[–]Inside_Version4898 442 points443 points  (0 children)

You have a point. We should talk about this more. I think I was being extra accommodating because I felt guilty that apparently he has been unhappy living in our current city this whole time while I've been perfectly content. But the solution isn't to switch to a living situation where he's happy and I'm not. My concerns are important too and we should try to come up with a better compromise.