atheist looking for a meaning in life

[Reasonable Christian]

Little back story , was born in a hindu family, currently an atheist, i am 20 yr old and feel like an old man with nothing to show for in life, now i wish that if only the internet hadnt filled my brain with a million ideas there still would have been a way for me to believe in god, finally have came to an understanding that lifes pretty empty without a bigger reason to live than myself, wish there was way for me to redpillmy brain into believing in god, but again i feel like its too late for me. I have no idea where to go from here.

Why do you feel that it’s too late for you to believe in God?

 

[BobRyan]

Little back story , was born in a hindu family, currently an atheist, i am 20 yr old and feel like an old man with nothing to show for in life, now i wish that if only the internet hadnt filled my brain with a million ideas there still would have been a way for me to believe in god, finally have came to an understanding that lifes pretty empty without a bigger reason to live than myself, wish there was way for me to redpillmy brain into believing in god, but again i feel like its too late for me. I have no idea where to go from here.

I don't blame you for coming to that conclusion. God is the only source of eternal life - and in fact meaning in life. In the Bible 1 Corinthians 15 in the part of the Bible called the "new Testament" says regarding the supernatural event of the resurrectoin of Christ and of the future resurrection of the saints "If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied. If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hoped only in this life [and this is all there is], then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.if there is no bodily resurrection then we are of all people most to be pitied" .

You are expressing the same conclusion that the Apostle Paul came to when he considered the premise that you have adopted. That premise only leads to a very depressing conclusion.

But the Bible has the alternative premise - the one with a future and a hope.

A few questions for you:

1. Do you "really believe" that dust gas and rocks will "come up with a rabbit or a horse" given enough time and chance??
No? well then that only leaves the fact that a real God must exist.

2. Do you "really believe" that a close examination of a rock will reveal that rocks have the inherent property of "Self awareness" and so can one day produce a human brain - given enough time and chance?
No? - then that only leaves us with the fact that a real God does exist.

3. If you look at all the religious options - what group has the best explanation for the present and the best outcome?
In Christianity God does not intend for any evil - He creates a sinless, deathless, joyful universe of life -- and also free will .
He designs a solution where once again the entire universe returns to a sinless, deathless, joyful state.

 

[BobRyan]

Will be interesting to see if they ever return here --- since Dec 2022

 

[returntosender]

@shivang Why don't you try it and find out? Christianity

 

[BobRyan]

Why don't you try it and find out?

?? try what?

 

[Michie]

?? try what?

I think she means try Christianity. Although I’m not sure that works in the long run ...

 

[IceJad]

Little back story , was born in a hindu family, currently an atheist, i am 20 yr old and feel like an old man with nothing to show for in life, now i wish that if only the internet hadnt filled my brain with a million ideas there still would have been a way for me to believe in god, finally have came to an understanding that lifes pretty empty without a bigger reason to live than myself, wish there was way for me to redpillmy brain into believing in god, but again i feel like its too late for me. I have no idea where to go from here.

I'll not be here to say about how you can find a way back into a religious belief. I find it unhelpful to directly or indirectly point you to God in your current state. That is a decision you have to make by yourself or not make it at all. A true believe come from within.

However I'll try to help address your deeper existential crisis. It is uncomfortable to lose a perception that has shaped how you experience and comprehend the world around you. The degree of directionless varies from person to person. Some take it better than others. And this is important - it is OK and there is nothing shameful about it.

All these while you have orientated your worth to a greater good mantra, just so happens that mantra comes in the form of religion. I do not know what you read or consume on the internet to sever your believe system but at this point it hardly matters. Just because you loss a deity as your expression of existentialism doesn't mean you have loss a greater purpose for existing. It feels that way because you can't get validation for your actions in service to the greater purpose. If God is not real to you what is the point of everything you did? I ponder you might think this way.

You have to give give yourself a reason to move forward in service to a greater good. This will be a bit counter intuitive at first because there will be no higher authority to tell you that you're on the right direction. It can be simple things like I'm here to elevate the misfortune of people around, and you service this belief by doing charity. Or I'm here to find and spread the understand of the working of the world & universe, and you service this by pursuing to be the foremost expert in the field. Set yourself a goal that will give you the most satisfaction in doing and achieving.

When you're in a better mental frame (which could be months to even years), you may choose to rediscover religion again or maybe by then you would not need to anymore and would have affirmed your own reason.

 

[SplendidSeraphim]

Welcome!

 

[Wyatt A.]

Little back story , was born in a hindu family, currently an atheist, i am 20 yr old and feel like an old man with nothing to show for in life, now i wish that if only the internet hadnt filled my brain with a million ideas there still would have been a way for me to believe in god, finally have came to an understanding that lifes pretty empty without a bigger reason to live than myself, wish there was way for me to redpillmy brain into believing in god, but again i feel like its too late for me. I have no idea where to go from here.

You need the Gospel...

The Gospel is:

Man has sinned. Man is a sinner and the wages of sin is death.

God knew man could not pay for his own sins so His Son, Jesus lived a perfect life, was without sin and was crucified. God's wrath for our sins was poured out on Him instead of us, and because He did nothing wrong, it was enough for God.

The price that was paid on that cross was enough so that if we confess our sins, confess that we are a sinner and confess that Jesus is Lord, God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins so we can receive eternal life and be in Heaven with God forever.

Jesus was crucified, died, was buried and was raised from the dead 3 days later having defeated sin and death.

There's nothing you can do to earn your way into Heaven. What Jesus did for you is the only price for sins that God will accept. It's that simple.

"There is no one righteous, not even one."
Ron 3:10

All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Rom 3:23

For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
Rom 10:13

The Gospel means "good news".