The meaning of life.

What is the meaning you find in your life without God?

Love, peace, joy, kindness, generosity, honesty, relationships, happiness, freedom, mercy, justice, sacrifice, passion, dreams, morality, solutions, learning, understanding, hope…

They all exist in my life without a god. No lie. No wishful thinking. They all do.

I have meaning within my circle of relationships (family, coworkers, friends, etc.). I have an impact on their lives whether it’s purposeful or known consciously (as they have an impact on mine). I can see the difference I make because I am involved in their lives.

I also have an impact on people I don’t know. Perhaps through what I say, what choices I make, or other cause-and-effect relationships. Even if it’s a tiny difference, I can make one.

And the meaning of my life may be completely different once I’m gone. Perhaps the effect I have on this world will live on through my legacy or through the legacy of someone whom I cared for or birthed.

Meaning is everywhere. We all have it. I think we just approach it differently (hence the different ideas about meaning of life between theists and atheists).

The big two Q’s

Did you ever have a relationship with Jesus Christ?

I most emphatically felt like I had a special and deep relationship with God. It was my entire identity: my lifestyle, my worldview, my decision influence, and a connection to almost every single person I love in this world. It’s a very special thing, and you all understand that.

Oh yes, I was a very serious, thinking Christian who loved Jesus very much. Many of you knew me as such since I’ve been blogging, writing, and discussing my faith for years–ever-vocal and always searching out answers.

Why did you deconvert?

In short, my deconversion came from examining the claims and fundamental arguments for God & Christianity from the outside instead of the inside. I finally found my courage to be open to the idea that all my assumptions and all that I’d been taught my whole life might be missing the mark. Once I got past that fear of being wrong or mistaken, my ideas began to change…

One answer.

what happened to your faith?
Rational thinking. I think that’s the biggest difference between a belief in God and a non-belief. You stop sequestering one portion of your mind and life from reality. You start realizing that fantasy and guesswork are not excusable just because it feels good.