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Re: Atheism and the Substitution Phenomenon

Thor Larholm — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:55:30 -0000

I have never been a believer in the first place, so I have had no need for a substitution.

Even though 82% of the Danish population are registered as being part of one religion or the other I very much doubt that more than 10% have ever felt close to the concept of God or had religion strongly integrated into their everyday existence.

Most Danes are automatically registered in the People's Church at birth simply because of the traditional baptism ceremony. They might be told some bible stories while they grow up, but generally regard them on the same level as the tooth fairy or easter bunny and disregard them, or simply forget about them, when they become teenagers. After that, most Danish people will only see a church when they attend a wedding or a funeral, or at the annual Christmas ceremony when they visit the family.

We have a very small population of orthodox and evangelical Christians and it doesn't take a lot of talk about religious belief before you are labeled as a weird religious fanatic.

In short, we're officially a secular state but unofficially a non-secular state.

Regards
Thor Larholm

Re: Atheism and the Substitution Phenomenon

Jason Ormes — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 09:52:12 -0000

what about everyones true motivation in life... just doing enough to not be hassled by anyone.

Re: Atheism and the Substitution Phenomenon

Daniel Miessler — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 11:33:06 -0000

mjgiarlo said:
> If I had to choose something, I’d say it’s Justice or Order

Hmm, a good point. I should add those along with logic and reason.

Re: Atheism and the Substitution Phenomenon

Daniel Miessler — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 11:27:46 -0000

Arik Said:
> Hey which am I? I’m curious to know.

Heh, I couldn't tell you. I've seen a few atheists that didn't ever feel close to the concept of God, so a substitution wasn't needed. It could be that you were one of these, or maybe you were just stronger that most. I think the substitution is needed most when one's religion is a big part of their life, and when they strongly integrate it into their everyday existence.

When that's the case, and it's suddenly removed, a replacement structure is needed to keep things from falling down. Most people need this, but not all do.

Re: Atheism and the Substitution Phenomenon

mjgiarlo — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 11:09:43 -0000

I haven't believed since I was a child, but I would say that I definitely filled the void with elevating romance. I was that "that kid" in college who idolized Jim Morrison and filled notebooks full of horrible poetry about true love. Yeah, you know the one.

I'm not sure anything is filling the void now, to be honest. I'm pretty much skeptical, cynical, and agnostic across the board. If I had to choose something, I'd say it's Justice or Order.

Re: Atheism and the Substitution Phenomenon

arikb — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 02:53:19 -0000

Hey which am I? I'm curious to know.

-- Arik

Re: Atheism and the Substitution Phenomenon

zhasper — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 22:06:28 -0000

I love the gAds right now:

God -total Union with God: Why Juesis is the Only Way to Union? The Answer May Surprise You

I can't really put my finger on anything that I substituted for.

Partially, this is probably because I didn't have a sudden transition, but a gradual transition over about 3 years, starting with me rejecting some of the things I'd learnt growing up. When I eventually stopped going to church, it wasn't because I'd rejected the faith, it was because I couldn't find a church I liked - and then the rest of the faith atrophied fairly quickly.

Mostly, I think it's because I had bigger issues going on around the time I stopped going to church - I'd just gotten out of uni into a slave-labour job, and moved 1000km or so. I had few friends, and even those few friends I had, I had no money to do anything with, so I was constantly bored at home. The most major bouts of depression I've ever had came then (not that they were major bouts, by any means - just the most major I've had)

Looking back over the course of the couple of years when I was gradually shedding faith, if there was anything that took it's place it would have been Scientific Fact/Reason.

Re: Atheism and the Substitution Phenomenon

Jason Ormes — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 20:49:21 -0000

does never having the belief in the first place classify one as an atheist, or just a human?