Atheists: who or what do you turn too?

Question

after you acknowledged that god does not exist.

how do you cope knowing that god does not exist,

everything is seemingly out of our control

and no one else is driving either?

Answer 1

i don't cope.

i don't fear.

I am not mentally ill thank you very much. Actually i am quite the opposite of delusional.

Answer 2

I built a strong moral support web of my friends and family. When I'm feeling down or alone, it's always nice to have an actual hand on your shoulder.

Answer 3

Family, friends and other loved ones.  It's so much more effective than talking to my hands or the sky.  

Answer 4

Why does it matter if something is under control or not?  If your dog gets run over by a car, does it matter that it was God's will that the dog got run over, or does it still suck anyway?  Regardless as to whether or not they have a cause or are part of a plan, things still happen.  How does it change anything if that event was 'under control'?  

Is there really that much of a difference between things being part of "God's will" that no man can possibly know or understand, and things being out of control with nobody driving?  Either way, nobody knows what's going to happen and can only hope for the best.

Answer 5

Myself.

____

Answer 6

God not existing does not imply we have no control.

Answer 7

I am part atheist. I am technically an atheist pagan because I follow the ways of Chaos.

The things I turn to would probably make you want to go to church. It's best simply not to ask.

Answer 8

Getting away from all the myths and stories and the judgemental bull s h i t was the best thing that has ever happened. Thinking on your own and taking full responsablity for you life, quality of life and doing for others in need without the church taking their cut.  

Answer 9

There's this tiny book I read that is in serious need of editing and better translation called "The Enkiridion" that has a lot of good advice.

But that's not so "perfect."

So I turn to logic.  It's not infallible, but at least it makes sense.

Then I listen to some George Carlin and reminisce.

Answer 10

I turn to the problem, acknowledge it and do whatever I can to fix it. I don't turn to God to make me feel better.

Answer 11

I turn to booze.  And pills.  And wild s*x with my backyard animals.  And then I come on Yahoo and answer stupid questions like "atheists:  who or what do you turn too after you acknolwedged that god does not exist"  

Answer 12

Turn to who for what?  I have been able to cope and handle all things that has happened in my life without having to lean on anyone else.  I have never killed anyone or stolen anything or cheated on my taxes or my husband.  I am not perfect, and no one has to forgive me for some "sin".  

Answer 13

uhh deal with it its life i dont need a invisible man in the sky to tell me things are gonna be alright i use logic to get past it and make sure it doesnt happen again

Answer 14

It is much easier to "cope" knowing that there is no god.  While I'm not in control of everything, I certainly do not feel that "everything is seemingly out of our control and no one else is driving either", this seems to be a "pass the buck" and "I'm afraid of work" attitude.

Answer 15

Agnostic, thanks SO much for asking!

You're coming at this question from the cloud of your own dogma. I have GLADLY accepted that I cannot know. I do what I can when I can in my life and I accept my inability to effect some things at some times. It's actually quite easy, if you were to give it some thought.

Most things are out of my CONTROL, but I can INFLUENCE the occurences in my life.  

Answer 16

Why do I need to turn to anything, or anyone?

Wherever I turn, there I am. In my family. In my friends. In my dog.

How do I cope? I expand my understanding.

Everything is seemingly. The world is illusion. Including our lack of control.

Something is driving. Around and around in circles. There is nothing new under the sun. Including this question.

*drink

Answer 17

Hiding in an invisible fairy friend is not an enviable solution. Still, for religionists, it is more attractive than living in the real world.

Answer 18

I drive my own life, thanks.

I make mistakes, I take it for repairs.

Answer 19

Everything is not out of my control.  Anyway, control is overrated. My sphere of control is limited by my capabilities and my circumstances, and it always was, regardless of what I chose to believe. The world is what it is.  The price of gas will never be cheap again and we're all gonna die.  This does not mean that absolutely everything sucks.

Answer 20

The whole concept must just be unfathomable to you...

To be totally honest, I find the universe to be a far safer place to live in without having to worry that someone else might p**s off some supreme being enough to burn the whole show down.

As for coping with day to day struggles, I simply deal with them as they arise.  While some might hide in a corner on their knees hoping for some magical being to make everything okay; I do what has to be done to get through things and move on to the next challenge.....

Answer 21

Family,friends,solutions.

Answer 22

Not everything is out of our control. For example I am typing this, so I am in control. As for what happens with the earth, I accept that anything could happen. I generally live my life and thats it. Yes like an ant in a colony. I'm a drone.  

Answer 23

I drive.  I am in control.  Nothing seems out of control except for the people who cannot take responsibility for their own actions.  What is there to cope with?  That is a ridiculous notion.

Oh yeah, I'm not atheist.

Answer 24

Yeah, oh well. It is as it is, getting bent out of shape over it won't do anything. I guess you just get used to the idea. It has always been this way, the problem is in the brain. The new idea frightens the brain that has been conditioned to deny it as a possibility. I was not so much conditioned, though I did believe for a while.

Edit: I "turn to" understanding. There seems to be a coherence to things. If something happens that displeases me, back to the drawing board. What else is there to do? We must solve problems with the brains we are equipped.

Answer 25

Actually I feel more in control since I stopped believing in a god. If I want to be happy in this life, it's up to me to take action, instead of cowering on my knees and praying.

Answer 26

The universe is governed by natural, immutable laws.  That's comfort enough.  Who needs someone to direct that?

And this is not an argument for any religion.  Just because it's comfortable to have someone to fall back on who is in control of everything, doesn't make it any more true.

Answer 27

We have these things called friends.

Answer 28

Thanks for the respectful, interesting question.

I see it this way:  If God doesn't exist, then God has never existed.  If no one is driving, then no one has ever driven.  We have thousands of years of written history during which the universe has maintained its stately order.  Evidence suggests that the laws of physics have remained the same for eons.  At this point, it doesn't look like a driver is really needed.