As most of you know, over the past 5-6 years, I've been slowly deconverting from my parents' religion, Mormonism. While going through this process, I have to say that I understand the religious viewpoint, though I realize that it's fundamentally flawed. I've had a real hard time gaining my moral bearings since "falling away," and it's done a real number on my self-confidence.
I've had to realign my worldview quite drastically. I still follow my Mormon lifestyle, but I mainly do it because of family pressures, comfort zones and a general conformist philosophy now: the fairy tale's pretty much over.
But, now everything just feels like arbitrary rules, like I could essentially make up whatever moral guidelines I want, and it would be just as valid as the guidelines that society makes up for me. I've pretty much accepted now that God isn't real, but it's still hard to get used to the idea that this is really how the universe is. It's really not a trivial thing to try to work through.
So, I completely understand why religious people can't imagine morality in the absence of their deity. And what really depresses me about this is that I have no idea how to share my perspective on it in a way that would make a meaningful difference.
-Bluejay (a.k.a. Mantis, Thylacosmilus)
Darwin loves you.
™ Version 4.2
