I wonder if belief in god/religion stops people living...

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their lives (?)

I've often wondered this question

It's like people don't make the most of what they have while they're alive because they think they're going to a better place

I don't know if it's any belief in god or the afterlife that would do that, but certainly some stricter interpretations of religions would inevitably lead to people not living their lives to the fullest.

Religions that convince people that this life doesn't matter and that paradise is what's really important seem predisposed to that outcome, and stricter interpretations of them would be worse in that regard than more lenient interpretations.

I think that is so sad

Me too, that's why I reject those sorts of religions and try to encourage others to rethink their relationship with what are essentially socially tolerated death cults.

the possibility that there is a place far finer than this hellworld is just about the only thing that keeps me going.

In my former religion, it was considered laudable for people to give up on their hopes and dreams. Personal sacrifice was the topic of many sermons and articles. There’d often be examples we were supposed to look up to - like the one in which a woman gave up on her dream of being a violinist, so she could spend more time preaching. Pursuing secular goals would supposedly push people away from God and jeopardize their ability to achieve salvation.

My first boyfriend wanted to pursue a career in sports (he was very talented) but that was highly discouraged. My cousin wanted to pursue singing. She has a beautiful voice but that was highly discouraged. My dad had a full 4 year college scholarship. It was highly discouraged to go to college at the time (and still is for the most part), so he spent his life working in demanding, physical labor jobs. My brother is brilliant and should’ve became a scientist.

They are all living for an afterlife which will likely never come, except for my brother who left a few years ago. None of them were ever fully happy. It’s really sad. There’s just so much waste and unnecessary happiness in the world. I mean, not everyone who pursues their dreams is going to be happy, but at least they have a shot at it and/or can pursue a related goal that might add to their life in some way.

Then there are the many people who are gay or trans who don’t feel they have the possibility to live authentically because they’ve been led to believe who they are is wrong.

Overall, I think religion adds far more negative things to the world than positive things. That’s not to say that it’s all negative, though. My problem is more with fundamentalism, not that more liberal groups are completely free from problems.

Fundamentalism doesn't accommodate carpe diem.

Except maybe Fundamentalist Thelema.

It's hard to imagine how a fundamentalist strain of a religion based on Do what you will would behave in practice.

Sound like theosophists

They're two different flavours of esoterica.

^^^ theosophists and thelamites come across as a rainbow of flavours

That might also be true, but they're both examples of Western esotericism.

Feeling hopeless due to grief, poverty, war, oppression, and suppression are why people stop living their lives.

People create whatever narrative helps to get them through to the next day.

I think you're absolutely living your life if you're in a situation where you have to fight for it

I just sometimes look around me and it's like people are using this life as some kind of waiting room

There is a heck of a lot of waiting around going on

I wonder how many years on average a person just wastes waiting around

One aspect of believing in an afterlife: You'll never be proved wrong.

love it