Perhaps you need to know this.

[I Think]

There is no evidence for the existence of any supernatural being AKA god.

Your life will be much more fulfilling if you take complete responsibility for everything you do, and experience.
If you worry about pleasing a mythical character, who is ultimately responsible for your existence, you are missing the fullness that life offers.

[cliffy1]

Most people can't handle the responsibility.

[JayByrd]

There is no evidence of the existence of love, either...but (most of us anyway) have felt it in our own hearts, and attributed the acts of others to it. I'd have a hard time convincing someone that love doen't exist.

You describe a life of faith as "worrying about pleasing a mythical character". That's pretty insulting, and if you're trying to reach out to someone, you're going about it the wrong way. But still, I'm intrigued. I believe in God. I don't worry about pleasing Him exactly, but I do try to do what's right. What am I missing out on?

[zookeeper]

There is no evidence for the existence of any supernatural being AKA god.

Your life will be much more fulfilling if you take complete responsibility for everything you do, and experience.
If you worry about pleasing a mythical character, who is ultimately responsible for your existence, you are missing the fullness that life offers.

It's called free will, when you reach a fork in the road it's your choice whether you take the easy path or work to reach your goals by pushing ahead on the narrow path. A description of what you believe to be a fulfilling life would blow this thread right open.

[JayByrd]

So people of faith don't have free will? Do you think they have it removed surgically or something?

And I'm not sure how you think the fork in the road analogy is different for people of faith. Most people make choices based on their values and desires. People of faith are no different. They do not pause in front of their sock drawer every morning, wondering which pair the Lord wants them to put on.

I imagine you have goals you wish to achieve in life. Things you enjoy, as well as things you would pretty much never do. People of faith are no different.

As for my vision of a fulfilling life...myself and my family being healthy and comfortable are the main thing. Contributing to my community (I do this in my work, as well as some organizations I volunteer for). I like hockey and music, so having the time to enjoy those things is fulfilling. I don't think I'm really opening a can of worms with that statement though.

[zookeeper]

So people of faith don't have free will? Do you think they have it removed surgically or something?

And I'm not sure how you think the fork in the road analogy is different for people of faith. Most people make choices based on their values and desires. People of faith are no different. They do not pause in front of their sock drawer every morning, wondering which pair the Lord wants them to put on.

I imagine you have goals you wish to achieve in life. Things you enjoy, as well as things you would pretty much never do. People of faith are no different.

As for my vision of a fulfilling life...myself and my family being healthy and comfortable are the main thing. Contributing to my community (I do this in my work, as well as some organizations I volunteer for). I like hockey and music, so having the time to enjoy those things is fulfilling. I don't think I'm really opening a can of worms with that statement though.

Everyone has free will, those with faith and those without. As for the fork in the road analogy, Matthew 7:13.

As for the rest of your post, my question was directed to the OP, to answer how one with faith fails to live a fulfilling life. My goals, and the outcome of said goals, are between me and my own "mythical character".

[JLives]

There is no evidence of the existence of love, either...but (most of us anyway) have felt it in our own hearts, and attributed the acts of others to it. I'd have a hard time convincing someone that love doen't exist.

You describe a life of faith as "worrying about pleasing a mythical character". That's pretty insulting, and if you're trying to reach out to someone, you're going about it the wrong way. But still, I'm intrigued. I believe in God. I don't worry about pleasing Him exactly, but I do try to do what's right. What am I missing out on?

You can physically see the effects of love on the brain so, yes, there is evidence. There is no evidence of a god though.

[Tacklewasher]

You can physically see the effects of love on the brain so, yes, there is evidence. There is no evidence of a god though.

Would the effect on the brain of someone thinking about God be that much different than how love shows up? I don't disagree that god is fiction, just not sure this is a good argument.

[JayByrd]

As for the rest of your post, my question was directed to the OP, to answer how one with faith fails to live a fulfilling life. My goals, and the outcome of said goals, are between me and my own "mythical character".

Oh :)

[I Think]

Zook

how one with faith fails to live a fulfilling life

Where did I say one with faith fails.............?
So often on Castanet, people try to put words/meanings into ones posts that are simply not there. Reading what is written as written, is also more fulfilling. :<}

It is pretty clear to me and others, that if one takes full and complete responsibility for ones circumstances, and history, one avoids subservience to others, real or imaginary. One also cannot be a victim if completely responsible for everything that happens to one.
Perhaps not the easiest path to follow but certainly the most fulfilling.

[zookeeper]

*removed*

[I Think]

Zook;
A)

one with faith fails to live a fulfilling life.

I think;
B)

you are missing the fullness that life offers .

A is not equal to B

[GordonH]

It all boils down to who or what you have your Faith into.

● higher being/power
● your own abilities
● that pet rock you have had since 8th birthday

Etc….etc….etc

[Bsuds]

*removed*

[mexi cali]

It depends what you consider to be evidence. To believers, the bible is evidence enough of the existence of god.

To skeptics/agnostics/atheists, the bible is nothing more than a recounting of everyday life in the times of Jesus and the Romans that somehow became the cornerstone for a persevering religion.

Virtually all walks of life have some sort of religious foundation with a "head of state" so to speak at the helm.

For many, there is a need to believe that there is something guiding them in their lives and I can see where the OP is looking at this and saying that to hand over ones life to a deity is akin to missing out on a fulfilling life experience.

I think I disagree with that contention because to the believers, it is the religious experience itself that fulfills them.

I struggle with my belief. I want to believe that there is more to all of this than a dark, everlasting hole at the end of ones journey but I don't know if that need is enough to make me a "true believer".

There is much in life that cannot simply be chalked up to coincidence or happenstance. Believing that though does not or should not ultimately lead one to a deep seated belief in an entity of ultimate power and omnipotence (don't get to use that one every day).

Life though needs to be experienced. It needs to be embraced and revered. At the end of days, we all need to be able to look back on the lives we lived and smile because we respected ours by diving in and swimming for the light.

Despite all the ugliness, there is vast beauty to be seen on our little blue planet.

Let the believers believe.