I'm adding this after a misguided response to an earlier blog post of mine.

The assertion was made that if you do not believe, then life is pointless. I look at it this way:

If you do believe, the point to life comes after death in salvation. There is no evidence to support this crazy idea, aside from the human mind's instinctive ability to think creatively, the need for assurance from the unknown, the ego of the individual and religious doctrine.

Even religious teachings differ wildly on what form salvation will take after death. There is no consensus, aside from the various religion's damnation in eternity of unbelievers. ( I see that as a trick to reel people in and not let them go from fearful religious teachings ).

So being religious, does living actually have a point, if not to be the introduction to death? If you chose to live a religious life, some of the difficult questions are removed from you and easy answers given instead. Does it matter that the answers might not be true? Not to the church - they've already got your money, thanks.

As I don't believe in the afterlife, I live the one life I have now to its fullest potential. If I don't do something, then I won't get another chance once I'm dead. I feel this mindset allows me to get the most out of life. I have good reasons for living. Life is enjoyable to me. I see myself as being productive, adding to the social groups I see myself belonging too and still enjoying a journey of discovery and learning that has stayed with me throughout my life so far. My rational atheism gives me the same sort of smug comfort I expect religious types feel for thier views on the afterlife.

In psychological terms, we all need to feel we have a purpose and a value. That's why most people do dead-end, boring jobs for most of their lives. Its human nature to want to feel "right" about something and that what you are doing has some oversight, influence and guidance. I feel this illusion only serves to relieve people of their responsibilities. For example, would you pray for the starving, or try and help them.

Religion teaches people wrongly that the value you have is derived from gods love. Even pias people are not held in the same high regard as a converted sinner in christianity. I think the "value" people have is based on their their own subjective analysis of their acts done, desires and relationships they have with other people.

What is the point of life for the millions of young children born globally in shameful poverty, dying of malnutrician and disease at the moment? They don't even know of god despite allegedly being god's children, so how can they be "saved"?

Living a religious life often means towing the line, doing as you're told, not independently questioning your beliefs, being fearful under god. How is that living?