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Once I hit my early 20s I had a goal for myself: to find out what the truth is, whatever it may be, even if it shatters my most cherished beliefs. I went through so many different belief systems. I explored every kind of mindset I could regarding everything I could. I would get very involved with some belief system or ideology for a time and absorb what I could from it and then move on to something else.
Over time, I saw a ton of patterns emerge and I saw that ideologies of any kind place a limited filter on how one views reality. I decided that what makes the most sense to me is to simply seek to do the most good while doing the least harm. Whether or not one believes in a god is irrelevant as life does as it will anyway. Adhering to a political party is just team sports. Social norms are basically attempts to not be uncomfortable and only pretend to be about safety and order (neither of which exist regardless of what social norms exist).
I have two questions:
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does the fact that you found patterns and filters that limit mean you decided your religious search was over?
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how long did it take for you to cool off your "search with purpose"?
My religious search ended gradually as I became atheist over time. The scientific method seemed to be the most reliable way to find out what is true. I began my search in earnest probably in my late teens and really ramped it up in my early 20s and I was atheist by age 36 or 37.
Well, I have a belief in God. I generally consider atheists "a-thor-ists" aka they do not believe that Thor God of thunder is the master of the universe (and any other definitions you found over the years). I respect the effort you put into searching and I also use the scientific method. Because you aren't currently searching, I'm not going to advertise. Have good fortune whatever you are doing!
I appreciate that. You as well!
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