^ Lean-tos
In the endless conversations I, an atheist,have about religion and faith with the various “believers” in my life (and Idon’t discuss it with many – too many “believers” find this subject tooprecarious or too personal to discuss in a pointed and probing manner), I willoccasionally be asked a rebuttal question that I find worthwhile. Today, thequestion was “Who do I lean on?”
I was struck by the obvious suggestion thatbelievers actually rely on an idea; given that there is no direct link withtheir god, there’s no hotline, no email or voicemail or the occasional lunch ortherapy session, it was very odd for me to realize that this is exactly whatthey do – “lean” on a concept. A suggestion. An idea.
I find I lean on more concrete things.Myself, primarily. When I fail, I lean on the carefully constructed circle ofsupport I’ve created in my life – good friends, an open relationship with mymother and father. I will seek therapy when I feel in crisis; I will accept thehelp of medicine when I believe it’s necessary.
I realize that I used to “believe” in thisconcept of god, and I struggle to recall if I truly ever felt I leaned onit/him. I think I DID lean on it, and it crumbled. Why did the trick of mindwork for them and not for me?
