Is there a God-shaped hole in our hearts?
 

I think it would be an understatement to say organised religion doesn't play much of a part in our lives today. Do you think this is the reason we are so unsure of ourselves and our place in the world?

Ever since the church's sphere of influence has shrunk, it seems people have tried to look elsewhere for the happiness religion offered them once upon a time. They needed new idols. In the 19th Century with the advent of romanticism and the creation of the nation state, many people strongly identified themselves with their country of origin. There is a particularly strong undercurrent of nationalism in the music of this time (Wagner in Germany, Chopin in Poland, Tchaikovsky in Russia) when so much of the music that came before it was religious in theme. Elsewhere, the anarchists and Marxists insisted that although there was no afterlife, a future utopia on Earth was possible. The unfortunate end-result of these idealistic worldviews were the horrific excesses of fascism and communism.

In more recent times, such national affinities have been replaced by celebrity and brand worship. People identify themselves by what kind of consumer they are. Our self-image is fragile and poorly defined as a result. We live among a generation of consumer drones. Our 'quality of life' (or wealth per head) for the past few decades has been better than ever, yet society at large is less happy with themselves. Why?

The last century proved fertile ground for existential philosophy. We hadn't the luxury of having our values laid out infront of us to follow like medieval Christians did. Sartre thought we were a blank slate and had to build our own values and discover our own essence. It was a means of combatting the sense of emptiness we are left with once we take God out of our lives and become aware of how truly alone we are.

Another existentialist Kierkegaard sought to bring people back to the Christian religion in a secular world by teaching his readers to take a 'leap of faith', rather than arrive at Christian beliefs through reason. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Nietzsche attempted to smash the Christian world's entire moral edifice and insist the world undergoes an fundamental 'revaluation of values'. One wherein, perhaps, weakness is frowned upon rather than cherished. In my opinion, his famous 'parable of the madman' still resonates today with the confusion and self-doubt of modern society.

TL;DR If there is no room for God in our lives, what do we have to put in his place? What makes you tick and what is it that you can honestly say you are living for?

Very interesting question, if a little Christian-centric.

I'm not sure that there is a "God-shaped" hole in our hearts... but I would agree that there is a hole. The reason that I'm not sure that the hole is God-shaped is that I don't believe religious people have the monopoly on morals, peace, goodness and happiness. I know plenty of relgious people who are hypocritical, unforgiving, self-centred and bitter.

I think that people (generally) have no respect for each other any more, and if they do it's mostly based on what you've got and/or how you look.

Personally I am living because I realise that I am here on this amazing planet despite massive odds, and I owe it to myself to experience every moment of it. I believe there is something after this life and what that is depends on what kind of person you've been and the life you've led. I can't believe that you can have a wonderful life made possible through the suffering of others, and not be made to pay for that.

Cool robot, incidentally.

I think, people need to believe that there is a God or atleast something after to keep them going, to make them think there is a "point" to this life and also to help them to carry on when they lose someone they love.

I'm not religious, but i do believe in a higher power, and a greater order to the universe which humans have no say in.

I do believe there is a greater order to the universe, and that human science is no where close to understanding it completely.

I don't believe there is a god and so far I have never felt I have needed some higher being to turn to..
I try to be as selfless as possible, I appreciate everything I have, never feel envy, I try to see good in everybody and am in constant wonder at the world around me.
To me, if a person can be good on the inside, have good morals and a good heart and soul, they are just as good as the person who goes and sits in a church once a week.

I try to live my life by this:

well arn't you special.

You know? I think I am very special! :)

I love that poem.


And I do not believe in God, but have no issue with those who do. I just have no need to believe in the religious stuff as it holds no meaningful relevance to me.

Yeah.. I'm the same. I have complete respect for others beliefs and religions. The only time it becomes a problem for me is when I am preached to.. I won't ever be converted!