Quote:
Originally Posted by DeadJerusalem  In my mind alcohol and drug use are really similar to religion in that they're both ways for people to avoid having to deal with reality. What are your thoughts?
I can count the number of times i've been drunk on one hand and can't say it's ever been enjoyable. I just can't stand having anything stopping me from thinking clearly, it's the ultimate violation. The only thing i've found beneficial to it is that it makes being around drunks slightly more tolerable.
My idol, and fellow atheist, Penn Jillette claims to have never tried alcohol or any drugs. He also says that if he goes out to dinner with someone and they even order a glass of wine he'll get up and leave. I dont think i'm going to go to that extreme but i often feel close to it.
I'm still sorta trying to figure out what my own position on the whole thing is, so more opinions and points of view would be great. |
Sure people escape through religious fantasy. Isn't it much easier to fantasize about something else than stay in the hear and now? I try and catch myself when I practice this escapism and work to bring my thoughts back to the present. Whenever the fantasy starts I check to see what I am escaping from? Why do I fixate on something else instead of where I'm at? Practicing mindfulness of the present moment as part of a Buddhist practice has helped.
You see, many people do with religion and their religious fixations the same as the compulsive gambler does with their fantasy.
Excerpt From: Gamblers Anonymous pamphlet "The dream world of a compulsive gambler." A lot of time is spent creating images of great and wonderful things they are going to do as soon as they make "the big win."... No one can convince them that their great schemes will not come true. They believe they will,
for without this dream world, life for them would not be tolerable.