The Fear of Life: What Atheists Should Be Afraid Of

Every individual, whether an atheist or someone with faith, harbors certain fears that can impact their enjoyment of life. For the atheist, the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment often becomes the ultimate goal. This article explores the concept of fear in the lives of atheists, comparing it to spiritual perspectives and the fear of death associated with a belief in reincarnation.

What Should Atheists Fear?

An atheist’s primary goal is to enjoy life, to experience pleasure, and to find satisfaction in their experiences. However, fear is a natural human response to threats and challenges posed to their happiness. For an atheist, such fears may revolve around:

Poor health and physical well-being Lack of financial security Soured relationships The success of competitors The omnipresence of the weather and its unpredictability Death and the end of life Impediments to personal and professional aspirations

Embracing Life Through Spirituality

The path of spirituality, explored through texts like the Mahabharata and the teachings of Krishna, provides a different context for understanding and addressing fear. For some, spirituality suggests that life is a continuous journey and that our actions in this life will determine our next body in the cycle of reincarnation.

Risks of Ignoring the Higher Self

The human life form is a unique opportunity to understand and realize one’s true identity, something often lost in lower life forms where the soul is absorbed in bodily needs like eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. Without interest in God and self-realization, the soul signals to nature that it does not need to be human, leading nature to cast it back into a lower life form after death.

“If we have no interest in God and self-realization, we signal to nature that we don't need to be humans and so nature after death will cast us back into yet another cycle in the lower life-forms.”

Eternal Quest for Perfection

According to the Brahma-vaivarta Purana, attaining the human form of life is the result of transmigrating through 8400000 species through the process of gradual evolution. This human life is spoiled by those who do not seek shelter in the lotus feet of God. Krishna posits that the endeavor to understand and serve God is the best way to protect oneself from fear.

“Activity in Krishna-consciousness or acting for the benefit of Krishna without any expectation of material enjoyment is the highest transcendental quality of work.”

Recycling and Transcending Fear

For those who believe in reincarnation, the fear of death can be mitigated by the knowledge that one's actions in this life determine the next. Material activities and their results end with the body, but work in Krishna consciousness carries one back to God consciousness even after the loss of the body. This understanding provides a sense of continuity and purpose.

“The performer of such work is therefore not at a loss even if his work in Krishna consciousness is incomplete. One percent done in Krishna consciousness bears permanent results.”

Conclusion

No matter one's belief system, understanding the nature of fear and how to manage it is crucial. Atheists can focus on practical solutions to alleviate fears and find joy in life. Meanwhile, spiritual seekers can find comfort in the knowledge that every action has a purpose and can lead to a better future.