user19775: I came across this section by chance, and read another question by a person with misanthropic feelings. I read all the answers because I feel the same as her.
I've always been spiritual with an interest in Buddhism and Taoism, but it seems to slip away. I too suffered a lot because of others, but what really got me into this misanthropic state is the suffering of so many animals at the hands of humans. It saddens me so much and I begin hating people because of it. Not all people, just a lot. It also saddens me a lot to see children suffering but because they turn possibly into cruel people themselves. The plight of animals gets me more. I find them more special and innocent than people yet they have to suffer so much. A lot anyway. Now, the responses to that other persons question helped me realize some things, but I'm still struggling with the suffering of animals. Why can't they be spared if suffering is a tool to evolve?
Studying psychology, biology, anthropology and neuroscience I can't help thinking that humans are acting based on chemical, biological or psychological reactions of the brain. There is no enlightenment, just another religious promise - like heaven, enlightenment or the 11 virgins - depending on the belief.
I feel like I have no more answers, only confusion and questions, and i also feel like I've reached a point where I'm so fed up with the suffering of animals, children or good people. I'm so tired of it all. Not in a sense that i want to hurt those cruel people, but in a sense of wanting to leave it all behind. But if i did, then I wouldn't be around anymore to help loved ones or some of the animals.
Emotionally I suffer because I can't make even a dent and physically because I work hard to help out as many as I can.

user-1: 
I've always been spiritual with an interest in Buddhism and Taoism,
but it seems to slip away. I too suffered a lot because of others, but
what really got me into this misanthropic state is the suffering of so
many animals at the hands of humans. It saddens me so much and I begin
hating people because of it. Not all people, just a lot. It also
saddens me a lot to see children suffering but because they turn
possibly into cruel people themselves. The plight of animals gets me
more. I find them more special and innocent than people yet they have
to suffer so much. A lot anyway. Now, the responses to that other
persons question helped me realize some things, but I'm still
struggling with the suffering of animals. Why can't they be spared if
suffering is a tool to evolve?

Buddhism can be rather harsh in the way it describes suffering. Bottom line is that no one is free from suffering until one reaches enlightenment. Until then, we can try to make things easier for others and not least ourselves by following the noble eightfold path.
Regarding ourselves, buddhism reminds us that people are acting cruel due to their own pain. As such, cruelty is the evidence of suffering of the person committing cruel things.
The idea is that if we can develop compassion - even for the ones committing cruelties - we are in fact going easier on ourselves for preventing the development of even more aversion towards other peoples cruelty. Everyone benefits from this, but it takes a lot of effort.

Studying psychology, biology, anthropology and neuroscience I can't
help thinking that humans are acting based on chemical, biological or
psychological reactions of the brain. There is no enlightenment, just
another religious promise - like heaven, enlightenment or the 11
virgins - depending on the belief.

Maybe enlightenment is possible in conjunction with the fact that we are chemical, biological and psychological beings? I'm not sure i see the opposition.

I feel like I have no more answers, only confusion and questions, and
i also feel like I've reached a point where I'm so fed up with the
suffering of animals, children or good people. I'm so tired of it all.
Not in a sense that i want to hurt those cruel people, but in a sense
of wanting to leave it all behind. But if i did, then I wouldn't be
around anymore to help loved ones or some of the animals.

This is true. Committing to helping others may be the least bad option for everyone.

Emotionally I suffer because I can't make even a dent and physically
because I work hard to help out as many as I can.

Just don't forget to take a break every now and then.

user254: what really got me into this misanthropic state is the suffering of so many animals at the hands of humans
Humans mistreating animals used to bother me when I was younger. Now when I think of it, I think that animals mistreat other animals too -- there are predators, parasites, bullies in the animal world -- and if humans do the same then that's just humans being like animals, which needn't be too surprising. You can try to be "better" or to do better than that yourself, for example "kinder" -- but your being "misanthropic" maybe isn't the right way to do that.
Buddhism recommends states of mind as appropriate for social interaction -- the four brahmaviharas.
And the suttas are full of stories or examples of recommended ways to think and behave, recommended attitudes -- one that comes to mind is SN 35.88 where a monk describes a people with a reputation for being fierce and rough as being "civilised, very civilised"!
There is no enlightenment
I find that Buddhism suggests that "suffering" -- not physical pain, but mental anguish -- arises from a sense of loss: for example, losing loved ones (family and friends), losing wealth, health, reputation, losing pleasurable feelings, etc.
That was the type of problem for which I found Buddhism especially effective.
I'm not sure what you think "enlightenment" is.
I'm pretty sure from my own experience that there is such a thing as there being more, or less, (mental) suffering; better or worse (more or less ethical) behaviour; more or less mental concentration or absorption (not distraction) in the task at hand -- and looking back, remorse or no remorse resulting from your intentions.
I feel like I have no more answers, only confusion and questions, and i also feel like I've reached a point where I'm so fed up
There are a couple of Buddhist doctrines that might be relevant. One is expressed the opening verses of the Dhammapada:


Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought. If with an impure mind a person speaks or acts suffering follows him like the wheel that follows the foot of the ox.

Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought. If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts happiness follows him like his never-departing shadow.



So you ought to cultivate a "pure" state of mind -- both for your welfare and for the welfare of others.
Another thing is that Buddhism identifies many types of mental "impurity" -- see for example:

Three poisons
Kleshas or kilesas

I think that you're meant to be aware of these states as they arise, or aware of the suffering associated with the state -- and let it pass somehow (perhaps by figuring out what's causing it, and not attaching to or identifying with it, not viewing it as "right").
You may find it difficult or at least non-trivial, more specifically Buddhists tend to describe it as "gradual": it takes practice; and perhaps other factors like some knowledge of the doctrine, good friends (role-models) to learn from, and developing good mental habits and insight.
Emotionally I suffer because I can't make even a dent and physically because I work hard to help out as many as I can
I think a big part of it might be recognising these mental impurities as being problems in themselves. For example, you might think that mental confusion is the result of inability to alleviate the suffering of animals, and that the suffering of animals is the problem -- and that to solve the confusion you need to solve the problem of cruelty to animals, which is currently beyond your ability. Instead you might need to recognise confusion itself (if and when it arises) as being a problem to be solved (or a state to be let go of), after which you might be more effective in doing whatever you can.
As for "faith" I'm not sure how that relates the question -- i.e. how faith used to motivate you and what you no longer have faith in. I guess I have faith in that the doctrine as I understand it seems intellectually sound (so it's understandable), and usable, effective.

user1067: 
You are the cause of your stress due to clinging, craving, desire and aversion.

→ The Four Noble Truths by John Haspel
You desire for everyone else to adopt your "do no harm" philosophy. This craving for how things should be causes self-harm. Other lives matter, but not more than your own.

Again, these are our choices when we want to stop choosing a painful behavior like depressing: (1) change what we want, (2) change what we are doing, or (3) change both.

→ Choice Theory by William Glasser
Instead of trying to end suffering externally, you can try to end it internally.

19775: <p>I came across this section by chance, and read another question by a person with misanthropic feelings. I read all the answers because I feel the same as her.</p>
<p>I've always been spiritual with an interest in Buddhism and Taoism, but it seems to slip away. I too suffered a lot because of others, but what really got me into this misanthropic state is the suffering of so many animals at the hands of humans. It saddens me so much and I begin hating people because of it. Not all people, just a lot. It also saddens me a lot to see children suffering but because they turn possibly into cruel people themselves. The plight of animals gets me more. I find them more special and innocent than people yet they have to suffer so much. A lot anyway. Now, the responses to that other persons question helped me realize some things, but I'm still struggling with the suffering of animals. Why can't they be spared if suffering is a tool to evolve?</p>
<p>Studying psychology, biology, anthropology and neuroscience I can't help thinking that humans are acting based on chemical, biological or psychological reactions of the brain. There is no enlightenment, just another religious promise - like heaven, enlightenment or the 11 virgins - depending on the belief.</p>
<p>I feel like I have no more answers, only confusion and questions, and i also feel like I've reached a point where I'm so fed up with the suffering of animals, children or good people. I'm so tired of it all. Not in a sense that i want to hurt those cruel people, but in a sense of wanting to leave it all behind. But if i did, then I wouldn't be around anymore to help loved ones or some of the animals.</p>
<p>Emotionally I suffer because I can't make even a dent and physically because I work hard to help out as many as I can.</p>
 -1: <blockquote>
<p>I've always been spiritual with an interest in Buddhism and Taoism,
but it seems to slip away. I too suffered a lot because of others, but
what really got me into this misanthropic state is the suffering of so
many animals at the hands of humans. It saddens me so much and I begin
hating people because of it. Not all people, just a lot. It also
saddens me a lot to see children suffering but because they turn
possibly into cruel people themselves. The plight of animals gets me
more. I find them more special and innocent than people yet they have
to suffer so much. A lot anyway. Now, the responses to that other
persons question helped me realize some things, but I'm still
struggling with the suffering of animals. Why can't they be spared if
suffering is a tool to evolve?</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Buddhism can be rather harsh in the way it describes suffering. Bottom line is that no one is free from suffering until one reaches enlightenment. Until then, we can try to make things easier for others and not least ourselves by following the noble eightfold path.</p>
<p>Regarding ourselves, buddhism reminds us that people are acting cruel due to their own pain. As such, cruelty is the evidence of suffering of the person committing cruel things.</p>
<p>The idea is that if we can develop compassion - even for the ones committing cruelties - we are in fact going easier on ourselves for preventing the development of even more aversion towards other peoples cruelty. Everyone benefits from this, but it takes a lot of effort.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Studying psychology, biology, anthropology and neuroscience I can't
help thinking that humans are acting based on chemical, biological or
psychological reactions of the brain. There is no enlightenment, just
another religious promise - like heaven, enlightenment or the 11
virgins - depending on the belief.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Maybe enlightenment is possible in conjunction with the fact that we are chemical, biological and psychological beings? I'm not sure i see the opposition.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I feel like I have no more answers, only confusion and questions, and
i also feel like I've reached a point where I'm so fed up with the
suffering of animals, children or good people. I'm so tired of it all.
Not in a sense that i want to hurt those cruel people, but in a sense
of wanting to leave it all behind. But if i did, then I wouldn't be
around anymore to help loved ones or some of the animals.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This is true. Committing to helping others may be the least bad option for everyone.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Emotionally I suffer because I can't make even a dent and physically
because I work hard to help out as many as I can.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Just don't forget to take a break every now and then.</p>
 254: <p><strong>what really got me into this misanthropic state is the suffering of so many animals at the hands of humans</strong></p>
<p>Humans mistreating animals used to bother me when I was younger. Now when I think of it, I think that animals mistreat other animals too -- there are predators, parasites, bullies in the animal world -- and if humans do the same then that's just humans being like animals, which needn't be too surprising. You can try to be &quot;better&quot; or to do better than that yourself, for example &quot;kinder&quot; -- but your being &quot;misanthropic&quot; maybe isn't the right way to do that.</p>
<p>Buddhism recommends states of mind as appropriate for social interaction -- the four <em>brahmaviharas</em>.</p>
<p>And the suttas are full of stories or examples of recommended ways to think and behave, recommended attitudes -- one that comes to mind is <a href="https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn35/sn35.088.than.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">SN 35.88</a> where a monk describes a people with a reputation for being fierce and rough as being &quot;civilised, very civilised&quot;!</p>
<p><strong>There is no enlightenment</strong></p>
<p>I find that Buddhism suggests that &quot;suffering&quot; -- not physical pain, but mental anguish -- arises from a sense of loss: for example, losing loved ones (family and friends), losing wealth, health, reputation, losing pleasurable feelings, etc.
That was the type of problem for which I found Buddhism especially effective.</p>
<p>I'm not sure what you think &quot;enlightenment&quot; is.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure from my own experience that there is such a thing as there being more, or less, (mental) suffering; better or worse (more or less ethical) behaviour; more or less mental concentration or absorption (not distraction) in the task at hand -- and looking back, remorse or no remorse resulting from your intentions.</p>
<p><strong>I feel like I have no more answers, only confusion and questions, and i also feel like I've reached a point where I'm so fed up</strong></p>
<p>There are a couple of Buddhist doctrines that might be relevant. One is expressed the opening verses of the Dhammapada:</p>
<blockquote>
<ol>
<li><p>Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought. If with an impure mind a person speaks or acts suffering follows him like the wheel that follows the foot of the ox.</p>
</li>
<li><p>Mind precedes all mental states. Mind is their chief; they are all mind-wrought. If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts happiness follows him like his never-departing shadow.</p>
</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
<p>So you ought to cultivate a &quot;pure&quot; state of mind -- both for your welfare and for the welfare of others.</p>
<p>Another thing is that Buddhism identifies many types of mental &quot;impurity&quot; -- see for example:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_poisons" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Three poisons</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kleshas_(Buddhism)" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><em>Kleshas</em> or <em>kilesas</em></a></li>
</ul>
<p>I think that you're meant to be aware of these states as they arise, or aware of the suffering associated with the state -- and let it pass somehow (perhaps by figuring out what's causing it, and not attaching to or identifying with it, not viewing it as &quot;right&quot;).</p>
<p>You may find it difficult or at least non-trivial, more specifically Buddhists tend to describe it as &quot;gradual&quot;: it takes practice; and perhaps other factors like some knowledge of the doctrine, good friends (role-models) to learn from, and developing good mental habits and insight.</p>
<p><strong>Emotionally I suffer because I can't make even a dent and physically because I work hard to help out as many as I can</strong></p>
<p>I think a big part of it might be recognising these mental impurities as being problems in themselves. For example, you might think that mental confusion is the result of inability to alleviate the suffering of animals, and that the suffering of animals is the problem -- and that to solve the confusion you need to solve the problem of cruelty to animals, which is currently beyond your ability. Instead you might need to recognise confusion itself (if and when it arises) as being a problem to be solved (or a state to be let go of), after which you might be more effective in doing whatever you can.</p>
<p>As for &quot;faith&quot; I'm not sure how that relates the question -- i.e. how faith used to motivate you and what you no longer have faith in. I guess I have faith in that the doctrine as I understand it seems intellectually sound (so it's understandable), and usable, effective.</p>
 1067: <blockquote>
<p>You are the cause of your stress due to clinging, craving, desire and aversion.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>→ <a href="https://becoming-buddha.com/the-four-noble-truths/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">The Four Noble Truths by John Haspel</a></p>
<p>You <strong>desire</strong> for everyone else to adopt your &quot;do no harm&quot; philosophy. This <strong>craving</strong> for how things <strong>should be</strong> causes self-harm. Other lives matter, but not more than your own.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Again, these are our choices when we want to stop choosing a painful behavior like depressing: (1) change what we want, (2) change what we are doing, or (3) change both.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>→ Choice Theory by William Glasser</p>
<p>Instead of trying to end suffering externally, you can try to end it internally.</p>
