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Are Atheists Happy?
- Thread starter Cordoba
- Start date
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
If they aren't, I don't think they're going to admit it. If they were to admit it, the first thing people would do would be jump to the conclusion that it's because of their lack of belief in God. Now from my own perspective, I would be extremely unhappy without a belief in God. Other people seem to handle it just fine.
If someone were to ask me if I, as a Mormon, am happy, a lot of the time I would have to say I'm not. But that's not because of my religious beliefs. I just happen to suffer from depression.
If someone were to ask me if I, as a Mormon, am happy, a lot of the time I would have to say I'm not. But that's not because of my religious beliefs. I just happen to suffer from depression.
Zephyr
Moved on
Never met somebody like that who wasn't chill as hell.
gnomon
Well-Known Member
I've never understood my fascination with the Zen Buddhists. Researched it a bit but I think the Western materialist in me along with intellect still gets in the way. I thought it was something when I lit a candle and watched it burn to nothing without a single thought other than the candle appear in my mind. Still missed it.
Laughing Buddha's are something.
linwood
Well-Known Member
Nope, atheism is a lack of belief in something.
Doesn`t make me happy.
Undeniably allows me more freedom to do the things that do make me happy so it`s a wash.
Cordoba
Well-Known Member
That's a fair answer, and I agree that not all people are the same
What would you say is the main purpose of life for an atheist?
linwood
Well-Known Member
Atheists tend to make their own purpose as I believe we all do anyway wittingly or not.
My purpose is my family and the people/places I love.
Buttercup
Veteran Member
Good point.
I'm not any happier now than when I was a Christian...it's about the same. However, I feel much less guilt and have lost that heavy burden of Christian expectations I used to lug around. I feel freer than ever and it's wonderful.
Cordoba
Well-Known Member
So why not search for happiness which comes from within?
linwood
Well-Known Member
Who says I don`t?
Cordoba
Well-Known Member
That's good
Would that include searching for inner peace through faith?
Or are you decided that God does not exist?
gnomon
Well-Known Member
OmarKhayyam
Well-Known Member
In any event why would the lack in belief in god(s) have any direct connection to happiness? I don't believe in pink unicorns or the Easter Bunny. Am I thereby LESS happy?
Mr Spinkles
Mr
Cordoba, great question.
No, I don't think atheism leads to happiness or inner peace; nor does it lead away from it. I don't pretend to know what will lead everyone to happiness and inner peace, but for me, that comes from love for my family and friends, keeping perspective, being honest with myself, having values and beliefs which transcend myself, and human solidarity.
Actually, the first and most important step, for me, to be happy and have inner peace is in the form of all those "little things". Little things like....smiling at the cashier at the grocery store, saying "hello" and moving out of the way when people are coming towards you on the sidewalk, helping a friend with his/her homework, and so on. If I can do those things, then I can work on bigger things, like equality and justice in my community and the world at large.
No, I don't think atheism leads to happiness or inner peace; nor does it lead away from it. I don't pretend to know what will lead everyone to happiness and inner peace, but for me, that comes from love for my family and friends, keeping perspective, being honest with myself, having values and beliefs which transcend myself, and human solidarity.
Actually, the first and most important step, for me, to be happy and have inner peace is in the form of all those "little things". Little things like....smiling at the cashier at the grocery store, saying "hello" and moving out of the way when people are coming towards you on the sidewalk, helping a friend with his/her homework, and so on. If I can do those things, then I can work on bigger things, like equality and justice in my community and the world at large.
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Cordoba
Well-Known Member
linwood
Well-Known Member
Yes, I`m pretty certain none of the human concepts of a deity do or can exist.
I don`t search for peace through faith as faith is no real part of my life.
I find peace in nature, music, my daughter, my friends, that subtle slight wiff of a backyard BBQ going on somewhere as I walk by.
Knowing someone somewhere is enjoying and living life as if it were the only life we get.
That`s the summit of the human experience for me.
It`s difficult to explain but I could give a million examples of what moves me spiritually, many of which others would most probably find mundane and ordinary.