Are Atheists Happy?

[invisible chzbrgr]

Then think of how much happier you'd be if you'd grow one.

But but but I'm a woman! I can't even ever grow one (without hormones added or subtracted)!!

Moustaches are bogus. There IS no moustache.:computer:

 

[Father Heathen]

That's an interesting answer

What you're saying is that atheism is "neutral" as far as inner peace and happiness are concerned ....

Does that mean there is something "missing"?

Not believing in unicorns has no relevance or relation regarding someone's inner peace or happiness. Does that mean something is missing from such disbelief or that it's flawed?

 

[CarlinKnew]

But but but I'm a woman! I can't even ever grow one (without hormones added or subtracted)!!

That's because 6,000 years ago the first woman, Eva, disobeyed the orders of God and trimmed her mustache; this was known as the Fall of Man. Now all women are born with Original Trim and are forever unable to grow mustaches

 

[Father Heathen]

I doubt those values would be meaningful with a strict materialistic view of the world... Those who believe in humanism are somehow admitting that the human being that can taste beauty , judge morality , and even sacrifice his life for a higher purpose is more than an ape descendant...And that Humanism is not equal to animalism !!...not only in the degree of intelligence....but in their spiritual and moral qualities...Don't you agree ?

So virtues and values only have meaning if they're beamed down from the clouds and into our skulls by a sky dwelling, invisible magic man?

 

[gnomon]

I doubt those values would be meaningful with a strict materialistic view of the world... Those who believe in humanism are somehow admitting that the human being that can taste beauty , judge morality , and even sacrifice his life for a higher purpose is more than an ape descendant...And that Humanism is not equal to animalism !!...not only in the degree of intelligence....but in their spiritual and moral qualities...Don't you agree ?

The golden rule is a fairly universal concept developed in different cultures independent of other cultures.

The concept that there are certain actions that I do not wish another to take against me such as harming my physical body or stealing from me apparently did not require a God concept to develop.

Considering that modern Western jurisprudence developed along the lines and continued to evolve on materialism, notably right to property, freedom of conscience and protection from bodily harm, without the need of any religious dogma speaks largely to the concept that social values do indeed occur without religion.

 

[Rin]

Atheists can be happy or sad but the atheism won't be the cause of either, in my opinion. Whatever fills the gap left by God will determine that.

 

[invisible chzbrgr]

Atheists can be happy or sad but the atheism won't be the cause of either, in my opinion. Whatever fills the gap left by God will determine that.

And then there are those who would contend that there is no gap in the first place; god is more like, an appendage that gets added. Or, a moustache.

 

[gnostic]

This thread is obviously trying to push faith and belief in the existence of a god into what the OP poster believed to be happiness.

Granted that some people find happiness in belief and in religion, but there are many sources of happiness that have completely nothing to with a god or religion.

Why can't you accept that there are many possible sources of happiness and inner peace, instead of just one, cordoba?

You are not accepting atheists stance that they are happy as they are. You not seeking to understand atheists, because you keep pushing and pushing religion and god down own throats with this thread. Atheists have already stated that they found happiness with the absence of a god, then accept it.

 

[fantome profane]

Interesting thread and an interesting question. But still I am wondering what the point might be, what conclusion would you draw from the answer to this question. If we were to conclude that holding or not holding a certain belief leads to an increased happiness what would that indicate about that belief? Does it indicate that that belief is more likely to be true, less likely to be true, or nothing at all?

There are many reasons that people have (or don’t have) beliefs. It could be that someone believes something because it is logical and fits the known evidence. It could also be that someone believes something because it makes them happy to believe it.

I will just say that I have a great deal of respect for those individuals who are able to accept something despite how much it hurt them. Sometimes the truth makes us happy, sometimes the truth does not.


(p.s. I happen to know a few women who did not become happier when they grew a mustache)

 

[Cordoba]

Not believing in unicorns has no relevance or relation regarding someone's inner peace or happiness. Does that mean something is missing from such disbelief or that it's flawed?

But we're not talking here about unicorns

What we're discussing is whether this amazing universe has a Creator or not, and whether believing or disbelieving in the Creator has an impact on happiness

Here for example is one study which says there is a positive correlation with spirituality:

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Spiritual Children Happier, Healthier [/FONT]

Spirituality is boosting the well-being of children and making them happier, confident and healthier, two separate studies by American and Canadian researchers have concluded.

"To make children happier, we may need to encourage them to develop a strong sense of personal worth," psychologist Mark Holder told the Washington Times on Monday, January 12.

Holder led a group of researchers at the University of British Columbia, Canada, to gauge the impact of spirituality on children.

The study, titled "Spirituality, Religiousness and Happiness in Children aged 8-12 years," surveyed 320 children in six schools, four public and two religious.

The researchers also interviewed the parents of the children about their happiness.
The results showed that children who are more spiritual and enjoy an "inner belief system" are happier than others with a boost of 26 percent.

"Spirituality was a significant predictor of happiness, even after removing the variance associated with temperament," concluded the study.

http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2009-01/12/04.shtml

Would you agree?

 

[Cordoba]

Why can't you accept that there are many possible sources of happiness and inner peace, instead of just one, cordoba?

I accept that there are several factors which lead to happiness, who said I don't?

But do you see a difference between temporary happiness and real long-term happiness?

 

[Seven]

But do you see a difference between temporary happiness and real long-term happiness?

Are you saying that atheists cannot have 'real long-term happiness'?

 

[Cordoba]

I don't know ....

You tell me, Sven .....

Does atheism lead to real long-term happiness?

 

[invisible chzbrgr]

But do you see a difference between temporary happiness and real long-term happiness?

Duration?

Sorry

Where does happiness cross over from being temporary to long-term? What's the cutoff point? If I die in my sleep tonight, my happiness would have lasted the rest of my life.



btw I like your name/avatar; ever since someone in an art history class did a presentation on the Great Mosque at Cordova, I've wanted to visit it!

 

[Mr Spinkles]

I don't know ....

You tell me, Sven .....

Does atheism lead to real long-term happiness?

Cordoba you're comparing apples and oranges. You are comparing atheism to religions. But to make a fair comparison, you should compare atheism to theism, or compare atheistic philosophies (Buddhism, stoicism, epicureanism, Humanism, etc.) to theistic ones.

 

[Seven]

I don't know ....

You tell me, Sven .....

Does atheism lead to real long-term happiness?

Personally I find happiness, meaning, wonder, beauty, inspiration, even comfort in a naturalistic world view. Now I understand that not everyone feels this way, and most theists I meet seem to think life without god would be utterly meaningless. Perhaps you feel this way too, Cordoba? I'm sure your faith is very precious to you, but surely you can accept that some people don't need faith to be happy. Perhaps some people are actually happier without it.

Having said that, I'm only 23, so I'll have to get back to you in a few decades and let you know whether this happiness lasts the test of time.

 

[Mr Spinkles]

Well said Seven. I think it's worth pointing out that many atheists formerly believed in God. I used to be a believing Christian. The idea that Jesus died for my sins, loves me and forgives me was indeed comforting and gave me solace. However, now I find happiness, comfort and solace in different forms. I can't speak for all atheists, but personally if anything I am happier with a humanistic worldview than I was with a Christian one. At first, I was very unhappy and dissatisfied without believing in God. But I couldn't make myself pretend to believe it anymore. Over time, I've found very deep, profound meaning and value as a humanist. (I didn't "choose" to have a humanistic outlook, it simply developed in me, as I read more and thought and discussed more, and later I discovered there was something called "Humanism" and it described my outlook.)

 

[Seven]

Well said Seven. I think it's worth pointing out that many atheists formerly believed in God. I used to be a believing Christian. The idea that Jesus died for my sins, loves me and forgives me was indeed comforting and gave me solace. However, now I find happiness, comfort and solace in different forms. I can't speak for all atheists, but personally if anything I am happier with a humanistic worldview than I was with a Christian one.

Thanks. I've also come from a Christian background, and I'm also happier without my faith.

 

[Mr Spinkles]

Thanks. I've also come from a Christian background, and I'm also happier without my faith.

I'm happier with thinking for myself, instead of being told what to think by humans claiming to transmit messages from Heaven, and taking responsibility for my own thoughts feelings and actions, and having to justify them, rather than taking them for granted as if they were planted there by the Divine.

 

[Seven]

I'm happier with thinking for myself, instead of being told what to think by humans claiming to transmit messages from Heaven, and taking responsibility for my own thoughts feelings and actions, and having to justify them, rather than taking them for granted as if they were planted there by the Divine.

I think one of the greatest misconceptions about non believers is that they are somehow free to do whatever they like - that they have no moral compass, when actually the opposite is true. As you said we have to take responsibility for our thoughts feelings and actions. We don't have the luxury of going by faith and feeling confident that we're righteous in doing so.
We have to figure out for ourselves what is right or wrong and why, and I think this is a better way to live.