Atheism: An Empty Shell of a Life

[Cooky]

I want to ask people if they see the same thing about Atheism -that it's an empty shell of a life. I'm not talking about scriptures, church, beliefs, facts or anything else... I just want to see if anyone else sees that no connection to divinity feels empty, and lacking... your opinions would be appreciated.

Spoiler

 

[Secret Chief]

"Anyone else" - other than yourself, do you mean?

Anyhoo, I'm in the no camp. We each construct our own meaning of life. Which may change.

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

"Anyone else" - other than yourself, do you mean?

Anyhoo, I'm in the no camp. We each construct our own meaning of life. Which may change.

This.

 

[Polymath257]

I'm not sure why you would call it an empty shell. I just don't believe in a deity.

But, for example, I love my wife. That gives meaning. I love my job. That gives meaning. I love to learn. That gives meaning. I love to explore, and to travel, and to play, and to think, and to help, and to teach, and.....

I would say my life is quite full, thank you.

 

[Sunstone]

The way some theists talk about how "empty and meaningless" atheist's lives are is highly reminiscent of the way some atheists talk about how "stupid and ignorant" theists are.

Poo-flinging at people one quite obviously neither accepts nor tolerates is a time-honored and highly esteemed primate tradition.

 

[Koldo]

I want to ask people if they see the same thing about Atheism -that it's an empty shell of a life. I'm not talking about scriptures, church, beliefs, facts or anything else... I just want to see if anyone else sees that no connection to divinity feels empty, and lacking... your opinions would be appreciated.

What do you feel lacking?

 

[Cooky]

I predicted many Atheists would show up. I'm prepared for my beatings. But it won't deter me from proceeding.

 

[Koldo]

I predicted many Atheists would show up. I'm prepared for my beatings. But it won't deter me.

Deter you from doing what?

 

[Cooky]

Deter you from doing what?

Proceeding with this thread... And possibly many more like it.

 

[Thief]

I want to ask people if they see the same thing about Atheism -that it's an empty shell of a life. I'm not talking about scriptures, church, beliefs, facts or anything else... I just want to see if anyone else sees that no connection to divinity feels empty, and lacking... your opinions would be appreciated.

I happen to believe in God

as such I lean to the notion this life is only a manner to form a unique spirit
the clay will stiffen with age and fail
what comes forth is spirit

non-believers look forward to ….nothing
the shell fails
the mind and emotional.....cease

that would be like an empty vessel
even as the nonbeliever is still breathing

 

[ChristineM]

I predicted many Atheists would show up. I'm prepared for my beatings. But it won't deter me from proceeding.

Or talking nonsense based on ignorance it would seem

 

[Koldo]

Proceeding with this thread... And possibly many more like it.

Have you ever been an atheist or are you talking about how you imagine it would be like?

 

[Cooky]

Or talking nonsense based on ignorance it would seem

I'm just telling you how I honestly feel! And I bet many other people feel the same way! Let's explore this in depth!

 

[PoetPhilosopher]

Most atheists are good people. I could even make the case that them adding value to my life, means they make a difference. You start with the simplest argument, then go from there. I mean sure we have our differences. They will tell me I'm trusting too much in spiritual matters, I will tell them they are taking science at face value. But in the grand scheme of things, that's a pretty meaningless thing for the two of us to debate about.

 

[Thief]

and the Carpenter said …..
Let the dead bury the dead

 

[exchemist]

I want to ask people if they see the same thing about Atheism -that it's an empty shell of a life. I'm not talking about scriptures, church, beliefs, facts or anything else... I just want to see if anyone else sees that no connection to divinity feels empty, and lacking... your opinions would be appreciated.

Well it might to you, because you happen to be a certain sort of religious believer. However I know quite a few atheists and I see no evidence that they consider there is anything missing from their lives, nor can I say that I perceive any particular emptiness in them. Although it is true that, since they don't go to church on Sundays, they have to read the Sunday papers instead*, which is a fairly vacuous pursuit.


* I remember in one of Evelyn Waugh's novels, he pokes fun at some atheists by having them subscribe to a paper called, "The Godless Sunday At Home".

 

[Hellbound Serpiente]

Lack of belief in God doesn't necessary mean lack of meaningful existence and/or lack of reason to live

 

[Thief]

Lack of belief in God doesn't necessary mean lack of meaningful existence and/or lack of reason to live

but it could mean ...lack of life

right after the last breath

 

[viole]

I want to ask people if they see the same thing about Atheism -that it's an empty shell of a life. I'm not talking about scriptures, church, beliefs, facts or anything else... I just want to see if anyone else sees that no connection to divinity feels empty, and lacking... your opinions would be appreciated.

Once I met a 13 years old boy who felt sad that his friends stopped believing Santa. He said: Christmas must be now very empty and hollow for them.

However: I am not sure whom we should be sorry for.

Ciao

- viole

 

[Windwalker]

I just want to see if anyone else sees that no connection to divinity feels empty, and lacking... your opinions would be appreciated.

First it would be helpful if you defined what you saw that a connection with divinity offers someone, and then see if the atheist actually lacks any of those to begin with. If they don't lack any of those things, then I wouldn't suspect their life would be anymore or less empty than the theists. Can you share what you think those are?