Are atheists generally happier people than believers?

1. 60

   Stephen Meadowsposted 8 years ago

   Are atheists generally happier people than believers?
   
   Many believers can't understand that a person can be happier without religion in their life. What are your thoughts?
   
   

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2. 71

   Omar Eldamsheetyposted 8 years ago

   No, They are not ... maybe they think that they are happy but they are not ... Life is so difficult and without hope that you will live another good life you can't be happy.

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   1. 98

      Kylyssaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      It probably does make people happier if they can believe anything they want is real instead of being bound by the confines of reality. Why not live your real life as best you can instead of just hoping you'll get a magic one later that's better?

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   2. 60

      Stephen Meadowsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      But who's definition of "hope" is the right one? I personally don't need hope of an afterlife to give my current life meaning.

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   3. 72

      Aime Fposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      You can't be happy in this life unless you have hope that you get another one? That doesn't sound like happiness to me. Quite the opposite, really.

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   4. 82

      CatherineGiordanoposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I know many atheists personally who used to be Christian, and now feel so much happier now that they have left religion.

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   5. 71

      Omar Eldamsheetyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      You all say this because you have no permanent problem ... You all have a healthy body and you all have money.

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   6. 98

      Kylyssaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      That's hilarious! I'm slowly dying of lupus and suffer constant, chronic pain. I'm also so broke it's a choice between buying medicine and paying rent most months. Why would that make any difference in what's real?

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   7. 90

      Sam Shepardsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      So you want to dangle another better life in front of people with problems? If I learned one thing from people with cancer is to see what is right here...
      
      Regularly I'm happy, sometimes not so, more often it's good enough, but it's all ok.

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   8. 82

      Misfit Chickposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      No 'confines of reality' & situations of people like Kylyssa R not set in stone. Jesus healed people by 'not believing' in their illness tho it existed - based on the Law of Attraction. Look it up. Afterlife exists but not required 4 happiness.

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   9. 71

      Clive La Penseeposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Why are atheists without hope? How can you make such big assumptions about what is best for others? That is the beginning of intolerance.

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   10. 61

       Canary Burtonposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       So I think I'm happy? Hahahaha. actually I don't think religion has any meaning anymore. It was used to control people and still is. Do I live a life of the spirit, Yes I do and the native American system is pretty nice. Heck, I live a good life now

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3. 78

   Oztinatoposted 8 years ago

   In my experience I see the atheists I know immersed in drug and alcohol use and serious emotional confusion caused by revolving door relationships.
   Certainly many confused right wing religious groups are failing too.
   However the question here focuses on atheists.
   The problem is there is an ethical vacuum caused by a failure to provide an alternative ethical atheist system. This results in a much more intense fragmenting of ad hoc badly thought out ethics. For example Caitlin Jenner not agreeing with lesbian relationships! and such bizarre "one off" ethics is a typical by product of atheist thought.
   There seems to be a pervasive weakening of ethics that leads to blind hypocrisy in atheist thought. Lately we've seen devoted atheists for example defending the "Reverend Donald" Trump who represents the very worst possible example of political religious expediency. The fact that hard core atheists see nothing wrong in supporting hard core religious fundamentalism is totally blind hypocrisy. It is almost clinically insane to harbour such extreme opposite ethics without seeing the enormous contradiction ie schizophrenic intensity of abberated thought.
   How can such people be happy?
   Of course it is possible to argue that many religious types are "blissfully ignorant" but they usually belong to their own holistic ethical system without a schizophrenic ability to harbour gross ethical contradiction within their own ethical  systems per se.

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   1. 98

      Kylyssaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      How can you see American Christians falling all over Trump like he's their savior and still say religion doesn't require "a schizophrenic ability to harbour gross ethical contradiction within their own ethical systems"? & Jenner is a Christian.

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   2. 78

      Oztinatoposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      As I said the question here focuses on atheists.
      That said, many stupid fundamentalists are following with their wrong paradigm by sticking with the Rev. Donald.

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   3. 98

      Kylyssaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      What gives you the idea Trump has more than a minuscule number of atheist supporters? He stands against everything humanists stand for. He's against human rights, freedom of religion, science, education, healthcare, and has started two wars.

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   4. 78

      Oztinatoposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Judging by the hubpages atheists there seems to be a 50/50 split.
      Of course statistics need to be looked at.
      I'm amazed as you at atheists supporting Donald.

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   5. 98

      Kylyssaposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Ah, there's your problem. I know zero irl. Your sample is way off. I've made similar errors regarding what % of Christians support Trump. Less than 50% of US Christians support Trump - but it comes off as all of them going by their online presence.

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   6. 78

      Oztinatoposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Why 50% Of either believers or atheists live Donald is a cause for serious concern.
      The question here refers mainly to atheists.

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   7. 82

      Misfit Chickposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I'd buy into the 'ethical vacuum' issue atheists have. That exists bcuz their spiritual beliefs aren't quite right, either - just like their uber-religious counterparts. And yeah, atheists are in bed with conservatives & Trump. Its mindboggling.

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   8. 82

      tamarawilhiteposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Dr. Jordan Peterson On The Evil Of Postmodernism
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTxmKc80wUw

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4. 98

   Kylyssaposted 8 years ago

   Unfortunately, I think it's impossible to say because the abuse many atheists face if they are open is likely to offset any happiness gained by being able to live a reality-based life free of unnecessary cognitive dissonance.
   
   I think I might be happier if I could be free of the name calling, the death threats, the rape threats, the vandalism, the stalking, the callousness and hatred during my times of loss, and the attempts to get me fired from my job. Something about getting a big gob of Christian spittle on my face when announcing my engagement to a co-worker made me deeply unhappy. Getting the words "Die Atheist C*nt" scratched into my car with two flat tires didn't make me dance with glee, either. And, for some reason, having to figure out who to report detailed rape threats and death threats to for every platform on which I write about atheism or homelessness is not a delight.
   
   The ability to live without forcing myself into constant cognitive dissonance would probably make me happier than people who have to keep doing extreme mental gymnastics just to get through the day if those particular people would just not act like jerks.
   
   Non-belief really isn't a choice for me; I just can't maintain so many conflicting and mutually exclusive beliefs at the same time. For instance, I can't believe that a fertilized zygote thinks and feels when my knowledge of neurology and biology inform me a brain is required to do those things. I can't believe a person still thinks and feels after their brain shuts down and starts to rot or no longer exists in any cohesive form at all. I can't both believe that magic is just fantasy and wishful thinking and that magic is real. I can't believe what people desire is true just because they want it when all evidence points to causes and effects, instead.
   
   Since many believers seem to be able to think something is real based on what they desire to be real, that what they hope is real, maybe they are, in fact happier. Don't believe me? Why else do so many believers call their belief a choice and so many atheists call their non-belief an observation? The ability to think anything pleasant you want is real might actually make people happier, especially if they are unable to enjoy reality or work productively inside the confines of reality. Maybe they need to believe they have control over reality to be happy? I just wish they'd get control of themselves.

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   1. 60

      Stephen Meadowsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      It's a shame that anyone is persecuted for the way they live their life. (As long as they aren't proselytizing). It shouldn't have to be that way!

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      Canary Burtonposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, I can't say it better. I'm vefy sorry for the jerks who harrased you. I stay away from Christians unless I know they are the real thing, inclusive and intelligent

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5. 60

   Stephen Meadowsposted 8 years ago

   Ok, Oztinato. Let's talk about a few points.
   
   1. Ethics - It's a fallacious argument to imply that ethics stems solely from religion and that absence of religion implies the absence of ethics. I TOTALLY AGREE that there is a weakening of ethics in the world, but I have seen no proof that this stems from atheism. Based on that logic, there should more atheists in prison than religious people. In fact, the opposite is true in many cases.
   2. I am not sure what kind of friends you have, but I know a lot of non-believers and the VAST majority of them are not drug/alcohol abusers. In fact, many of them are contributing members of society and pillars of their community.
   3. Support of this "so called" president has nothing to do with atheism or theism, but rather hypocrisy and pragmatism. I do not support his administration. It has nothing to do with my belief structure and everything to do with my support of civil rights. The religious right supports him in spite of the massively hypocritical conundrum it creates. But pragmatically, he was the best option to get what they wanted. Just because some atheists support him does not mean that all do. Just as not all rich/white/straight/you name it people do.
   4. Blissfully ignorant of what exactly? Many atheists I know of are much more well-read than the average person and usually have much higher levels of education.

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   1. 88

      Austinstarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with all 4 of your points and actually agree with Oz about Trump too. I am MUCH happier as an atheist than being forced to worship a mythical magic man in the sky, (or go to hell). The costs and guilty feelings of religions are just too high.

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   2. 78

      Oztinatoposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      The blissfully ignorant are often low IQ BELIEVERS.
      Ethics and law evolved out of religion.
      We are now down to statistical analysis which is incomplete.

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6. 73

   dashingscorpioposted 8 years ago

   
   
   Honestly I don't think believing or not believing in God determines one's happiness.
   Some people are naturally more "positive" about their future than other people. Worry, fear, & pain cause unhappiness.
   Also our childhood formative years and what happen during that period in addition to our environment plays a large part in our outlook in life. In many ways the bible is another self-help book.
   Most people don't grow up unscathed and therefore we "work on ourselves" and in some cases others turn to God for help.
   No matter who you are or what you believe everyday is not going to be filled with sunshine and rainbows! What determines one's overall happiness is how they {deal/cope} with hard times.
   People who are "unhappy" haven't found what works for them!

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7. 82

   CatherineGiordanoposted 8 years ago

   Of course they can, in fact, they are. Studies have shown that Scandinavian countries , based on many different measures, are the happiest countries on Earth. There is a very low incidence of religious belief in those countries. Does one cause the other? Maybe yes, maybe no. But there is very little religion and the people there are happy.

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   1. 78

      Oztinatoposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      But is happiness from pot smoking true happiness?
      Of course there are no stats.
      PS we finally have something in common ie amazement at why some atheists love the Rev Donald.

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   2. 60

      Stephen Meadowsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Ok... I don't see where anyone made any reference to pot smoking. Let's not resort to straw man arguments. I doubt anyone is saying that drugs bring true happiness.

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   3. 78

      Oztinatoposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Stephen
      Scandinavia and other certain countries have legalised pot.

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   4. 60

      Stephen Meadowsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      So has Colorado and several other places in the U.S. I don't see a correlation between pot smoking and atheism. I know quite a few religious people who can show Biblical support for pot.

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8. 55

   peter565posted 8 years ago

   Depends on what religion and what the religion teach. I would assume atheists are more happier than devoted Christians. Just take the...crazy anti gay thing that is going on in so many Christian church right now. How can anybody be truly happy, without all of those unreasonable hate and anger towards people of alternative sexual preference?
   
   I have to say, atheists are happier than Christians. As for other religions...I don't know

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9. 53

   Kaleidoposted 8 years ago

   Religion makes people feel guilt, this way people are completely controlled. Drop the religion, lose the guilt, feel free and see how happy you can be. Do not argue the morality thing with religious apologists, however, BUT the fact is is that morality predates any religious concepts. Before there was religion, people did not go around lying, stealing and killing people, thinking that it was okay. Yes atheists are happier, live with no guilt and no fear.

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   1. 82

      tamarawilhiteposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Secular Social Justice warriors do that, too, and because they see everyone as oppressed by society, they are chronically angry.

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   2. 82

      Misfit Chickposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Many things wrong with that sweeping statement, Tamara - not the least of which: your accusation is a great way to ignore & dismiss the actual 'oppressed' (abused, raped, etc.) among us. Things R not so black & white. Grey & other colors

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10. 80

    TimRBermanposted 8 years ago

    I do not believe religion has anything to do with a person's sense of happiness. Nor, do I believe ones lack of religious conviction is a determining factor.
    
    What I do believe is this:
    
    1) Happiness is something fleeting. It's something we desire and something experienced in the moment.
    
    2) Since our greatest desire is happiness, our greatest dilemma is an illusion of control.
    
    3) Breaking free from the illusion of control, and moving away from the illusion of what others or things may do to bring us happiness, we are free to begin finding ways to enjoy life.
    
    4) We start learning how to enjoy life by doing things that bring us a sense of worth, a sense of freedom, a sense of fun, and a sense of belonging. These are things we do fo ourselves and by ourselves.
    
    And, the real heart of this is how we answer three important questions.
    
    1) who am I?
    2) what is my purpose?
    3) How am I to be of service toward others.
    
    Really, happiness is a natural expression and experience of our own level of joy and contentment.

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11. 86

    gmwilliamsposted 8 years ago

    
    
    It ALL depends.  There are religious people who are quite happy, especially if they CHOSE their religion & are discerning regarding their particular beliefs.  Conversely, there are atheists who are quite unhappy because perhaps atheism was passed down in their families & that particular belief was thrust down their throats by their parents.
    
    To say that atheists are happier than religious people is a generalization.   Some atheists are happier than religious people while there are some religious people who are happier than atheists.  Religious/belief happiness depends upon the psychology of the person.   There are religionists who view their religion quite positively while there are atheists who unthinkingly believe in their doctrine & vice versa.   To be succinct, people who are thinking, aware, questioning, & discerning regarding their particular beliefs, whether atheist or religious, are the happiest while those who are indoctrinated, dogmatic, & unquestioning are unhappiest because they will not, cannot, & do not see beyond their particular religious purview.

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    1. 61

       Canary Burtonposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       You are exactly right. Nuff said.

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12. 82

    tamarawilhiteposted 8 years ago

    On average, believers tend to be happier. They are more likely to be married and have children, sources of long term happiness. They tend to have stronger social ties and be less isolated, which is why even some atheist groups set up "churches" for social support.

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    1. 53

       Kaleidoposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Churches are places where people socialise. That is probably a primary reason why many people go. They become part of a community. This does not necessarily have any link to their personal belief.

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       Canary Burtonposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Wow, I didn't know some atheists set up churches. They could use the Quakers. I'm not interested in aguing for or against religion or no. I leave people alone. And I'm quite happy doing that which is my purpose. Oh I'm 75

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13. 82

    Misfit Chickposted 8 years ago

    
    
    I agree with many people in here, that your beliefs either way as a believer or as an atheists do not determine your happiness. If you are someone who is content in your beliefs, no matter what they are, you're usually pretty happy inside because you have no inner conflicts about those things that you're trying to work out in your heart or mind.
    
    However, both atheists & believers (of whatever religion) can really get caught up in the idea that 'everyone else is wrong'; and I need to do everything I can to 'change their minds' - just because they're WRONG!
    
    We can get so wrapped up in that, that we end up not taking care of our own internal selves very well - and really, that is our priority - not to 'fix' anyone else.
    
    Conflicts come when people aren't sure and are still afraid... For instance, a formerly-Christian-now-atheists unbeliever might still be feeling a little uncertain about their new beliefs; and work a little harder to convince everyone that they are right in order to obtain validation from the masses. Its more comfortable to change religious views when you know other people agree with you.
    
    On the flipside, believers who are sure of their beliefs are convinced that they need to 'save the world'. Believing that most people (aside from you) are going to hell is a very disconcerting upset that compels them to action. Most religious zealots aren't necessarily trying to 'stuff God down throats'; but are terrified of what will happen to people if they don't.
    
    These types of both unbelievers & believers need to confirm their beliefs within themselves by becoming MUCH more selfish and less concerned about everyone else. Being spiritually selfish has become the new 'salvation' because we humans have been programmed to believe that selfishness is a sin - so most of us have that idea out of balance.
    
    Religions are starting to fall by the wayside, and they have been for the past few decades. Almost all religions are experiencing increasing deconversion rates. The issue is, can we keep from harming each other while this slow process keeps continuing; or can we let people make their own spiritual discoveries in good timing?
    
    Some of us are needed to help maintain a balance. So, I'd say that the uncomfortable conversations need to continue. Humanity will find its way through, eventually. Its part of the process of 'becoming' in this continually slowly-developing 'Kingdom of God' world.

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14. 71

    Clive La Penseeposted 8 years ago

    Firstly, how are you measuring happiness? You need to quantify.
    How can you measure degree of belief?
    Can any conclusion you reach be meaningful?

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    1. 60

       Stephen Meadowsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Good point. Happiness is quite subjective. I would say I feel more fulfilled with my life without religion. The happiness stems mainly from the lack of guilt I feel about every "wrong" thought or action that might jeopardize my immortal soul.

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15. 90

    poppyrposted 8 years ago

    I really think it's more about being true to yourself and following your heart. If worshipping a God and following the rules of a religion gives you a sense of purpose in life and makes you happy, as long as it isn't hurting anyone else then it's great. Equally, if someone decides they don't believe in God and they're happy, that's good too. It depends on the person.

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    1. 60

       Stephen Meadowsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       I tend to agree with this philosophy. I am content to let bygones be bygones. Others follow the Hitchins school of thought in which religion should be actively opposed.

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16. 63

    old albionposted 8 years ago

    Such a deep question. How can this be measured? Many people take comfort from the religion of their choice. Many others feel discomfort from religion feeling it to be an imposition on their lifestyle. The thing we all try to achieve in life is; Peace of mind. We all try to find this whoever we are and whatever our beliefs.
    Graham.

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    1. 60

       Stephen Meadowsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Perhaps "happiness" is not the correct descriptor. Although I would say I am happier without religion, a more accurate term would be fulfilled. I feel like my life has more purpose now that I am not just trying to get to an afterlife.

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17. 37

    AmitAlgotarposted 8 years ago

    It's not that non-believers are happier than the believers or vice versa... The difference is :-
    
    1. An atheist takes the full responsibility of his failure or success on his own and a believer may or may not make god liable for the same.
    
    2. An atheist only believes in hard work and a believer believes in handwork and prayers together.
    
    3. An atheist can never expect an unbelievable or abundant result or a miracle for his work but a believer can expects a miracle and unbelievable achievements.

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    1. 53

       Kaleidoposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       That is so, but the reverse is also true. Atheists will take full responsibility however, the religious will blame failure and disaster on the devil.

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    2. 60

       Stephen Meadowsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Is it too ironic to say "amen?" I am a huge proponent of personal responsibility. It drives me nuts when people abandon all sense of self in pursuit of religious beliefs.

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       AmitAlgotarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Religion or god for me is not for blaming or passing your failure. its for self realization and internal peace the rest depends on your hard work and knowledge...do weather a an Atheist or a believer we should keep both the things differently....

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18. 60

    Michelle Barrionposted 8 years ago

    In some aspects maybe yes. I've heard some people that are non-religion practitioners lived  to be happy. As long as they live true to their conscience, they can be happy people than those believers. You see,  people who live in one house like spouses with opposite or different beliefs ends often with arguments, just to defend what one believes. It doesn't matter what we believe, what matters is that we know how to respect others for their beliefs.
    
    Try to consider this:
    1. A believer who only believes for himself and disrespect others for being such can't be happy at all. He would be hated for doing so and merely will have trusted friends.
    2. A non-believer who doesn't practice religion or any because he doesn't know any but respects a person for being such can be happy. He would be loved and gain friends for being fair to anyone.
    
    Beliefs sometimes got nothing to do with personal relationships. Religion can't be talk while couples talking way to sleep. There is always a wall between religion and personal dealings.
    Even in friendships, religion topics oftenly avoided for it may lead or result for some conflicts.
    And so, respect for anyone regardless of beliefs and living, each can live happy.

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       Misfit Chickposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       You are right. Any believer who feels a need to judge others or act on 'bad' judgement has discord within that irritates their soul simply bcuz they are not looking & seeing others through the love God has for every soul no matter what.

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19. 38

    JamesScottespposted 8 years ago

    Everything depends on the depth and the temper of your faith.
    Deep-believing, but generally peaceful personalities are more predisposed to be in harmony with yourself, whereas the aggressive faith and fanaticism lead only to the disorder of spirit.
    
    We cannot tell that atheists are in the middle of these states. They simply find the
    substitutions of the religion (or maybe it is better to say -  the belief).

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    wba108@yahoo.composted 8 years ago

    Believers tend to by happier than Atheists. I think its also a fair assumption that  believers attend religious services more frequently than  Atheists. 
    
    According to a study by the Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture,
    
    " people who attend religious services on a weekly basis are nearly twice as likely to describe themselves as “very happy” (45%) than people who never attend (28%)."
    
    According to Pew research, about two thirds of Atheist's identify as Democrats. The leftist Democrat party is dominated by groups claiming victim status. ie unwed mothers, artists, pampered academics,blacks, native Americans, the poor, the unemployed, homosexuals, animal rights activists, ATHEISTS .. ect   
    
    Now I think it's fair to say that people who perceive themselves as victims tend not to be happy people. Now when liberals see themselves as victims they have found a way to keep themselves in perpetual righteous self pity and anger.
    
    liberalism has become a belief system of compliant, entitlement and dissatisfaction. Liberal writer Micheal Crowley say this of the Democrat party, " What does identify and unify the party is a sense of victim-hood".
    
    Now I don't know about you but that doesn't sound very fun to me!

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       Kaleidoposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       what a crock of shit

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       wba108@yahoo.composted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Those who have no argument must attack the messenger. BTW, you are a perfect example of what I was talking about in my post. Thanks for the confirmation!

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    3. 82

       Misfit Chickposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       I know many GOP have this perception of peeps who believe unlike they do; but there R probably as many Christians in Dems as GOP. I'm not Dem but they R more inclusive. This us or them mentality is what is harming us, our country & the world.

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       wba108@yahoo.composted 8 years agoin reply to this

       You may have a point, I have a tendency towards an us or them mentality, at least that's what my wife says.

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    5. 60

       Stephen Meadowsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       I looked on their website and I only found a study citing the decline of Christianity and it said nothing about happiness. I'd love to know to what study you are referring.

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       wba108@yahoo.composted 7 years agoin reply to this

       here's the link:
       
       http://relationshipsinamerica.com/relig … ier-people
       
       And refer to figure 4.1

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    7. 60

       Stephen Meadowsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Ignorance really is bliss, I suppose! If I thought the world was going to end any day and I'd be whisked off to a magical land, I'd be pretty content to ignore the state of the world too. Just too bad that promise is over 2,000 years old.

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    8. 82

       Misfit Chickposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Perspective is everything. Revelations isn't about J's 2nd coming or an apocalypse & this single distortion of belief has been incredibly harmful on our world. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/greg-care … 68906.html

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    9. 60

       Stephen Meadowsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Even beyond Revelation, Jesus was an apocalyptic prophet and preached about the end of the world. He stated that some would not taste death before they saw the Son of Man coming to his kingdom. The entire religion is based on "the end is near."

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    10. 61

        Canary Burtonposted 7 years agoin reply to this

        hum, do you realize you've, just like the Trump people, counted everyone except white men and women as deserving and have dumped some of them. I'm a Composer and I am happy in my choices, I am not a victim. I am unemployed (I'm 75) I'm poor, ha I'm h

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21. 56

    all4kindnessposted 7 years ago

    Happiness-
    noun
    1.
    the quality or state of being happy.
    2.
    good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy.
    
    Happiness is personal. People feel happy for many reasons. Support from others as well as being supportive of others creates happiness in many people. Temporary happiness and be created by acts of kindness, material gains, forgiveness, entertainment. Obtaining specific goals can bring a temporary feeling of happiness. Purging of excess material items can give a person a feeling of happiness. Faith and community can provide a deeper and more sustained  level of happiness. Those without Faith may find happiness with the community side solely. For some, isolation can provide a happy feeling. Some people are happy when others suffer and/or when benefiting from the injustice placed on others. Who is most happy? Is it the one who laughs now, or the one who gets the last laugh? I am not sure. We are free to choose our own path. Who am I to judge?

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       Kaleidoposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Exactly!

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22. 0

    RTalloniposted 7 years ago

    This question caused me to continue considering a topic I've been pondering for some time. People have ditched truth in an effort to feel good all the time, as if that is a good thing. Living by their feelings, rather than in reality, they are blind to the effects of thinking that conflict is a bad thing.
    
    A recent example comes from a parent's magazine–"Take time to meditate at the end of each day so you can feel in control." Really? Too many questions come to mind!
    
    How does "feeling" in control help when in reality we are in desperate need to know how best to navigate the world of parenting in this day and age? How does coming to a place of "que sera, sera" rather than living mindfully help us raise children of high character since catering to their feelings and/or leaving them to themselves means they will grow up to be selfish beasts?
    
    Another example comes from health/medicine. A person with a sick appendix realizes they feel pretty bad. They go to the ER for pain relief. A nurse walks into this dying person's room after the doc has examined and tested to find the problem announcing she's going to make herself their best friend just before giving a prescribed shot of morphine. The patient feels quite happy.
    
    But does the doc then send such a patient home? Hardly. The cure must be applied or death comes. The patient won't be as happy during that process unless pain meds are continued, but the cure will give the relief of true reality and the patient can go forward in life. 
    
    One way to think through your specific question is that it's not that Believers have nothing to do with emotion, it's that in spite of what others may think, they live soberly in light of truth. The seriousness of what it means to step out into eternity apart from Christ has nothing to do with making people "feel" happy. We want them to truly be happy.
    
    True Believers have a steady peace that surpasses feelings which always ebb and flow with circumstances and hormones. Even when there is a sudden shock, a surprising loss, or abrupt blow that brings them to their knees, there is a rock bed of peace, a stronghold that helps them turn to the only One able to truly take them through the difficulty. 
    
    They do not need substances or entertainments to dull their senses so they feel no stress or pain at the end of each day for they know that the pain is part of the journey and that a correct response leads to gain. No room to discuss it all now, pondering cont...

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       Stephen Meadowsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Speaking for myself only... Now that I am an atheist, I live my life "soberly in the light of truth." My life has much more meaning now that it's my only one. It ebbs and flows smoothly since it's not at the mercy of an invisible force.

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       Misfit Chickposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Most people have always tried to control their emotions instead of using them 4 what they R: guides directly connected to 'The One' to let U know how 'on' or 'off' you are. Imagination is also imperative in our lives. Look up Law of Attraction.

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       Kaleidoposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       If your religion is your truth, then let that be. I do not try to pop anyone's bubble. Whatever blows your skirt up and helps you through the day is fine. You do know the saying, that religion is like a penis. it is fine to have one, it is fine to ev

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       Canary Burtonposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       True Believers have a steady peace? Some do, most don't. And  if they are peaceful, why do they lash out at others hatefully, fearfully?

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    Canary Burtonposted 7 years ago

    I researched many religions in my youth. Eventually, I divested myself of any
    guilt, fear, the expectation of prayer answer.....never even thought of myself as an atheist until recently. Back then found that prayer was a mechanism of human resource....one is programming oneself and moving in any direction becomes a destination eventually. I incorporated ideas from many cultures and I was meditating.
    
    I am organically a manic depressive. At 50 I was given antidepressants and lithium. Talk about happy. And I made a decision to BE happy. No point in wallowing in pain. That would make me wallow further. To my untrained eye Religion is a drag on anyones liberation. Depend  on the Religion to make you happy (not)

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    Gemma Minda Isoposted 7 years ago

    Not really. Most people need structure in their lives, they need things to believe in. Thus, when a person does not believe in a higher Being and believes that everything happens by chance, somehow, it makes life itself so loose and directionless. For a life to have meaning, it has to have direction, some structure, the person needs to believe, in some way or another, in things that cannot be seen.

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       Stephen Meadowsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       So a non-believer's life has no direction?

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    Deepika ojhaposted 7 years ago

    yes, atheists are happier than believer because atheists people do not have believe in customs , traditions or regional rituals which automatically save them to indulge in superstitions.
    They believe in themselves and even in many holy books also it is written that believe in yourselves and do your work with passion,hard work and have patience. you will get success.
    atheists generally believe in that, they do not believe that any magic will held and they will become star or they are blessed.
    so, atheists accept the fact or result of their consequences, they do not blame god for their work which is not successful or for their misfortunes.
    while believer, believe that god will one day remove their all problems but that's not actually realistic.
    So, I think atheists are more happier than believer.

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    madeleine-alexaposted 7 years ago

    The benefit of doubt here is that only a few would have the courage to ask questions like, “What does life mean? How do I live it? Under what moral precepts? Does God exist?” Few ask sincerely, without already knowing an answer that privileges only their upbringing, traditions, biases and comfort zones. Some of our deepest values are expressed not in the answers, but in the questions we ask. Our spiritual maturity is gauged by whether the answers we choose allow us to extend moral recognition to those who differ.

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    Jocelyn Figueroaposted 7 years ago

    In my opinion, there isn't much of an argument here simply because different things make different people happy. Too many variables. Two of the most religious people in my life are absolutely miserable and have been for the majority of their life, while the few atheists I know seem to have a good head on their shoulders. Still, I'm sure there are miserable atheists out there. And, I know someone's religious or spiritual life - whatever it is they see when looking towards the universe (it could be science!) isn't going to be the only influential thing in their life. I identify as a humanist, which is often lumped together with atheism. I more or less believe the ONLY thing that's ever going to save us is ourselves.

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       Kaleidoposted 7 years agoin reply to this

       Exactly right. We are all different.

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    whitesky23posted 7 years ago

    I believe happiness lies within a person. If a person is positive, he shall receive happiness. And if cribs and criticizes for every little thing, he shall ripe those things in his life. I am from a little conservative society where atheism is not promoted and you are looked upon as guilty for not following the God. But i have still come across people who are atheist and not happy. And here i would partly say this is because of not following God because you don't have SOMETHING to think that in my tough times this something will help me. I don't think you are punished to follow a God. Follow the God anyway you aren't loosing anything if you do. And better you get some good and pleasant vibes from doing so. And about being happy i think it solely depends on the individual and not on what his believes are.

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    mygoblinposted 7 years ago

    My most trusted and good friend is actually an Atheist. He only believes in himself and the aliens. He's happier that way because he doesn't have to follow any kind of belief, there are no rules and no measurement of one's morality or character. He just lives life free from any whiff of complication.

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    Birendra Nathposted 7 years ago

    RELIGION is hope but a false one.   ATHIEST have a courage to accept it and pursue their life,   although it difficult at first (because be it worst or best case they have to consider themselves responsible) . Back in the past I blamed others and god  but now i blame myself and now i have become responsible for my actions .

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