Why are atheists unhappy?

Question

Why do people who turn away from God seem to be so unhappy?

Answer 1

Because only Christ brings real joy. They don't get it, so they're confused. They haven't experienced God's love, otherwise they'd wish they never didn't believe

Answer 2

Although religion really helps a lot of people-including those that have led self-destructive lives-atheists are not all unhappy. There are many ranges of atheism and most of them have sound basis. Just because they dont accept A faith or A God does not mean that they are not happy or that they are not leading fulfilling lives. Most atheists are very well educated people and have turned from God because they could no longer decieve themselves.
They may seem unhappy because, like gays, discrimination and alienation, has an unconsciuous effect on them. When they are hated by others they may start to retract their love from others. This is undoubtedly very hurtful to the person but does not mean that they are sad because they do not believe in God, but rather because of the stigma related to it.

Answer 3

I think you're mistaken. Most of the Atheists I know are very happy. Not only that, but they never turned away from God, because they never believed in God. I know far too many religious people who not only are extremely unhappy, but never do anything about that unhappiness because they think God will somehow save them, and it just gets worse and worse. Not all religious people, of course, just some. But to assume that all Atheists are unhappy, is completely inaccurate.

Answer 4

I'm an atheist and I'm very happy. I used to go to church all the time and blah blah blah. But then I just decided that I don't want to live my life by anothers rules. I just felt too much pressure from religion, I had to conform to the rules and restrictions of god. But I do agree with most of the teachings, the bible is a great guide to how to be a good person. But so is Buddhism, and the teachings of the Muslims. But jesus never walked on water so why would I follow him? Science still exists and evolution is the truth (Mostly!) I do believe in a higher power but I don't think any religion has it right. I think that the "god" up above is just some sort of power we'll never know about until after we die, maybe not even then. I don't think we should worry about it, this god thing is far more powerful than us and doesn't need to interfere with our lives so why should we bother trying to figure it out. Take from religions what you will, but I won't bet the farm on it.

Answer 5

I don't see atheists as being unhappy as much as not being grounded. When your reason for being is hollow and without a spiritual base, you tend to be more hedonistic in trying to finding a place or a meaning to it all. Some are atheists because they cannot wrap their mind around it all, not realizing that faith is based that what God has created just is. To try to understand God is like an ant trying to understand a man.

Imagine if you did not believe in God (or any higher plane of existence)? Then you see you life as finite, that when you die, it is all over. No where to go, nothing to do, nothing to see. Now that is depressing.

Answer 6

They are only needing exactly what we all needed when we were unhappy. Don't judge them for being unhappy when some of us used to be there too. God will find a way for them. All we can do is love them (even if they think we are weird for it) and try to help.

Answer 7

Maybe they have had bad experiences, and havent got a chance to realize the good parts about their lives! And who says all atheists are unhappy? You are being to steriotypical, and anyways why are you so concerned about other people and their way of life? If they are unhappy, they chose the path of their lives!

Answer 8

You are generalizing here a bit, but no foul here. :-) I don't feel unhappy. I have been agnostic for 8 years, and worked hard on improving myself, growing mature over the years I had no deity belief. In doing so, I grew more content with myself, my self-confidence rose, I am more calmer than I was 5 years ago. I learned of different techniques that several religions and spiritualities had of dealing with emotional and crisis upheavals.....and some I chose to use for myself that worked for me.

All that I experienced and learned.....improved my happiness drastically from a decade ago, when I was 23: immature, angry, depressive and unsure of myself. If you saw me today, you would not say I am those things anymore. :-)

Answer 9

Who says all atheists are unhappy? You're generalizing. A lot of people with faith are very unhappy too, you know.

Answer 10

I don't know of too many unhappy atheists, but the ones I do know who are, are like that due to drugs.

Answer 11

I know a few atheists, none of whom are unhappy. But I know several religious folks who fret and complain constantly about what other people are doing.