If I asked a serious and real question, would you all read the details?

Question

I read a lot on here about atheists being unhappy. Do you think that an atheist doesn't believe in God and praying for a fix to his or her problems, and that the atheist sees the human condition for what it really is, sickness, suffering sometimes. And the atheist is saying heh, I have to figure out the root causes to my problems. And in doing this its a process that sorta sucks, and is sorta depressing. But ultimately, resolution can come to the atheist!

An atheist lives an authentic life I think, in that he or she is looking for a specific cause (that isn't from heaven) to the problems that ail on his or her life.

What do you think? Now that I'm averaging 31 answers in 5 minutes on stupid nonsense crap questions, I'd like the same 31 people who thirst for a real question to answer this one.

Answer 1

Yes.. I do think that you are doing what you can in a lot of areas of your life, and I do see your point of view when you get real, like in this question... and I do realise from reading on here that you have some very real and difficult issues to deal with in your life. Things that you didn't ask for..
I send my prayers as much as possible.

Answer 2

I always read the details...even to the stupid questions.

As for atheists being unhappy, I don't think any more or less so than believers. But then, I also don't think that atheists have any special handle on life that believers do not. I've done therapy enough (and drank with enough people) to know that you have to take each person individually. Some folks see their problems clearly. Others do not. Some people use religion as a crutch and a screen to the truth; others use religion as self-betterment and enlightnement. I'm sure the same is true for atheism.

Atheists can live authentic lives. Believers can live authentic lives. The big question is, what entails an "authentic life?" Is it having a strictly empirical scientific worldview, or is it a balance of faith and science, emotion and logic? Is the authentic life the same for everyone, or does it differ depending on the person? Shouldn't we all strive for self-actualization, rather than some cookie-cutter solution? Wouldn't one person's get-out-of-jail-free card be another person's prison?

I'm sorry if this strayed off the topic you intended. I think stereotyping is stupid, whether it be stereotyping atheists or stereotyping believers.

Answer 3

I'm not an atheist but an agnostic, but I do agree with what you are saying. I don't look to a god to explain my problems. Many of the things that are looked down on in our society are not exclusive to humans, they are byproducts of the mind. I don't think atheists are unhappy just uncomplicated. They except the world for what it is. I think both atheist and agnostics alike live their lives authentically. Atheists don't place the blame on someone else (it's God's will) they look for a real reason for something and they also take responsibility for their own actions (it's not the Devil doing his evil). I would say that many of the people who use religion as a crutch are unhappy sheep who are looking to be saved by some mighty presence. They need to look inside themselves to be happy but sometimes that's the most difficult things to do (rely on yourself).

I actually had a discussion with my boyfriend's grandmother about being agnostic, she's devout Irish catholic. She wants me and my boyfriend to go to church and I really don't see the reason. There are priests that molest children, men that go to church that beat their wives, women that cheat on their husbands. All of these people believe that their sins will be atoned. I wouldn't have as much of a problem with it if there were genuinely sorry but most of them aren't. Even if you ask for forgiveness the laws that govern the universe say that for every action there is a reaction, so ultimately you have to pay the price. It's just a question of how much? I never went to church as a child however I was baptised(baptized?). I am thankful my parents never made me go. And I would never make my children go. I feel that when they are grown up and can make their own decisions they can decide if they believe in God, and I will support them fully. She feels that in a lot of situations praying helps her. My method is a little different, I hope. If I'm driving down the street on a rainy day, the only thing I can do is hope that my time isn't up and my car doesn't spin out and I'm killed. I think there is a presence that governs all there is but it's not God as catholics think of it. I don't believe the presence created the earth in seven days or any bullshite like that. I think it has always been here in some form or another and that it never go aways. All the energy that is or ever will be stays in balance. We humans are star matter, we've been here for billion of years but we've only been humans for a short time. In a couple billion years when the Earth is no longer here we will become something else, we don't ever go away. Think of a tree, it comes back year after year so why wouldn't we. But at the same time death as humans have come to think of it holds a huge amount of uncertainty, but I believe we(agnostics and atheists) will tackle it better in the end than others!

Answer 4

Personally, I don't see how an atheist could live a completely fulfilled life and experience joy and peace. From observation, although I haven't done a study or researched it (that's an idea), they seem content for a while for whatever it is they are doing, but once that fades...there is always a need for more. More success, more knowledge, more sex from more people, more money, more whatever.

I myself, am a follower of Christ. I don't know what goes on in other people's hearts or minds so my answer can not be sound if you ask me.

But...I must admit...I don't understand the atheist mind.... First, the complexity of the human design. Reproduction and brain function as well as the spirit (admit it, we have a spirit that enable emotion etc. etc.) but also, just go out into nature. On the top of a mountain, all by yourself and be still. Look at what's around you...how PERFECT and different the Billions upon billions of creatures and forms of life exist with us...and this JUST HAPPENED, with no one to create it?? Just consider it.....

Jessica

Answer 5

I wasn't one of the people who answered your "silly" questions, but I do take interest in your above question.

Not being an atheist, I don't really know what they think. I once was in question of God.

I do think you're on to something there about the world being sickness and suffering. This world has more to it than meets the eye. You get that.

Being an atheist is to me like having a small pinhole in your heart. You sense that something is wrong. Emptiness consumes darkness or sin.
It also does have a false sense of hope. The hole can be patched , so to speak. Giving one a temporary sense of fulfillment.

This analogy isn't quite good enough.
Similarly to being without God.
Something is missing.

It is my personal opinion that without God, apart from him, one is living in darkness. Without light or truth, there is no resolution. As you said, "the process sorta sucks." without God.

If one lives their life simply looking for a specific cause to their own problem, they live a lie in darkness.

There is much more to life than simply resolving one's own "problems."

There is a reason for everything.
We are all connected to God and to each other.
How can one live a life within self?

I hope that this answers somewhat.
There is really no answer to this internal struggle, it's a very personal thing.

I suppose an atheist can be happy on the outside.
What you are when you are an atheist is that you believe in satan.
There has to be one side.
Good or evil. It may be by default, but ignorance is no excuse.

Good luck!!

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Answer 6

1) I think that the majority of Christians find it comforting to pray to God and to believe in an all-knowing, just God who never gives them more than they can handle. I think it makes the thought of dying less scary to them, and in turn, makes them happy.

2) I think atheists do live authentic lives. They educate themselves on the world around them and are not content to believe that things are the way they are because God made them so. They believe in that which holds logical explanations, things the senses can experience.

Does one of these two make for a happier person? I don't think so. A Christian may lose their parents in an accident, be diagnosed with a non-curable disease that won't kill you but may make you miserable, lose their job, house, health insurance and go about their business, believing God won't give them more than they can handle. Does that mean they're happy? No, they'll take their time and be unhappy for a bit like anyone else, but it makes them more accepting because they've left it in "God's hands."

The same set of events happens to an atheist and they become depressed and feel hopeless at times. Yet, they come to realize that:

1) everyone dies and there's not always an explanation for why, other than the fact that people's hearts give out, people drive like idiots, people take chances they shouldn't be taking.

2) Genetic makeup plays a part in their incurable disease. It was a combination of their parent's genes that contributed to the disease.

3) Downsizing happens in corporate America. Welcome to the real world. And by losing your job, you can't pay your mortgage, and you have no health insurance.

The big difference between the two, is not how happy they are. The difference is in how they deal with it. A Christian will pray to God for help and start combing want ads, sending resumes, looking for a job, fixing the part they can change first. The Atheist sends out resumes, combs want ads, looking for a job. They're both just as likely to get hired. The Christian will thank God. The atheist will congratulate themselves on their hard work. Both will be pleased that their life is seemingly on track now, and the bottom line is neither of them could have gotten a job without doing the work themselves. The Christian will believe God made it possible, the atheist believes that he himself made it possible. And the world goes on....

Answer 7

I am not a believer but i don't know if i am an atheist. Though i agree with your general idea, i think the importance of belief comes if you are actually involved in some real struggle and you need to keep faith otherwise you falter before you achieve it. I think in a similar way probably religious faith helps a large no. of people hold a coherent meaningful view of the world. To be completely confronted with meaninglessness is not everybody's cup of tea.

It is the proselytizers of faiths of particular kinds who are actually without any real cause but to promote their own beliefs and kind. These are the sick people and they are a huge number... but these do not constitute the whole of the population. Most people just take support from some faith to make it easier to struggle through life and also to make life more coherent. Some are part of a community only for cultural reasons and for belonging.

Answer 8

To answer your first question, yes. I was at work when I read your question..now I'm home and can listen...You're
saying that the human mind can figure out the root causes of all problems that come into your life? That's probably true in some cases. But in the deeper questions the mind is very limited. Are you experiencing unhappiness? (Prayer isn't to fix problems it's to share them, we share the burden so that it doesn't crush us). But back to you, what you're saying from a human point of view, is good stuff. People cause most of the problems so people should be able to solve them. And trying to figure it all out can give you indigestion and a headache. When you come at it horizontally it's hard...when you come at it vertically you get a more rounded picture. That's the advantage of a spiritual perspective...a different vantage point...it rounds out your perceptions. Example: seeing the ground at ground level compared to seeing it from up in a plane.

Answer 9

I read the details.

No, I don't think atheists are "unhappy," just as much as I think Christians are "happy."

I once read about an atheist who, in light of a tragedy, actually prayed to God, so I don't think all atheists are "not that prayerful." (Btw, that atheist became a Christian, eventually).

I believe that resolution comes to everyone no matter what, except for those who have successfully committed suicide.

My idea of an authentic life is different from yours, but I think it's good that you feel certain about your path.

For myself, I like putting my faith to the test, putting what I know to the test by adopting different points of view (whether from above or below or anywhere else in between). By this, while I may not be certain of my path, at least I'm certain of my journey.

Peace.

Answer 10

People aren't willing to read a question longer than a couple of lines. 31 is really pushing it, but I feel that it would be good if they did. If stephen Hawking can get 5,000 something serious answers to a serious question then we all should be able to. I do agree with you. Atheists are trying to find real solutions to real problems. Some theists are also trying to find real solutions to real problems but then at the end of all of their hard work they give the credit to "God". Other theists just pray a lot.

Answer 11

I take all of your questions seriously. By the way, I'll be surprised if you get two thoughtful responses out of this.

An atheist, as you said, will examine the human condition and not accepting the horror of it will search for a deeper meaning or solution to the problem. A religious person is content to wallow in ignorance because they wrongly think that by simply believing in a mythology the problem is solved. Why examine your life and question anything when you can just turn to the quick answers of religion? Why think for yourself when you can get pre-packaged answers?