Does a belief in (a) God give your life more or less meaning then an athiest?

Question

I have often felt that my gradual move to not believing in God has led to my life having more meaning due to a finality of death. Most people have know idea of what I am taking about. I am curious about other opinions.

Answer 1

I'm not sure. I would say it's a different type of meaning not necessarily more or less. When you believe in G-d, you look through a differnt type of lens than an atheist. My uncle's an atheist, and he has a more realistic way of looking at things, I guess you would say. When some natural catastophe happens in the world, he doesn't say, 'why G-d?, what's the reason for this?' For him, it's a shifting of the earth alone that causes any earthquake, etc. Your view is interesting- since you believe this life is 'IT" then I can see that you would live each day more fully as you don't believe there's any world to come. However, as a believer, I'm not sure whether there is something to come either that I can perceive as compared to the life I know, and I am very much scared of death and feel that each day is a blessing as well. Believing in G-d adds another type of dimension to life, not only a faith that there is an afterlife and it brings a form of comfort for most people, especially during times of hardship, loss and grief. It's comforting to feel that there is a higher prescence watching over you, and even in moments of intense sadness, you feel that deep down things are ok, because G-d is there with you. Also, for me personally, I do things sometimes because it's what I feel G-d wants me to do, even though it would be more convenient for me to do what's pleasurable...like I'm saving myself for marriage, because of my faith that that is what G-d wants me to do, and I hope I'll be rewarded for this some day in that I will find true love! though ofcourse an atheist would think my logic is foolish, and I should decide for myself what's moral and what isn't based upon my own principles. I can imagine that it is scarier in many regards to not believe in G-d in that you feel as though all and everything is up to you- there is no guiding force , no fate, no reason why things happen- life is a matter of taking it by the horns and it's all up to you to make things happen. I on the other hand, feel a sense of comfort, perhaps even a sense of passivity that things happen in my life for a reason, and that there is a G-d who ultimately is paving the story of my life, though I have free will at the same time...what is difficult for the believer is reconciling how G-d can be good and yet it seems bad things in the world happen to innocent people. Whereas an atheist doesn't have this dilemna(I wouldn't think so) In this regard, perhaps an atheist feels that he/she can look at the world more objectively...so there's a lot of sides of the coin
interesting question that made me think- thanks!

Answer 2

Take my answer however you will. I was once a Christian, now I fall somewhere between that and an Atheist, without quite falling into the definition of an agnostic or deist. But I'd never try to convert anyone, or hate on anyone, for having beliefs that differ from mine because I believe that what a person must believe is that which is most beautiful to them. I have thoughts on how things are, but am skeptical that we can know the ins and outs of anything dealing with a topic such as this. However, the one thing I am sure of is that if you are going to practice religion, it should be done the way you are doing it. If there is one thing I am sure of, whether or not there is another life, there is this life, and everyone deserves to live this life the way they wish. You don't have to love everyone, but the only reason why you should have have something against anyone is because you know them on a deeper level than labels such as "Atheist" or "Liberal." Also, I'd say that the only thing that you can justify being intolerant of is intolerance of anything other than intolerance.

Answer 3

I agree with you. A belief in God makes you not see things for what they are. Atheists appreciate things more because they know that we're lucky to even exist. Atheists understand better that humans are no more special than any other animal. Atheists have more of a sense of compassion for people who are born into less fortunate circumstances (like being born into a religious family). Christians believe that non-Christians are wicked and must repent. Atheists believe that no one is better or worse than anyone else because of their beliefs. Atheists mostly just feel sorry for how blind, intolerant, and near-sighted religious people are.

Answer 4

If life ends in the grave, then all that I do on this earth is in vain, it gains nothing. This gives you the false security to do anything you want, it all vanishes in the end. Then why do it?
No hope at the end of your life, and your birth certificate doen't list an expiration date, which means you don't know when it ends.
Then what? Complain that you haven't finished spreading your joy?
Too late.
Christians have an eternal hope, a heaven filled with the glory of God, and all my godly family and friends will be there.
That has more meaning then life on earth.

Answer 5

I think whatever "cult" you choose to identify with is almost incidental. Many - perhaps even most - "Christians" are capable of reason; and many atheists understand the religious impulse. "You never can tell." In your case, it sounds like you're just dealing with the fact of mortality without recourse to the traditional fairy tales, and that's obviously a good thing, if we accept that self-delusion is always a bad thing. It's ironic that all religion began this way, by contemplation of the mystery of death.

Answer 6

Well, I moved from unbelief to belief. When I came to the realization not only that Christ was alive, but that He was genuinely interested in me, my life took on a new meaning. In fact, it took on meaning for the first time.
And as I learn, year after year, how God wants to use me for good in this world, my life takes on more and more meaning.

Answer 7

I believe that my belif in God gives my life more meaning. Kind of like 'The Purpose Driven Life'. I'm humble and dont like to go around patting myself on te back all the time. I realize that my sucseses are usually due to the sucesses of others.

Answer 8

I know exactly what you mean. One of my favorite quotes is from the book "Good Omens" by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.

"Anyway, if you stopped tellin' people it's all sorted out after they're dead, they might try sorting it all out while they're alive."

Since this is the only life that we have, we tend to worry more about what happens while we're here ... instead of preparing for an afterlife that doesn't exist.

Answer 9

I'm pretty damn grateful for my health, my appreciation for the opportunity to live and experience consciousness in this universe of ours.
I always take time to smell the roses and am in constant awe of the beauty and majesty of nature and am always aware how lucky I am to be alive because of how unlikely was my birth and the knowledge of how finite life really is.

Answer 10

I generally don't address double barreled questions. I will explain things how I see them. The important thing is my beliefs give me comfort and meaning. I apply those to my life and its situations. If it helps me get over tough times in my life, then I am ok with it. Are you?