Hey atheists, do you ever feel like you're missing out?

Question

only curious, I just wondered what gives your life meaning.

all answers welcome

Answer 1

No

My life has meaning because of my wife, my kids, my community, my dog, my parents, my aunts, my uncles, my job, my friends, peanut butter sandwiches, surfing, fishing, Lynyrd Skynyrd, finding an unexpected dollar in my pocket, sunny days, rainy days, Steak (medium rare), health, days with no traffic, sleeping in on weekends, BBQ'd ribs (Kansas City Style), my education, my grandmother, my heritage, my future (whatever it is), my recliner, Tiger Woods, comfortable shoes, no shoes, a perfect snowball, kite flying, a perfect kill shot in racquetball, exact change, free samples, German Chocolate Cake, real wood floors, a check up with no cavities, a full tank of gas, making a basket with a paper wad from 20 feet, making a 7-10 split, and the days my children were born (every minute of them), to name a few.

So many things can give my life meaning. You've only got one!? How sad.

Answer 2

No. Life as an atheist is more fulfilling, I'd say, because you don't have to worry about pleasing some magical being and then whether or not you will be rewarded.
Meaning comes from knowing and trusting yourself, knowing that you will be strong enough to make the right decisions, instead of putting your life in the hands of a spiritual lord who may or may not exist at all.

Answer 3

I'm not missing out on anything because I choose not to.

I have a wonderful spouse, family and friends whom I love dearly, a good job that puts a roof over my head and food on the table, I give back to my community in numerous ways and I can get out and enjoy the world around me. I need nothing else.

I don't believe life automatically has to have a meaning and if it does it is not handed to us by some unknown entity but we create it ourselves for ourselves. Meaning is an individualistic character and is unique to the person who creates it.

Answer 4

Nope. I'm perfectly happy with my beliefs, my life, and how I live. I stand up for what I believe in, have an appreciation for nature and beauty, and love to help people. I can also be annoyingly optimistic.

Nah, I don't need religion to make me happy or give my life meaning. I've found that on my own, and am perfectly content, thank you very much :)

Answer 5

I did at one time...not on the life's meaning thing. LOL I never equated God to a life meaning issue.
But on that notion that someone will always be there and understand me...I kinda feel like I missed out on some special feeling.
I got a dog and feel just peachy. She snuggles...listens and doesn't talk...kinda like some peoples perception on God.
Agnostic

Answer 6

No. No. Yes.

Having the courage to accept the truth and face the abyss with little fear is a good thing. Its quite something to realize that you know what very few people know or have the courage to face, so in that sense, I feel like they are missing out.

However, the fact that we are a minority makes it hard to meet member of the opposite sex that have the same beliefs, so your left to compromise. Religionists enjoy the advantage of community in their ignorance.

Answer 7

I do... I've always wanted to be up there onstage, in costume with Rammstein banging away at a guitar... or deep-voiced tantric chant with the Gyuto monks, however it's not in my karma, so Buddhism gives my life meaning in it's own way, by trying to teach me that such things won't honestly bring me ultimate happiness... I fight with that thought, but it's logically true.

_()_

Answer 8

My purpose in life is to help others. I don't need some religious leader to tell me how to do it. When I see someone that needs help, I help them. I seem to be drawn by some unseen force sometime to the place where I am needed. And no, I don't feel like I am missing out.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ask0a.uA6guO9enRdXX3urjd7BR.?qid=20070628155937AAKICk3

People like that remind me of exactly why I chose my own path over blind faith.

Answer 9

oh lawd, the "meaning of life" question.....i don't know hun....why dont all us atheists just kill ourselves now, and let all the religious folk live together as one big happy family, since we seem to be such a depressing lot.

but seriously....i don't really need to know what it's all about. i mean sure i have wondered how it all began, blah blah blah... but one thing i know for sure....this gigantic universe has alot more important things going on in it, you see...we mere mortals have come and gone, will continue to do so..and the universe won't even blink.

Answer 10

Nah I used to when I was 13 but since I lost my irrational fear of Hell nope. Maybe missing out in community but I've always been an outsider anyway.