Any theories about this?

Question

I was really unhappy as a Christian, and now, as an atheist, I'm very happy. Thoughts?

Oh, and I was quite definitely a Christian.

(((barb)))

No, I am not doing "whatever I damn well please."

Answer 1

This life here is not about your happiness. Following Jesus is not for people who are looking for their own happiness.

Answer 2

For some people, finding out that there's hope and redemption are good things - good news. They're happy to become Christians.

Some people are raised with spiritual abuse. Christianity, for them, is all about rules and never being able to live anything down. It's a burden, not liberty. The Bible has been used on them as a bludgeoning device rather than a guide. So, of course, when they get away from the rigorous system they've been taught as Christianity, they feel quite free. And happy.

I've been there.

What I found, though, is that Christianity is not what I was taught. It's not about rules at the expense of people. Or God peering down at me from heaven just waiting for me to mess up.

Some people (and I'm not saying this about you, but I have noticed it in some Christians) are unhappy Christians because they obey out of fear or compulsion or a sense of obligation rather than deciding that it's really what they want to do. Anything a person does out of duty without real commitment (or without a sense that it's good for them) will make them quite miserable.

The peace the angel promised when Christ was born was peace between us and God. It's an unhappy thing to come to Christ for peace and find the unrest that some people live as Christians. As one author put it, most folks know just enough scripture to be annoying, but not enough to be transformed. When people try to use Christ to judge you, I believe they fall into that category.

My theory is that you knew/know a lot of those people.... ;o)

Answer 3

I guess it just depends on what explanation is most satisfying to each individual. You obviously are inclined to believe there is no God, and that gives you an immense sense of freedom to concentrate on this life rather than on a "possible" afterlife or a set of moral standards that you didn't have anything to do with making. I think thats great. I have a lot of respect for atheists because for one thing I think you're brave, it takes a lot of courage to deal with ranting and raving Christians judging you all the time for your lack of belief. I personally would never be happy practicing a lifestyle I did not believe in or want to believe in... so I would be unhappy living as an atheist because something in me refuses to reject the idea that there is something bigger out there than we are grasping right now. So, it can go both ways I guess.

Answer 4

I couldn't say exactly why that would be, for one thing I was always an atheist so I can't compare the different viewpoints and how they affect a person's life on the basis of any personal experience. However, I can see how the obligations of church and religion could be stressful, and how conflicting views on your religion by your friends and relatives could make you uneasy and insecure. I think atheists probably have more freedom in their lives, because they aren't bound by the codes set down by the Bible and by their church, and are free to think over who they are and how they view the Universe.

Answer 5

Gosh.. This is a tough question for anyone outside of you to answer with any accuracy at all.

I know that my own frustrations over god-belief as a youngster always left me feeling uneasy and insecure over my inability to accept the questionable foundations of religion and metaphysically derived belief. Resultingly, I floundered and was left to feel as If I was somehow inadequate as a thinker or as a human being. My thought on my own ability to meet the future were dim.

The exact opposite of these former ill feelings of my youth are among what I think I cherish most now when considering the value of my atheism. I am secure in myself as a result of feeling secure about my rational understanding and acceptance of the reality I experience daily and that I have experienced daily since the dawning of my surrender to the simple truths of logic.

I hope, sincerely, that this is your case, too. It's a pleasure to be planted on solid ground.

[][][] r u randy? [][][]
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Answer 6

If you Really got Born-Again (spirit Recreated by Accepting Jesus as your Saviour)
I will see you in Heaven!!!
I don't think you got Spiritual Enough to be able to Commit the Unpardonable Sin and Lose your Salvation through Jesus.

Hebrews 6: 4,5,6 is the Unpardonable Sin.
Later Sis!!!
Ditto................

Answer 7

Bettie.. The day that you released your hand from the hand of Jesus,He did not make a fist...it is still open and outstreched to you. I don't doubt your sincerity of being happy as there is a peace that the world gives and a peace that only God can supply.

I am not giving up on you and neither is God.

Answer 8

In the process of letting go of dubious doctrines you let go your faith.

It makes sense in that everything that caused unhappiness has been let go.

It may or may not have something to do with being an atheist.

Answer 9

You have many very good answers here. Happiness with Jesus is different kind of happiness I experienced without Him. Happiness with Jesus is full of hope. Happiness with Jesus is the kind of happiness it is hard to explain it to people who do not have the relationship with God, but it is eternally significant, not just short time happiness here. It is not easy happiness necessarily, but I still choose that happiness. I believe happiness is a choice.

And I am happy that you are very happy now. : )

Answer 10

"You weren't a real Christian" lol.

Just kidding; I'm the same way. I think the reason is that you can clearly see what is right and wrong, etc, and not have them defined for you by some organization (whose views might be in conflict with what you know is the right thing to do).


I know that might not make any sense.

Answer 11

For starters, atheists don't blame you for getting them booted from a mythological paradise. Nor do they consider you a vessel of sin. That's got to count for a little bit. As Obi Wan said, "you've taken your first step into a larger world."

I hope you stay happy with your path.