Athiests.....Isn't death more attractive than life??

Question

This is not intended to be malicious or provocative so please forgive me if it is recieved in this way.
If there is no purpose in life, if there is no God who gave us life and if there is no afterlife then why go through with one more day of waking up early or working at a job you hate? It is true that you wont be able to experience the joys of life but you will still have to put up with the severe challenges of life, and much of life is challenging and painfull. When you are dead, you feel and experience nothing. Isn't death more attractive than life and isn't suicide an honorable and logical action??

I find it strange that so many respond with name calling while assuming that I am Christian. Maybe athiests are so rarely criticized and so rarely called on to defend their beliefs that when challenged many resort to labeling their challengers as bible-thumping simpletons. Thank you to those whom responded seriously.

Answer 1

I don't think so.
Because, the fact that, being an atheist myself, I know that there is nothing for me when I die. That's it once I'm dead. I s'pose, no, there isn't really a meaning of life, but my meaning is that my brain tells me that I'm alive and I have life and people I care about, so I owe it to myself to fulfill and act upon that. And I only get one shot to be alive. So, I intend to live it.
Suicide doesn't sound inviting to me. I'd rather be here.

Answer 2

Honestly, I don't understand your reasoning. Atheists have no reason to believe in deities, but that does not mean that they do not enjoy life. To the contrary, from the perspective of most atheists this life is the only existence one has, so they are not prone to give it away lightly. Death is the most unattractive part of life that we know is coming, why would anyone look forward to it?

If you truly think about it for a moment, a person that believes in an afterlife in which they will be with their favorite deity should find death much more attractive than life, because they are promised a better existence. Existence doesn't end for them upon death. Those that don't believe in an afterlife are much less likely to find death attractive, as it means the end of their existence, period.

I know most theists have a hard time understanding this, but if you can find beauty in the world as it is, and can enjoy being good and living well and honorably WITHOUT a reward or punishment for doing so, then life is well worth living. Even if things are going horribly wrong in your life, you realize that it's the only life you have, so you might as well enjoy it and bring some joy to others. There is no time of reckoning, reconcilliation, atonement, judgement and forgiveness after death for those that don't believe in an afterlife, so they are much more likely to take care of all of those things while they are living, so that they can enjoy the time that they do have in this life. Life is worth living, and that is not dependent on the existence of deities.

Basically, it boils down to a difference in perspective: theists may claim that life is not worth living without their favorite deities, while atheist don't have a reason to believe in deities, and therefore no reason to be upset that they don't believe in them. In all honesty, thinking that going through life isn't worth it, or that life has no purpose without an afterlife, is a little troubling. If the only reason to live is to ensure a good place when you die, if the only purpose to life is to serve something that can't be seen until you die, if life just isn't worth living, then perhaps you should seek professional mental therapy. The promise of an afterlife does NOT give you reason to cling to this life, it gives you reason to forsake it. Atheists have very little reason to forsake this life, and every reason in the world to cling to it.

p.s. as for suicide being honorable, only in certain cultures under certain circumstances. Again, an atheists feels no need and definitely no rush to end this life, as for most it is all they have.

Here's a link that may help you to better understand. Have a great day!

Answer 3

If an atheist is enjoying life whether or not there is a purpose to it, then suicide would not be a logical step for them. But, if they are not enjoying life for the most part, then I guess suicide is an option to consider. Is there really such a thing as a true atheist? People call themselves atheists, but I bet there is that reluctance about what really happens after death. One nightmare for an atheist who also hates life would be to commit suicide and then find out that there is reincarnation or purgatory. Lets remember that to be an atheist is not similar to having a belief in suicide.
On a side note, an atheist could still have a belief in themselves and be a humanitarian. An anarchist on the other hand would less likely be a humanitarian.

In reading some of the answers you got to your question, it's obvious that too many people on yahoo answers are idiots. Some take your question personally and attack you verbally. Those are the true idiots. Others totally missed the point. I only hope that yahoo answers is not a reflection of the human race.

Answer 4

I think this is an interesting question. It starts with a seemingly genuine disclaimer of no malice or provocation, and then he flat out suggest to 'athiests':

" Isn't death more attractive than life and isn't suicide an honorable and logical action??"

Real nice, huh?

Here's my answer:

I don't know what will happen when I die. Hence....I'm enjoying my life and making everyone else I know as happy as I can. I am not the one pushing my cult onto them, I am not the one suggesting ever-so politely that they would be 'more 'honorable' and 'logical' if they comitted suicide'!!!

You say I have less honor for not killing myself. You actually. Said. That.

What a **** you are. You deserve names for that, so drop the faux shock/horror/condescension it doesn't fly an inch.

I have read some insulting and in-human BS on here - but suggesting politely that I have less honor for not killing myself...? The shame you have just visited upon humanity in one sly statement.

Keep your death culture, and your insults. And grow up.

Answer 5

What makes you think there is no purpose in an atheist's life?

Believers-- who only recieve their promised reward in the afterlife and who spend their entire lives on this planet trying to appease their God and hoping that it will be worth it after they die--more closely match your description, but I would dream of insulting them by saying that their lives have no purpose and that they should consider suicide as a logical option.

Answer 6

There is no honor is suicide. Life has whatever purpose you put to it. Just because that purpose isn't sitting around worshiping a higher power all day doesn't make it any less of a purpose. Do something you enjoy, and live life to the fullest because you only have one shot at this.

And yes, I did receive this as fairly malicious and provocative.

Answer 7

Jonny, with remarks like the ones you just delivered how can you expect them to be perceived any other way than malicious? You are ignorant, and the remarks you delivered are equally so. My life is as full of purpose and joy as yours is, more so in fact. I know I have one chance to make everyday count. If I were to take the suicide option, who would be father to my little girl? You are a sad and pathetic excuse of a man, but typical of a "Christian". If you are the measure of men in heaven, you can keep it, I want no part of it.

Answer 8

Just because we don't believe in God it doesn't mean we don't believe our life has a meaning.

In my opinion, each person chooses his or her own meaning in life. Some choose God, some choose doing good to others and helping other people, and some choose to just have a good time. These are just a few examples.

Personally, I think the meaning of life is summed up in a lyric from the song Nature Boy by Eden Ahbez:

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return"

Answer 9

Well I don't need a carrot dangled in front of me to get up and enjoy my life with the people I love. I will live my life to the best of my ability, make myself and those around me happy and when I die I will be content because I lived a good life. I feel sorry that some need to have the carrot to make the mule pull the cart.

Answer 10

Why would any sane person want to commit suicide? Sure, there are many challenges in life, but there are more beautiful aspects of life that everyone can experience this side of death.