My husband has bachelors degree in Sociology & he said atheists r more depressed than religious is that true?

Question

He told me there were several studies that show atheists are usually more depressed than religious people is that true?

Answer 1

no - it's wishful thinking of religious whackjobs

Answer 2

A degree in sociology is about one step above a degree in general studies. I hardly think his credentials qualify him to make those kind of judgments. So at the end of the day all that matters is your husband claims to have seen 'several studies' on the subject. Without any further information it is really hard to comment. There are millions of studies out there on a wide variety of topics. Who knows if some person with an agenda once made a study that drew this conclusion. It sounds like meaningless drivel to me.

Answer 3

Sweetheart, no body's ever called me shy! Alienated would be a more apt description. As a mature adult, I spend as little time with other people as possible. Roughly, I'd rather think my own thoughts, than listen to yours. I've been an atheist for 51 years and, until I discovered this forum a few months ago, have never had an oppurtunity to discuss atheism with another atheist. In H.S. I was beaten four times by gangs of Christian boys and as an adult I've lost two good corporate jobs because of my atheism. Many atheists live underground and keep strictly to themselves, out of fear of the Christian community. The reason there are so many atheists here is that we're all just thrilled to finally have a chance to interact with and read the opinions of other atheists. Atheism is important to me and it's a great pleasure to finally discover there are other people in this world who actually think like I do. Edit: It bugs me that a few have said unkind things about your husband. I mention my wife's opinions here in R&S from time to time and my feelings would be hurt if "they" insulted her like that. Please accept my sincere apology for the needless rudeness. Helpful hint: "I'm not being rude and I don't expect you to be rude..." sounds exactly like a parent threatening a child and elicits anger from those who expect to be treated as an adult, by an adult.

Answer 4

Hi , I study sociology and I would agree, I am a christian and I see more and more emphasis on things to do with evolution and atheism within University than you can imagine. It is quite disturbing, so no wonder atheists are more depressed, as they live a life of having nothing to hope in, they just get around hoping that science might miraculously explain how martians populated the earth, or something or how we were once Gorilla's in the Mist. I would loathe an existence like that. Must be that silly big bang thing. BANG!!!! KABOOM, and here we are.

Answer 5

There have been some studies which have shown that theists report slightly higher levels of happiness than atheists. I imagine you'd get similar results if you compared the self-reported happiness levels of people who are on drugs with people who aren't.

Incidentally, studies have also shown a negative correlation between religious belief and intelligence, and a negative correlation between intelligence and happiness. Make of that what you will.

Answer 6

I haven't seen any studies about that. That doesn't mean they don't exist, of course. The only study I've read about atheists is this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Atheists-Groundbreaking-Study-Americas-Nonbelievers/dp/1591024137/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-4279404-1536148?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187066490&sr=8-1
The sample is not exactly expansive, so the results are for entertainment purposes only.
Ask him to show you the studies. I don't mean you should challenge him, it's just always better to read a study for yourself than to hear the results from someone else, even when it's your husband, your best friend, or your mother.

Answer 7

No, I don't think that atheist are more depressed than religious people.

You can't really measure depression cause some people don't express that much as others.

Some people are really depressed than others but they just don't show it.

I think the right way to say it is that maybe atheist are more moody than others.

And perhaps religious people have more restraint on their feelings and how it controls them.

Answer 8

He just happened to not provide you with a link so anyone who cares to can verify it, eh? No problem. I personally think most of those statistics are slanted either way depending on whose agenda is being served. My oldest step-sister is a psychnurse in a psychiatric ward, and she tells me that the ratio between both camps is about 50/50. All it takes is one counter-example, and the entire hypothesis comes screeching to a grinding halt. If your husband has links to verify this, I would be interested in reading them.


Theist

Answer 9

It could be true, perhaps for some. We atheists see things as they are, not as we hope they could be.

Then again, I would not trade my reality for religious delirium.
Ignorance is bliss, they say.

And to some degree, it really depresses me to see how lame the arguments of fundamentalists are, their "proof" is in their holy book! And quoting from it is apparently for them enough to convince other people that they are right.

Answer 10

Well, I am not depressed and I am an atheist so I think they have personal issues unrelated to atheism.

Unless blond haired people and brown haired people are depressed at EXACTLY the same rate, one will be statistically more depressed than the other, It doesn't mean anything, and if it does than I dont care.

Answer 11

Listen Sweetie! The church preys on depressed people, drunks, Addicts and the like. A lot of Christians are victim of the Pollyanna syndrome. Just like you.