Is it harder for an atheist to find meaning in life than it is for a believer in god(s)?

Question

It seems that very religious people already have a built-in meaning for their lives that their religion and belief in god provides. While it may be possible, I don't know of any super religious atheists, and it would seem that the "search for meaning" would be harder for them.

This isn't an attack on atheists nor do I doubt that there are atheists that lead fulfilling and happy lives.

Answer 1

Actually, it's quite easy for an atheist to find meaning in life. Probably easier than for a theist because the atheist knows there is only this life and to make it worthwhile. The theist, who believes this life if only on the path to "eternal life", is free to screw around and minimize the importance of the here and now in favor of his/her "afterlife".

Answer 2

For starters, you don't know of any "super religious atheists" because that is a complete oxymoron and they don't exist! Being atheist means you don't believe in god and you lack religion.

So basically you're saying that we atheists are always two steps behind everyone else because god gave them the instructions on how to live and we have to just find it our for ourselves? I don't know about anyone else, but I don't particularly care for the instructions god's giving out. I'm not living my life to prepare for what might happen after I'm dead. People who do that are treating themselves and their lives as a means to an end that might not even happen. It's like saying everything I'm going to do today is to prepare me for tomorrow. Then tomorrow comes, and everything I do tomorrow is going to prepare me for the next day. To me, that seems like more of a waste than anything. Why not just live for today? One day there won't be a tomorrow, and then you're left with all the things you wish you had done but didn't because they didn't fit into your neat little plan. I believe that the point to life is to be the best person you can be and to be happy, and I don't need religion or god to tell what I should be aspiring to. I came to that conclusion all on my own.

Answer 3

Let's take "meaning" to be the feeling of having meaning. Could it be that some people are predisposed to the feeling of meaning, and that some are not, in the same way that some people are prone to be grouchy, bouncy, serious, witty, etc.? And could it also be that the type of person who already has the feeling of meaning then projects that feeling on to a God, and then begin to believe that the God is the source of the feeling?

So then, the atheist, who is just a person born without a predisposition towards that certain feeling of meaningfulness, finds religion to be confusing, useless, and ridiculous.

If what I've said above is true, then yes, it would be difficult or impossible for an atheist to find meaning in life or gods.

Answer 4

It's not harder, God rejectors just have to change the question.

Real meaning comes from living for a real purpose and real purpose requires a God.

“Unless you assume a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless.” –Bertrand Russell (star atheist and philosopher)

So the question is changed from "what is my mission here on earth?" to "what can I do to make me feel good about myself and forget that I live a meaningless existence?". The answer to the new question is a topic under psychology, not philosophy but the short version is: Keep busy so you won't think about it; focus on trivial events in your life that bring happy feelings; and do some good deeds because that will inflate the ego and give a feeling of having a purpose.

We don't have to be "very religious" to understand purpose, all we need do is admit that God might exist. If God does exist, He must have put our great need for meaning into our human nature to point us to seek Him. So seeking God is our purpose.

Answer 5

I think, in amongst some very interesting thoughts, I'm seeing a general misperception of Christianity (and, indeed, most religions) in many of these answers, so I'd like to address these misperceptions, and, perhaps, answer the question at the same time.
It was said that religious ppl miss out because our eyes are always on eternal life. I'd like to know what we miss out on? Do we miss out on the seemingly endless nights of drunkenness and sex? Do we miss out on the drugs? I don't think so. I did the parties and the sex and the drugs when I was younger, and I don't miss them at all. It seems that ppl believe, if you are a believer, then you can't drink, can't smoke, can't go out with the guys, just sit home, read your Bible, and pray. That's simply not the case. Having a beer is not a sin; drunkenness is. None of us should smoke, and, considering the body is supposed to be a temple, I should quit. I'd be a lot healthier if I did. As far as going out with the guys goes, I go out, I play pool, I go to street dances, I do a lot of things that are a lot of fun.
As for just being told this is how to live, stick to it or else, that's another false belief. God told us to examine things and decide that which is good. He helps us decide what we should do, and He helps us accomplish that which we should.
Now, for the meaning of life.....
When I found Christ (or rather He opened my eyes to Him), I found meaning. I don't really think that it is easier for believers than for non-believers, I think the reasons for the meanings we have for our lives are different. Let me give you an example so you see what I mean:
The Christian and the atheist both have families and children. The Christian lives for the God who gave him the family and children, the atheist lives for the family and the children. Both will protect these precious gifts, with their very lives, if necessary. The difference: to me, my wife and children were gifts from God, and should be honored as such, to the atheist, the spouse is someone they met and fell in love with, and the children are the gifts of that love, therefore, must be protected. We both find meaning for life in love, just differently. Many atheists and agnostics convert to one religion or another daily, and many "religious" ppl discard their beliefs daily, for whatever reason, and become atheist or agnostic.

Answer 6

The general perception of a Christian is that all life has meaning (excluding the wackos that murder their children, or other people saying "God told me to!!" They are NOT led by God). The general perception of an Atheist? I don't know. I'm not an Atheist so I can't tell you. But I do think it would be harder for an Atheist to find meaning in life than a (true) Christian.

Answer 7

Your assumption is false. A person does not need the burden or guilt that is associated with religion to have a fulfilling and happy life.

The reason we are here is to reproduce. That is all. Anything else is just a perk that you get for being here at this time.

As an atheist I am aware of my mortality and the fact that there is nothing left for me or of me as a consciousness after I die. So I live my life like this is the only I have, I embrace everyday and I have no regrets.

Answer 8

sure, how can u have a balanced peaceful life if u do not believe in God
when u r having a tough what would ease it, except the fact that this life is temporary..and whatever u go through , u know that God is always by u , as long as u r doing the right thing..

i mean it is a horrible life without knowing that the purpose of my life is not to have the highest amount of pleasures, but in controllin yourself, and defeating your devils , because that is what makes us different from animals
I know that being a good person in this life, being there whenever anybody needs me and serving God is what leads me to heaven not hell.

Answer 9

I think it is harder for an atheist for find a meaning. If there is no hereafter, then there is no purpose in following a particular path. Follow the pleasures of one's own life and just let it be. If have heard from several who don't believe in any higher power that there IS no purpose to life outside of just being here. In fact, atheist Bertrand Russell stated, "Unless you assume a God, the question of life's purpose is meaningless." For many that don't believe in God, there is no purpose. I see differently. My life is full of the purposes that God has for me.

Answer 10

There is no meaning in their life. Oh they will shout family and country but without hope for the future what meaning can it have. You live you die no one remembers for long.
All you have to care about is your own self comfort and lusts. No price so no glory.
This is the future of this world and country. Think about it. These will be the leaders because the rest of us will be gone.
Just as the Iraqi government suffers today because they ran all the educated Christians out that use to run things, the world will suffer because we are gone.
Meaning in life. They are just so much dust in the eye of God.