To religious believers of any kind...?

Question

As an atheist, I am curious as to why so many believers seem to assume that a life without a God is empty and meaningless? My life certainly isn't, and I think if you asked atheists they would say the same thing. Can anyone clarify why this massive misconception has come about? (No offence meant to anyone; genuine curiousity)

Touche, Jon M!

A lot of you seem very curious about how an atheist might extract meaning from their life. Obviously I can't answer for all of us, but personally, the significance in my life comes from my conviction in my own beliefs. I understand how unity through religion, and a wider group to look to for help and guidance would be attractive. However, the fact that my morality is MINE is what makes it so significant. Most of it is gained through emotional response (i.e. guilt after causing someone pain) which I believe influences all of us strongly. In areas where the answer is not so clear, I think. My priority in any situation is largely utilitarian, and my focus is always 'the golden rule' and humanity as a whole.
I also find meaning through the extraordinary unlikehood of our existence. Scientifically, we need never have existed, and yet we do, and that gives every second a feeling of meaning, because we beat so many odds. Almost like winning a prize!

Thank you for some really great answers everyone, I feel like I just came a few steps closer to understanding you all, and I hope you feel the same about me. I really appreciate how honest and respectful everyone was, and thank you for no one telling me I'm going to hell; that's surprisingly hurtful, even when you don't believe in it!

Answer 1

1
Few people are spiritually strong enough to be able to cope with a (non) belief system where ultimately you become the arbiter of good and evil and truth. To live in a world where small children are abducted and murdered makes the heart cry for natural justice and frankly if you are old enough to read newspapers the facts are conclusive that there is no justice in the world. Bereavement, death, disease, hurtful relationships all taken on board as a member of the human race require a love to deal with these tests. It is a love which most people simply can't provide from within themselves.

2
The question arises - how can a non believer deal with
unanswered questions such a where do I come from? Why was I born? What shall I do when I live? How do I know right from wrong? Is truth relative? Are good and evil objective or subjective terms? What is love? Is my world view true because it is mine and yours because it is yours yet these two are totally opposite? If a is not equal to b and b is equal to c how can a be equal to c? The questions of origins and destiny - what happens when I die? Where do I go? Am I extinguished?

3
Self condemnation. If you know the difference between right and wrong why do you still do wrong and then feel bad? Is there free will? Really? How do you deal with guilt? How do you deal with knowing the world is so messed up you could have made it better (no war famine or disease perhaps)

4
Another reason is that they do not fully understand that atheists are also made in the Image of God. This Image is your knowledge, understanding, and wisdom. Your morality is built in and is evidenced by your conscience. Perhaps some religious people do not know this. The Bible says those who are outside the law are judged by their own consciences.


5
Another reason is that to many of us it is harder to have faith in not knowing than to have faith in knowing. You have love, hate , tears, music which lifts your heart (soul) you are loved but you have times when you are alone and afraid. It is the thought that you can live without a fuller meaning and understanding which puzzles some.

6
And lastly there are many people who do believe who formerly didn't believe and their own lives were empty and meaningless so they project their former self onto the atheist and literally can't get their head around how anyone can live without SOME form of belief in a higher or external force / intelligence or prime mover.

do these go some way to helping resolve your question?

Answer 2

My only question to you is this. What makes you sincerely happy? I mean do you drive a Bentley? Do you have a massive estate on the Beaches of the Grand Cayman? Are you healthy? Do you have the love of your family and friends? These things make me delirious. However they leave me wanting. If you were to aquire all of these things, and amassed a wealth of education would you still not be left wanting? Would you feel as if something in your life were missing? I just wonder where the person who has no faith goes when they are in times of trouble and need. In a marriage when no amount of counseling will fix your problems. In a job when no amount of help from the Human Resource department will soften the hearts of those around you? In life when you lose a child, a spouse, a sibling or a parent? Where in these times when you feel truly alone do you turn to for help and solace? That is what I have always wondered. I would be lost without God, no amount of Success or wealth can fill the void I had in life before I accepted Christ as my savior. Does it mean I don't have fun? Man you've got to be kidding. Give me a call the next time you have dinner with Monkeys in the South American rain forest. Or dine in the Scottish Highlands, served an 8 course meal, accompanied by haunting ghoulish tales of the death of Mary Queen of Scots. I have a wonderfully full life that has been enriched with the Love of Jesus Christ. I am truly blessed.

Great question by the way! No disrespect meant and none taken.

Answer 3

Don't know the exact origin, but it may have come from this...we put so much of our lives into the hope/belief of the life that is to come. Heaven is what we are truly waiting for and the anticipation of heaven and meeting Jesus is where we derive our joy. Without that hope, our lives would be meaningless. So, we assume that the lives of others are the same. Not saying that it is right, just how it is. I must admit, that I would think that the belief that this life is all there is, nothing more is awaiting us, would be very depressing and frightening to me. The depths of my being cry out to continue to exist, if not in this life, then in the next. (For those that will say I am brainwashed, I became a Christian at 19 after many years of researching various other religions. I am not brainwashed, I have chosen my path, just as you have chosen yours.)

Answer 4

Genuine curiosity here too.

I couldn't imagine living life without religion, be it with a belief in God or not. How do you answer questions about life? Where do you seek answers about death? What rituals or practices do you follow in occasions such as marriage, house warming, funeral, and such? Religion has become a part of life, of society, of culture, of tradition, of family. I'm curious how atheists find themselves in the world. Maybe if you look at yourself from non-atheists' point of view, you will understand why.

At the worst moments you could think of, who do you call on for help? If you don't believe in a God.. well, many would have given up because they lost hope.

Answer 5

Alot of people that is what they are taught from the bible and their pastor or their parents from the time that they are young. They don't know what it is like to have a mind of their own. Sorry about the insult but it is true. You don't have to believe in god to be whole and have a wonderful, full, happy and meaningful life. So I guess honestly I can't explain why but I trying to say that I feel the same way you do. I am not an atheist but I do believe more in your beliefs then the ones whom believe in the bible!

Answer 6

I am currently a theist, but I was an atheist for many years. I know firsthand that atheism is certainly NOT an "empty" way to live one's life.

I think the misconception might come from the fact that to many theists, their belief in a God is utterly central to their concept of themselves and the universe. They have no experience to teach them that there is any other way to live a rich and meaningful life, and the thought of a life without God frightens and puzzles them. Therefore, they are extrapolating their personal experience as universal.

Answer 7

It's very possible to have a full life without God. But, it's so much better with God in our lives. The bible says doesn't nature itself tell you there is a God! I ask you, when your life is over where will you spend eternity? You will spend it somewhere, heaven or hell, your choice. Okay, I know you don't belive in heaven or hell. But suppose that I'm right and you are wrong, where does that leave you? Suppose you're right and I'm wrong where do I stand? Please stop and think about it.
No offence meant to you at all, we should each be allowed our own beliefs.

Answer 8

I am not a religious person, nor am I an athiest. I think that the reason religious people would feel that life without a God would be meaningless is because that would mean, with no supreme being, that when we die, nothing happens. We disappear. This is a scary thought. I would assume that is why so many people find comfort in the thought of God.

Answer 9

No offense intend in my statement either.

I think it only curious that atheist are so interested in something they say they do not believe in. Certainly all of us can believe and do understand that there are good people who believe many things that are full of life and happy in this life. It may be that those who believe in a Divine Presences in their life, understand something a bit more than those who don't, no offense intended here, but they see and feel a boarder picture, one that does not just include the moments here on Earth but those beyond and into the concept of Eternity.

Life is as another answerer put it...Exactly what you make of it, and many people of all thoughts about life, travel different roads.

Answer 10

I dont believe that. I believe that you can have a very fulfilling meaningful secular life on this earth but then if you ultimately dont accept the plan of salvation your progression will end at the end of this life. I dont believe in a fiery burning hell of eternal suffering, but I do believe in progression and learning after this life. That is what I think heaven is. If you do not accept the plan and live your life, according to your knowledge, in an acceptable way, then you will be denied this ability to continue to learn and progress. You will be content and happy where you are at, but you will not receive additional rewards and you will understand that your choices led to your inability to progress any further.
I think all people will be given a real opportunity to learn of this plan and accept it and that you do have the ability to repent and accept after this life, but it will be harder.

If you knew that you had this ability to gain all the wisdoms and glories of God would you settle for just a meaningful secular life? or would you want to go for the meaningful eternal life? I personally would rather sacrifice a few thrills of this life for the thrills and progression of eternity.


Brian
spiritually adam and eve were not spiritually dead. Adam was the first prophet on earth. Why do people have this idea that once they left the garden God shunned them? Do you not believe in repentance?