Are christians GENERALLY happier than atheists?

Answer 1

This can quite easily be mistaken for a trivial, pointless inquiry but it soon becomes apparent that such a question bears an immense profundity. Many Christians would argue that their faith gives them morality and a sense of happiness. But what does the word happiness mean? Is it the same type of 'happiness' that is experienced after your favorite football team win a match?

In this context, the word 'happiness' means something else, presenting a slight ambiguity. Yet, do not be confused by this lexical ambiguity; It would be a socratic fallacy to think that a precise definition is needed in order to gain the true essence of a word. Let us replace the word 'happiness' with a more suitable word which shows no ambiguity. The word i will use is 'eudaimonia' so the question now becomes: 'Are Christians further in their quest for eudaimonia than atheists?'

Eudaimonia is an'ultimate happiness' and is independent of anything with a carnal nature. Rather, it is a 'happiness' and contentment with life. To suppose that Christians have gained a better concept of 'eudaimonia' than atheists is to presuppose that a Christian gains something from their religion, which an atheist cannot. What exactly is this beneficial aid?
Some would argue that with Christianity or belief in any other judao religion for that matter provide the individual with a better understanding and relationship with God. An atheist might dispute this by saying, ' How exactly can a finite being have a relationship with a supernatural, infinite being?'

These arguments are only a fraction of a panoply of others. Personally, I believe that a faith can help an individual to be 'happier' in the literal sense in which the word is commonly used. However, I strongly believe that our quest for 'eudaimonia' , the innate longing for eternal happiness , is no more accessible for a Christian than it is for an atheist.

Anyone wishing to discuss any of the things i have mentioned, please contact me or post a reply on this thread. Thankyou

Dr Ross

Answer 2

I would say that some Christians are happier than some atheists, and vice-versa. This really is not a question that can be given a general answer.

That said, I've observed on YA a lot of hostility from people identifying themselves as atheists and a lot of thoughtless spouting of religious rhetoric by people identifying themselves as Christians.

It kind of makes me want to say, "A plague on both your houses."

Answer 3

Several polls of this were done and they all found that there is no difference between the happiness levels of christians and atheists. One poll survey 2000 women from Texas (extremely christian state) on what made them happy and the top three were sex, food, and friends all of which don't require any religion.

Answer 4

I'm an atheist and I'm happy! Happiness comes from being free to believe whatever you want to believe in. While I'm happy being an atheist, my Hindu friend is happy being a Hindu. If you feel that your beliefs improve your life and make you happier then what does it matter?

Answer 5

Yes. And children are generally happier than adults. For the same reasons.

Answer 6

Truthfully, I am not familiar with atheists or its background; however, studies show that people who have strong religious convictions, and not just in the Christian faith but almost ANY group that believes in an afterlife of sorts, tend to be happier and more optimistic than those who do not.


They say that they tend to be more content as their faith gives them hope and a purpose for their life.

Answer 7

I would say, over the general population, yes. True Christians are happier than true athiests because there is something to believe in during life and after life is over. How happy could a person be about death thinking that all that happens is we just rot in the ground and that's it?

I have some athiest friends and they seem to struggle with their problems more than my Christian friends. Of course it vaires from person to person, but my Christian friends have a deity to reach out to when they're feeling down, whereas my athiests friends have no one.

Answer 8

If this forum is a representative sample of each, I'd have to say no. It doesn't appear that Christians are any happier.

Answer 9

No way...! Especially if the Christian reads the Bible... BTW, the Bible was written "for those who believe!"

Proverbs 1 (NIV)
26 I in turn will laugh at your disaster;
I will mock when calamity overtakes you-
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 "Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me.

Job 9:23 (NIV) When a scourge brings sudden death, he* (*God) mocks the despair of the innocent.

The Atheist knows how to hack it on his/her own without believing in a bloody mocking God...!!!

Answer 10

Geisha got it down pretty good.

And no, not really. Atheists love life, since it's the only one we got, and we wish to enjoy it to the fullest of our capabilities. Christians love life since it's just an intermediate existence, and for some reason wish to preserve their intermediate existence, and when they do enjoy life, it's penalized for "sinning" and is frowned upon, at least in some schools of Christianity.

Hope this helps! ^_^