Dear Atheists, Why do you think Christians believe this? (Christians answer too!)?

Question

A member named ruscito_mom answered a question yesterday that went like this (exact quote):

"I do not believe you will find a truly happy relationship without God in your life. People may try to convince themselves they are happy and relationship is great. If they really ask there self's the right question they will find out what is missing (God)

Why do you think Christians hold onto this view? It almost seems as if they are angry that their are people whom they can't convert, so they lash out with comments like this.

I, and my wife, are in our late 30's, both atheist, both college educated, both with IQ's over 145 (if that matters) and we are totally and completely happy with life, each other, our relationship, our marriage, our future together and everything in between. In fact, I would say we are more happy than a vast majority of religious people we've met over the years.

Why do most (not all) Christians feel what the poster said above? Jealousy? Anger? Hate?

Answer 1

They are brainwashed since childhood to believe that. They are afraid that someone may truly be happy without their myths and then they may begin to doubt everything they have been told and that is a scary thought to them. They simply fear that which is different from them. If they can't control everyone they are afraid they won't be able to control anyone.

The person who answered the question is weak-willed and afraid to take responsibility for themselves. They give their control away to a mythological deity. I think they said that because they are scared and afraid.

Answer 2

I don't believe that the poster accurately reflected the Christian view. There is NO scriptural guarantee that Christians are happier than non-Christians, or that turning to Christianity will make someone happier (contrary to the teaching of some preachers).

Christians will make a distinction between happiness (something that is largely influenced by circumstances and our mental attitude toward them) and the Biblical term 'joy'. Non-Christians can certainly experience better circumstances in life than Christians. In fact, the scripture teaches that there is a cost to being a follower of Christ that includes some very unhappy things.

But joy comes from a confidence that our sins are forgiven, that we will never need to face the wrath of the creator of the universe, that in the end all will be made right, that our life will not end when our body is destroyed, and that God will receive the glory that he is due. It is that joy that enables the Christian to face loosing a job, loosing a child, or loosing a life with confidence amidst the unhappiness.

Answer 3

As a Christian, I believe it is because most people confuse happiness with fulfillment. Happiness is a by-product of fullfillment, not the other way around. I am truly appreciative of the fact that you are a happy individual, with a compatible spouse, good careers and a bright future. However, would your happiness be taken from you if something was to happen to rock your world? Would you still be happy if you lost your job? Would you still be happy if your spouse was diagnosed with a terrible disease or was killed in a freak accident? What if your bank account suddenly went dry? Would you be able to maintain FULLFILLMENT in the face of those situations?

I have a great career that I am truly blessed with. I am married to a wonderful woman and consider myself to be the luckiest man in the world. If anything happened to throw my life into a whirlwind, I'd lose some of my happiness, but would still be completely fulfilled because my relationship with Christ is the foundation of that fulfillment, which is where I believe most people get their terminologies confused.

Answer 4

I see no element of hate in her posting,not even smugness. I think she is merely being sincere. There is no real reason to take offence. Whatever a person's belief system it is often difficult to imagine anyone else functioning under a different code. I'm a democratic socialist and I've always found liberals only marginally understandable and I'm utterly baffled as to why anyone would hold conservative views. People always feel their values are the most rational; it's just human nature and nothing particular to christians.

Answer 5

My wife and I are atheist, late 30s and 40, we have a brand new baby boy. We have been married 5+ years and are still "in the honeymoon phase." Our lives have never been better or happier. We both have above average IQ's as well. There could be a link?

We believe that lots of people in this world are far less happier than we are and compensate for the lack of happiness by living for the afterlife instead of embracing this life.

Answer 6

Personally? I think they feel that way because accepting that it is possible to be happy, fulfilled, etc., without being a Christian is somehow a threat to them. They NEED what their beliefs give them...seeing that other people don't need the same raises the possibility that they don't need it either.

It's sort of like the fallacy that you can't be a "former Christian"...once you are, you are...if you say you aren't anymore, then you never were to begin with. I strongly believe that this is a defense mechanism...admitting that someone can be a Christian and then believe something else means that they too might one day lose their faith...which is a scary concept.

Answer 7

Most Christians do feel that way, having God is like an extra ooomph in everything.

By the way, my husband (of 21 years) is in his 40's and I am thisclose to 40. Both college educated, both with IQ's over 145 and completely happy, we've been married since before we became Christian.
For us the change has brought us a freedom in our marraige, emotionally, spiritually and physically.

*smile* I hope you and the mrs grow old together in joy, happiness and NEVER stop looking at one another in that "hey baby" way!

Answer 8

"Why do most (not all) Christians feel what the poster said above? Jealousy? Anger? Hate?"


Please cite a source for your information. "Most" usually indicates a majority of approximately 51% or more.

Please provide a website or a book that can easily be obtained so that you can prove your "statistic" and back up your argument.

Hmph. (Yes, I am jealous, I am angry and I hate you because you are happily married.)

Answer 9

Even though I am not religious, I have read that having religion is correlated with higher levels of happiness. However, the guy was specific to say it was NOT Christianity but just religion in general.

However, statistics should not mean that much to the individual. If you are both happy, then you're happy - you don't need statistics telling you anything.

Anyway, you shouldn't listen to some of the people here. I see people here who insist on invisible government conspiracies, magic, and X-men powers. It's like listening to rambling bums in the subway

Answer 10

Both are false ideas. You have no idea if you are the happiest you could be and neither does the Christian. You can not know something like that because you do not know what the other outcomes of your choices would have done for your life. Now as a Christian I am happier now than when I was not because, I believe, the joy of the Lord makes me so. Is that possible to prove? No, but you also can not disprove it.