Does it seem like "converting" to Atheism reduce stress?

Question

Personally, I think I have a lot less to worry about now that I am an atheist (actually, I consider myself agnostic, but strongly learning towards atheism). Does anyone else feel like a great burden has been lifted from your shoulders?

Answer 1

Definitely. Throughout my life I had doubts about God and I felt ashamed of it. I thought I could be punished in the future. I always asked myself if God is approving of my actions .After converting to atheism, my mind opened up. Being open minded gave me a better feeling than going to church every weekend. It kind of made me a better person as well. It made me respect all types of religions and all types of people. I no longer felt that my religion is superior to other religions.

In response to xoquincyxo-
I believe that death is like sleeping minus the dreams. When you're dead you aren't going to know that you are dead. You are just going to go to sleep and never wake up. You aren't going to have any dreams either.

Answer 2

In reading the posts Atheists seems to be confusing God with Religion.

Religion can often be a repressive thing and Atheists don't just run off and whistle a happy tune there are going around being antognistic and simply offering a new form of repression and it's the same tune.

It's my way or else!

That doesn't seem very stress free.

If they were off whistling without a care in the world people would be flocking to the masters to learn how to be that way too.

They're not, they're taking sides and the fence sitters, the agnostics see both sides for what they are.

If anything it's the agnostics that seem more at ease for they have no issues on a cosmic level. They don't take sides. They don't hold rallies. They don't save slogans. They don't write books. They aren't philosophizing.

If we use the Matrix as an analogy they supposedly took some magical red pill that makes them see the real world.

The problem is they are going after the babies in the cocoons and not the machine world, as the Zionists did.

And if the babies refuse to take the red pill they call them names like

Christards

So we have this batch of self-centered moralists who think their was is the ONE and ONLY way and WE MUST ALL be force fed the RED pill and if we wish to stay with the BLUE PILL then we are to be battled with.

That doesn't seem any better a-way, to my way of thinking.

From a ciritical thinking point of view it's replacing one repression with another.

It's taking candy from a baby and saying

THERE IS NO SANTA CLAUS

And a majority of Atheists don't believe in Santa either.

Nor the blue fairy and she isn't religious.

What does an Atheist mother tell her 7 year old at bed time stories.

And the woman kept the names of 5 good attornies in her wallet so if the man she cohabits with ever gets out of line she can take his carcus to court and fleece him dry!

And they lived happly ever after!

Answer 3

Well, religion does certainly put many restraints on how you can live, most of them unecessary. Religious people get very stressed out if they cannot do something, or guilty if they have commited a sin. With atheism, you've got the burden of religious rules lifted off your shoulders.

But I'd say that just knowing the truth (and yes Christians, you can roll your eyes at that one) is the most rewarding aspect of atheism.

Answer 4

Well technically "militant atheism" isn't actually "militant" as it doesn't involve radical extremism in militant like ways. I'm personally not aware of any large scale militant atheist groups trying to overthrow the government, or fly planes into buildings. As for "Merry xmas" / "happy holidays", some fundies were whining a few years ago about stores saying "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" but I think they're over that now, although you still hear the odd one whining about it. But don't tell me there aren't people like that in Canada, because I cross the border quite frequently and have seen "Keep Christ in Christimas" billboards and signs all over the place around this time of year. As for billboards ... there's some atheist group, I think it's called Free Thinkers Foundation or something, that has been putting up lot's of billboards appealing to atheists, questioning the belief in god. So this has apparently made some xtians mad. It doesn't really surprise me though, considering some of the places they've located these ads like in West Virginia, rural Ohio, etc. I've seen one of these ads myself and they're not at all offensive, they're just trying to encourage people to question their belief in god, it doesn't insult anyone.

Answer 5

I wouldn't call it converting { it pisses off the Christians } but that aside you have far less stress and worry because you don't have to worry about the " devout Christians " in your church are saying about you behind your back . Since you no longer care about their opinions . The only problem is getting rid of the pesky door to door bible thumpers . They usually know nothing about which they preach and are completely unreasonable about it . Hope you have seen some of the questions and answers on how to handle this before the fanatics reported them and had them deleted . If you haven't keep your eyes open and read them quick before the illiterate Yahoo PC Nazis delete them .

Answer 6

Yes.

I was raised into a strongly Christian family.

Hence, as I began to doubt "God," it was a very stressful time for me.

I was raised to fear anyone that did not share my beliefs, and I was becoming one of them. I was afraid of those around me, of my environment, and most of all, of myself.

I felt resentment toward what I thought was "God," because I felt that it wasn't fair that everyone else could believe, but I couldn't. I felt that I'd been singled out.

Realizing that I was an atheist, and accepting it, helped me to become a bit less stressed.

As a "Christian," I began to suffer from depression, and several other things. Now, I still do -- but it's a lot easier to deal with, and a lot easier to control. All in all, my mental state has improved significantly.

And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Answer 7

converting atheism reduce stress

Answer 8

Religion is not the priests and the buildings.
Personally I dislike all these. Religion is the true meaning of the teachings of each religion. And this is something that should give to the believer tranquility and joy.
What you are saying is a different perception. Do you know what I believe my friend?
It's easier to roll down a slope, than climb and reach the top of the mountain.

Answer 9

Well it does give you something that actually has a relation to reality and if you were doubting a religion already probably would help.

OTOH people who manage to be secure in their fantasies tend to have less stress than those who live in reality.

Answer 10

Yes because now I don't have to think about every little goddamn "sin" that I commit, and don't have to worry about going to "hell" because I don't believe in hell and I don't have to worry about getting into "heaven" and everything.

the best part is that I don't feel like I'm being watched by some supreme figure all the time..

CREEPY.