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NovusFidem
Guest
As someone in the younger group, I can speak from experience thatā¦ no, not really. At 26yo (my age), most people are too concerned with money, job and career to pay mind to what truly matters. The lack of guidance (in a spiritual sense), makes us a bunch of confused young-adults.
I mean, look at me. Before religion, I was so concerned with bringing prestige to my family, making my father proud of me, my achievements and my decision, that I didnāt even stop to think of what would be GOOD for me. I did what I wanted, not what I needed. Ended up frustrated with my own failures, with the lack of acknowledgement, with the āobviousā success my peers were having instead of me, with their marriages and babies and wonderful livesā¦
With religion, none of that changed: I still have not āachievedā much (career wise), my father is still displeased that I gave up Medicine to try Nursing, and my peers are still leagues ahead of me in the path for āsuccessā.** But I changed**, as now I know that none of that matter in the big scheme of things. God loves me nonetheless, and He has a better and more meaningful plan for me than I could have conceived by myself.
So, yeah. Without religion there was too much unhappiness in my life. Maybe my peers wouldnāt say they arenāt happy without religion, but I am certain they are a lot more stressed and depressed (not the same things as sad) than the religious ones, if their Facebook posts are anything to go by :compcoff:
But that is just my opinion
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AKDee
Guest
I was fascinated to see that it was the only think associated with long term happiness. I expected that volunteering and other social connectivity would have similar results, but no. Interesting!
I am happier since joining the Church, and that also fascinates me because prior to joining the Church I was the epitome of someone who had no use for āorganized religionā and felt closer to God when hiking in the mountains than I ever did in a church. I still feel close to God in the mountains, but with the Eucharist and perpetual Adoration I definitely feel Him in the Church. Iāve made some good friendships - not anything super close yet, but good- and have had some people step in sort of as mentors to me also which is amazing because they do on their own without me asking. I feel more at peace with life, and with death, now.
I am happier since joining the Church, and that also fascinates me because prior to joining the Church I was the epitome of someone who had no use for āorganized religionā and felt closer to God when hiking in the mountains than I ever did in a church. I still feel close to God in the mountains, but with the Eucharist and perpetual Adoration I definitely feel Him in the Church. Iāve made some good friendships - not anything super close yet, but good- and have had some people step in sort of as mentors to me also which is amazing because they do on their own without me asking. I feel more at peace with life, and with death, now.
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esieffe
Guest
Donāt leave home without it!
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drac16
Guest
It doesnāt necessarily bring contentment, though. Treating religion like a drug is only going to get you so far. Eventually, youāll find out, if you havenāt already, that truth is not dictated by what feels right. Truth brings contentment. Thereās more to this life than getting a spiritual high every so often.
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Charlemagne_III
Guest
What is the goal of life, to be happy or to be content?
No doubt many atheists are content to be atheists.
Are they necessarily happy?
What is the difference between happy and content?
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drac16
Guest
The purpose of life is not centred around the self. You can take part in it, but itās Allahās purpose of glorifying Himself that takes first precedent. I start where the Qurāan starts-- and it doesnāt start with man. The ācontentmentā that an atheist feels is only present to the extent that he/she supresses the truth of Godās existence (which is too big to ignore forever). Thereās no contentment in Atheism because itās a tribute to not knowing things. As the atheist goes about through life, he/she has to find new ways to supress the truths being revealed to them, even, at times, to pretend that there are no absolutes.
So no, I donāt buy that atheists are content. Contentment is what Job [peace be upon him] experienced when he was afflicted by Satan. Itās being content with what God gives, even if you donāt feel pleasure from it. Thatās how I see it. Being content with Godās plan for your life and renouncing carnal passions is in no way analogous to what an atheist experiences. The ego is constantly ping-ponging between extremes, whereas contentment is experiencing that is beyond your self and being at peace with the Lord of the Universe.
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Charlemagne_III
Guest
Not sure whether we are on the same page here.
I think the atheist is content with being an atheist. I donāt think atheism brings happiness.
I even doubt the atheist would argue that it does.
Being content is not a dynamic state of being. Happiness is.
Being content is bland.
Being happy is joyful.
Having $10,000 in the bank makes a man content?
Helping to save other menās souls make a man happy?
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