Why are atheists so unhappy?

[Leela]

Wouldn’t it be sad though? Living a few years on this life. With out the Hope of Salvation.
Is there nothing on the other side? I would find a Life of no Meaning. To be very depressing, and sad.

Salvation? Saved from what?

I have no trouble at all finding meaning in my life. Be honest. What would you do if you stopped believing in God? Would you stop going to work and providing for your family? Would you love your children any less? Would a rose smell less sweet?

 

[Leela]

Here is one, After people Recieve Communion. Have a conversion of Heart. You notice people act very differently.

The thing is, I don’t notice people acting differently. We are supposed to know a Christian by their love, but I don’t see anything particular about Christian love as opposed to anyone else’s love.

We don’t believe pigs can fly, cuz they can’t.
We believe in G-d, because we Know G-d is true.

You believe in God because you know it is true. I don’t believe in God because I don’t know God is true. How is faith supposed to come into this? I can’t force myself to believe things that don’t ring true to me.

It is practically impossible to provide evidence of G-d. But I find it incredible that the G-d who created the Universe is loving and Humble enough to live in us, we are altars to the holy spirit, our bodies.

Like I was saying, if there was Evidence for G-d (If you look deep enough you get really close, start questioning Life) that would undermine Faith.

“Blessed are they that believe and have not seen”

I don’t understand how this so-called virtue of faith is supposed to work. Pretty much everyone agrees that it is a good idea to base your beliefs on evidence with the one exception of religion. I can’t see why people make this exception. It would be considered a failing to not base beliefs on evidence in any other part of your life, but somehow it is supposed to be a virtue to ignore evidence for a special category of beliefs we call religious??? I don’t get it. Do you want you doctor or stock broker or politician or judge to go on faith? Or would you rather they try to make the best decisions in light of the available evidence?

Best,
Leela

 

[Leela]

Yes. And Faith (as the Catholic Church teaches) is a GIFT from God. We should not look down, or sneer at, anyone who hasn’t been given that gift, but simply pray for them.
:

Hi Theistgal,

That is the only perspective that ever made sense to me. Aren’t we all exactly as God made us? How can people villify atheists who, from a Christian perspective, simply have not been given a gift that they enjoy?

Best,
Leela

 

[lil_flower_luv]

Yes. And Faith (as the Catholic Church teaches) is a GIFT from God. We should not look down, or sneer at, anyone who hasn’t been given that gift, but simply pray for them.

So true; we must pray for them! * But*, we also want them to receive the same gift. We are called to lead all to Christ.

"If anyone comes to me, I want to lead them to Him. " ~St. Edith Stein

 

[josie_L]

Hi Theistgal,

That is the only perspective that ever made sense to me. Aren’t we all exactly as God made us? How can people villify atheists who, from a Christian perspective, simply have not been given a gift that they enjoy?

Best,
Leela

But you were given the gift, no (I think it was mentioned you were Christian)? And God didn’t make you as you are that would imply you had/have no free will (and put the onus on God). We all of us have to ask serious questions about life (and all that pertains to it) and those questions if sincerely sought will lead you to God.

 

[Angel7]

Salvation? Saved from what?

I have no trouble at all finding meaning in my life. Be honest. What would you do if you stopped believing in God? Would you stop going to work and providing for your family? Would you love your children any less? Would a rose smell less sweet?

Salvation from Death ofcourse.

Jesus told us " The Wages of Sin, are death"

Death (in the true meaning) is the absence of G-d, a spiritual death.

Sure you could leave here on Earth a few years, but where is the REST of your life going to be? (Let us pray for a happy place )

G-d is the Judge.

 

[Angel7]

The thing is, I don’t notice people acting differently. We are supposed to know a Christian by their love, but I don’t see anything particular about Christian love as opposed to anyone else’s love.

You believe in God because you know it is true. I don’t believe in God because I don’t know God is true. How is faith supposed to come into this? I can’t force myself to believe things that don’t ring true to me.

I don’t understand how this so-called virtue of faith is supposed to work. Pretty much everyone agrees that it is a good idea to base your beliefs on evidence with the one exception of religion. I can’t see why people make this exception. It would be considered a failing to not base beliefs on evidence in any other part of your life, but somehow it is supposed to be a virtue to ignore evidence for a special category of beliefs we call religious??? I don’t get it. Do you want you doctor or stock broker or politician or judge to go on faith? Or would you rather they try to make the best decisions in light of the available evidence?

Best,
Leela

The Church likes people to seek answers, and not take a blind leap of Faith alone.
But at times G-d is the only one you can Put your trust in.

Why dont you think G-d is there?

Maybe you also don’t undertand actuall Love?

People say they fall in love at first sight. Not true. Would you be willing to Die for said person on First sight? Look at the Cross and see Jesus, that is the Strongest example of Love, that one can ever envision. To Die for ones Friends, and for All people. Jesus had teh Chance to Flee Jerusalem, He knew what was Coming, but he stayed, and Died for us all, Love like that No man has.

Love is a Choice not an Emotion.
You Just to love some one, just as you Choose to hate some one.
I am Choosing to answer your question, to hopefully help you in some way, you Choose to smile, and give a “how do you do” to your neighbor. You choose to Console your friends if they are gieving, it is not driven by Emotion, but Choice, to give oneself (eaither your Time, Patience, Experience, Knowledge, or -Look at the Cross- your life) For the sake of your neighbor.

To love and be Ready to forgive your enemies.

See it is a choice.

 

[Charles_Darwin]

Wouldn’t it be sad though? Living a few years on this life. With out the Hope of Salvation.
Is there nothing on the other side? I would find a Life of no Meaning. To be very depressing, and sad.

What feels good has nothing to do with what is true.

 

[NoWings]

What feels good has nothing to do with what is true.

Agreed.

Some non theists are quite happy in their belief and don’t lose any sleep over it. They give their life meaning through other means, such as leaving legacies and such.

Others of us (myself included), WISH there was someone out there who actually cared what we did, that gives our lives universal cosmic significance. Thing is, I want the truth. I will not be content with a happy, God-loves-me life if it is a LIE.

It’s rather difficult to think that your life, and that of everyone else, is without overall meaning. If it has no cosmic meaning, then I don’t understand why any of us are here in the first place.

Imagine a 14 year old milkmaid in 12th century Europe. Now imagine that the man she works for strangles her in the barn behind his house and buries her. Did her life have meaning? Did she suffer for nothing?

A lot of atheists find joy in their life by finding meaning, but I find a flaw with that. A life of meaning without cosmic significance is only meaningful if there are others around to experience what was left.

Say an non theist finds meaning in his or her life by sculpting. For the last few years, he or her works tirelessly on one single project, the culmination of everything taught. Finally, just before death, the work is completed and is a masterpiece. Oooohs and ahhhhs and recognition of hard work is the reward before death. The problem is, the statue is only a statue if there are other people around to know what it is. If there were no people to admire it… it’s just a rock.

I want my life to have cosmic significance. If all people on Earth were to disappear, I still want my life to have meaning. I want my sufferings and my joyous occasions to matter after I’m gone.

Lastly, there is the question of an afterlife. Some non theists are quite content and unafraid of death. Some, on the other hand, are quite scared to death of it (myself included). Why? It isn’t a fear of Hell (though I’m sure that factors, too).

It’s knowing that everything I learned and experienced will be erased. Everything. All my memories, all my knowledge, gone. Why did I learn it in the first place? Why did I learn 1+1=2 if it won’t matter when I die? Why did I have a relationship with my dad? Why do I remember him? Why am I here? Why is ANYONE here?

Some non theists are happy. Some are not.

(Wow, I rambled)

 

[AnAtheist]

I want my life to have cosmic significance.

And how should that be accomplished?
While alive you are one of 6bln humans on one out of another several billions planet.
In a hypthetical afterlife you’d be one of 100+ bln humans in a place that’s supposed to be even greater than this universe.
Looks like the significance is decreasing.

Or is it the longer life-span? Existing for an eternity is more meaningful than existing for a short period of time? And not at all boring…

Hm, shifting the meaning of life onto the afterlife only begs the question: What is the meaning of an afterlife?

 

[Angel7]

And how should that be accomplished?
While alive you are one of 6bln humans on one out of another several billions planet.
In a hypthetical afterlife you’d be one of 100+ bln humans in a place that’s supposed to be even greater than this universe.
Looks like the significance is decreasing.

Or is it the longer life-span? Existing for an eternity is more meaningful than existing for a short period of time? And not at all boring…

Hm, shifting the meaning of life onto the afterlife only begs the question: What is the meaning of an afterlife?

Where we go when we die.

We were intended to be with G-d always, but original sin is a haunting legacy, we were cast out into the world. Where death (because of sin) is now existent. G-d created us, G-d is our end, thats where we are supposed to be. (Ofcourse we never deserved such a gift) Hell is a place where those who decided to serve themselves rather then G-d go, because they chose to reject G-d and his gift of Eternal Life.

Even if you want a “Legacy” it is going to end. It’ll be a memory in this world. But in Heaven or Hell/ it is where we will spend our time, F O R E V E R… Do you know how long that is? Lets hope we go to heaven.

 

[NoWings]

And how should that be accomplished?
While alive you are one of 6bln humans on one out of another several billions planet.
In a hypthetical afterlife you’d be one of 100+ bln humans in a place that’s supposed to be even greater than this universe.
Looks like the significance is decreasing.

Or is it the longer life-span? Existing for an eternity is more meaningful than existing for a short period of time? And not at all boring…

Hm, shifting the meaning of life onto the afterlife only begs the question: What is the meaning of an afterlife?

I have no idea how it could be accomplished. If I did, I wouldn’t be an agnostic, would I? I disagree on significance decreasing.

The meaning? Theosis I suppose. Infinite self-actualization. Continuance of learning and perhaps a look into how all life-threads coalesce into the tapestry of history.

 

[Gabriella_San_S]

Others of us (myself included), WISH there was someone out there who actually cared what we did, that gives our lives universal cosmic significance. Thing is, I want the truth. I will not be content with a happy, God-loves-me life if it is a LIE.

Oh, my dear friend, God wants nothing more than to lavish His Love and goodness upon you! He is the One who has put the desire for the Truth in you, and this desire will be fulfilled as you “…seek Him with all your heart.”

It’s rather difficult to think that your life, and that of everyone else, is without overall meaning. If it has no cosmic meaning, then I don’t understand why any of us are here in the first place.

Your life has infinite dignity and worth in God’s eyes! “Before I formed you in your mother’s womb, I knew you…” How great the mystery, that He loves each one of us, as if we were the*** only ***one, and He gave up His life to ensure that we could be with Him for all eternity…as if we were the only one…

A lot of atheists find joy in their life by finding meaning, but I find a flaw with that. A life of meaning without cosmic significance is only meaningful if there are others around to experience what was left

How right you are, that there is no lasting joy or meaning, without realizing that the God who made you for Himself, out of Love, calls you, redeems you, sustains you, and even “…rejoices over you with singing…”
has a wondrous plan for your life, “…plans for your welfare and not for your woe…”

I want my sufferings and my joyous occasions to matter after I’m gone.

Then you can rejoice, my friend, not only will they matter ***after ***you have passed into eternity, but they are having a great impact even now, if you believe in the God of Hope!

(Wow, I rambled)

Thank you for sharing your profound ramblings with us. God* is ***with you… you are not far from the Kingdom of God.

 

[AnAtheist]

We were intended to be with G-d always,

Ok, ok, but why? What is the purpose, the meaning of that “being with God”?

 

[Graubo3]

It’s knowing that everything I learned and experienced will be erased. Everything. All my memories, all my knowledge, gone. Why did I learn it in the first place? Why did I learn 1+1=2 if it won’t matter when I die? Why did I have a relationship with my dad? Why do I remember him? Why am I here? Why is ANYONE here?

NoWings,

I once thought very similar to you. I can not easily explain why I do not anymore but it had something to do with an imaginary stick of lumber upside my head while I was in a deep hole. I am very thankful for the philosophical, spiritual, and physical struggles I endured because they have shaped who I am. One day most of your questions will be answered satisfactorily to your understanding and some will not and with those you won’t really care. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

I recently had a younger sister pass away from cancer leaving behind her husband, a 4 and 1 year old. I do believe that in her short time on earth, she accomplished what God wanted her to. The many people that paid respects to my family astounded us. We knew that she had touched not only our lives but the lives of others. Many of those that she deeply affected was when she was in the struggle for her life.

I am not sure if you have experienced, but I have been blessed to have had conversations with several people upon their deathbeds. It is one thing to ask the healthy elderly their longevity secrets, it is another to hear the mind of one dying and their thoughts on life.

As the OP has cited Fulton Sheen, he has authored many resources that I believe you will one day find very interesting.

Peace, Graubo

 

[rbiaca]

Wouldn’t it be sad though? Living a few years on this life. With out the Hope of Salvation.
Is there nothing on the other side? I would find a Life of no Meaning. To be very depressing, and sad.

I can well imagine, that a person living a life with the fear of eternal damnation to be depressing and sad.

I’m not sure why you feel the need to embrace eternity in order to have a fulfulling life.

What is wrong with your short time on earth, that you can only appreciate it, if you hold a belief that you will live for infinite.

Is the thought of non-existence before you were born depressing and sad? No?

Then the prospect of non-existence at a persons death, should be no different.

 

[rbiaca]

Here is one, After people Recieve Communion. Have a conversion of Heart. You notice people act very differently.

People act differently after enjoying a good meal as well.

We don’t believe pigs can fly, cuz they can’t.

It is an observable fact. You don’t believe pigs can fly, because you’ve come to that conclusion, rather, you’ve arrived at that conclusion through not only education, but through your observations as well. Not knowing what pigs are, you didn’t arbitrarily declare that pigs cannot fly.

You came to that conclusion based upon many factors.

We believe in G-d, because we Know G-d is true.

You have faith that God is true. If you were a Hindu, you would have faith that your Hindu Gods were true and may very well write, " because we know that our Gods are true."

It is practically impossible to provide evidence of G-d.

This onus should be on believers, to prove the existence of their Gods. Not just Christians, but all the religions…hindus, sikh’s, Muslims etc…

Like I was saying, if there was Evidence for G-d … that would undermine Faith.

How on earth would God regularily proving his existence to the world, be a bad thing?

 

[rbiaca]

It’s a matter of opening your mind/heart, and giving God a chance.

“And I say to you, Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.”

Nope. That’s just a standard line that many Christians use. Open your heart and mind to Gods loving embrace! It is meaningless.

When you write stuff like that, you’ve got to realize that many, many non-believers are former theists.

 

[rbiaca]

Hm, shifting the meaning of life onto the afterlife only begs the question: What is the meaning of an afterlife?

To be with God, to love God, to praise God, to know God and to worship God. Hey, wait a minute, that’s what earth is for.

 

[rbiaca]

God doesn’t need to give you a sign as that is not necessary. We have enough evidence if one researches the lives of the saints, the many miracles produced by them, the apparitions of Mother Mary, the tilma of Gaudelupe, the shroud of Turin, the eucharistic miracles…

What of those born to Atheists.

What of those born to Hindus.

What of those born deaf, blind and dumb?

What of those born in areas of the world, where Christianity has not yet penetrated into their society.

How do these people learn about this God that does give out signals that he even exists?