Why aren't atheists joyful?

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Psalm89

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A friend and I got into a discussion the other night about atheists and came to a conclusion. In all of the atheists’ writings I have read I have never read about a “joyful atheist.”

I’m not talking about modern subjective happiness that comes and goes. For instance, I have no doubt that a birth of a non-aborted child is a happy experience for atheists, or perhaps a wedding is too. But happy feelings like these come and go.

What I am talking about is joy. The Saints constantly write about joy and blessedness. Even when in prison the Saints praise God and are a beacon of hope for many. I can’t fathom an atheist in prison having the same effect.

One would think that atheists could write volumes about newfound freedoms without darned ol’ religion bringing them down. That without God they have found peace and joy because now they can chart their lives, and write their own moral code that suits them best. Instead they tend to complain about almost everything, especially religion and God. Nietzsche and Sartre are two that come to mind. They were constantly angry at the world and people.

So I guess my point is, are their any joyful atheists out there?
 
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Psalm89:
What I am talking about is joy. The Saints constantly write about joy and blessedness. Even when in prison the Saints praise God and are a beacon of hope for many. I can’t fathom an atheist in prison having the same effect.
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I would submit that in order to be considered a saint or even a good christian you have to toe the party line that life is wonderful and that you’re grateful to God for creating you. Everyone’s life is worth living. Suicide is never justified. So it’s not surprising that the “Saints” are “constantly” talking about how happy they are. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be eligible for sainthood. Atheists are much more free to examine the human situation objectively.
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Psalm89:
One would think that atheists could write volumes about newfound freedoms without darned ol’ religion bringing them down. That without God they have found peace and joy because now they can chart their lives, and write their own moral code that suits them best. Instead they tend to complain about almost everything, especially religion and God. Nietzsche and Sartre are two that come to mind. They were constantly angry at the world and people.
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At the moment I’m halfway through “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” and I couldn’t disagree more. The joy and optimism in that book borders on the ridiculous. Perhaps you could share some specific passages from Nietzsche on which you base your opinion.
 
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Drew98:
I would submit that in order to be considered a saint or even a good christian you have to toe the party line that life is wonderful and that you’re grateful to God for creating you. Everyone’s life is worth living. Suicide is never justified. So it’s not surprising that the “Saints” are “constantly” talking about how happy they are. If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be eligible for sainthood. Atheists are much more free to examine the human situation objectively.
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That is an incredibly cynical view. You make it sound as if they weren’t happy at all, just did it to get recognition from the Church. Like deep down inside they can’t want to kill themselves or revel in the misery that is life. Christians don’t say life is wonderful all of the time, even Christ cried when Lazarus died. Momentary happiness or even contentment is a far cry from joy.

I would also submit that people I know that aren’t canonized saints partake of the the joy I’m talking about. Fellow Christians in my church really do have a sense of peace. I can also attest to it from my own life, as can many on this board.

When you say objectively, that isn’t happily. Objectively looking at something makes it an object. Are you suggesting objectifying life leads to joy for an Atheist?
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Drew98:
At the moment I’m halfway through “Thus Spoke Zarathustra” and I couldn’t disagree more. The joy and optimism in that book borders on the ridiculous. Perhaps you could share some specific passages from Nietzsche on which you base your opinion.
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Code: 
 *“Beyond Good and Evil” is Nietzsche's alternative morality, or “new morality.” “Master morality” is totally different from “slave morality,” he says. Whatever a master commands becomes good from the mere fact that the master commands it. The weak sheep have a morality of obedience and conformity. Masters have a natural right to do whatever they please, for since there is no God, everything is permissible.*
This is optimism?
Do you know anyone who has taken Nietzsche's will to power to heart, acted on it, and been filled full of joy and peace?
 
some atheists who lack any sense of conscience have their joys too. for the tsunami, they say indonesians deserved that for their crimes against immigrants(their relatives maybe?). schadenfreude – you can’t say it’s not a form of joy.
 
Come to think of it, I have never seen any Atheists that I ever knew smile. Hmmmm, no joy, what a shame.

StMarkEofE
 
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StMarkEofE:
Come to think of it, I have never seen any Atheists that I ever knew smile. Hmmmm, no joy, what a shame.
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Then you obviously do know many atheists. I know quite a lot, and we have lots of joy.
 
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abcdefg:
some atheists who lack any sense of conscience have their joys too. for the tsunami, they say indonesians deserved that for their crimes against immigrants(their relatives maybe?). schadenfreude – you can’t say it’s not a form of joy.
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:ehh:

The only geeks I have heard of so far gloating over the Tsunami and mocking the victims are these: godhatesfags.com/main/faq.html#Tsunami
We sincerely hope and pray that all 20,000 Swedes are dead, their bodies bloated on the ground or in mass graves or floating at sea feeding sharks and fishes or in the bellies of thousands of crocodiles washed ashore by tsunamis.
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What an example of Christian love…
Oh wait, I bet, they are not real Christians.
 
Because in their inane rejection of God’s existance, atheists are all hollow and empty inside because their superficial mechanistic explanations of life, the universe, and everything have left them living an illusion.
 
The only geeks I have heard of so far gloating over the Tsunami and mocking the victims are these: godhatesfags.com/main/faq.html#Tsunami

What an example of Christian love…
Oh wait, I bet, they are not real Christians.
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followers of WBC got my prayer. oh well…
Jehova’s Witness doesn’t qualify as Christian nor does WBC as it has such a kinky interpretation of God’s love.

didn’t violent muslims laugh at 911 and tsunami too? and they’re theists.

I didn’ say all theists feel sorry for 911 and tsunami neither did I say all atheists laugh at them. but atheists who live near me.
 
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AnAtheist:
Then you obviously do know many atheists. I know quite a lot, and we have lots of joy.
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when I was an atheist, I DID have lots of joy besides gloating. have to agree with that
 
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AnAtheist:
What an example of Christian love…
Oh wait, I bet, they are not real Christians.
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So, basically, what you are saying is that because these weirdos call themselves Christians, but say things like that about the dead Swedes and revel in the death and suffering of others, are Christians because they say they are. Groovy. That’s like me saying, “Yeah, I’m an Athiest, now I’ll be back in an hour, I’m going to Mass to receive Holy Communion and continue to strengthen my relationship with the God I love.” Yep, I sure sounded like an Athiest right there.:yup:

Eamon
 
Imagine living under the beleif system that your intellect and only things you can prove with science is all there is.A self directed life accepting what you do as one who is merely streering his or her life as they wish.When they sin and feel remorse they usually write it off as emotionalism or being tainted by the Judeo-Christian influence.They live with the idea once they die they fall in to a state of non-existence,nothingness.I don’t think I would be joyful either:nope: No I would be pretty angry,pessimistic and depressed.I would have to divert my attention constantly to be able to function.That is horrible,to the previous atheist posters ask the God that you don’t believe in for the gift of faith so you can believe:ehh: It is getting me depressed thing about how desolate your life must be:eek: God Bless
 
It almost reminds me about the story about how you can imagine there are two glasses one bigger than the other. When both are filled all the way, the glasses can think, “oh yes I’m full,” at the same time one can have so much more than the other. Both could not exactly know what the fullness of the other feels like.

Do atheist’s feel joy, oh I’m sure they do. The Holy Spirit can work in their lives too. The Spirit can only work as much as one let’s oneself be open to be used. With the help of the Holy Spirit, one is able to increase to capacity to have joy. I’m sure there are many atheists who are able to feel more joy than some Christians, but I’d have a hard time believe any could come close to a saint that has consumed himself in love.
 
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turboEDvo:
So, basically, what you are saying is that because these weirdos call themselves Christians, but say things like that about the dead Swedes and revel in the death and suffering of others, are Christians because they say they are. Groovy.
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Well, I answered to this post:
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abcdefg:
some atheists who lack any sense of conscience have their joys too. for the tsunami, they say indonesians deserved that for their crimes against immigrants(their relatives maybe?). schadenfreude – you can’t say it’s not a form of joy.
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This along with the OP is full of the typical prejudices atheists have to face: no conscience, no morals, no joy, no compassion, suicidal, …
And that makes me mad :mad:.
The geeks I have quoted consider themselves very much Christian and probably have exactly the same prejudices towards atheists. You find good and bad people among any group.
 
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AnAtheist:
Well, I answered to this post:
This along with the OP is full of the typical prejudices atheists have to face: no conscience, no morals, no joy, no compassion, suicidal, …
And that makes me mad :mad:.
The geeks I have quoted consider themselves very much Christian and probably have exactly the same prejudices towards atheists. You find good and bad people among any group.
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Don’t get mad.I for one don’t want you to miss out on Heaven:crying: I don’t want you to find out the hard way God is real:crying: Supernatural joy out weighs natural joy 100 fold,I don’t want you to be left out.God Bless
 
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AnAtheist:
Then you obviously do know many atheists. I know quite a lot, and we have lots of joy.
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Your absolutely correct, I dont know many atheists.

StMarkEofE
 
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Lisa4Catholics:
Don’t get mad.I for one don’t want you to miss out on Heaven:crying: I don’t want you to find out the hard way God is real:crying: Supernatural joy out weighs natural joy 100 fold,I don’t want you to be left out.God Bless
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My madness level is already dropping, thanks 👋.
I am not concerned about Heaven, that’s my own non-Pascal wager. If there is a Heaven and a just, benevolent and loving God, then I have nothing much to fear. OTH, if that God is the opposite, then everybody is in serious trouble, especially when that God doesn’t turn out as the one expected.
 
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AnAtheist:
My madness level is already dropping, thanks 👋.
I am not concerned about Heaven, that’s my own non-Pascal wager. If there is a Heaven and a just, benevolent and loving God, then I have nothing much to fear. OTH, if that God is the opposite, then everybody is in serious trouble, especially when that God doesn’t turn out as the one expected.
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Do you mind if I pray for you?I will do it anyway but I would like for you to give my prayers for you permission;) I will ask God to let you know He is there.God Bless
 
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Lisa4Catholics:
Do you mind if I pray for you?I will do it anyway but I would like for you to give my prayers for you permission;) I will ask God to let you know He is there.God Bless
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If that makes you happy, I don’t mind.
 
I would not say atheists have no joy. I would say that the joy atheists feel is inconsistent with atheism, though. In fact a common apologetics approach with atheists is to show that their actions are inconsistent with their (supposed) beliefs. C.S. Lewis addresses this in the first part of Mere Christianity.
 
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