The Good Life

[Sethy94]

I was brought up a catholic and then switched my views to atheism after learning more about science, biology, philosophy, and even the origin of religions themselves. I'm curious to know what pleasures, feelings, and activities you give up to live a "life of good." ie. being Christian. I just dont understand why a religion would tell you that you have a better life waiting for you once you die and go to heaven. There has been no evidence that shows any sign of there being an afterlife, or a heaven for that matter. However, we do know that this life we are all experiencing right now is 100% guaranteed to us. Why not make the most of the life that is 100% guaranteed to you rather than living in hopes of there being a "better life" once this one is done??

 

[Greg1234]

I was brought up a catholic and then switched my views to atheism after learning more about science, biology, philosophy, and even the origin of religions themselves. I'm curious to know what pleasures, feelings, and activities you give up to live a "life of good." ie. being Christian. I just dont understand why a religion would tell you that you have a better life waiting for you once you die and go to heaven. There has been no evidence that shows any sign of there being an afterlife, or a heaven for that matter. However, we do know that this life we are all experiencing right now is 100% guaranteed to us. Why not make the most of the life that is 100% guaranteed to you rather than living in hopes of there being a "better life" once this one is done??

Well I simply have not found any evidence for a godless reality.

 

[drich0150]

I was brought up a catholic and then switched my views to atheism after learning more about science, biology, philosophy, and even the origin of religions themselves. I'm curious to know what pleasures, feelings, and activities you give up to live a "life of good." ie. being Christian. I just dont understand why a religion would tell you that you have a better life waiting for you once you die and go to heaven. There has been no evidence that shows any sign of there being an afterlife, or a heaven for that matter. However, we do know that this life we are all experiencing right now is 100% guaranteed to us. Why not make the most of the life that is 100% guaranteed to you rather than living in hopes of there being a "better life" once this one is done??

Just because science does not recognise the "proof" God gives does not mean "we" do not have reasurences From the Holy Spirit/God Himself.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I was brought up a catholic and then switched my views to atheism after learning more about science, biology, philosophy, and even the origin of religions themselves. I'm curious to know what pleasures, feelings, and activities you give up to live a "life of good." ie. being Christian. I just dont understand why a religion would tell you that you have a better life waiting for you once you die and go to heaven. There has been no evidence that shows any sign of there being an afterlife, or a heaven for that matter. However, we do know that this life we are all experiencing right now is 100% guaranteed to us. Why not make the most of the life that is 100% guaranteed to you rather than living in hopes of there being a "better life" once this one is done??

I can't think of any good in this life that I'm giving up to be a Christian. I try to give up selfishness, but I don't see much good in being selfish; I try and avoid being a jerk, but I don't see much good in being a jerk; I try to be self-controlled, but I don't see why indulging every wonton desire benefits me here and now.

I'm not denying myself anything here because life then will be great; I'm trying to life good here because I believe that's what is good, for myself and other people.

I think being good is good in itself, and that being good is reward for itself.

The "afterlife" isn't some reward where suddenly my every desire is met for having denied myself "the good life" here; I expect to be my neighbor's servant in the life to come. I expect to serve other people, I expect to help other people, I expect to be present for my neighbor for their benefit. The life I try to live here is the sort of life I believe I'll live "there".

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ebia]

When Jesus said "I came so that they could have life-indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest." (Jn 10.10 CEB) he was talking about here and now, not pie-in-the-sky. He came so we can learn to be more fully human, more fully alive, now.

 

[berachah]

As a Christian we are not forced to give up anything. As we get closer to God, the godless life just starts to appear ugly and without any benefit. The Spirit of God starts to show us the harm and evil of the so called 'good life'.
Christians thereafter respond by rejecting sin and soon enough the benefits of a Spirit led life begin to impact the Christian.

The difference between the two is like this;
The ungodly man looks at a beautiful woman and lusts ater her. The interest is immediate self pleasure and once satisfied he moves on. The Christian view is to look at the beautiful woman and want to get to know her on a social level, spiritual level, then commit to her in marriage, care for her, provide for her and yes enter into a physical relationship with her .The mindset is of provider, carer and even servant. (of course their is pleasure received in return, but the focus is on the other person)

Both ultimately achieve the same goal, but only one is selfish, shallow and lustful.

And that is true for just about every other facet of the human life. God's way is always better, although His path requires one to reject the immediate lust of the flesh, lust of the eye or the pride of life; and rather to put others before oneself.

Next time you study a bit of science wonder what caused the big bang. Or better still where the atoms came from....

 

[AlexBP]

I'm curious to know what pleasures, feelings, and activities you give up to live a "life of good." ie. being Christian.

When I converted from atheism to Christianity I did not give up any pleasures. I gave up certain things that might superficially seem like pleasures, but which in truth cause nothing but pain and grief. Pornography comes to mind; I have been vastly happier as a result of giving that up. Others I know have given up drugs, hard drinking, easy sex, gambling, and so forth, and all are much happier as a result of that.

I just dont understand why a religion would tell you that you have a better life waiting for you once you die and go to heaven. There has been no evidence that shows any sign of there being an afterlife, or a heaven for that matter. However, we do know that this life we are all experiencing right now is 100% guaranteed to us. Why not make the most of the life that is 100% guaranteed to you rather than living in hopes of there being a "better life" once this one is done??

Our present life is not "100% guaranteed to us". Just the opposite, in fact. It is 100% guaranteed that our present life will not last. All of us will die, and none of us know when. Even if you are young and apparently healthy, there could be a fatal genetic defect lurking in your DNA that will kill you. Some people die of genetic defects that they were completely unaware of until the moment of their death. You may not live to the end of this day. You may die before you finish reading this post.

Now--assuming you're still with me--I think the question you asked should be turned around. What's the point in being a wordling and living only for worldly pleasures, rather than living for the world to come that Jesus promised us. I was an atheist until age 23 and sampled almost everything that the secular world has to offer: money, physical pleasures, intellectual achievement, and more. All of these things only made me unhappy. So by choosing to follow Jesus, I gained everything in this world and lost nothing. If His promise of eternal life is true, I have also gained eternal life. If Jesus was actually some con-man and his promises were false, I've lost nothing.

16 “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’" [Luke 12:16-20]
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[stacymay]

While I have to admit I've asked myself similar questions, I know that the fulfillment we get from knowing Christ is incomparable to anything this life can offer. Furthermore, having a relationship with God only makes life so much better and amazing! Sure, we all have struggles, we have doubts, we make mistakes, and the world beats us down, but we never have to go through it alone no matter what. I can't thank God enough simply for being who He is. Without God, I know I'd be missing something huge in my life. Most Christians do abstain from extramarital sex, drugs, inebriation, and certain types of media (which is often a matter of personal conviction in the long run), but to me it's not a big sacrifice. I like being abstinent, and I'm glad to have a firm ground to stand on in regards to risky behavior. I've seen just how beautiful God is and what He can do for people's lives - not just the hereafter, but the here and now. Christians believe in enjoying life too - our lives are fulfilled by our service to God and others, and although it's not always perfect, and we're far from perfect in our Walk, we try hard and it feels good in a deeper way than many other pursuits can offer.

As for the whole "evidence" scenario, I refer you to Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen." True, it isn't a tangible or proven idea, but faith really is something special. I believe our search for God, our efforts to touch His face and please Him, is our reason for being created.

God bless! Thanks for asking a provocative question!

 

[GrayAngel]

I was brought up a catholic and then switched my views to atheism after learning more about science, biology, philosophy, and even the origin of religions themselves. I'm curious to know what pleasures, feelings, and activities you give up to live a "life of good." ie. being Christian. I just dont understand why a religion would tell you that you have a better life waiting for you once you die and go to heaven. There has been no evidence that shows any sign of there being an afterlife, or a heaven for that matter. However, we do know that this life we are all experiencing right now is 100% guaranteed to us. Why not make the most of the life that is 100% guaranteed to you rather than living in hopes of there being a "better life" once this one is done??

My religion does not ask me to give up anything that isn't harmful to me in some way. There is no verse that says, "Thou shalt not play video games," or "Thou shalt find all of thy entertainment in reading the scriptures."

Christianity is not about rules and restrictions. Being raised Catholic, however, I could see how you'd get that impression. Catholics are very fond of their long lists of dos and don'ts. Jesus was concerned about the heart, not how many Hail Mary's we to manage to sneak into to our week.

The Bibles teaches us self-control. The things we enjoy are often good so long as they're kept in check. Drinking was recommended by Paul because it was good for the stomach, but the Bible also warns against drunkenness.

My life is not lacking anything for being a Christian. What does it change? I have a community of believers I see every Sunday and during the week. Is it bad to have friends who help build you up, encourage you, and help you be true to your values? A (proper) Christian environment is one of the least judgmental places you can be in.

I also have a relationship with God. Does it hurt me any to have someone to talk to when I can't turn anywhere else? Is it bad to have the feeling of peace I walk away with, assured my prayers are heard by an all-powerful God who cares about me?

Does my religion lower my enjoyment of life when I treat people with the respect and concern God asks of me, or when I apply myself in everything to the best of my ability as if I were doing it for a king?

My life is richer because of my religion. I am missing out on nothing.

 

[razeontherock]

Christianity is like trading an old, original, rusted-out VW bug, and getting a Mercedez. Even up.

 

[EndlessSerenade]

It's very easy for people to confuse a religion with rules and regulations. Yes on the surface my religion may seem to be filled with rules but it's actually guidelines towards living a better life, not just in Christ but in everyday life. See God does not tell us to give up things simply for the sake of making life more complicated or difficult. He gives guidelines to really help us. There's nothing that is asked of us that is unreasonable, inhumane or without reason. So by all means I believe I'm living a wonderful life to the fullest despite not engaging in what the "world" may think is fun. See when you are not in Christ you see the world and what the world and media tells you is fun and exciting. But when you look at it from a spiritual Christian point of view you realize that the true joys of life don't lie in wordly activities but in spiritual satisfaction. I definitely make the most out of my life without a doubt, and just because I don't live by the world and what the world wants doesn't mean I'm not living my life to the fullest. For me, I am and the activities that I don't partake in such as let's say drugs for example does not make my life any less fun of fulfilling. There's a valid reason why I don't do drugs and it's not just because the Bible says it's not right, it's because my logical brain can reason out that's a very dumb thing to do. And that's the thing with the "limitations" so to speak we as Christians have. It's not "limitations", it's things that genuinely are not good for you but some people fail to see that.

As for the evidence. The fact that I wake up every day and see the birds and nature around me is enough to tell me there must be a God and a creator and once you have accepted Jesus Christ and He has revealed Himself, you'll know that God is very much real. If there were to be a obvious "sign' of God then that defeats the entire purpose of believing. We live by faith, and not by sight.

 

[oi_antz]

I was brought up a catholic and then switched my views to atheism after learning more about science, biology, philosophy, and even the origin of religions themselves. I'm curious to know what pleasures, feelings, and activities you give up to live a "life of good." ie. being Christian. I just dont understand why a religion would tell you that you have a better life waiting for you once you die and go to heaven. There has been no evidence that shows any sign of there being an afterlife, or a heaven for that matter. However, we do know that this life we are all experiencing right now is 100% guaranteed to us. Why not make the most of the life that is 100% guaranteed to you rather than living in hopes of there being a "better life" once this one is done??

I can't understand why you would even think like that. It isn't all about bargaining for a reward, but about standing for the truth. The truth is that a man called Jesus 2,000 years ago was conceived by act of God and blessed with The Holy Spirit and a faith that could perform miracles of repute, then He was killed by people who were jealous of His influence. Don't forget that He was almost elected king of the Jews on palm Sunday, only because the Sanhedrin rejected Him was when He was betrayed.

Why do you not care about that? It is a most gross injustice, how can you sweep that under the rug? Don't forget this man is not just another guy, Jesus did absolutely nothing bad ever.