To Atheists

[AureateDawn]

(Firstly, this may be the wrong forum, and if it is my apologies but I think it may be correct.)

To atheists... isn't it very depressing to be what you are, an atheist? I remember when I was one, and everything was very disheartening. I mean, to believe that by some random chance humans were created,
and now you're on one planet out of millions or even billions, and life generally sucks. Sure, some things are good, but in general life isn't all that grand. You go to school, college, work, retire, and die. Or you can be homeless, or your life could be nothing but sex parties.

My point is, there is such a slim chance that you will leave any large mark in human history such as those we learn about in history textbooks, that what is the point of living? You're just another person out of billions, to eventually die and everything will go on. And when you die and your mostly bad life is over (this is more of an opinion, though regarding work, colleges, etc. there leaves little free time to do what you please), you're gone. Forever.

Is that depressing to you? When I was an atheist, all of these thoughts were circulating throughout my mind and I thought of suicide numerous times. I mean, without a God or an afterlife, what's the point of really living when life is, at the least, 50% crappy? That is what was on my mind, anyways. So... what about atheists in this forum?T

 

[relaxeus]

I mean, without a God or an afterlife, what's the point of really living when life is, at the least, 50% crappy? That is what was on my mind, anyways. So... what about atheists in this forum?T

I enjoy life. It's nowhere near 50% crappy, more like 80-90% good/fun. You need to get a hobby or something to boost your figures up. I don't fear death, as many people do. I'm gonna enjoy life as much as possible, and Ive been very successful at it .

 

[sj84]

I was saved about 3 months ago and was an aethist up to that point. My girlfriend and most of my friends still remain aethists and sometimes I should want to shout at them and explain what I have found. My life feels so much more complete now. I try speaking to my friends about it, but like most aethists they believe that it's not for them.

I just want to explain to them how much beter I feel in side, and help them see the light. But at the end of the day you can't force anyone. I've told them all that they're all more then welcome to come to church with me if they want.

The thing is you have to figure things out for your self. The more you push someone the more they will push back. If I think back to when I was a aethist and someone tried to get me to understand I probably just think they were being silly.

I hope the way I feel now inside reflects on the outside so that people can see the positive changes that Jesus can have on your life

 

[Mumbles]

(Firstly, this may be the wrong forum, and if it is my apologies but I think it may be correct.)

To atheists... isn't it very depressing to be what you are, an atheist?

Not at all. I don't even consider atheism to be important - I only label myself as one due to the definition, and because others are so insistent to know what I feel about these "god" things.

My point is, there is such a slim chance that you will leave any large mark in human history such as those we learn about in history textbooks, that what is the point of living?

Huh?

It's simple - being in history books, making some sort of massive change to humans, etc. is simply not of concern to me.

You're just another person out of billions, to eventually die and everything will go on.

Obviously not. I won't be going on once I'm dead. Important to me at the moment (though not after the fact. obviously), not to most others. But what should I care about what people I'll never meet think?

And when you die and your mostly bad life is over (this is more of an opinion, though regarding work, colleges, etc. there leaves little free time to do what you please), you're gone. Forever.

Thus, it's advisable to find a career path or field of study that you enjoy. Then you won't get all mopey about going to work all the time. As for the "gone forever" part, I won't be around to worry about it.

Is that depressing to you? When I was an atheist, all of these thoughts were circulating throughout my mind and I thought of suicide numerous times. I mean, without a God or an afterlife, what's the point of really living when life is, at the least, 50% crappy? That is what was on my mind, anyways. So... what about atheists in this forum?

I'll be blunt - if you were one of the people starving to death, with no hope of getting the food you need, you'd have a point. If you lived life in agonizing pain, then I could see suicide as an option. But as far as I can tell, you're some teenager in one of the wealthier countries on the planet, probably with all of your needs taken care of.

I know that this sort of thing shows up in younger people, but don't you think you're being greedy? Instead of worrying about who will hear about you when, or how you won't be able to do anything at any time, why not worry about people who have less than you? Or better yet, help them out. It can be quite fulfilling, and if you enjoy it, you can even make a job out of it.

And honestly, I don't see how some god changes things in any way.

 

[Lord_Marx]

Not at all. I feel happier then when I was a Christian trying to force myself to believe in something because of my fear of death.

Having a God and afterlife would be nice, but then again so would being able to fly.

 

[Prince Lucianus]

Many converted people have found god to be fullfilling something that was apparently missing. Drunks, those who were depressed, heroin addicts (etc) can find religion to help them overcome their problems. In my view religion is their saving drug and they often become the strongest believers you'll ever meet. Mostly they depict themselves as being an atheist before this time, but their writings ("I was angry at god", or,"I told god I didn't believe in him") show at least some theistical background.

Now, your version of atheism sounds like what I tend to call the "I was a goth syndrom". Some young people ,when they grow up, might become gothically inclined because of their struggle (with whatever problems they might have) and turn to a radical gothic lifestyle. When their puberty period is finally over, they normally seem to snap out of it and become perfect examples of what our society expects of us.
This can in a general sense also be used to describe certain christians who called themselves atheists in the past (Carico is a good example) but who were not atheists, simply people unhappy with their situation and their doubts about god.

Showing me (or us) your version of atheism and how I (or we) must feel simply doesn't describe my state of being nor what I expect from my life.
I'm happy for those who found christianity helpfull to help them cope with their problems, but I've found out that it's entirely possible to solve problems and live a good live without the need of a deity in any form.

Lucy

 

[waterlily]

I don't think all or even most atheists are nihilists. What's up with the life = 50% crappy statistic anyway? If believing in god is what it takes for someone to feel happy about life then that's cool, but not something everyone needs.

I went for a walk with a friend the other day and it was beautiful out. Literally flowers and sunshine. Nothing crappy about that

I certainly don't want people's lives to suck so I volunteer in my community so others can have happier lives.

Death and what does or does not come next doesn't really depress me. I can't do anything about the fact that I am going to die. I can do something with my life though and try to spread kindness and happiness in a small way in the world

 

[Abongil]

I dont find life depressing at all. I figure as long as I am conributing to society, I am helping our race advance forward and maybe one day they will learn how to recreate people with memories intact, an dI will come back. That would be cool.

 

[CSmrw]

(Firstly, this may be the wrong forum, and if it is my apologies but I think it may be correct.)

To atheists... isn't it very depressing to be what you are, an atheist?

I can speak only for myself, but yes. It was depressing learning most of the true things in life. I will never be handsome, never have eight models in my bed at the same time, there is no santa clause, fatherhood is just a word, people can be cruel for no reason that matters, there is no justice or peace...on and on. If you stop and consider it all it can be depressing. What I do is just remind myself that before there was farming and trade I would have been dead ten or more years ago, at least, if I had even survived childbirth to begin with. And now we have internet pron. So it's not all bad.

 

[Telephone]

Is that depressing to you? When I was an atheist, all of these thoughts were circulating throughout my mind and I thought of suicide numerous times. I mean, without a God or an afterlife, what's the point of really living when life is, at the least, 50% crappy? That is what was on my mind, anyways. So... what about atheists in this forum?T

What is the point of the 'afterlife' ?

 

[Telephone]

I dont find life depressing at all. I figure as long as I am conributing to society, I am helping our race advance forward and maybe one day they will learn how to recreate people with memories intact, an dI will come back. That would be cool.

I like this thought very amusing !!!

Here's a deal all should subscribe to.




Ok, ignore the science, and close your eyes to the 'ifs', but....

When (and obvioulsly 'if') in a thousand or perhaps a hundred thousand years time we can extract DNA and recreate people with memories intact we should (if the technology forces limited resource) only recreate atheists as thesists have made an implicit deal with humanity that human intervention is errant and beneath divine intervention.

Anyone got a problem with this.

 

[Nathan Poe]

To atheists... isn't it very depressing to be what you are, an atheist?

Not particularly, no.

I remember when I was one, and everything was very disheartening. I mean, to believe that by some random chance humans were created, and now you're on one planet out of millions or even billions, and life generally sucks.

Nope, as Joe Walsh said, life's been good to me so far.

Sure, some things are good, but in general life isn't all that grand. You go to school, college, work, retire, and die. Or you can be homeless, or your life could be nothing but sex parties.

Well, why not subtract the "homeless" part and find time to do the rest? School, college, work, the occasional sex party, retire, then die?

My point is, there is such a slim chance that you will leave any large mark in human history such as those we learn about in history textbooks, that what is the point of living?

Not every mark has to be a big one.

You're just another person out of billions, to eventually die and everything will go on.

Except that I'm more than just one -- I'm the only one. This world has never and will never see another me in it.

And when you die and your mostly bad life is over (this is more of an opinion, though regarding work, colleges, etc. there leaves little free time to do what you please), you're gone. Forever.

I don't know where you get this idea that life is bad -- as I said, it's pretty upbeat to me, minus the occasional rotten day.

Is that depressing to you? When I was an atheist, all of these thoughts were circulating throughout my mind and I thought of suicide numerous times. I mean, without a God or an afterlife, what's the point of really living when life is, at the least, 50% crappy? That is what was on my mind, anyways. So... what about atheists in this forum?T

So by becoming a Theist, did the thoughts stop?

 

[michabo]

I mean, to believe that by some random chance humans were created,
and now you're on one planet out of millions or even billions, and life generally sucks.

Why is that depressing? I think it's a reminder of how precious life is. Intelligence doesn't seem to be a very common trait, so we are doubly lucky that we are alive and able to contemplate that fact. How is that not an amazing, liberating fact?

And as for life sucking, even by the standards of life on this planet, we have it very good - clean water, health care, disposable income, education, good food. Life sucks for many, many people. We can do something about it if we are aware of that, or we can pretend that the scales balance out in another life. I would rather treat this life as the only one we have, as it is the only one that we know we have.

I mean, without a God or an afterlife, what's the point of really living when life is, at the least, 50% crappy? That is what was on my mind, anyways. So... what about atheists in this forum?T

Boy, you demand a lot. First you say that you thought we were fantastically lucky to be alive ("random chance" and all that), and then think that you want even more. One life not good enough for you, huh?

Well, if you can find no point in living one life, what point could there be in the next? If you think it's hard making a mark in the history books in this life, imagine how hard it would be when you're competing with all of human history! That Newton was a real jerk - you just know he's going to try to outshine everyone.

Look, if there is a point in an eternal life, then that same point will work for a finite life. If you think that you would be happy through eternity interacting with family and friends, then what's the problem doing that in this life. If you will only be satisfied if you are the world's greatest mucky-muck, then no amount of belief in an afterlife will help you (unless you want to go into politics )

Frankly, I don't understand your complaints. If we're here for a purpose, then wouldn't that make your hum-drum life all the worse as you're failing to live up to a divine purpose? If 50% of your life is unpleasant, then why do you think anything will get better in an afterlife? And surely you must realize that merely believing in an afterlife doesn't make it so - it just means you've swapped one belief for another. How can believing in a God possibly make your life any better in the hear-and-now?

 

[TooCurious]

In all honesty, no; I do not find atheism to be a depressing philosophical position. What I'm about to say may sound facetious, but I do mean it sincerely. I don't find the idea that there are no gods and no afterlife any more depressing than the idea that I will never find a magic lamp with a wish-granting genie inside it.

I'm sure we've all entertained the fantasy of what we would do if we were granted a wish. We could make instantaneous, sweeping changes in our own lives or the world at large. Things would be so much better. However, none of us will probably ever find a magic lamp with a genie inside it, waiting to grant us wishes. Now, we could either become depressed about this, mourning the lack of opportunity to instantly change reality to suit our preferences, or we could accept that this is simply the way it is, and we haven't actually lost anything.

That's kind of how I feel about God and the afterlife. If these things don't exist, then they were never a realistic possibility and I never "lost" them. I get what everyone gets: a lifetime. I guess I'd better make the most of it.

 

[flicka]

Now, your version of atheism sounds like what I tend to call the "I was a goth syndrom". Some young people ,when they grow up, might become gothically inclined because of their struggle (with whatever problems they might have) and turn to a radical gothic lifestyle. When their puberty period is finally over, they normally seem to snap out of it and become perfect examples of what our society expects of us.

I love it

 

[Eudaimonist]

To atheists... isn't it very depressing to be what you are, an atheist?

Absolutely not! I'm not a depressive person. I enjoy life! Life is meaningful and wonderful to me. I'm very happy that I was born.

Sure, some things are good, but in general life isn't all that grand. You go to school, college, work, retire, and die. Or you can be homeless, or your life could be nothing but sex parties.

Or you can do something meaningful with your life. It's all in your attitude and what you do with your life.

My point is, there is such a slim chance that you will leave any large mark in human history such as those we learn about in history textbooks, that what is the point of living?

Living is the point of living. Making the most out of your life. Doing something personally meaningful, or finding meaning in what you are doing.

You're just another person out of billions

No, I am not. I'm a unique individual, and so are you.

And when you die and your mostly bad life is over (this is more of an opinion, though regarding work, colleges, etc. there leaves little free time to do what you please), you're gone. Forever.

But I will still have lived.

Is that depressing to you?

The only thing that is depressing to me is when others have a negative attitude towards life. I find it sad for them.

When I was an atheist, all of these thoughts were circulating throughout my mind and I thought of suicide numerous times.

I am truly sorry to hear that.

I mean, without a God or an afterlife, what's the point of really living when life is, at the least, 50% crappy?

The 50% or so that isn't.

Edited to add: I just noticed your age! Life gets much better after the high school years. Trust me on this.


eudaimonia,

M.

 

[ApocryphaNow]

My life feels so much more complete now. I try speaking to my friends about it, but like most aethists they believe that it's not for them.

Consider Christians rather than atheists and you have exactly what it feels like go go in the reverse direction between ideologies, as I did myself.

The thing is you have to figure things out for your self.

There is no truer thing in the human experience. There is a wonderful sense of fullfillment when one finds one's own path. Perhaps this can help explain why there are so many different kinds of Christians and atheists out there. It is so hard to lump together large portions of either of our demographics.

 

[Eudaimonist]

I went for a walk with a friend the other day and it was beautiful out. Literally flowers and sunshine. Nothing crappy about that

Just in the past few days we got some surprise summer-like weather here in Sundsvall, Sweden. (Finally! After something like six months of cold weather!) It was so great to walk out deep into the forest, alone, and enjoy the warm sun, warm air, and gentle cooling breeze.

I got lost in the forest for a while, but it was fun exploring, and I discovered a parkbench that someone had placed in the middle of nowhere. Since no one was around for a long distance, I went nude for a few minutes and enjoyed the feeling of the sun and breeze on my body. It was just me and Google Earth for a while. But you never heard me say that.

I found my way home okay, only about an hour after I had intended, but it was Sunday, so there was no problem here. I suppose I could have been angry or depressed that I had gotten lost, but I created my own opportunity for a positive meaning instead, and I had a great time.

It is great to be alive!


eudaimonia,

M.

 

[foreverfaithless]

Dont confuse your own despair with being an atheist.

I find the idea of eternal life depressing as it would be very mundane and intolerable. One of the reasons i can enjoy life is because i know i am going to die and that is a beautiful thing as well.
All i can say is that I am very happy with life as it is.

 

[Telephone]

Dont confuse your own despair with being an atheist.

Well said !