Can an atheist be happy and how?

Question

How can an atheist overcome feelings of emptiness, aimlessness, loneliness, worthlessness, and lack of foundation?

HawkPerception · Accepted Answer

I feel happy in many moments in my life. Experiencing things with loved ones, doing stuff I'm passionate about, achieving my goals, etc. I don't see why I need to believe in some made up God written in a book from thousands of years ago.

I don't understand how so many people are so indoctrinated to believe there is a god in this day of information at your fingertips. Too many of the Bible's verses are questionable. It was all based on morality long ago. People try to justify the verses using made up logic due to the concept of cognitive dissonance.

But the answer is right in front of them. You don't need religion to be happy and you don't need it to be a good person. And if there is a god, do you really think they'll punish good people for not believing in some human made nonsense?

The concept of God-fearing came from times of chaos where it was needed to create some order. It made people fearful of going to hell and not going to heaven for living immorally. Otherwise we might still be living in times where people cut off heads left and right. Whoever was behind the creation of religion played on humans fear of death and fear of nothingness.

Lliam · Accepted Answer

I don't see why a person needs to believe in a god or especially the Bible to achieve happiness, fulfillment, purpose, friendship, community, or meaningful relationship.

Did people in pre-Christian times or in other cultures lack those things? Did not humans all around the world thrive for tens of thousands of years before the popularization of Abrahamic religion?

People are people. Yes, some, even religious people, are ass holes. Religion makes no difference. In fact, many people use religion to justify heinous behavior.

The only thing atheists lack is constant fear of divine retribution. But you don't need that to be moral, ethical, kind, empathetic or charitable.

Atheists of good character don't carry the burden of thinking they are miserable sinners who need constant forgiveness.

thatgirl2000 · Accepted Answer

I wouldn't consider myself atheist I'm just not inherently religious. Though I do not believe in God I am happy. I think you can be spiritual and not need religion and I'm sure the people that are full on atheist are capable of happiness happiness is a choice. b

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Accepted Answer

You say that like everyone has no choice but to find joy in God and God alone, which tells me you’re definitely not an atheist. I’m not shocked, you seem like the kind of catholic school boy who enjoyed having the nuns smack your hands with a ruler.

slatyb · Answer

How? We don't feel any of those things that you listed. That's just a lie promulgated by religious leaders to keep people from leaving. The least religious nations in the world are the happiest. I live in Seattle, the least religious city in the United States. None of my friends are religious, and all are fairly happy. I've been working in high tech for about 30 years, and almost none of my colleagues have been religious. Nor have then been in despair. They marry and have loving families and enjoy their leisure time, both Saturdays and Sundays.

AMS700CX4u2 · Answer

How much of our unhappiness is due to our unwillingness to be what religions expect us to be. If we are not what the family thinks we should be based on their religion. How many murders have been committed because someone thought that they owned another. individual. How many serial killers have been created by parents telling their children about the "Evils of Sex when the child catches them in a lustful moment. The things ithat drive us crazy ijs when we can't live up to our self image.

genericname85 · Answer

if you're aimless, pick an aim. if you feel worthless, what's the worth you're not having and is it worth working towards that? maybe there you'll find an aim. you're lonely? go and meet people.

like you seem to be aware of a lot of your feelings and it seems you're just not acting on them. your feelings are valid and trying to motivate you to do stuff. just do that stuff and you'll probably be very happy in the long run.

the only thing that's different to a theist is that you don't do it "cause god said so". you do it cause "you said so".

Someone34 · Answer

Embracing the lord and the teachings of Christianity can make your life better, you get better values, which means better opportunities in life, both worklife and freetime. You get direction, you get meaning, you can get motivation and drive to do good in society and to be productive.

When people find the lord, they find a lot of stuff that is helpful, faith is a big one and have helped people a lot in hard times. Open up and you feel his love...

I read somewhere on this site actually, that if you aim to do good God will help you, if you aim to do bad God will try to stop you.

OfDeath · Answer

Pretty stupid question. You think just because someone doesn’t believe in god they automatically suffer from depression and a lack of direction in life?

Atheists live on the same earth as delusional people. They have families, jobs, hobbies and so on.

DrPepper12 · Answer

Because YOU are the divine!! Humanity the diety! The perfect union of free will & sentience!!  You are willing & able. That makes you transcendent!!

aceleon · Answer

with convincing themselves the fiction of they are not just random atom particules who randomly connected and tries to survive.

or not some kind of ape who by what mean who knows how developed reflecsive conciousness.

but in the end you are either a theist or a nihilist, anything in between is your own fiction.

Levin · Answer

As oppose to the fear, guilt, shame, asceticism, shame of their sexuality and physical pleasure that religious people have?

I don't believe atheism is the way forward. But it is likely a step up from credulous religiosity that seems to be the norm. But you're right, scientific materialism is ultimately hollow, too, and leads to a dead end.

Darklydarkened · Answer

Because none of those things happen when you're an atheist. It's just dumb theist argument that comes from a place of shallowness

Orion84 · Answer

Why would an atheist experience those feelings, in the first place?

strateguy632 · Answer

Atheists do emphasize that the universe is so huge nothing we do on earth makes any real difference, nothing matters, WORTHLESS, when they feel empty... they go to the refrigerator for a snack!

AviatorTom · Answer

Of course an atheist can be happy. One doesn't need to believe in a god in order to like helping people.

jshm2 · Answer

That's like asking if "crime can pay". A criminal will always be uneasy and scared of getting caught or caught out eventually. Just like an atheist will always be uneasy and parasitic.

AngryCarl2 · Answer

Why would you assume an atheist felt any of those things?

exitseven · Answer

They can be happy until they are roasting on the end of a pitchfork.

Anonymous · Answer

yeah when they engage in hedonism and self pleasures

Rosemaiden · Answer

Have some hobbies, take care of yourself and find friends online or offline

seeyounexttuesday · Answer

Turn back to God.

Anonymous · Answer

If they have sex yes

In_Trance · Answer

Therapy

iMolly7 · Answer

Sure they can.

Can an atheist be happy and how?

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