Faith and Happiness (elder, mission, experience, atheist, blessing)

Cordoba · #1 02-15-2005, 10:56 PM

Can a person be happy focusing only on the materialistic side of life?

What gives people an inner feeling of tranquility and serenity?

How can one be content and thankfull for the many blessings we have, even at times of occasional hardship?

These are a few questions suggested to discuss the positive impact of faith on the life of the individual.

What do you think?

Can life be a happy life (on the long term) without faith?

Lightkeeper · #2 02-15-2005, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cordoba

Can a person be happy focusing only on the materialistic side of life?

Things bring short momentary happiness, but life is empty and lonely without people to share it with. I would much rather share a beautiful sunset with someone than a new DVD player.

Quote:

What gives people an inner feeling of tranquility and serenity?

Giving yourself permission to be who you truly are. Listening to your own inner voices.

Quote:

How can one be content and thankfull for the many blessings we have, even at times of occasional hardship?

Knowing that life has cycles. If you gave someone a gift and they weren't thankful, would you give them another gift? I give thanks many times a day no matter what. Doing this enough times gives you a happy heart.

Quote:

These are a few questions suggested to discuss the positive impact of faith on the life of the individual. What do you think?

My replies focus on having faith in yourself.

Quote:

Can life be a happy life (on the long term) without faith?

Yes, if you have faith in your abilities, know yourself and surround yourself with loving people.

Cordoba · #3 02-15-2005, 11:31 PM

Nice answers Lightkeeper, and I agree with most of them. However:

<< Yes, if you have faith in your abilities >>

Don't abilities decline with time?

The main question is about happiness on the long run (i.e. including old age).

Is an elderly person also happy without faith?

Fluffy · #4 02-16-2005, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Can a person be happy focusing only on the materialistic side of life?

LK's example of a sharing a sunset still seems materialistic in my opinion. I would say that they could easily be happy in the long term as long as they ensured that they got what they wanted (ie they did not get some cheaper, short term pay off) and that they could never lose it. As long as those 2 conditions were fulfilled then there is no reason why anyone would ever stop being happy.

Quote:

What gives people an inner feeling of tranquility and serenity?

I am not really sure whether there is a common thing which causes people to feel this. While it may seem like a cold approach, it might be better to approach this question from a scientific view point but I don't have the knowledge to do so, unfortunately.

Quote:

How can one be content and thankfull for the many blessings we have, even at times of occasional hardship?

I think its just one of 2 paths that a person can take when they are in hardship. They can either focus on the negative side of things and fall deeply into depression or focus on the positive and know that whilst their situation might seem bad, it could be 100 times worse. Its probably a lot more easy to do the first so, to answer your question, this situation probably arises with people who do not wish to sink into depression, either from experience or because of a natual instinct guarding against it.

Quote:

Can life be a happy life (on the long term) without faith?

Thats a tricky one. Faith is just a baseless belief in something. I am strongly of the opinion that we, therefore, must all have faith and it is impossible to live in complete abscence of it. Therefore it would be impossible to tell whether it would be possible to live a faithless yet happy life since we have no example to compare with.

michel · #5 02-16-2005, 04:47 AM

RART QUOTE: Cordoba[<< Yes, if you have faith in your abilities >>

Don't abilities decline with time?

The main question is about happiness on the long run (i.e. including old age).

Is an elderly person also happy without faith?]
Don't abilities decline with time? - hey! that's ageism!!!

Is an elderly person also happy without faith?] I have known many who tell me that they are.

Cordoba · #6 02-16-2005, 08:32 AM

Fluffy

<< I think its just one of 2 paths that a person can take when they are in hardship. They can either focus on the negative side of things and fall deeply into depression or focus on the positive and know that whilst their situation might seem bad, it could be 100 times worse. Its probably a lot more easy to do the first so, to answer your question, this situation probably arises with people who do not wish to sink into depression, either from experience or because of a natual instinct guarding against it. >>

I agree with your point, but would like to add that faith in God normally helps believers to be positive and to take the first approach you suggested.

<< it would be impossible to tell whether it would be possible to live a faithless yet happy life since we have no example to compare with >>

Wouldn't the example of atheists be a valid comparison?

Cordoba · #7 02-16-2005, 08:37 AM

Michel
<< Is an elderly person also happy without faith?] I have known many who tell me that they are.

>>

I'll take your word for it.

However, I have seen many elderly people who are lonely, and without faith in God's Mercy, that's not easy.

Lightkeeper · #8 02-16-2005, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cordoba

Nice answers Lightkeeper, and I agree with most of them. However:

<< Yes, if you have faith in your abilities >>

Don't abilities decline with time?

The main question is about happiness on the long run (i.e. including old age).

Is an elderly person also happy without faith?

As the old saying goes, "God helps those who help themselves." As for old age if you have lived a good life and have had faith in yourself you are left with many good memories to ruminate on.