Pleasures of Atheism

Pleasures of Atheism

from Susan Levine
Why Atheists, Agnostics, and Skeptics Find Joy in a Godless Existence

It’s impossible to count how many times atheists, agnostics, secularists and freethinkers are told by religious folks of various faiths that we will regret our ‘godless’ or ‘sinful’ life sooner or later. I can honestly say I haven’t had any regrets for my decision to trade in what I perceived to be the miseries of traditional Catholicism for the pleasures of freethinking. Since no regrets have surfaced in the twenty-five years that have elapsed since making my secular choice, I doubt they will surface any time soon.

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The article continues on this and a subsequent page discussion under the headings:

• Pleasure #1 - Kindness
• Pleasure #2 - Knowledge
• Pleasure #3 - Happiness
• Pleasure #4 - Choice
• Pleasure #5 - Power
• Pleasure #6 - Health and ...
• Pleasure #7 - Tolerance

I wonder if there are any atheists who are UNHAPPY because of their beliefs... I know I'm perfectly content, but I bet SOMEWHERE out there someone is feeling unhappy about their atheism. Perhaps they liked the idea that there is a cosmic daddy looking after them, and regret the fact that they are unable to continue believing that?

I agree pretty much with all 7 of the "pleasures of Atheism" but I would like to add a #8:

#8: no fear of eternal, supernatural consequences for my actions

Runt said:

I wonder if there are any atheists who are UNHAPPY because of their beliefs...

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I remember when my daughter died three years ago ...

I used to believe I was and atheist and I was really miserable. for those of you who are atheists, I hope you are happy and will remain so.

I feel for you Deut, no parent should bury their child. Just like no child should bury his/hers parent, especially as a young child. I rember what lead me to atheism in the first place, my anger for God, he had no right to take my father but now, as a deist, I believe that was no one's fault and I am more than content.

Runt said:

I wonder if there are any atheists who are UNHAPPY because of their beliefs...

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I'm not unhappy, but I worry from time to time. Theists appear so convinced in their faith. I worry that since I don't have faith and never have that I'm missing out on something. Christ knows how many times people have tried to explain faith and spirituality to me. I think it might be like telling a blind chap what the colour blue looks like. I just don't get it.

Runt said:

I wonder if there are any atheists who are UNHAPPY because of their beliefs...

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Happy as a clam!

I`ve met atheists who were unhappy with the "truth" they had found.
Many theists turned atheist have some pretty desperate times dealing with the lack of deity.
It usually passes.

The loss of a loved one has a pogniant dimension for an atheist that a theist couldn`t comprehend.
Think about it.

The truth is not supposed to be happy. But if it happens to be happy - thats great. Ignorance is bliss though and if we are not careful - and we listen too much to what we want rather than what we know - then we will be living a happy lie. Perhaps this isnt a problem for you - but if so perhaps you shouldnt be professing your truth to others. Some people are more concerned with discerning reality that being happy.

Personally, my Atheistic beliefs dont make me happy or sad. I dont need to comforted by knowledge of an afterlife - and the idea of oblivion doesnt really bother me either.
I derive happiness and sadness from the events in my life. I dont have time to waste getting sad or happy about metaphysics.

I'm actually happier being Atheist because I feel I've come so much closer to the actual truth. As a christian I felt lied to and asked to blindly believe in fairy tales. As a child I loved nature and animals and read books on the subject all the time so when told to believe in things like Noah's Ark it never felt right.

I'm proud to say I'm an Athiest and more than willing to discuse it but at the same time I know it can be a touchy subject so I don't go to a wedding and ask the bride why she promises to love on a mythical being.

I suppose it is all in how you define "happiness". If your happiness is dependent upon recent circumstance, status in life or monetary level, theism can provide a method to sedate or deal with your current circumstances. For some, the hope of an eternal happy life after this not-so-good one can provide a feeling of "happiness".

In the book, "The Art of Happiness" by the Dhali Llama. He talks about being content with whatever situation is around you. If you desire wealth and do not currently have it, it will provide a source of unhappiness. I am not a Budhist, but I do find some value in this premise.

I remember (When I was a Christian) that I did feel elation whenever I heard about how heaven was full of mansions, golden streets, etc. I suppose this is nothing more than a delayed lusting for wealth. When I began to have doubts about my beliefs, my "hopes" of a Heaven were dashed which did have an impact on my psyche. The whole idea that I had bought a lie for so many years in order to increase the power of others really made me bitter. Once, I came to terms with my Atheism/Agnosticism/Deism, I gained a new, more stable version of happiness that is not a variable of my belief in the afterlife or whether I perceive how many Bible prophecies are being fulfilled.

truthseekingsoul said:

I'm not unhappy, but I worry from time to time. Theists appear so convinced in their faith. I worry that since I don't have faith and never have that I'm missing out on something. Christ knows how many times people have tried to explain faith and spirituality to me. I think it might be like telling a blind chap what the colour blue looks like. I just don't get it.

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Hey there, perhaps you just need a bit of faith in yourself. You have got to decide what is right for you; don't go bashing yourself because there are so many theists that that means that maybe.............If you've tried the coat, and it doesn't fit, that's not your problem. Now, if at sometime in the future... - but that's a different story.

michel said:

don't go bashing yourself because there are so many theists that that means that maybe.............

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Nah, that's not really what I'm getting at.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a woman Mich? Perhaps you're curious of how it feels to be homosexual? I have pondered these from time to time, in the full knowledge that I'll never know. Similarly I would like to know how it feels to be religious.

I am satisfied (and relieved to be honest) as a male, heterosexual, atheist, but I wonder what I'm missing sometimes.

ever lie to yourself? That's what it's like...trying to convince yourself Noah's ark was real, that god no longer answers people etc. etc. That's what it felt like when I was Christian. Always trying to rationlise what you believe in your heart but what you see is impossible.

Original Freak said:

ever lie to yourself? That's what it's like...trying to convince yourself Noah's ark was real, that god no longer answers people etc. etc. That's what it felt like when I was Christian. Always trying to rationlise what you believe in your heart but what you see is impossible.

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I can relate Freakster. I can remember questioning my faith (Noah's Ark was always a big one). Remember the "Canopy Theory" put out by Creationists. They suggested that a vapor canopy existed in the atmosphere the prevented UV light from penetrating and reducing the effects of aging and was the source for the great flood. I guess it was another miracle that kept the earth from boiling in such a 'greenhouse' state. I guess that is what happens when you get your science education from a Jack Chic tract.

about 10 years ago i had a mental/nervous breakdown that led to severe depression,instantly i lost faith in god,how could he allow me to suffer such agony,suicide was a constant thought,i had to start thinking about death without a god,it was bloody awful i can tell you,the thought of never meeting my loved ones again,man i cried constantly over that,the only consolation i had was that once i was dead the pain would end,im now ok and my faith has returned,even stronger than it was previous but life without a god is horribly to comprehend,you people must be stronger than i am

I don't feel like an atheist, I feel more like a "Christianity Survivor". I'm not trying to be funny, most of my "beliefs" are nothing more than "I might not be right or know much, but THEY know even less". But I am much more comfortable with myself now and free of guilt. I take pleasure in my "freedom". Freedom from forced conformity and freedom as an animal/living being ONLY. I'm not a "anything" other than a man.

I truly mean no offense by this but, if one truly has no belief in God/s then belief might be viewed as fantasy. If one lives their life dependant on fantasy, this might be viewed as mental illness.
For those of us who started out as theists and through hard work, research, and reason, became non-theists, it's like getting better. But I've no right to speak in the plural here.
Does any one else feel as I do?
Faust.

Faust said:

For those of us who started out as theists and through hard work, research, and reason, became non-theists, it's like getting better. But I've no right to speak in the plural here. Does any one else feel as I do?

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I know what you mean, and I sort of feel the same way. Although I must admit that I still feel a familiar "pull" whenever I hear the old lines about, "Jesus died for your sins," and when people say the various chants (Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, etc.), I feel like I could never going back to belief after taking the path that I have through doubt, researching my feelings, and coming to ... wherever I am at any given point.

Religions seem so much the same over time that I can't see one as any more valid than another, especially since their elements are the same. I can't say that I have taken (or ever will take) an absolute position for the existence of God, but if God exists, then s/he/it has got to be very different from how the major world religions make him/her/it out to be. For that reason alone I can't see ever becoming a theist, at least in the sense of any of the major world religions.

-- Mat

Ormiston said:

I don't feel like an atheist, I feel more like a "Christianity Survivor". I'm not trying to be funny, most of my "beliefs" are nothing more than "I might not be right or know much, but THEY know even less". But I am much more comfortable with myself now and free of guilt. I take pleasure in my "freedom". Freedom from forced conformity and freedom as an animal/living being ONLY. I'm not a "anything" other than a man.

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I know what you mean. I have thought of myself as a 'recovering ex-christian'. That analogy falls short though. Recovering alchoholics are always afraid of falling back into an alcoholic binge. In my case, Fundamentalist Christianity put such a bad taste in my mouth, it made me wary of all belief systems. In many ways it has made me wiser (I am not going to fall for the next invisible dragon in the garage), but has made me callous as well.

Runt said:

I wonder if there are any atheists who are UNHAPPY because of their beliefs

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Not because of their beliefs (depending on how you define a "belief" in this context, atheism isn't a belief).

But I have come across people who desperately wanted to regain their child-like trust in the existence of a benevolent supernatural deity who had a personal relationship with them and listened to them... and who, despite their best efforts, could no longer continue to persuade themselves that was true.

Under many circumstances, it is easier to not be an atheist. The comfortable default.

Like, how many right handed people would voluntarily choose to be left handed, and have a harder job shopping for scissors and things?