shome42

Have there been any emperical studies done on the happiness of theists vs. atheists?

I would imagine that theists tend to be happier or more at ease because I've also heard they live longer. I would also assume that theism serves as a stress manager.

However, in my experience, theism was extremely stressful-- I constantly felt guilty, that I wasn't living correctly/rightly, that if only I talked to God in the right way, or acted in the right way, that I would find favor with God, and my life would be better.

Being an atheist, who believes this life is the end, is a very liberating thing. In a sense, nothing matters, which is very comforting indeed!

It's kind of like going on vaction somewhere for a week...you tend not to worry about what goes on there because you'll be gone soon and never see any of these people or places again. My life, under atheist beliefs, is similar.

So, I'm wondering...is my way of feeling under atheism/theism the exception, or do most people feel this way?

Shadowy Man

If it is true that theists tend to be happier, maybe it is because they aren't being persecuted for their beliefs.

sophie

shome42 : but are'nt you supposed to be more wordly, show more interest and all that jaz.

On the side : Did icecream taste any better or did it taste worse?

emotional

I have a mixed answer.

I wasn't happy as an atheist, and I wasn't happy as a fundamentalist theist either. I'm happy now in a belief that is somewhere in between.

I wasn't happy as an atheist, because I had the problem of fear of death. I just can't accept the idea that death is the end of all, it makes me tremble with fear.

When I was a fundamentalist, the fear of death problem was silenced, but new problems surfaced. Foremostly there was the problem of being up to standard with my religious authorities. I was forbidden to read any books not having to do with the faith. I was forced to accept young-earth creationism, including the talking snake. I was compelled to pray from a prayer-book three times a day, like a machine. Finally I couldn't hold any longer and left the religion.

I went back to atheism and was happier, but then my fear of death resurfaced. I had to do something about it. So here I am with a faith that doesn't demand the impossible of me. A humanistic lifestyle without the great problem of secular humanism. Humanism with faith, I call it.

So the answer about happiness with or without religion varies according to the person.

DOLBAC DENIS

If belief was a source of happiness, believers would be glad to see their material life come to an end since the next one will necessary be better.
The number of bigots who hook to life is impressive.....
Zetetism, realism make happy atheists, read Epicure carefully, death does not concern you, it concerns those who love you. So stop worrying about YOUR death, just worry about those you like/love. :boohoo:

Barcode

To be honest, in my case, I've always thought I'd be *unhappier* with any kind of faith, because once you have the answers to the entire Universe handed into your lap it seems to prevent one thinking and questioning things further.

That seems an appalling way to live one's existence, but nonetheless, millions and millions are content to posit God as the easy explanation for everything.

A few years ago, when I loosely believed in *something* I remember being annoyed that this God didn't intervene in the bad things ... until I realised of course that it's all made up and understood there's nothing to be afraid of.

I find the natural world far more appealing and enchanting than any mythical God invented by mankind.

If anything goes wrong these days, I have only *myself* to turn to and look for answers ... I feel far more empowered by that , than I would if I relied upon a deity.

So this particular atheist isn't especially unhappy ... just curious and wondering and occasionally cynical. I'll take reality over the fuzzy feelings a false belief induces - honesty gives me far greater peace of mind.

shome42

Doesn't that describe hardcore islamists?

DMB

I'm a fairly happy atheist. Of course there are things in my life that are a cause of sadness. This year I lost my best friend to cancer and I miss her a lot. I also lost a beloved cat, which doesn't figure at the same level, but still makes me sad from time to time.

I'm not worried about my death. I worried about it more when my children were young, but now they're grown up and launched into the world I can take a back seat in their lives now.

But I can't say that I don't care about things. I care quite passionately about a number of causes -- human rights, to take a single example. I know what one person can do is limited, but however little, something is better than nothing.

I suspect that timor mortis is more of a problem for those who had a theistic upbringing. If you've always been an atheist, you never supposed that there was another life after this one anyway. It just seems like a bit of exoticism, like going around wearing crosses or fish.

emotional

I had an atheistic upbringing. My parents told me the atheistic stance about death, and I have feared it ever since.

DMB

I know this is a difficult question to answer, emotional, but can you explain what it is about death=the end that makes you fear it?