Jack the Bodiless

They are insulated from the capitalist rat-race, however.

I've never heard of a nun losing her place in her Order for not completing her work quota, or being made redundant because of new technology, or to clear a post for promotion of another nun. Do these things happen?

From what I've heard about monks (and I presume the same applies to nuns), escape from the "rat-race" is what draws many of them to it. Rightly or wrongly, they don't initially believe that they will have to work hard for a living. They want the peace, time to contemplate, etc. And they hope that the tasks they get will be stress-free: growing herbs or whatever.

BTW, one of my school teachers was an ex-monk. That, too, is "temporary", unless the person WANTS to stay permanently. Are you implying that nuns can't ever leave, or that the Peace Corps kicks people out after a specified time? Otherwise, what's the difference?

Relative Newcomer

The Peace Corp itself is temporary, but the individual who joins is likely to be an individual who devotes a great amount of their life volunteering for humanitarian projects like the Peace Corps. It's not unlike a U.S. Marines logo "once a marine, always a marine".

Mageth

Originally posted by Gemma Therese
** This is a serious topic, and I hope it will be treated as such. **

That's nice to know. I opened the thread to see the punchline.

How is it that there are so many happy, joyous, and fufilled nuns in the world? These women have given up freedom, possessions, children, and marraige, and yet, they are joyful. Many have no desire to be preists and are satisfied with their role in the Church.

And how exactly do you know that nuns are, on the whole, more "happy, joyous and fulfilled" than other (classes of) people?

An assertion does not evidence make.

Does this speak to any athiests in support of the existence of God? If not, to what do you attribute their happiness?

No. Many non-theists live happy, joyous and fulfilled lives. And it's likely that one could find unhappy and unfulfilled nuns if one looked.

As to what would I attribute the happiness of happy nuns to, I would assume it would be similar to what makes other people happy - enough to eat, a roof over their head, and a profession that allows them to "follow their bliss", as Joseph Campbell put it.

I see what you're saying, but nuns are different from other theists, in the sense they have given up legitimate goods for God -- like power, wealth, family, etc. Other theists could possibly rely on the external things of this world for their happiness, but nuns cannot.

Just more evidence that the old adage "Money can't buy happiness" is, at least for some, true.

And I don't think it's necessarily true that any particular nun could not be happy leading a more materialistic life.

In the same way, unless your athiesm is the sole force in your life, then your happiness could be attributed to other factors.

Atheism isn't a "force" in my life at all. Atheism is merely my expression of a lack of belief in god(s). It has no influence over whether I'm happy or not, and indeed doesn't, and shouldn't, claim to be able to make anyone feel happy or fulfilled. So yes, happiness for an Atheist would be attributed to other factors.

And there's no reason why an atheist couldn't be happy living an ascetic life. I'd wager that as high a percentage of ascetic, atheistic Buddhist etc. monks are as happy as are for nuns.

Nowhere357

It speaks to me of the power of faith. People with faith really do find that it gives them strength and purpose.

But this doesn't indicate that God exists, because many people have strength and purpose without faith. So I see faith as a sort of psychological crutch. I note that it's not required to believe in Christianity to gain the power of faith - it's a human thing, not a Christian thing. This indicates that the Christian mythological God is not the final answer.

viscousmemories

Begging the question. How do you know there are so many happy, joyous, and fulfilled nuns in the world? Are there some sociological studies to this effect, or are you basing this on anecdotal evidence? If the former, I'd be interested in references to the studies. If the latter, how do you know they weren't pretending or lying for fear of harsh judgement?
Not so. They can leave any time they want.
They've given up private ownership, sure, but not possessions. I know for a fact that every nun is in possession of at least one silly robe.
Now you're just being rhetorical Or so you assume, based (so far) on lack of evidence either way. That would be because any True Catholic™ knows that women belong in the subservient role, and would feel rebellious toward their god if they eschewed it.
Even If the majority of nuns are truly happy, which would be an almost impossible assertion to defend (though again, I welcome you to try) I would assume that there was a reason (or reasons) for it that are completely explainable from a naturlistic position, such as some of the examples others have already given.

vm

Milton

I think it speaks more of the type of people they are, not necessarily about the existence of God. (Though it does speak of spirituality.)

Of course, they believe that God exists, and that what they are doing is to the honor of God. So, knowing that God is pleased with their sacrifice, they are also pleased with what they do.

Gemma Therese

Not so. According to Canon Law, after one takes final vows they cannot leave without dispensation from Rome.

Gemma Therese

Gemma Therese

The Nun Study:

http://www.mc.uky.edu/nunnet/

Gemma Therese

viscousmemories

Interesting. So when they decide they no longer want to be a nun they are held against their will?

Gemma Therese

They could leave without permission, but it is a grave sin to break one's vows.

Gemma Therese