Thats the scam of religion. if they can convince you that there is eternal life after this one, they've convinced you that this life here on earth is a mere prelude or stepping stone to the next, and in doing so they persuade you to waste so much of your only life living by a set of codes and doctrines all in vein. to enjoy life you must be free and it is the knowledge of the truth that sets us free, not peoples doctrines.
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Can atheists enjoy life?
- Thread starter theatheistguy
- Start date
This question needs a qualified answer. One case would be if the atheist is conscious or a critical thinker, the other case is when he or she isn't.
I. The Case of the Conscious Atheist or Critical Thinker.
Yes, if the atheist has made the conscious choice to enjoy life.
No, if the atheist has made the conscious choice not to enjoy life.
II. The Case of the default setting Atheist or the non-critical thinking atheist.
It depends, if the atheist didn't make a conscious choice, because in this case he or she leaves it to chance.
I. The Case of the Conscious Atheist or Critical Thinker.
Yes, if the atheist has made the conscious choice to enjoy life.
No, if the atheist has made the conscious choice not to enjoy life.
II. The Case of the default setting Atheist or the non-critical thinking atheist.
It depends, if the atheist didn't make a conscious choice, because in this case he or she leaves it to chance.
masterjedijared
New Member
Honestly, I think that metric would also work for theists too.
I'd say I'm a fairly happy guy and enjoy life.
I mean, yeah, sometimes you ponder on the meaninglessness of it all and it can depress you; but, you can also see that lack of meaning and purpose as the freedom to define your own meaning and purpose.
When you start to realize most of the rules are just social constructions and not ordained law of the divine, you can learn to skirt the edges in an attempt to get ahead. You can do the things your animal self desires without guilt.
It's an interesting feeling letting the animal self come closer to the surface than you would allow if you still believed in things like sin. Allowing this primal ape to swell up inside you that just wants to smash something, fornicate it and then defecate and/or urinate on it can be somewhat therapeutic.
There are times I look upon life with vibrant zeal and times I look upon life with will-crushing defeatism; the trick is to understand that only you can decide how you look at life.
I mean, yeah, sometimes you ponder on the meaninglessness of it all and it can depress you; but, you can also see that lack of meaning and purpose as the freedom to define your own meaning and purpose.
When you start to realize most of the rules are just social constructions and not ordained law of the divine, you can learn to skirt the edges in an attempt to get ahead. You can do the things your animal self desires without guilt.
It's an interesting feeling letting the animal self come closer to the surface than you would allow if you still believed in things like sin. Allowing this primal ape to swell up inside you that just wants to smash something, fornicate it and then defecate and/or urinate on it can be somewhat therapeutic.
There are times I look upon life with vibrant zeal and times I look upon life with will-crushing defeatism; the trick is to understand that only you can decide how you look at life.
We can probably enjoy life better than people who have silly restrictions on natural urges like sex and specific foods and willing to give up their Sunday mornings to listen to some man tell us his particular spin of a verse from a bronze age book.
EDIT: Granted, I am cold, angry and miserable but I'm by no means the norm
EDIT: Granted, I am cold, angry and miserable but I'm by no means the norm
FaithlessThinker
New Member
Absolutely! That's one of the main reasons why I enjoy life as an atheist. Nothing in a religion beats that!Rivius said:
Anachronous Rex
New Member
Well I would understand if you were, what with months of darkness and whatnot.Asrahn said:
FunkehRambles
New Member
The way I see it is this: atheists can enjoy life, the same way a Christian, Muslim, Pagan, or Odinist can (or can not) enjoy life.
The reason why so many ask this question stems from the fact that since they adhere to the idea that this life is a form of preparation for the next life, they feel this life is without meaning when oe makes the realization we just cease to have a consciousness after death. Whilst I do submit that at first it is a difficult idea to swallow for anyone, it shouldn't take away from the amazement one has for existence while we live.
So in short; yes, atheists can enjoy life, just like Christians, Muslims or Odinists can enjoy life. Simply because we don't prescribe to dogmatic thinking shouldn't stop us from doing so unless a conscious decision is made where one goes out of their way to enjoy life.
The reason why so many ask this question stems from the fact that since they adhere to the idea that this life is a form of preparation for the next life, they feel this life is without meaning when oe makes the realization we just cease to have a consciousness after death. Whilst I do submit that at first it is a difficult idea to swallow for anyone, it shouldn't take away from the amazement one has for existence while we live.
So in short; yes, atheists can enjoy life, just like Christians, Muslims or Odinists can enjoy life. Simply because we don't prescribe to dogmatic thinking shouldn't stop us from doing so unless a conscious decision is made where one goes out of their way to enjoy life.
As mentioned, living forever under a god devalues everything we have. The way I feel about life is hardly hurt by being an atheist, it's clearly the opposite - I enjoy life more and I think it makes me a better person.
To me, the question isn't much different from asking "Can a pre-indoctrination child enjoy life?".
To me, the question isn't much different from asking "Can a pre-indoctrination child enjoy life?".
Blood Wraith
New Member
Shit, that's not good. Before you know it, he'll face an existential crisis and he might start contemplating suicide.Story said:
We need to stop God from killing himself.
Andiferous
New Member
An aside.
*enter twilight zone music*
Then again, you may be the wrong person to ask...
This will really mess up your head. If god intends you to act a certain way to get into heaven, and if said god (I realise culture might not be the same) intends for you to stay "good" by keeping up a strict standard of behaviour to lead by example on those fluffy clouds, how much do you really believe a person can enjoy heaven?Story said:
*enter twilight zone music*
Then again, you may be the wrong person to ask...
Andiferous said:
Haha... the only real merit of heaven is being in touch with those of whom you were bereaved.
Blood Wraith said:
Especially if Christianity or Islam is correct. I mean that would be so lonely, there's no goddesses in those religions.
Well no not really, we can't enjoy life, but that's why we're atheists. We decided one day, that we just didn't want to be happy for the rest of our lives and gave up believing in god. Shortly after such, we decided that the highest elation in this depressing depraved way of living would be to try and get people to be as sad as we are by inventing theories like evolution, abiogenesis and the big bang.
Of course, I kid, no lack of belief inherently restricts someone from feeling any emotion, although some beliefs can cause people to restrict themselves from indulging in their emotions and limit them from enjoying themselves, they call that religion.
So the real question is: can theists?
And as Andie suggests, can theists enjoy heaven either?
Of course, I kid, no lack of belief inherently restricts someone from feeling any emotion, although some beliefs can cause people to restrict themselves from indulging in their emotions and limit them from enjoying themselves, they call that religion.
So the real question is: can theists?
And as Andie suggests, can theists enjoy heaven either?
i am thiest but i don't see why athiest can not enjoy life.
The way i see it, is that life is made up of choices and if you pick the right choices and do the right thing, then good things will happen to you.
It does not matter if a person belives in a religion because what matters is the things that a person does, the affect he leaves behind on other people's lifes.
The way i see it, is that life is made up of choices and if you pick the right choices and do the right thing, then good things will happen to you.
It does not matter if a person belives in a religion because what matters is the things that a person does, the affect he leaves behind on other people's lifes.
Andiferous
New Member
If you really think about heaven, it can get a bit depressing really. Or I think...
(1) Are you being super good for delayed gratification?
(2) Is your concept of reward and gratification being "bad"?
(3) Do you like the idea of being "good." Forever. (notwithstanding accidental interpretations)
(4) What really do you do in Heaven that can entertain you for a few thousand years? I think they said "sing" somewhere.
(5) If god is judgmental, perhaps he is an arse. So what might that make heaven.
Really so so many problems, never ending, and more I am sure. I'm not sure everyone thinks about this. It's taken for granted. Maybe?
Admittedly, I'm not a super happy person either.
(1) Are you being super good for delayed gratification?
(2) Is your concept of reward and gratification being "bad"?
(3) Do you like the idea of being "good." Forever. (notwithstanding accidental interpretations)
(4) What really do you do in Heaven that can entertain you for a few thousand years? I think they said "sing" somewhere.
(5) If god is judgmental, perhaps he is an arse. So what might that make heaven.
Really so so many problems, never ending, and more I am sure. I'm not sure everyone thinks about this. It's taken for granted. Maybe?
Admittedly, I'm not a super happy person either.