Atheists: Do you feel good about your beliefs?

[Chinamerica]

I'm a devout Christian and I've never understood how someone could happily live as an atheist who believes that they won't go to heaven. When I say atheists I don't mean Buddhists or anything, I mean the ones who think that death is the end.

Are you happy thinking that? Does it make you feel more intelligent? Would you LIKE there to be a God?

Personally if I was atheist I'd be depressed as hell going through life thinking like that. What are your opinions?

[Farnhamia]

I'm a devout Christian and I've never understood how someone could happily live as an atheist who believes that they won't go to heaven. When I say atheists I don't mean Buddhists or anything, I mean the ones who think that death is the end.

Are you happy thinking that? Does it make you feel more intelligent? Would you LIKE there to be a God?

Personally if I was atheist I'd be depressed as hell going through life thinking like that. What are your opinions?

I don't much think about it. And I haven't seen any deities I'd like to have be real.

[Divair]

It's slightly depressing, but it makes every moment of life far more enjoyable and memorable.

[Wisconsin9]

Yes, somewhat, and not at all. And we don't believe we won't go to heaven, we believe no one will as it doesn't exist. This life is all we've got, and that gives us a reason to make it a damn good one, as opposed to living this one not having fun and spending the next one doing whatever.

[Ovisterra]

I think the idea that life just ends is quite liberating. It inspires you actually do shit you want to do, because you think you'll only have one chance.

It's not that depressing, because living forever sounds mind-numbingly boring.

The cynicism and ponies help make it more fun though.

[Not Safe For Work]

I'm a devout Christian and I've never understood how someone could happily live as an atheist who believes that they won't go to heaven. When I say atheists I don't mean Buddhists or anything, I mean the ones who think that death is the end.

Are you happy thinking that? Does it make you feel more intelligent? Would you LIKE there to be a God?

Personally if I was atheist I'd be depressed as hell going through life thinking like that. What are your opinions?

I'd like one of the religions to be true. I don't even care which one. Just evidence that any of them were anything other than wishful thinking and confirmation bias.

It's not depressing to me to be an Atheist, but that's kind of irrelevant - it's not like I can just choose to believe something without evidence, just to make myself feel better.

But maybe I am happier for it - I know a lot of Christians who seem to consider life to be something they have to endure to get to... well, more life... and I'm making each day count, and trying to improve the world for me and everyone else NOW.

[Divair]

I'm a devout Christian and I've never understood how someone could happily live as an atheist who believes that they won't go to heaven. When I say atheists I don't mean Buddhists or anything, I mean the ones who think that death is the end.

Are you happy thinking that? Does it make you feel more intelligent? Would you LIKE there to be a God?

Personally if I was atheist I'd be depressed as hell going through life thinking like that. What are your opinions?

I don't much think about it. And I haven't seen any deities I'd like to have be real.

Not even the Norse ones?

[Fnordgasm 5]

Personally, I would love to believe in a god, to believe that there is some justice in this universe but no matter how hard I've tried I don't have faith.

[Ovisterra]

I don't much think about it. And I haven't seen any deities I'd like to have be real.

Not even the Norse ones?

I don't see any ice giants.

[Farnhamia]

I don't much think about it. And I haven't seen any deities I'd like to have be real.

Not even the Norse ones?

Especially them. At least the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern ones bathed now and then.

[Divair]

Not even the Norse ones?

I don't see any ice giants.

Damn right. Norse gods take care of us even though we abandoned them when Christianity forced the Nordic people to convert.

[Khadgar]

Why would you want to live forever? I mean sure, the first couple thousand years are probably a hoot, but what about the quintillion after that? Even if heaven gave me the chance to study everything I ever wanted to know, 20,000 years, I'd know everything about everything. What the hell would I do after that? How long could a mind last without going mad or suicidal?

[Wisconsin9]

Why would you want to live forever? I mean sure, the first couple thousand years are probably a hoot, but what about the quintillion after that? Even if heaven gave me the chance to study everything I ever wanted to know, 20,000 years, I'd know everything about everything. What the hell would I do after that? How long could a mind last without going mad or suicidal?

Well, I suppose you could always have your memory wiped...

[Farnhamia]

Why would you want to live forever? I mean sure, the first couple thousand years are probably a hoot, but what about the quintillion after that? Even if heaven gave me the chance to study everything I ever wanted to know, 20,000 years, I'd know everything about everything. What the hell would I do after that? How long could a mind last without going mad or suicidal?

Without the real world, I quite agree. Who wants to be part of some deity's wet dream for all eternity?

In the Christian version of heaven, though, you'll be so jazzed by being in Yahweh's presence that your mind will melt, so you won't much notice.

[Ovisterra]

I don't see any ice giants.

Damn right. Norse gods take care of us even though we abandoned them when Christianity forced the Nordic people to convert.

Reminds me of the time I was in Gatwick and saw a sign for the "prayer room" and started wondering loudly if I would be able to pray to Thor there.

[Kemalist]

You just satisfy your ego believing that you would go to the heaven after death and live an endless happy life there. You just hope that the heaven exists, it's how you want to see. And that's what the books promise you, an unrejectable offer. But in case you still insist on not rejecting, they play the hell card. '' You don't want endless happiness and taste all pleasures that you could not even dream of ? ok, then what about endless pain ? '' so, that's how religions get disciples.

This is pathetic. I don't hesitate to say those who believe in heaven are simply egoists.

[Enadail]

I find the idea of believing in something with evidence very hard to swallow, given with everything except religion, you shouldn't believe something unless there's some evidence to back it.

That given, I don't see why I should be sad about it. Why should you need a reward to do good? I know plenty of people who do good just because they think its their ticket to heaven; that's repulsive and proves they're not really good people. The fact that I do good because I can with no one dangling a carrot over my head makes me feel good.

[Samuraikoku]

Yes.

[Nidaria]

Why would you want to live forever? I mean sure, the first couple thousand years are probably a hoot, but what about the quintillion after that? Even if heaven gave me the chance to study everything I ever wanted to know, 20,000 years, I'd know everything about everything. What the hell would I do after that? How long could a mind last without going mad or suicidal?

That would only be an issue if only earthly pleasures were available. Heaven transcends worldly happiness and is something one would enjoy for eternity, and one could never get tired of it.

(Please do not mind my post, I am merely answering his question.)

[Delvoir]

Sometimes it's nice to live in the real world.

[Divair]

Damn right. Norse gods take care of us even though we abandoned them when Christianity forced the Nordic people to convert.

Reminds me of the time I was in Gatwick and saw a sign for the "prayer room" and started wondering loudly if I would be able to pray to Thor there.

Of course.

[Fnordgasm 5]

Why would you want to live forever? I mean sure, the first couple thousand years are probably a hoot, but what about the quintillion after that? Even if heaven gave me the chance to study everything I ever wanted to know, 20,000 years, I'd know everything about everything. What the hell would I do after that? How long could a mind last without going mad or suicidal?

I have a work colleague who is a Jehovah's Witness who once told me that they'll be given "meaningful work" to carry out in heaven which to be honest sounds like utter bollocks. Also, this guy barely does any fucking work as it is! It makes me angry!

[Ky-telstein]

Yes.

(Image)

Indeed.

Yeah, I'm happy with my beliefs. It makes the end-game seem a bit more depressing, but then again it makes everything between now and then more easily enjoyable so I'd consider that a good trade-off until I see something that makes me believe.

[Desperate Measures]

Frightens the fuck out of me. It's why I decided not to die. Don't know why people do it. Scary stuff.

[Khelshar]

It is actually not that derpessing. It is so natural, that i will die one day, for never to return, that i dont bother with it. I'l live my life once, i dont belive in an after life, and that is why i have to make the best out of this life as possible. When you know you will die forever one day, it gives you freedom to know that you can and should do whatever you want, because you only live once.