Atheists: Do you feel good about your beliefs?

[Prosus Tempore]

The earth spins at 900 miles an hour and rotates the sun at 19 miles a second, which itself is falling through space on the outer edge of a galactic arm, the size of which we could never comprehend. The Earth itself is almost incomprehensably large to the human mind, really, and has existed for billions of years, growing and evolving, landmasses forming, life being created from basic proteins... and all of that, compared to the vastness of time and space, all that has happened and all that will, is almost nothing, there is so much more. And it is all beautiful. So are the rules that govern it all, rules simultaneously simple and complex, rules that created it, shaped it, and are still creating it to this day. It is full of fire and passion and creation, stars igniting and life emerging from basic proteins. Nature creates itself through the laws of physics, chemistry, and biology- it does not need an outside creator. I do not need an existence beyond this one, and this one would be pretty difficult to top, when you look at the big picture. I do not need a God; I have the universe.

[Nationstatelandsville]

I'd hate to live forever - life would get boring eventually.

So, no, I don't feel particularly concerned.

But butbut heaven! Who knows what that could be like?!

I dunno 0 but even if it's a state of "eternal bliss" or somewhat, that would get dull sooner or later.

All things reach the point where what was once new and exciting becomes white noise, assuming it's constant.

[Nationstatelandsville]

The earth spins at 900 miles an hour and rotates the sun at 19 miles a second, which itself is falling through space on the outer edge of a galactic arm, the size of which we could never comprehend. The Earth itself is almost incomprehensably large to the human mind, really, and has existed for billions of years, growing and evolving, landmasses forming, life being created from basic proteins... and all of that, compared to the vastness of time and space, all that has happened and all that will, is almost nothing, there is so much more. And it is all beautiful. So are the rules that govern it all, rules simultaneously simple and complex, rules that created it, shaped it, and are still creating it to this day. It is full of fire and passion and creation, stars igniting and life emerging from basic proteins. Nature creates itself through the laws of physics, chemistry, and biology- it does not need an outside creator. I do not need an existence beyond this one, and this one would be pretty difficult to top, when you look at the big picture. I do not need a God; I have the universe.

I have the Internet, but sure, I guess that's cool, too.

[The Emerald Dawn]

I'm an animist, according to information I've found recently that's the best descriptor. I don't believe in an afterlife, I don't believe in an invisible being who keeps tabs on me, I don't believe in reincarnation, I don't believe in this asinine "YOLO" nonsense. And to be honest, I'm perfectly happy that way. I've got a great home life, I have three wheelchairs that I can use when the mood strikes me, I have an extensive book collection to utilize, I have employment, I have opportunities for advancement, and I have a retarded dog.

Life, for me, isn't going to be made better by going to a building every seven days and reminding an imaginary being that I think he's super keen and it'd be swell if he didn't shove me in a barbecue for the rest of eternity because I didn't join his fan club.

[Seperates]

I'd hate to live forever - life would get boring eventually.

So, no, I don't feel particularly concerned.

But butbut heaven! Who knows what that could be like?!

Why should I care?

I am here and now. Not then. Not there. Here.

[Purpelia]

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.

It's quite liberating really. Because I know that death is the end and that there is nothing beyond my physical existence I don't have to care about divine judgement or some vague destiny or purpose. I have no purpose. My life and existence are utterly meaningless. Ergo I am free to give them any meaning I chose. To be religious is to be a slave comfortable in his slavery. To be an atheist is to be a free man.

I for one honestly can't understand how anyone can be happy with believing that there is someone out there constantly looking at him and keeping score of everything to judge him later. It would be like being in an Orwellian society.

[Ballista]

Well, I can say that years ago I was a devout baptist. I went to church every Sunday, prayed before every meal and before I went to bed. Then a good friend of mine in high school said these words to me. "religion is mind control for the masses" Those words echoed in my mind and it completely shattered everything. It opened my eyes that there is no "god" The more I thought about it the more sense it made to me. None of my prayers were ever answered or acknowledged. In my opinion religion is a remnant if human kinds darker days, when we didn't know why the sun rose every day, of we didn't know what was beyond the horizon. We believed in sea monsters and giants and dragons. We believed that the Earth was the center of the universe and everything revolved around us. I think that religion is pointless. The bible said to love thy neighbor, but yet countless lives have been destroyed and too much blood has been spilled in the name of religion. This goes on even today with the wars in the middle east. "hey you don't believe in my god? well we will end your infidel/heathen life" The day I denied the existence of god and i became an atheists was the first day in my life I felt truly happy. I could do anything I wanted and I didn't have to worry about angering my god. I became truly free once i renounced my religion. And it is my opinion that once the entire world and everyone in it stops believing in some superior being or god that only then will human kind as a whole will stop trying to oppress and kill each other. Besides, just about every religion is the same. Just abut every religion out there preaches that there is an all powerful being that created everything and controls everything, and you have to be a good little monkey and believe in exactly the right things or you will spend eternity in unimaginable pain and torment. Indeed I felt better knowing there wasn't a judgmental god watching over everything I did.

Sorry for the long post, but that is the short and sweet version of why I am an atheists and why I feel happy choosing not to spend my life devoted to religion.

[Andropoland]

We're Atheists. We get through life by just not giving a fuck. ^_^

And besides, I figure those who followed the early religions where everyone who ever committed any sin was automatically going to hell felt even worse. I just don't think about it. Death is the end. Oh well? I'd rather live a depressing life than make myself believe something I know isn't true just to make myself feel better.

Also, weed.

[The Blaatschapen]

But butbut heaven! Who knows what that could be like?!

Heaven isn't too far away.

it is a place on earth

[Sedikal]

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'm pretty happy with my beliefs, I've come to the conclusion that once I die I'm worm food and I've accepted that. It doesn't depress me but it makes me feel that I should live my life to the fullest. When I was young I did this through doing illegal things and stuff detrimental to my well being. But now that Ive matured I express it by just doing what makes me happy and what makes the people around me happy.

[Johz]

The earth spins at 900 miles an hour and rotates the sun at 19 miles a second, which itself is falling through space on the outer edge of a galactic arm, the size of which we could never comprehend. The Earth itself is almost incomprehensably large to the human mind, really, and has existed for billions of years, growing and evolving, landmasses forming, life being created from basic proteins... and all of that, compared to the vastness of time and space, all that has happened and all that will, is almost nothing, there is so much more. And it is all beautiful. So are the rules that govern it all, rules simultaneously simple and complex, rules that created it, shaped it, and are still creating it to this day. It is full of fire and passion and creation, stars igniting and life emerging from basic proteins. Nature creates itself through the laws of physics, chemistry, and biology- it does not need an outside creator. I do not need an existence beyond this one, and this one would be pretty difficult to top, when you look at the big picture. I do not need a God; I have the universe.

That's why I remember, when I'm feeling very small and insecure, how amazingly unlikely is my birth. And I pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space, because there's bugger all down here on Earth.

[Hallistar]

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 think about it, to be honest. Yes, I don't expect anything metaphysical to happen to me after I die, but..I don't really care to be honest. My life might be meaningless, but I don't really care. The universe is kind of like the 'matrix' to me--no, I don't think we're hooked up to a machine, but I feel like I'm just playing a messed-up game but might as well keep on going, since I've already been 18 years into my life.

I have been close to death before, I never suddenly turned theist. I don't understand the whole 'there are no atheists in foxholes' idea.

The other thing is that I never really cared about heaven when I was an abrahamic theist, I just kept thinking about hell. Now that I'm not apart of either of that...I really do honestly feel more confident and better about my life.

The thought of not existing in any form after death does not bother me--people keep getting the idea that you're still going to feel 'oblivion' or something if there is no afterlife. That's not the case.

[Grand Soviet Union]

I'm pretty happy with my beliefs, I've come to the conclusion that once I die I'm worm food and I've accepted that. It doesn't depress me but it makes me feel that I should live my life to the fullest. When I was young I did this through doing illegal things and stuff detrimental to my well being. But now that Ive matured I express it by just doing what makes me happy and what makes the people around me happy.

pretty much the same for me except the illegal stuff if I did that I'd be worm food right now...

[JJ Place]

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?

Considering the character who takes permanent residence in the Sky Kingdom, and the atrocities he's committed, it's not hard to imagine that death without heaven would be quite preferable.

[The Multiversal Species Alliance]

I feel fine about the reality of the universe we live in, I accept it.
Are you happy thinking that?
See above.
Does it make you feel more intelligent?
No, rater it was my intelligence & reason that led me atheism, well that, and studying the Bible.
Would you LIKE there to be a God?
No, I'm fine with a benevolent dictator, Yahweh is a tyrannical dictator akin to Hitler or Stalin.
Being immortal (in the sense of living forever, not in the sense of biological immortality) would be, in my opinion, incredibly boring.
The pleasures of life, food, drink, friends, sexual pleasure, learning something new, imagination, & Ponies make me happier though.

[Ravenstein]

I was raised Roman Catholic by my parents. My parents still go to church regularly. When I was younger I think I believed there was a god, but I no longer do. I quit going to church when I was about 13 or 14. I only go to church for weddings or funerals nowadays.

I still respect people who do believe in god although I do not share (some of) their beliefs like the belief in god. I do not share the views of creationism. I don't believe people go to heaven (or hell). I do believe in some of their values. I believe this life on earth is all we got and we have to make the best of it. When we die we will only live on in the memmory of others.

I also respect religion for giving people meaning in their lives and their values being a possible good for society.

I do not feel in any way better or smarter than people who are religious.

[Seperates]

The earth spins at 900 miles an hour and rotates the sun at 19 miles a second, which itself is falling through space on the outer edge of a galactic arm, the size of which we could never comprehend. The Earth itself is almost incomprehensably large to the human mind, really, and has existed for billions of years, growing and evolving, landmasses forming, life being created from basic proteins... and all of that, compared to the vastness of time and space, all that has happened and all that will, is almost nothing, there is so much more. And it is all beautiful. So are the rules that govern it all, rules simultaneously simple and complex, rules that created it, shaped it, and are still creating it to this day. It is full of fire and passion and creation, stars igniting and life emerging from basic proteins. Nature creates itself through the laws of physics, chemistry, and biology- it does not need an outside creator. I do not need an existence beyond this one, and this one would be pretty difficult to top, when you look at the big picture. I do not need a God; I have the universe.

That's why I remember, when I'm feeling very small and insecure, how amazingly unlikely is my birth. And I pray that there's intelligent life somewhere up in space, because there's bugger all down here on Earth.

*whistles*

[JJ Place]

The earth spins at 900 miles an hour and rotates the sun at 19 miles a second, which itself is falling through space on the outer edge of a galactic arm, the size of which we could never comprehend.

The Milky Way is around 58,656,960,000,000,000 miles in length, or around 100,000 light-years. Taking into account that each wing of the milky way is around half of it's total diameter, the galactic arm of the Milky Way is around 29,328,480,000,000,000 miles long with a 5-minute estimate based on data also gather in that five-minutes. Considerable, if you can comprehend how large the Earth is, it's a few more steps, and perhaps a few millennium up to comprehending how big the Milky Way Galaxy is.

[The Emerald Dawn]

The earth spins at 900 miles an hour and rotates the sun at 19 miles a second, which itself is falling through space on the outer edge of a galactic arm, the size of which we could never comprehend.

The Milky Way is around 58,656,960,000,000,000 miles in length, or around 100,000 light-years. Taking into account that each wing of the milky way is around half of it's total diameter, the galactic arm of the Milky Way is around 29,328,480,000,000,000 miles long with a 5-minute estimate based on data also gather in that five-minutes. Considerable, if you can comprehend how large the Earth is, it's a few more steps, and perhaps a few millennium up to comprehending how big the Milky Way Galaxy is.

The light from the closest spiral galaxy takes 2.5 million years to reach Earth. Assuming c is a constant during that interval.

Let that sink in for a second, then get back to me.

[Tlaceceyaya]

The Milky Way is around 58,656,960,000,000,000 miles in length, or around 100,000 light-years. Taking into account that each wing of the milky way is around half of it's total diameter, the galactic arm of the Milky Way is around 29,328,480,000,000,000 miles long with a 5-minute estimate based on data also gather in that five-minutes. Considerable, if you can comprehend how large the Earth is, it's a few more steps, and perhaps a few millennium up to comprehending how big the Milky Way Galaxy is.

The light from the closest spiral galaxy takes 2.5 million years to reach Earth. Assuming c is a constant during that interval.

Let that sink in for a second, then get back to me.

There's a cloud of water that could fill the earth's oceans 1600000000000 times over.

[Wisconsin9]

The light from the closest spiral galaxy takes 2.5 million years to reach Earth. Assuming c is a constant during that interval.

Let that sink in for a second, then get back to me.

There's a cloud of water that could fill the earth's oceans 1600000000000 times over.

Each tiny little light you see in the middle of the night could swallow this entire planet hundreds of thousands of times over.

[Demen 2]

There is no belief system to atheism.


I am completely meh to it. This is because I never think about it and only do when asked/reminded/are on nationstates. It's a certain luxury.

[The USOT]

I'd hate to live forever - life would get boring eventually.

So, no, I don't feel particularly concerned.

But butbut heaven! Who knows what that could be like?!

From what I understand, monstrous.
I can get seriously disheartened by seeing someone in harsh circumstances. If I am in the christian heaven, that usually implies there is some form of Hell too. The knowledge of Hell being real would quite frankly be heartbreaking to me... the only other solution for my happiness would for my mind to be warped to be praise loving and blissful, in which case it looks like the promises of Cthulhu if you become a deep one are of equal merit, and both are undesirable to me.

[JJ Place]

The Milky Way is around 58,656,960,000,000,000 miles in length, or around 100,000 light-years. Taking into account that each wing of the milky way is around half of it's total diameter, the galactic arm of the Milky Way is around 29,328,480,000,000,000 miles long with a 5-minute estimate based on data also gather in that five-minutes. Considerable, if you can comprehend how large the Earth is, it's a few more steps, and perhaps a few millennium up to comprehending how big the Milky Way Galaxy is.

The light from the closest spiral galaxy takes 2.5 million years to reach Earth. Assuming c is a constant during that interval.

Let that sink in for a second, then get back to me.

It's a perpetual thought that the Universe is quite big, and their might be more than just the Universe we think is out there, but consider this; All of the galaxies, all of the star systems, all plants,asteroids, all anomalies, black holes, and space stations, no matter how large, are all islands in a vast sea of dark matter. Just as the oceans have been vastly unusable faces of the Earth for millenniums, most of space is also fairly unusable even in thoughts of the future. Most all of society will remain hold in very small islands that can sustain life, islands that grow smaller and smaller as societies expand beyond their current places of inhabitable. Most all of that space is virtual empty space; it's only passing emptiness. Most of the mass of the universe is concentrated in relatively few areas is relatively centralized locations; even in those areas, most of the area remains empty. It's significantly easier to comprehend the galaxies in this manner, personally.

The light from the closest spiral galaxy takes 2.5 million years to reach Earth. Assuming c is a constant during that interval.

Let that sink in for a second, then get back to me.

There's a cloud of water that could fill the earth's oceans 1600000000000 times over.

Now that's impressive.

[The Blaatschapen]

There's a cloud of water that could fill the earth's oceans 1600000000000 times over.

That's a big bladder