I have studied various religions for some years, and one thing I've noticed is that without "God," or some higher being in the mix, nothing seems really significant to me. I've lacked the belief of any particular deity my entire life, but I sort of subconsciously comfort myself by making absurd predictions of what the afterlife would entail. Permanent bliss, limitless exploring, liberation from the material world. No evidence, of course, supports these theories. When I entertain the idea of being a strong atheist I just feel depressed. I don't look at, for instance, a sunset as something significant. The beauty is taken from me. Does anyone feel this way? Are you, as an atheist, generally depressed? If not, what reasons do you have for being happy? To me, atheism really takes the point out of everything, and I'm through with bullshitting. That is why I'm depressed.

Consider this:

The world can be a depressing place because there IS not God or meaning of life or spiritual path and all that crap. Maybe people turn to God(s) because they feel an emptiness in their life (like you) which needs to be filled?

I don't know how true that is.

As for myself, I am a strong Atheist yet have never had any problems of depression. I think the world I live in can be beautiful yet at the same time a dark, twisted place. I focus on the good side - little things like walking in the woods on a spring/summer day. Also on my friends, the people I have met and those I have yet to meet, the things I have seen and things I have yet to see. Good food and good wine, in good company. If this seems indulgent, I don't care.

As for whatever is going to happen AFTER I'm dead, I don't care... because I'll be dead.

quote:Originally posted by Toddler Fondler:

When I entertain the idea of being a strong atheist I just feel depressed. I don't look at, for instance, a sunset as something significant. The beauty is taken from me. Does anyone feel this way? Are you, as an atheist, generally depressed? If not, what reasons do you have for being happy? To me, atheism really takes the point out of everything, and I'm through with bullshitting. That is why I'm depressed.

I don't feel depressed, perhaps because I don't feel that a sunset is insignificant. I would feel that it's insignificant if an omnipotent god were to have created it - it would be utterly worthless since he can create billions of sunsets, which are billions of times more beautiful than that one. Without a god, this would mean that the sun was created by a magnificent cosmic event. That is much more valuable than a creation from an omnipotent being who can create better sunsets in his spare time.

As for what reasons I have for being happy, I am healthy, live a good life, have good friends and a good family; I don't base my happiness on whether or not our universe was created by a god.



[This message has been edited by Rust (edited 03-17-2006).]

quote:Originally posted by Rust:

I don't feel depressed, perhaps because I don't feel that a sunset is insignificant. I would feel that it's insignificant if an omnipotent god were to have created it - it would be utterly worthless since he can create billions of sunsets, which are billions of times more beautiful than that one. Without a god, this would mean that the sun was created by a magnificent cosmic event. That is much more valuable than a creation from an omnipotent being who can create better sunsets in his spare time.

I never thought about it like that before. Not to sound smultzy or anything, but that’s really beautiful, man.

[This message has been edited by Adrenochrome (edited 03-17-2006).]

i just look at random stuff sometimes like the hinge on a car-door or my dogs ears, and just think "wow!" just the idea of a hinge or a dogs ear existing is frankly astounding. god = boredom, if you remove god from the equation everything is exiting and a puzzle to be solved.

quote:Originally posted by Toddler Fondler:

I have studied various religions for some years, and one thing I've noticed is that without "God," or some higher being in the mix, nothing seems really significant to me. I've lacked the belief of any particular deity my entire life, but I sort of subconsciously comfort myself by making absurd predictions of what the afterlife would entail. Permanent bliss, limitless exploring, liberation from the material world. No evidence, of course, supports these theories. When I entertain the idea of being a strong atheist I just feel depressed. I don't look at, for instance, a sunset as something significant. The beauty is taken from me. Does anyone feel this way? Are you, as an atheist, generally depressed? If not, what reasons do you have for being happy? To me, atheism really takes the point out of everything, and I'm through with bullshitting. That is why I'm depressed.



You are really missing the point. How is it pointless to have good relationships, an ambition, a desire for knowledge? The significance that things have in life is something that only WE can assign to them. A sunset is beautiful, and a human life is valuable regardless their origin.

What would be really depressing is the threat of eternal torture in refusing to be a robot of arbitrary rules. My advice is stop wasting time worrying about a much doubtful afterlife and concentrate in giving your own meaning and significance in this life which is an undeniable reality.

I find great joy in knowing that we are all meaningless, that everything is meaningless. It's feels good to know that what I do doesn't matter. Not because I believe that I'm insignificant or worthless, but because I no longer have a conscience, I am free. It feels fucking good. I worship beauty. And because beauty is some tough shit to find these days, it makes it all the better when I can find it. Depression is too pointless for me to waste my time on. There's better, beautifuller things.

quote:Originally posted by Toddler Fondler:

... To me, atheism really takes the point out of everything, and I'm through with bullshitting. That is why I'm depressed.



Not to fear, Tod, you'll get over it. For me, atheism is just one facet of a larger endeavor to live life "with my eyes wide open" to the greatest extent to which I'm able. In an interview, James Randi made reference to the value of such an effort, and although I'm neither as focused and dedicated, nor nearly as impressive of a person as (the very extraordinary) Mr. Randi, I share his view that striving to perceive, understand, and live as truthful to oneself as we're able bears joys of a sort many will never know or appreciate... even though they're within the grasp of all willing to exercise some determination... and speaking for myself, I can say that after beginning to consciously make an effort to beat that (sometimes lonesome) path, returning to a life of (momentarily pleasureful) self-delusion became an unthinkable thought... even though I sometimes wish the reality I see- after being as (sometimes painfully) honest with myself as I can- were different.

To sum up an answer, if atheism is reflective of a greater effort towards self-honesty and viewing the world rationally... hang in there, and depression will give way to feelings of self-empowerment and confidence, as you suddenly realize that the world around you seems more consistent. And it's not of the phony and rapidly fading "quick fix" sort dispensed by "positive thinking gurus" and other such charlatons... it's the real deal.

I feel "down" sometimes, but I no longer fear, nor am I disturbed by being depressed- because I know that these feelings are occurring for a reason, that it will pass, and when it does I'll be stronger than I previously was. Even though in some ways life isn't as superficially rosy as it once was, somehow, in a more enduring and meaningful way, I'm happier than ever.

quote:Originally posted by Adrenochrome:

I never thought about it like that before. Not to sound smultzy or anything, but that’s really beautiful, man.



I'm gonna edit it for context and add it to my collection of quotes on my wall.

quote:Originally posted by Adrenochrome:

[B] I never thought about it like that before. Not to sound smultzy or anything, but that’s really beautiful, man.B]

<3 Rust.

Let me tell you, the idea that life ends after death, and that there is no higher authority, that there is no purpose to life, makes me depressed. Existentialism sucks. If man is his own reason for living, and man appeared by chance (evolution), then there is no reason for living because living sucks. If there is nothing beyond this life and no concequences to anything I do, then I would end it now. But that is not what I believe, so I'm still here

I pity you that you have no reason to live other than your unsubstantiated belief in a supernatural being.

quote:Originally posted by WildApril:

Let me tell you, the idea that life ends after death, and that there is no higher authority, that there is no purpose to life, makes me depressed. Existentialism sucks. If man is his own reason for living, and man appeared by chance (evolution), then there is no reason for living because living sucks. If there is nothing beyond this life and no concequences to anything I do, then I would end it now. But that is not what I believe, so I'm still here

Let's say you have a rich dad, who can buy you anything you want, and he gives you $100. Now, let's say you have a dead-broke poor dad that has never bought you anything, yet he happens to find $100 while walking out on the streets one day and he gives them to you. In which situtation will the $100 dollars mean more to you? If this god you speak of is omnipotent, then we're as insignificant as the 100 bucks in the hands of the rich man, as he can just pull out as many as he wants. If we really ARE here by chance, however, and theres no promise of an afterlife, then it's just all the more reason to get the most you can out of life. Are you familiar with the term "You only live life once?" After reading Rust's post, that quote took on a whole new meaning for me.

Yes, it is depressing. I usually just tell myself "There's nothing you can do about it, so just quit worrying and enjoy life." That usually stops it. If I'm feeling especially depressed, I might read a book or watch the History Channel.

Getting enough sleep helps, too.

As far as not seeing beauty... I hear you. I miss it. But not enough to go back to Christianity.

I am a strong atheist, and i was insanely depressed in about november/december. I decided to just look at things purely realisticly, and accept the fact that everything we do is utterly pointless. Hell, i could blow up the universe, and wipe out every dimension, with one of those crazy science experiments involving atomic materials, but what have i really accomplished? Is someone going to give me a medal for it? If someone does, then what was the point of that?

I could be immortal, hell, i could be god... In the long run, what the fuck am i accomplishing? Great, its awesome being a god, but what could i do to make a meaningful impression on the existince of everything? Wait, i created everything? Oh boy! I created more pointlessness!!

I bet no one will know what the hell im talking about....

Anyway, instead of being insanly depressed, im now insanely apathetic. Im just doing whatever the fuck i wanna do. I sometimes go out of my way to be an asshole to someone and not apologize just to see what they do. I dont give a shit if i make an enemy. I dont give a shit about anyone, except about 5 people. I just want to be succesful and happy with the short 70 years i get, even at the expense of other people. Fuck them, theyre pointless, and everything ive done to them will be pointless as soon as humanity is wiped out (assuming there bloodline survives to the end of humanity).

Thats another thing, humans wont be around forever. Everything we're discussing now is pointless.



[This message has been edited by Some Old Drunk Guy (edited 03-18-2006).]

The existentialist theory of French and European existentialists in the 20th century:

We live in a Godless world. That is not a good things. That is a very bad things. There is no such thing as universal morality, rights and freedoms are created by us, and because we're humans, we're going to mess up, no help will come from God, and then we're all gonna make our lives worse and worse, and eventually die and turn to nothing.

Optimistic, won't you say?

Intellectuals have always preached atheism, but also always knew that it was linked with general disillusionment about the world. When you believe in God, you can always have hope, because you believe in another life. For an atheist, one day a bus hits you and you die in the middle of the streets like a dog. And what's worse, this doesn't only happen to 60 year olds, but also to 6 year olds. That's the real tragedy. Life is completely random.

I don't understand you guys. I've been atheist since I was 13, yet I never felt depressed. Maybe it's because I became atheist out of curiousity and my never-ending questions, and you guys might have become atheist due to rebelliousnous or frustrating experiences with religion. Come on, love life homies.

[This message has been edited by Zay (edited 03-18-2006).]

If you could have one day where none of your actions would matter, where you could do as you please because you knew that as soon as you woke up in the morning it would all be erased. What would you do on that day?

Now, think about that one day as being an entire life.

You do as you wish because NOTHING MATTERS when you die. It's erased, a few traces left in other people's memories, only to be erased when they too die. That is freedom.

You're not bound by living for another life. You're not bound by living for another person. You are living solely for yourself. Solely for yourself. Solely for yourself. For what makes you feel good. That is the maximum freedom possible in an absurd, meaningless world.

It's not depressing. It's exhilarating.

There is a passage in the Bible (I can't remember excatly where) that says God created everyone with a desire to know him. This is why anyone is even looking for answers about the origins of life and the universe.

quote:Originally posted by Dragonsthrone:

There is a passage...

This is why...

One could reasonably attribute Man's fascination with ideas related to spirituality of various types, as well as his ongoing quest to better understand the universe, and deeper aspects of the world in which he lives, to Man's naturally inquisitive, analytical, and imaginative mind. Time Magazine (I think- might have been US News... one of those mags) had a cover story a year ago, or so, on how Man's propensity to have spiritual beliefs resulted from pschological traits which naturally evolved, as they were conducive to surviving harsh environments of the past(maybe being too pragmatic all of time can lead to too much depression, or keep people from taking risks whent the odds are against them which in the long run, provides a survival edge, or the like.) Good for my longterm "gene propagation" or not, I'll choose a secular view of life to the greatest extent I can.

quote:Originally posted by Twiggy:

Consider this:

The world can be a depressing place because there IS not God or meaning of life or spiritual path and all that crap. Maybe people turn to God(s) because they feel an emptiness in their life (like you) which needs to be filled?

I don't know how true that is.

As for myself, I am a strong Atheist yet have never had any problems of depression. I think the world I live in can be beautiful yet at the same time a dark, twisted place. I focus on the good side - little things like walking in the woods on a spring/summer day. Also on my friends, the people I have met and those I have yet to meet, the things I have seen and things I have yet to see. Good food and good wine, in good company. If this seems indulgent, I don't care.

As for whatever is going to happen AFTER I'm dead, I don't care... because I'll be dead.



I like the way you think

quote:Originally posted by Toddler Fondler:

I have studied various religions for some years, and one thing I've noticed is that without "God," or some higher being in the mix, nothing seems really significant to me. I've lacked the belief of any particular deity my entire life, but I sort of subconsciously comfort myself by making absurd predictions of what the afterlife would entail. Permanent bliss, limitless exploring, liberation from the material world. No evidence, of course, supports these theories. When I entertain the idea of being a strong atheist I just feel depressed. I don't look at, for instance, a sunset as something significant. The beauty is taken from me. Does anyone feel this way? Are you, as an atheist, generally depressed? If not, what reasons do you have for being happy? To me, atheism really takes the point out of everything, and I'm through with bullshitting. That is why I'm depressed.



Meh, life is as life does. The beauty of atheism is in it's impermanence. Appreciate that all you see around you will eventually turn to dust and the single fragile moment in the scope of time that they exist will seem all the more amazing and beautiful.

quote:Originally posted by Zay:

I don't understand you guys. I've been atheist since I was 13, yet I never felt depressed. Maybe it's because I became atheist out of curiousity and my never-ending questions, and you guys might have become atheist due to rebelliousnous or frustrating experiences with religion. Come on, love life homies.

Before I became atheist I was into theosophy and new age. But then I realized that there really is nothing beyond this one life. It's depressing because something that seemed so beautiful with religion suddenly looked like shit through atheism.

So yes, I came to atheism the same way as you did, but presumably more gradually?

Also going along with the TOTSE user stereotype, I don't really have any friends. I used to "talk" to God like an imaginary friend. "No god" left me pretty much alone.