-- By BigFresh

It's obvious that many theists find a great deal of happiness and fulfillment in their belief in god(s). Some have believed for so long or have put so much of themselves into their belief, that it has become a major source of happiness for them, something they'd be unhappy or uncomfortable without. It only seems reasonable that when people such as these encounter a person who doesn't possess their convictions, they might think that the atheist lacks joy because he doesn't have the belief which gives the believer so much.



The reason that this is incorrect is simple:

Atheists have no belief in god(s) and necessitously have no need for that belief.

More trouble is gotten into when the theist considers her worldview and thinks of the atheist in it. Most theistic religions hold the belief that a great reward will come with death - eternal existence in paradise (heaven), reincarnation as a higher being, eternal honor for the family left behind, etc. According to these religions, the non-believers will not achieve this. So how, they might think, can an atheist be happy without something to look forward to?!

• "God will provide for me."


• "Everything will turn out fine for me because I believe and pray."


• "I feel little fear because God will protect me"

These are the type of things that theists often believe and it provides them with reassurance - what they don't realize is that atheists have a much more practical and reasonable outlook that can be far more reassuring:

1. Atheists are not waiting for some cosmic reward - we do what we can now to make life better and ourselves happy.


2. Atheists are aware that this is the only life you get - we know to take advantage of that and live life to the fullest. There are no second chances and there is no pie-in-the-sky!


3. Atheists have no fear of wrath, trial, and tribulation! We see good in the results of our actions - not in what others tell us to see.


4. Atheists know that we are not in danger of some punishment after death because of "sin." We know that there are no sins, only actions with negative consequences.


5. Atheists know that in order to have a bright future, we must make it that way! Our paths aren't determined by anyone else but us and we can make our futures as bright as we are willing to make them.

If you look at two groups of people, say 20 atheists and 20 theists, you'd likely find that it was pretty even between the two groups concerning who was happy and who wasn't. Atheists have no more reason (and probably less!) to be gloomy than theists do.

Timestamp: Dec06, 2003