Atheists, are you miserable?

Question

My dad(hardcore Christian) said to me that no one should be an atheist, that there is something wrong with those who choose that lifestyle.
He also said that all the atheists he has met have been the most miserable people he has met.

I am agnostic, so I strongly disagree with him, but is it worth it to possibly get in an argument over?

Answer 1

I'm not miserable. I'm happy.

Christians only THINK they are happy, living in a shroud of their own fantasy world.



'Religion is the opiate of the masses' Karl Marx once said. It calms them, gives them an excuse not to think.

Answer 2

Atheists deny the existence of a God or any God..

Agnostics haven't figured out what to believe (yet, maybe).

It's my opinion that the above ATs and AGs could possibly be considered miserable more or less than any "hardcore Christian".



I do know that I have a belief system that's a tad more flexible than all of the world's organized religions combined. It's called ACCEPTANCE.



I do get crabby when anyone who's so strongly interested in me joining their faith won't shut up and listen to my version of 'peace on earth'. Maybe I appear 'miserable' to them. That's their problem, not mine.



BTW, strongly disagreeing w/ anybody else's religious choices is called INTOLERANCE. Now, that doesn't sound very cool, does it?

Answer 3

There is always a problem with all-and-none assertions. It signals a refusal to take the subject seriously. Many Christians assume that atheists MUST be miserable because they obviously see no purpose in a life that comes to an end. And that is true for some, miserable atheists. Other atheists see a value in the experience of living and in contributing to its improvement for everyone. They are often very satisfied with life and don't feel any need to delude themselves with thoughts of living on after death. And most seem content to tolerate living with believers who are also tolerant of them.



I'm not sure what an atheist "lifestyle" is. You might want to explore these topics with your dad, but I'm not sure he's interested. He might not like his beliefs questioned, especially by a youngster. You'll have to determine how far you want to push it at this stage of your life.

Answer 4

I'm more or less agnostic and I'm much happier than the christians and jehovah's witness's around me! That said I don't think it's really worth arguing over. Your dad seems to have his mind made up and no amount of arguing will do any good

Answer 5

You know, people base most biases on personal experiences. So he probably did meet some atheists who were miserable. Yet the world is bigger than that. I mean atheists perplex me, but if one decides that atheism is the route they want then that is their choice.



Some people just need to sample everything before they draw a conclusion. It is almost impossible to meet every atheist in the world.



___



CC:

"I think I will serve as an example to perhaps change his opinion of atheists."

Umm *tap tap*, you can't be the representation of all atheists. You are one of many, and besides what does your character have to do with the lot. Unless you are speaking for all atheists, seems kinda impossible to do.

Answer 6

understanding that i do no longer would desire to go through an eternity of agonizing soreness for no longer believing in a synthetic build that has greater over the milenia, I gotta say i'm doing only high-quality. it is likewise clean to appreciate we are all linked to a minimum of one yet another in a in basic terms materialistic way it rather is amazingly pleasing as against a trivial unimpressive way as defined contained in the Bible. that is advantageous to appreciate that stable people is only no longer punished for only being born a definite way, it rather is often stable. Atheism enlightens all who love actuality. As for atheists being indignant and illiberal, faith would not deserve tolerance by using fact it governs billions of peoples' lives. it is going to be dealt with as the different enterprise or ideology; no longer something greater.

Answer 7

I'm only moderately happy, possibly unhappy. But I was even more miserable as a Christian.



So maybe you're Dad's right. Maybe miserable people become atheists because they're too unhappy to remain Christians.

Answer 8

The argument would be worthless. He is set in his opinion that we atheists are miserable. You can tell him that I have one of those breakable glass cases with a razor that says, "In case of Happiness, Break Glass."



Joking aside, I am far from miserable. And, I'm sure there are many atheists out there that are the same. I know there are plenty of Christians who are miserable themselves and I would think that the undue pressure of remaining godly would bring more misery than normal. Not to mention the guilt and obligations one must feel being a god-fearin' individual.



Tell your dad that he shouldn't judge. After all, that's a ticket to hell.

Answer 9

Lifestyle? Other than having our Sundays free, there isn't any difference from anyone else.



I spent the day doing some work around the new house I bought, and I am going to a party tonight.



If that's miserable, I hope I'm that way the rest of my life.

Answer 10

No, I'm not miserable.



"My dad(hardcore Christian) said to me that no one should be an atheist, that there is something wrong with those who choose that lifestyle."--Choose? I didn't choose to be an atheist. After reading the Bible, I can't help but not believe in God.

Answer 11

People that are apart of Atheism are no more prone to being unhappy or happy then anyone else. We are still human beings. I know tons of Theists miserable and depressed. I am happy for now that I am doing okay things could be better but at least there not worst.

Answer 12

There is a saying "Misery loves company" and another "Takes one to know one". I am not miserable. I also don't think it's worth getting into an argument with your dad. He's your dad let him have his rants.



Peace.

Answer 13

Miserable? No, not by a long shot.



I love my life, love my job, love my friends and family and see them often...I'm very happy and very satisfied.



Okay, so I grumble about taxes and the price of rent in Boston, but I hardly think those gripes are restricted to atheists. ;o)

Answer 14

LMAO



Think about it... it's unlikely that ALL atheists everywhere (and we number in the hundreds of millions) are constantly miserable...



Can you think of anything that the ones your dad has met have in common?





....I'll give you a hint... he's related to you...



Makes you wonder if it's a coincidence, or does his presense alone cause people to be miserable ;)

Answer 15

It really depends on why you are an athiest. I just came to the conclusion one day that god wasnt real, and i felt just the same as i always had been, which is usually pretty happy. But if you decide that god doesnt exist because a a family member died or something like that, then that can lead to unhappiness, because you may feel completely alone.

Answer 16

I'm not super duper happy, but I'm not miserable either. I'm in a rough spot right now but despite my occasionally cynical outlook, I do have options I haven't tapped. I'll be OK.



Anyhow, atheists are not "by default" unhappy people. Your father is wrong. I don't mean to insult the man, but he's just WRONG.

Answer 17

i am just the same as most,



but my life is good, i work overseas,make a decent living, travel all around the world, and i am planning on moving permanently to Thailand from the U.S



i would not say i am miserable at all,

Answer 18

No. Tell him that the chances are they think he's pretty miserable too, and that what one person enjoys, another may not understand.

Not believing in God does not make one miserable. It does free you up to do whatever you want. If he does not see the appeal of what they want to do, he may see them as miserable.

Also, you can't choose to be atheist. God does not exist, you can't really choose not to believe he does. You do or you don't.

Answer 19

No atheist is ever going to tell you he is miserable. Even if your Father is correct, he would have no way to prove it. And, if you are truly agnostic, you should look into apologetics and at least get the other side of the story. Good luck in your seeking.

Answer 20

Your dad sounds like a tool.



Lifestyle? My atheism doesn't tell me to live in any particular way.

Answer 21

ignore him

face to face religious arguements are never what you think they will be.

well, to be honest, how can you have an arguement with someone who is only a "good person" because they think a big bearded man will come and get them if they are naughty?

its like trying to tell a 4 yr old santa aint real, when they just sat on his lap at the superstore!!

Answer 22

Your dad is mistaken. However, he is entitled to his opinion.



I am an atheist, and I am very happy. He is free to contact me if he wishes, and ask me questions. I think I will serve as an example to perhaps change his opinion of atheists.

Answer 23

I see many miserable christians, but all atheists i know are happy. Not believing in such ridiculous stuff as people burning in hell forever or being bored and depressed in heaven make one happier than people who believe such silly stuff.

Answer 24

No its a no win argument. I say family is thicker then philosophy's and too often when one member is very devout they may sever ties over such a minor issue. I am atheist and I am very happy ,Thank you

Answer 25

perfectly happy. Newsflash: Christians are supposed to embrace a miserable state of existence in this life.

Answer 26

I am completely satisfied with my life . My head is not crammed full of impossible superstitious imaginations . That gives me much more time for worthwile study , which paid off for me .

Answer 27

I'm not miserable. I'd question the judgment of anyone who hasn't met me and says that I am.

Answer 28

No, it is not worth it.



When the buy-bull walks in, for some people, common sense runs out.

Answer 29

I'm not an atheist, and I'm miserable.

Answer 30

I am very happy.



About arguing about it... is there a point to debating it? If not, then let him believe as he will and as for you, base your conclusions on your own experiences. :)

Answer 31

How happy can they be hanging out in a religion room when they don't even believe in God?



Listen to your parents.

Answer 32

Nope, I'm rather happy. Sounds like your dad's a pretty miserable character though.

Answer 33

If you're still living under Pops' roof,I wouldn't advise arguing.Yes,that is a complete misconception but no,it isn't worth it while you live under his roof

Answer 34

the only time i'm miserable is when very religious people get on my nerves

Answer 35

Nope, not worth it.



I'm extremely happy in my life and I work at keeping it that way. You could tell him he could meet me, but I doubt that would fly.

Answer 36

Yes. I don't believe in religion and I am very happy with my life. I don't need to put my faith in something taht isn't real to be happy. I have enough faith in myself and my fellow HUMANS to be happy.

Answer 37

maybe the atheists he knows are miserable because they have to put up with him

Answer 38

How far in school did your daddy get?

Answer 39

I think your dad is wrong.

Answer 40

youre dad didnt get to his age without something going for him . He wants the best for you Im sure .Listen to him.