Atheism and depression

[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.

[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.

[Rust]

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).]

[Adrenochrome]

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).]

[TerminatorVinitiatoR]

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.

[elfstone]

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.

[crazed_hamster]

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.

[Surf_Bum]

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.

[Zay]

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.

[Elephantitis Man]

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.