(August 28, 2021 at 4:42 pm)Ahriman Wrote:

(August 28, 2021 at 2:47 pm)The Grand Nudger Wrote: No, it's not, this is pointless.  You just acknowledged that there are happy people in the world who don't believe in your god.  Your perspective, is that you wouldn't be happy.  I suppose it's a dead end.  No one can think of anything a person can only get from a belief in god.

How about peace of mind? The idea that a transcendent "someone" is watching over you, is very comforting. Most of the atheists I've dealt with, seem to have an inner struggle taking place within them, that renders them incapable of finding true, metaphysical rest. Even the happy atheist girl I know, is very promiscuous, to the point of absurdity.

Any ‘inner struggle’ atheists have is likely to be due to a lifetime of being inculcated in dangerous, harmful, stupid religious beliefs.

Boru

(August 28, 2021 at 5:15 pm)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote:

(August 28, 2021 at 4:42 pm)Ahriman Wrote: How about peace of mind? The idea that a transcendent "someone" is watching over you, is very comforting. Most of the atheists I've dealt with, seem to have an inner struggle taking place within them, that renders them incapable of finding true, metaphysical rest. Even the happy atheist girl I know, is very promiscuous, to the point of absurdity.

Any ‘inner struggle’ atheists have is likely to be due to a lifetime of being inculcated in dangerous, harmful, stupid religious beliefs.

Boru

Nah, I don't think that's too likely. I don't think religion could make someone that unstable/upset, unless the person's life was in danger, as a result of questioning or leaving the religion.

(August 28, 2021 at 4:42 pm)Ahriman Wrote: How about peace of mind? The idea that a transcendent "someone" is watching over you, is very comforting.

By way of contrast, the idea that no one is constantly judging you can feel very liberating. The notion of having the eyes of God always upon you could be felt as an oppressive invasion of privacy.

(August 28, 2021 at 5:37 pm)Neo-Scholastic Wrote:

(August 28, 2021 at 4:42 pm)Ahriman Wrote: How about peace of mind? The idea that a transcendent "someone" is watching over you, is very comforting.

By way of contrast, the idea that no one is constantly judging you can feel very liberating. The notion of having the eyes of God always upon you could be felt as an oppressive invasion of privacy.

That would be an improper viewpoint. God doesn't judge people, or invade their privacy.

At work.

I must admit to finding Ahriman's post confusing.

First we have the "Super-what's it being" 'Watching over you'. Like, what does that even mean?

Is the super what's it activly changing the roll of dice so you win the lottery? Is it activly making sure all the brake cables are in good nick so that you never get run down by some truck/bus?

What?

Which then segways into "Oh, I know this one other Atgeist who's so unhappy they're promiscuous. "

DAFAQ? (O_o)

How is that mental comment even reached?

(August 28, 2021 at 5:45 pm)Peebo-Thuhlu Wrote: At work.

I must admit to finding Ahriman's post confusing.

  First we have the "Super-what's it being" 'Watching over you'. Like, what does that even mean?

 Is the super what's it activly changing the roll of dice so you win the lottery? Is it activly making sure all the brake cables are in  good nick so that you never get run down by some truck/bus?

 What?

Which then segways into "Oh, I know this one other Atgeist who's so unhappy they're promiscuous. "

 DAFAQ?    (O_o)

  How is that mental comment even reached?

Essentially, yes.

At work.

(August 28, 2021 at 5:41 pm)Ahriman Wrote:

(August 28, 2021 at 5:37 pm)Neo-Scholastic Wrote: By way of contrast, the idea that no one is constantly judging you can feel very liberating. The notion of having the eyes of God always upon you could be felt as an oppressive invasion of privacy.

That would be an improper viewpoint. God doesn't judge people, or invade their privacy.

That bolded bit is obviously wrong sing your Super-what's it is watch you in the shower to protect you from slipping on the soap.

Weird.

Grab your boots folks, it's too late to save your shoes.

It's getting really deep with Jake the Baked.

(August 28, 2021 at 2:39 pm)vulcanlogician Wrote: I do think religion can serve a role in making a sad person happy. This is argued for by William James in Varieties of Religious Experience. I found his argument convincing. Mind you, he doesn't argue that religion is necessary for happiness. But he does argue that the contingent world gives some people the shaft... or that there are rarified depressive states. In these instances, belief can be instrumental in carrying one from unhappiness to happiness. He is careful to point out that there ARE other ways... he just argues that belief is one tool in that toolbox.

I'm also curious if you have any opinions about nontheistic religions (such as Taoism). Just curious what your perspective is there.... as an aside...

I haven't studied Taoism.  But I have Buddhism.  Happiness isn't really related to Buddhism either unless you associate contentment and peace with happiness.  It becomes difficult to nail down.  In many ways I think of happiness as a very modern invention.

When I think about people relieving themselves of unhappy thoughts, depression, anxiety and so forth, there is most certainly an aspect of relief and contentment.  Just getting that shit off your back can feel like you're airborne.  I don't really consider this happiness but I don't undervalue it.  I have personal experience with this.

(August 28, 2021 at 4:42 pm)Ahriman Wrote:

(August 28, 2021 at 2:47 pm)The Grand Nudger Wrote: No, it's not, this is pointless.  You just acknowledged that there are happy people in the world who don't believe in your god.  Your perspective, is that you wouldn't be happy.  I suppose it's a dead end.  No one can think of anything a person can only get from a belief in god.

How about peace of mind? The idea that a transcendent "someone" is watching over you, is very comforting. Most of the atheists I've dealt with, seem to have an inner struggle taking place within them, that renders them incapable of finding true, metaphysical rest. Even the happy atheist girl I know, is very promiscuous, to the point of absurdity.

What does promiscuity have to do with “metaphysical unrest?”