If You Were An Atheist

[Pyrrho]

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I seriously doubt he would be depressed for long.  He would find that his life was pretty nearly the same as before in most respects.  The birds and trees are all still there, his family and friends are all still there, and etc.  His concept of the universe would simply have a few less things in it, and likely lose "magic," but that is a good thing rather than a bad thing.

Everyone I know in real life who is a former theist was unhappy at first, but eventually became more happy than when they were believers.  Obviously, I cannot say that my experience with people must be representative of people generally, but from discussing things online with others, it certainly seems like it is.

And, for what it is worth, when I was a believer, I probably would have answered the question more or less as lkingpinl did.  But I am now much, much happier than I ever was as a believer.  I think the same is likely to be the case with him.

In other words, I totally believe he is being honest.  But I believe he is mistaken.

I have posted about my experience before:

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I can certainly understand that Pyrrho.  That's why I put my caveat at the end, that it's really a difficult to answer how things actually would be unless I'm in that situation.  I can only say how I think it would be, not what would happen.

Yes, I appreciated your caveat.  And I also recognize your position as one that is familiar to me, as a distant memory.  Your post seems honest, candid, direct, and thoughtful.  It is a model of good posting.  Even though I believe your prediction is mistaken.