Atheism and Sadness

[Whateverist]

As I am not an atheist, I do not know the answer to this question, so I am asking you.

Are atheists generally sad, unhappy people, as opposed to Christians (true and otherwise) and other believers?


Idk, it just seems sort of discouraging to me to go around thinking that when you die, you just become like a lump of dirt, or a glob of poop, and thats it . No after life.. no paradise in the sky with your dead family members and pets.. just nothing.. so sad .

I just feel lucky that I don't buy into that ! The possibility of heaven after I die is really kind of a motivator, something to "hope for" if you will!

Part of the reason I ask, is that so many of the posters on this forum seem like grumpy sadsacks a lot of the time . It's like something is bothering you in this world.. but you don't know what it is.

Am I right? Are atheists sort of an unhappy lot (Generally speaking?)

No I don't think you are right, either in your assessment of the happiness of atheists or in that of theists for that matter.  

There is one religion which I admit appeals to me just a bit, Bokononism.  They believe that we, other animals and even minerals are basically mud.  But we are in a special phase during which we get to sit up and look around and appreciate all that God has made.  They aren't sad at having to lie back down and become ordinary mud.  They're just grateful for the opportunity to be able to sit up, look around and take it all in.  No judgement.  No carrot or other reward.  No punishment.  Just appreciation.

Atheists don't attribute what they see to God's handiwork but I think many have this appreciation for the beauty and wonder of what there is.  You might say we're in love with the actual, death and all.  I won't be thanking Anyone when it becomes my time to return to an ordinary mud state.  But I will still be feeling appreciation.  Who knows?  Maybe a little wistful too at saying goodbye but that probably depends on the circumstances.  And lets face it, neither of us knows exactly what we will feel when the time comes.  Will you still have your doubts?  Perhaps you'll suspect it was all a lie.  There may be regrets.

Of course Bokononism is a fictional religion invented by Kurt Vonnegut in his book Cat's Cradle.  But if I were to be any kind of theist, I'd be a Bokononist.