Does atheism inspire people?

[Annik]

I didn't use the word "essential" I said religion inspires people to create great works of art. Its the visible expression of connecting with the transcendent and luminous. Atheism creates a mindset that closes peoples minds to that aspect of existence and stifles creativity. Is it merely coincidence that the majority of great works of art, poetry, music etc are created from a mind that believes in some from of transcendent reality? While not "essential" it definitely is conducive to great works of art.

I am a little late to the party, but this personally insulted me. Hello, I'm a godless Graphic Designer (aka, I do commercial art). Want to know something funny? I was fine with being stagnant in my art as a theist. Last summer, however, something inspired me to pour all my passion and dedication into my work and make things I could truly be proud of. What to know what it was? The idea that there is no heaven, no hell, no afterlife. I get one life and I'll be damned if I don't make it count.

I think this is related to life having a meaning and purpose. Anyone who thinks life has no meaning is unlikely to produce great art, unless of course it is depicting the meaningless nature of existence. Religious thinking sees meaning and purpose which is conducive to creating great art. The problem for the atheist is that ultimately life has no meaning. If you then say that you create your own meaning, that is the definition of delusional thinking, unless you truly believe in your own meaning..which is putting you in the realm of faith, faith in no God.

This also personally offended me. As atheists, we do not have an imposing figure to tell us the meaning of our lives. Actually, we are free to decide our own meanings. Your meaning is a god, my meaning is not. The meaning I have put to my life is to live as well, as happily and as kindly as I can. I want to make an impression of the world of graphic design and raise beautiful children with my lover. In my eyes, your meaning is artificial. It's handed to you by a book and a preacher. God cheapens life.

Christianity and religion have inspired great works of art, poetry and literature.

No they haven't. I can be argued that the only people who were wealthy enough to PAY for works of Art, Literature and Poetry WERE religion...in particular the Roman Catholic Church. aka "make it Religious and deifying my belief system or a0 you don't gwet paid b) You get thrown into prison or c) you get burned for a heretic. ..... either way you ARE DEAD!

While the burning wasn't as popular during the Renaissance, what she's saying is certainly true. The Roman Catholic Church was loaded and they were the only ones would would consistently commission (that means they would ask artists to create a specific kind of piece) artworks. In fact, they would only allow the sale of works that were dogmatic in nature.

It inspires people to turn to faith.

No.