Atheism Doen't Equal Depression

[robvalue]

I totally and utterly don't get what meaning God is supposed to provide. Is it just part of the indoctrination? I know religion heavily forces people to think there is no meaning without God, but what exactly is this meaning in the first place?

Is it just the fact that you're scoring points and getting ready for the afterlife? Or what? I'm serious, I have no idea. To me, living life as if it's some kind of test for the benefit a weird voyeur would make life pretty bizarre and pointless.

They'll tell you the "meaning" is the privilege of being able to praise God for eternity, but I'm not buying it.

Ironically, I think if they were to be honest, the real "meaning" that is provided by believing in God and Heaven,
is actually something that caters to some pretty base human traits:

1. Immortality, safety and comfort, for all eternity, in paradise (laziness, entitlement)
2. And, by contrast, watching those whom you deemed "sinners" be punished, for all eternity (revenge)
3. Having everything explained, sharing in God's omniscience (control)
4. And it's also the feather in your cap of knowing that YOU were "part" of God's Plan, all along (ego)
IE: Heaven couldn't have occurred without you.

Good answers, thank you!

So to summarize, it gives meaning by making you feel really special and important. You're right, I think that is pretty much it. Feeding of the ego.

I'm quite happy to accept that ultimately I am of no importance to anything, but that I can make a very real difference in the short time available to those around me. I guess that is not enough for some people.