is it hard to be an atheist? or Christian?

[xr34p3rx]

I think it's easier to be an atheist because there is no need to feel ashamed of thoughts when big brother is reading them. Don't need to fear hell either.

i have completely lost fear of all that, i am now able to see religion as Thor and Hercules

[downbeatplumb]

Atheists have sunday free and have no religious obligations of any sort.

Why would that be harder than getting all smartly dressed and going out to be bored on one of the few days off work you get?

[John V]

Studies on happiness would suggest that it's easier to be religious in relatively poor areas of the world. In relatively wealthy countries, it's close to equal, with a slight edge to the religious in majority religious areas, or to atheists in majority atheist areas.

[Bob Kelso]

You know I think this sort of question is just subjective, it depends upon the person.

For me, it was harder to be an atheist at first because I had grown up thinking there was my own personal god just a thought away to take care of me, and when I became disillusioned about this it was rough. I didn't want to accept it at first and I struggled for a long while until I decided to grow the fuck up, and take a long, hard look at reality. I realized that even though I had lost my safety net of guarded ignorance and the comforting, false promise of an afterlife I had gained so much more.

The world is just that much more beautiful to me without religion. I appreciate the people and things around me with a vigor that had evaded me when I was expecting a better afterlife. The things I've learned on evolution and the scientific understanding of the universe has left me in awe and (to borrow from Dawkins) with an appetite for wonder. I'm even considering majoring in the field of biology.

Ditching the dogma that I had held for the majority of my life was hard, but since I accepted my new position being an atheist is not only easier than being a Christian, it has been an amazing experience thus far. The saying is true, but the theists had it in reverse;

No Jesus. know peace.

[shep]

It is very hard being an Atheist debating Christians; probably why so many do not engage.

[*Deidre*]

My experience, the only thing that has been hard, is looking at life without using the lens of faith. Now, after a few years of abandoning Christianity, it's great. But, at first it was hard to make choices independent of my faith. I had no idea how much my identity was wrapped up in Christianity.

Other than the transition from faith to atheism, it has been a great thing. Atheism frees a person from judgement, to be who he/she is, without religion pulling the strings.

I think people in general would lead happier lives if they were atheists.

[shep]

How long were you a Christian for Dierdre? If you do not mind me asking.

[*Deidre*]

How long were you a Christian for Dierdre? If you do not mind me asking.

All my life, since childhood. I honestly didn't know who I was without it.
I wouldn't trade the journey for anything, even though it was hard. :-)

[Assimilate]

I think it depends on the person. I found faking to be a Catholic harder then coming out as an Atheist personally.

[Cinjin]

Although it is hard dealing with the christards on occasion, being a non-believer (I'm not technically an Atheist) is a LOT easier than being a theist.

No guilt about having simple fun.
You get to take all credit for your accomplishments.
You get to sleep in on Sundays.
You get off your ass and achieve what you want rather than folding your hands and hoping make-believe comes through for you.
It's completely ok to enjoy your sex life.
It's completely ok to earn and keep lots of money.
There's a universal brotherhood among atheists that Christians can NEVER have due to their idiotic denominations.
We don't have to waste time proselytizing on the street.
We don't have to wonder why magic sky daddy didn't save our dying child or provide money for the car repairs.
Sheep are stupid. Bonus, we're not sheep.