Happiness level after embracing atheism

[thool]

I left religion about 6 months ago now, and have observed some changes in myself, some expected and some not. I'm interested in what others felt in their lives, especially if you left a religion. Here are mine:

More at peace with myself, not feeling depressed about being human and being judged, or asking "forgiveness" from some faceless entity.

More time on my hands to read and spend time with others.

Better connection with mankind in general: less judgmental and more accepting and curious.

Now that I view religion and followers from the outside, the closest feeling I have toward them is pity, as if they haven't yet seen the folly in the whole system. The ritual, vestments, obedience, deception, routine, reverence, solemn reflexive responses...it is so patently fake that I actually feel like intelligent people should simply know better.

Rather than being in one religion and viewing other religions as terrorists or misguided, and viewing the "unchurched" as those who simply need to hear the message and repent, I am now seeing ALL religions as institutions of deceit and manipulation. This is probably the most profound and unexpected observation so for for me.

The feeling that I really need to do my best to be the best person I can here, because my time is limited and it is the right thing to do. This is not motivated by facing judgment in some cloud court, or being banished to some sweaty fire pit. The motivation is knowing that I did my part and left some very small positive influence on a very small slice of mankind. Imagine if we all did this.

[Chad32]

Honestly there wasn't really a dramatic change, except perhaps to become more openminded about groups that the bible tends to think poorly of.

[Mister Agenda]

It was a weight off my shoulders. The cognitive dissonance was getting to me.

[robvalue]

I'm very glad to hear you have had some positive changes

I've never been in religion, but I know exactly what you mean. I feel a kind of pity for people who have been brainwashed/conned by religion. I see them mostly as victims. It's a never ending cycle of indoctrination, or religion taking advantage of people at their most vulnerable.

And I agree, the idea that any intelligent adult can actually believe a word of it gives me a sense of amazement that never goes away. But I am also aware of a lot of human psychology which explains such behaviour well, and it's nothing to do with being stupid necessarily.

Too true; thinking this is the one and only life gives a sense of urgency to actually get on and live it. We can all do good, and even when we are gone we can leave a legacy of positive deeds and messages.

[drfuzzy]

Happier? . . . well, calmer, certainly.  I'm not using up any time trying to telepathically beg god to help me understand so I won't fry forever.  I'm starting to see this life as a gift, and not just some precursor to a much better afterlife.  

But I feel like an outsider, quite often. (Remember, I live in the Bible Belt, and I play piano/organ for a Catholic Church choir.)  I listen to the Bible readings and just want to ask some of the folks "how can you think that story is ok"?   I hear absolutely insidious lyrics floating on some of the most beautiful music.  I see GOOD people, intelligent people, captains of industry, mindlessly singing this stuff.  Sunday we did a song called "Total Devotion", based on the Protestant hymn "Take My Life and Let it Be".   The music is lovely, calming, absolutely gorgeous.  Total Devotion YouTube link  But the words are a prayer to this god to take everything.  Everything. Take control.  Take my heart, take my will, take my mind, control my behavior, take my money.  I'm a Stepford Wife that WOKE UP.   What an odd feeling.

(A few lines from "Total Devotion")  

---

Take my hands, take my feet, take my voice and let me sing
Always for my king, always for my king
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my will and make it Thine, it shall be no longer mine
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my life, let it be, only Lord for thee    

---

[thool]

drfuzzy: Wonderful music there, and it is one thing I miss most about going to church.

It is great hearing supportive feedback. I cringe when I see politicians and candidates acting like they are religious just to get votes, but cringe even more when I see "followers" actually believing it is legit!

[Minimalist]

Welcome to freedom.

[Lek]

I can identify with the feeling of relief when one abandons religion.  After I left the catholic church, I felt like a great weight was lifted from me.  It was a lot of stress trying to follow all the church rules.  There are some things about being an atheist that are attractive to me.  There are a lot of unfair income taxes that I wouldn't pay if I wasn't a christian.  I wouldn't have felt so guilty in my younger days over the way I was living and I could now tell my younger brother that I was really happy about his relationship with his male partner.  Then there's also benefits to being a christian, like I don't worry much about the future and a daily feeling of security.  The thing is, I just have to follow what I believe is true, so here I am.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Christians aren't taxed differently.

[Athene]

There are some things about being an atheist that are attractive to me.  There are a lot of unfair income taxes that I wouldn't pay if I wasn't a christian.

Like what?