The Richness of Non-Belief, of Atheism
Theists often claim that a lack of belief in god removes one of hope, causes one to be cold, full of despair, and results in a lack of motivation to live ones life. However, on the contrary, I find quite the opposite is true, it is because atheists lack in belief of god, that allows atheists to focus and appreciate reality, nature, the nature of nature, the cosmos, and the reality of ones one and only life.
From my experience, a life without belief in god actually allows one to live a fuller and truer life. Knowing that when we die, that it’s over, motivates you to live a fuller and richer life, because that is all you have, one life, one chance to live. Because atheists do not believe in an afterlife, they appreciate and acknowledge the importance and significance of the life they have to live here and now.
It seems that it might be the case that theist have the potential to get so caught up in their belief in god and in an afterlife, that they to a degree, may possibly deemphasize or have less respect for their life in reality.
While a theists belief in god and theism seems to give their life meaning, atheist find meaning in their lives through natural means and often even within the very search to find meaning. The thrill is in the chase. It takes bravery and honesty to be an atheist. You have to admit to yourself that this is your only life, and make the best of it. It’s also the road less traveled because to so many, it would be harder. You have to find the answers yourself, you have think and reason. All of life’s answers aren’t handed to you in an instructional book, like the books theist refer to. That is just too good and easy to be true.
15. February 2008 um 22:24
it took a few years of struggle — growing up in an irreligious household, i sometimes felt like i was missing something — before I came to this conclusion too, and now i feel much better off because of it. it is difficult not to believe in a god or not to have a system of belief set in place for you, but the things i’ve found in its stead have been so much more rewarding.