I’m convinced that happiness is the result of being born into a wealthy life while being far too stupid to do anything of merit in life. Ignorance is bliss.
I’m not even convinced happiness and fulfillment are the right thing to be actively seeking in life. If you have purpose, these things will come in time. If you chase them as your purpose, you will never truly have either.
As a disabled guy in near total isolation; purpose is a funny thing.
I hear that. I work from home and I’ve yet to make friends in a new country. It would be downright monastic if not for my family, instead it’s more of an insane asylum vibe.
Depends on the person. If you’re happy living in wonderland, theism is the way to go
Theist I’d say. Having a defined purpose in life and hope for something beyond it. It does wonders for mental health and “happiness” or at least lack of existental crisis.
Religion often provides a community and sense of belonging (although this varies by religion)The only problem is that it’s all based on fiction. Once you understand it’s a lie, all the benefits are gone.
As an atheist I agree, but I don’t think it as anything to do with religion.
It’s all about faith, in the sense of a strong belief in something. Be it a god, aliens, a spaghetti monster or just yourself.
Religion does provide that yes, their daily beliefs become auto suggestions that their subconscious brain accepts, making mental health and life easier.
But anyone can achieve the same outside of religions.
The big benefit theism often gives is the sense of community. Atheism should do that more often too, so people are not forced to become religious for the sake of having a community.
But that’s a bit besides your question 🙃
It’s a really good point though - if you’re lonely becoming religious is sort of a free ticket to getting a community… but there are other ways to form a community (D&D and boardgames being some of my favorites).
Tricky thing is believing in something gives you commonality. Not believing in something really doesn’t.
“I don’t believe.”
“Me either.”
“Good talk. Same time next week?”
I’m not going through life expecting something better to come after. Makes me appreciate what we have, knowing that it’s all we get.
38 year old man vs 39 year old man. Who is more happy and having a fulfilled life?
Religiosity is a rather minor factor in happiness and will effect different people differently.
I’d say, neither. You can live in blissful ignorance, or in pure fear of punishment.
You can live in satisfying freedom, or existential dread.
I wouldn’t call it ignorance. My bliss is based on considerable reading and contemplation. Way more than ought to be necessary, all things considered. I wish some of the understanding I’ve developed over the years would’ve been explained when I was young. There are things which, once explained, drive the logical mind to an inevitable conclusion.
It’s a bit of a false dichotomy, there’s a broad spectrum in both.
A lot of the benefit of religion doesn’t come from the beliefs itself, but the community around them. You could just have a community built around other things, or even a religion that doesn’t mandate theism (UU’s and Quakers come to mind, they have fairly large atheist populations. There’s also less “serious” religions, like TST).
Living under Christianity means living in constant fear of being watched and judged and living in a world full of supernatural forces. It was a great relief when I realized it’s all bullshit.
oh wow, a wrong question