http://www.damninteresting.com/the-total-perspective-vortex

On topic. I promise

It IS sad to be an atheist sometimes. For me, not because I don’t fit in, but because there is so much suffering in the world, and all of it without meaning.

I remember reading once–in Martin Seligman’s excellent book on optimism–that pessimists are relatively sadder people, in part because they are realists. Seems to me that a similar thing can happen to those of us that don’t have a religious “context” in which to find ourselves…nobody’s running the show but us. How terrible….and yet exhilarating!

It is really weird to me when Christians admit they are Christians for selfish reasons (e.g. it makes me happy).

Kind-of misses the point entirely, but whatever.

No where in your writings do I find the inherent happiness in knowing God. You miss the point entirely

However, there are a couple things to remember before making any stupid conclusions.

We don’t have any illusions about humanity. Most of us are ashamed about where this race is going and what we have done. We continue to make the same mistakes. We give into
greed. We let the corporations walk all over us. And don’t forget that we have to live in a society that questions everything about us from our morals to our patriotism. Ask yourself, if you were in the extreme minority, and rest of the population is biased against you, would you be happier for it?

Atheists are disappointed, and Christians may be too, but we don’t have any superficial fake simulated system of comfort.

Physical health is nothing special. Look at the Mormons: They are successful AND healthy. Why? Because they regulate themselves very well. In fact, my best friends are Mormon, because (this is my opinion purely) are the kindest, forgiving, and most of all understanding of the Christians.

“some day fundies like you will wake up and be enlightened”

Yikes, you obviously felt the need to take out your childhood religious frustrations. Not that it matters to you, but I am not a fundie. In fact, I wrote an entire series denouncing the 20th century emergence of fundamentalism on my old blog.

http://politicsandreligion.wordpress.com/articles/

I would reply to something in your comment, but there isn’t anything really substantial in it.

It all gets back to the whole “We’re both atheists. I just believe in one less god than you do.”

I just wanted you to know that I have been an atheist all of my life and I am now about to turn 74 years of age.

I just spent a very gratifying day:

I saw an old lady on the street hobbling along with a cane and decided to have some good old atheist fun. I tripped her, she fell down
and I stood their laughing in glee at her distress.

Later the same day I deliberately murdered at least a dozen people. I really enjoyed that little escapade.

I quit after that one because having been an atheist for so long I just couldn’t think of any more horrible things to do, I guess I’m just becoming burned out.

But you know what, not once did I criticize
anyone for not believing like I do or did I tell anyone they were going to burn in some imaginary place like hell. I get through Sunday with out taking money from poor deluded people and scaring them with tales out of an
ancient book written by people who didn’t understand what a thunderstorm is.

Some day fundies like you will wake up and
be enlightened. Or maybe you will be caught up by “the rapture” and end up on a cloud alongside a bunch of other bad guys who suddenly became “born again” xtians. I can’t imagine the boredom of sharing a cloud with the likes of Jerry Falwell, and most of the “death row” gang from jails everywhere. Give me Lava Lake Resort any day.