Atheists have higher suicide rates than any other religious group. This leads me to think that Atheism is linked to mental instability. What coralation if any do you think there are between Atheism and sanity.

First I'd like to ask what does some correlation prove?
It is possible, but nothing is proved by some general correlation.

My main point is this:
What if there is no God and atheism leads to suicide?
What if there is a God and atheism leads to a healthier lifestyle?

whether a view point leads to healthiness or unhealthiness in the most simple terms doesn't make it wrong or right.
If anything does it is probably how truthful the belief is, and that is something that can't be determined on a message board.

honestly, who knows?
maybe there is alink between atheism and suicide, but i highly doubt it.

if anything, atheism makes me happier.

You can admire people doing good work more knowing that they are not doing it on the orders of a god or in order to get to heaven.

Our world seems more amazing because of science and without a creator.

You don't have to feel bad for if you fuck up occasionally, because you know it's just human nature.

You feel better when you help someone, because you know you're doing it for them, and it's your choice.

and knowing that there is no afterlife makes you want to ensure that you enjoy your life, because it's the only one you've got.

im atheist and i find myself more stable than a lot of people. as a matter o fact im pretty happy about my life not being shackled by religion.

A lot of religions highly condemn suicide, so people of those religions tend to be less likely to do it.

Haven't read all the previous replies.

There really is no link between Atheism and Suicide. And just because you are Atheist, doesn't mean you are lacking sanity, naturally suicidal, or mentally instable. Perhaps the Atheism/Suicide rates are growing because Atheism in general is growing, especially in youth (where the suicide rates are highest).

Many religions ban suicide as well.

I remember this thread, good times good times.

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Originally posted by clpo13:
Did FML ever bother to provide a source for his suicidal atheists claim? He also didn't clarify what he meant by atheists. Hard-core atheists who hate anything spiritual? People who are simply non-religious? There's a big difference.

Even if atheists have higher suicide rates, does it really mean anything? Perhaps it's a coincidence, or simply a false correlation, like saying that, since most pedophiles are Christians, something about Christianity makes people prone to loving children. Of course, without a source to that claim, it falls apart, but you get my meaning.

I don't think he ever did, and you have an excellent point there. Or rather, several of them.

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Can't things just be? Yes.

ah, indeed I misunderstood

my apologies sir

quote:

Why?

I'll refrase:
Can't things just be? Yes.

quote:

Yes.

Why?

quote:

Do things really have to have a purpose? Can't things just be?

Yes.

Shun the hypocrite!

Anyways...

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Do things really have to have a purpose? Can't things just be?

I don't think there's really a higher purpose to anything. We make our own purposes if we need them.

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That's very un-bokononist of you.

I'm a hypocrite

After thought:

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Nah the meaning of life is to create life, and create something for the life that comes after you to remember you by

That's very un-bokononist of you.

Do things really have to have a purpose? Can't things just be?



" In the beginning, God created the earth, and he looked upon it in His cosmic loneliness.

And God said, "Let Us make living creatures out of mud, so the mud can see what We have done." And God created every living creature that now moveth, and one was man. Mud as man alone could speak. God leaned close as mud as man sat up, looked around, and spoke. Man blinked. "What is the purpose of all this?" he asked politely.

"Everything must have a purpose?" asked God.

"Certainly," said man.

"Then I leave it to you to think of one for all this," said God.

And He went away."
-Verses 2-4, Book 1, The Books of Bokonon, Cat's Cradle- Kurt Vonnegut

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Nah the meaning of life is to create life, and create something for the life that comes after you to remember you by

oh is it really that simple? liek omg you figured out teh meaning of life and everything?

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An atheist may be unhappy to realize that you go no where when you die and therefore commit suicide because they have realized life has no meaning

Wrong, an atheist doesn't need to go anywhere when he dies. Life doesn't have to have a meaning, life merely is. Accepting that is being brave, not cushioning death with a rosy afterlife so as not to fear it.

Did FML ever bother to provide a source for his suicidal atheists claim? He also didn't clarify what he meant by atheists. Hard-core atheists who hate anything spiritual? People who are simply non-religious? There's a big difference.

Even if atheists have higher suicide rates, does it really mean anything? Perhaps it's a coincidence, or simply a false correlation, like saying that, since most pedophiles are Christians, something about Christianity makes people prone to loving children. Of course, without a source to that claim, it falls apart, but you get my meaning.

quote:

they have realized life has no meaning

Nah the meaning of life is to create life, and create something for the life that comes after you to remember you by

There are so many religions that it makes it hard to now which one is he "right" one, especially if you grew up in a family who was unreligous. An athiest may be unhappy to realize that you go no where when you die and therefore commit suicide because they have realized life has no meaning. If they have figured this out, then maybe they are smarter than we think.