# A depressing thought from a confirmed atheist **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 15, 2015, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094 "2015-05-15T08:43:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 12:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/21 "2015-05-15T12:52:07Z")
What would this be depressing? Atheists sleep late on Sundays and get the best tables for brunch (if they beat the church crowd). ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/22 "2015-05-15T12:53:03Z")
> [@Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](#): > > And it will still all be for nothing Very good description of _your_ concept of the universe, where nothing any living thing does actually has any meaning, because it’s all controlled by a being beyond the universe. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/23 "2015-05-15T12:57:37Z")
Yep – I find the various religious world views far more depressing, personally. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/24 "2015-05-15T13:07:47Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Only those who believe in an afterlife have a chance of finding out they’re right. My own belief is that there is no heaven but there is a hell and I’ll be the only one there. So it is kind of depressing. Of course there is Hell. In fact, its all over the place, about every 1/8th mile. You can identify it by the round green sign with the mermaid on it. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/25 "2015-05-15T13:10:28Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > There may be an afterlife that’s a natural extension of this life; no god involved. And wouldn’t it be a hoot if heaven exists . . . and only atheists are allowed in. Naturally they’re all wandering around saying, “I can’t believe it!” ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/26 "2015-05-15T13:42:48Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > For example, it may turn out that the Muslims are right, and so the Christian will presumably become aware of that, after he dies. Or it could be _South Park_ is right and the only people in Heaven are the Mormons. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/27 "2015-05-15T14:04:43Z")
Is Christianity being right totally contingent on the existence of the afterlife? Coming from a Jewish perspective, I believe in an afterlife, but that isn’t the purpose of my life or the “test” of whether my religious beliefs are accurate. I know that Christianity is much more afterlife-based, but does that mean that if we knew for sure that there were no afterlife that Christians would give up on their religion entirely? Christian believers in this thread – if you knew for certain that there was no afterlife, would that completely invalidate your beliefs? ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/28 "2015-05-15T14:20:32Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > I don’t know why I find it depressing, I just do. Here’s what occurred to me - a Christian will never know that he was wrong, an atheist will never know that he was right. Wait a while; it’ll become ironic instead of depressing. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/29 "2015-05-15T14:21:24Z")
Most religions contradict others, so many worshippers will be disappointed. :smack: As an Atheist, I intend to enjoy this life (and not spend time and money on Churches.) 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/30 "2015-05-15T14:26:27Z")
> [@grude](#): > > I mean sure traumatic or early death sucks, but would eternal life really be good? I’ve long thought that eternal life would get tedious. I’m not even so sure about people living to be 200 years old. At some point, you get tired. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/31 "2015-05-15T15:32:50Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > I don’t know why I find it depressing, I just do. Here’s what occurred to me - a Christian will never know that he was wrong, an atheist will never know that he was right. Agnostics know they are right all along: NOBODY knows if a god of any kind exists or not. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/32 "2015-05-15T15:54:07Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > I don’t know why I find it depressing, I just do. Here’s what occurred to me - a Christian will never know that he was wrong, an atheist will never know that he was right. I have it on good authority that [the Jews were right](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ut116mBuPpg). ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/33 "2015-05-15T16:32:03Z")
> [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > Is Christianity being right totally contingent on the existence of the afterlife? Coming from a Jewish perspective, **I believe in an afterlife, but that isn’t the purpose of my life or the “test” of whether my religious beliefs are accurate**. > > I know that Christianity is much more afterlife-based, but does that mean that if we knew for sure that there were no afterlife that Christians would give up on their religion entirely? > > Christian believers in this thread – if you knew for certain that there was no afterlife, would that completely invalidate your beliefs? (my embolden) That theory fits in with mine, exactly. I’m from Catholic stock, with a strong history from Poland (mum’s side - dad’s was CofE), but only really my mum, who went to Catholic school is fully into worshipping; she volunteers at the church, helps families whose children are to be baptised, goes to bell ringing twice a week, organises Sunday school - the whole nine yards. So I’m kind of a ‘Christian’ for image purposes (The Daily Show talked about that recently), but more of a spiritualist, as I’ve had an experience with the dead, as have my brother and sister (she’s had many of them). So I believe in the after-life but am living for today, 'cause in this life, things are much harder than in the afterworld. This life you’re on your own. _guitar solo_ Sorry, I can’t answer your question more specifically as **I know** there’s an afterlife ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2015, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/34 "2015-05-15T20:16:34Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > … But a Christian could easily know he’s wrong. For example, it may turn out that the Muslims are right, and so the Christian will presumably become aware of that, after he dies. … I’ve always thought it’ll be funny when we each arrive at the gate to afterlife and have to fill out the entry application form. After boxes for name, date of birth, place of birth, etc. comes one last question: Religion (please check one): [] Jehovah’s Witness [] Other Lotsa folks are gonna be surprised when they see that. As an atheist, I know I’m gonna be one of the surprised too. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/35 "2015-05-16T00:47:39Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Most religions contradict others, so many worshippers will be disappointed. :smack: Only if it turns out only one of them is right. I mean, how do we really know that **all** the gods don’t actually exist. What if all religions are true and you just get whatever you believe when you die? ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/36 "2015-05-16T01:01:49Z")
Why is “Atheist” a code meaning “Believes humans are mortal with no chance of afterlife”? I use it to mean “Ascribes to no system of beliefs commonly called ‘religion’”. Would it shock you to learn of an atheist who believed in an afterlife? That only our bodies die and decay; our personalities (aka “souls”) are eternal? Such a critter is possible - and I’d love to have an intelligent conversation with that person. Assuming the beliefs are rational in origin, which leaves out most theories of eternal life. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/37 "2015-05-16T01:07:54Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > I don’t know why I find it depressing, I just do. Here’s what occurred to me - a Christian will never know that he was wrong, an atheist will never know that he was right. how would you describe someone who doesn’t care either way? all I want is to avoid a long, drawn-out painful death. but what happens afterward is not anything I’ll be capable of caring about. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/38 "2015-05-16T03:05:22Z")
I imagine two people who fell off a bridge and on the way down one is praying and the other is yelling at the first for being a dumbass. Worrying about what happens when you hit the ground is like yelling at the praying guy. All it accomplishes is making a sufficiently bad situation worse. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/39 "2015-05-16T04:30:07Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > \*\*A depressing thought from a confirmed atheist \*\* > > I don’t know why I find it depressing, I just do. Here’s what occurred to me - a Christian will never know that he was wrong, an atheist will never know that he was right. You should know _now._ ---
**Author:** ![usedtobe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ec9cab/32.png) [@usedtobe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/usedtobe)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2015, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094/40 "2015-05-16T06:54:25Z")
It is possible to be both certain of something and still find it depressing. And wanting to be able to say “Told you so” has nothing to do with either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-depressing-thought-from-a-confirmed-atheist/720094.md?page=3)