# Atheists views on life. And on death.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-views-on-life-and-on-death/253492>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [July 4, 2004, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-views-on-life-and-on-death/253492 "2004-07-04T14:30:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![RindaRinda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dfb087/32.png) [@RindaRinda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RindaRinda)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-views-on-life-and-on-death/253492/61 "2004-07-08T04:50:22Z")

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> [@Jon the Geek](#):
>
> I’m not going to continue the hijack any further, but thanks for the reply, RindaRinda. I still don’t think I agree with the religious aspects of Buddhism, but I’m definitely going to look into the philosophical side a bit more.

You’re welcome. I don’t agree with some of the religious or explanatory aspects of Buddhism, either (e.g., reincarnation, karma). Otherwise, I’d still be practicing. Nevertheless, I still feel that its precepts offers the best guidelines for seeking happiness and for morality as well.

End of hijack.

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**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\
**Post date:** [July 8, 2004, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-views-on-life-and-on-death/253492/62 "2004-07-08T05:16:48Z")

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> [@Jon the Geek](#):
>
> To Buddhists (as I understand Buddhism, at least), existance is suffering. To me, existance is bliss, since it’s all there is.

I remember that being the impression I got after hearing the obligatory 45-minute lesson about Buddhism in high school. But there’s nothing you hear in high school that a little education can’t fix. 😉  
It’s not suffering in that sense, it means “to undergo” or “to endure.” Meaning that you’re kind of at the mercy of your desires when you want impermanent things to continue (hence the “impermanence of pleasure” part). Like you said, “The cause of suffering is a desire to have and control things” which you can’t really control.

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