[hijack]
Golly, what a weird way to think about it. ISTM that you start life as an emotionally unstable basket case who can’t experience the slightest deprivation without dissolving into a devastating screaming fit, and work up from there building your resilience and ability to cope with the world while expanding your capacity for happiness and serenity. If you play your cards right and get some breaks, you can end up as someone strong and fulfilled enough to handle the inevitable ugliness and decrepitude of old age while still being WAY happier on average than a typical baby. (And better company, too.)
[/hijack]
I think I’ve mentioned before around here that I find the only real cognitive/emotional downside to atheism is not having a rational justification for generalized expression of gratitude. I don’t mind having “no one to blame” for suffering, mostly because I think my own blaming propensities don’t need any encouragement, tyvm.
But sometimes when you’re feeling joyful it would be nice just to be able to praise, y’know? Let everything that hath breath! 