Depression is a serious problem with in the greater atheist community and far too often, that depression has led to suicide. This is something many of my fellow atheists often don’t like to admit, but it is true. I know a lot of atheists, myself included, would all like to believe that atheists are happier people than religious believers and in many ways we are. But we also have to accept the reality that in some very important ways we are not.

There are of course many valid reasons why atheists are sometimes more prone to suicide than religious believers. Interestingly enough, one of those reasons is religious believers themselves. We live in a world dominated by people who often fervently believe ancient superstitions and who many times demonize, harass, ostracize, and disown those who lack belief in those ancient superstitions. Atheists on the receiving end of this treatment are understandably stressed and isolated. They often experience anxiety and depression as a result.

Imagine you are a young person who has just come to the realization that God is imaginary. You have just realized that everything your religious tradition and your parents have taught you is make-believe. Your whole world has just come undone and for the first time in your life, you now have to wrestle with the great existential questions of life on your own and without any support networks. What does it mean to live a meaningful life without a supernatural deity? Without an afterlife to live for, what is the purpose of life?

Not only does this young person have to struggle with these existential questions on their own, but they also have to do so under the backdrop of fear and anxiety about revealing their doubts and atheism to family and friends. Maybe they already have and as a result, they have been ostracized and/or disowned. Left with no friends, no family, no church community… they are alone, in the philosophical dark, and probably facing the bullying and harassment of their former religious community.

I wrote about atheism’s suicide problem before and got a variety of responses. Some atheists questioned whether the statistics actually showed that a problem exists at all. For the record, it does. I can also tell you anecdotally, that it does. Like I said in that previous article, I have had friends who have died or who very likely have died from suicide. Since that post, I know even more atheists who have taken their own lives. But even if the suicide rate among atheists were exactly the same as among religious believes, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work to lower that number. This life is after all the only life we have.

There were Christians who responded both privately and publicly to my previous article on this subject. They were often quick to point fingers and say things like, “See, atheism causes suicide,” or “Maybe atheists have a higher suicide rate because they know that their life means nothing without God, but are too arrogant to beg him for forgiveness even though they know inside they are guilty, they choose to die forever with their sin.” Yes, those were real comments from real religious believers. It is what has been called, #ChristianLove. Even the odious Bill Donohue of the Catholic League got in on the action. In his book, “The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful,” Donohue mentions me by name as he misrepresented and flat out made stuff up about my previous article, which he was attempting to use as source material. These responses, of course, entirely missed the point. Let me lay it out. Yes, atheists like many other marginalized minorities can be prone to depression and even suicide in large part due to the horrible behavior of many in the religious majority.

I acknowledge that while ignorance really is bliss and people may be happier when they believe in magical paradises after death, it is only when people accept reality that they are in a better position to make themselves and others truly happy. It is the difference between being high on drugs and being high on life. Or in this case high on Jesus vs. high on the vast wonders of the universe. Obviously, I think being high on life is the better kind of happiness. But that is just my opinion.

As a community, atheists should be reminding each other about the wonders around us. It is far too easy to get lost in our day-to-day struggles and problems. To paraphrase Ferris Bueller, life moves pretty fast sometimes and if you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, you just might miss it. We only have one life. There are no do-overs and no magically perfect kingdoms awaiting us when we die. This is it. Life’s too short to waste. If your life sucks, work to make it better… if not for you, for those who come after you. Again, there is a vast cosmos out there and we are links in the chain of human achievement.

One thing I have noticed is that after someone commits suicide, there is suddenly an outpouring of support for them. If only that outpouring could have come a little sooner… Well, it kind of can (not for them obviously, but for the next them). That’s right; we can be there for our friends and family right now. We don’t have to wait until someone commits suicide to say nice things to and about them. We don’t have to wait to check in with people we know are struggling. We can be there for people right now. This is one area in which religion has an actual advantage. They have a support system and a community. But atheists can have that too. There is no need to believe in ridiculous superstitions on insufficient evidence to have a community willing to help each other. We got this.

Atheists are notorious for being contrarians and people who are not always joiners. You get three atheists in a room together and it won’t be long before there is some minor issue that divides them. South Park famously satirized this and in the past few years, we have seen this at our local and national meetings and events. But the fact is that if religion has done anything right, it has been to form actual communities for people to gather and share their struggles. We don’t have to all agree on every issue. There are going to be both minor and major issues that atheists are going to have with each other. However, we are all on this tiny blue dot together and we need to be there for each other because there is no magic deity to help us and no one is perfect.

But it cuts both ways. Not only do we have a responsibility to help each other, but we also have a responsibility to communicate our struggles with each other and ask for support. There is no magic deity peering into our souls. Hell, there aren’t even souls to be peered into. Did I just say “hell?” That’s not even a real place. But I digress. Anyway, my point is that we have to offer help to others and we have to ask for help when we need it. That’s on us and there is no shame in admitting that we need help.

OAM4J)

Yes they do! They just can't kill themselves.

Atheist and death are like man and smelly vagina.

I've had a look at your post and I must admit, you make some decent points, but also some rubbish ones. You're off your rocker to think that all atheists are unhappy or that they lack support or meaning in their lives.

First, you're building your arguments on some dodgy stats. You claim that atheists commit suicide more than religious believers, but that's not the case in every country. Actually, some research shows that there is no obvious link between how religious you are and how likely you are to kill yourself.

It depends on loads of factors, like culture, etc. Some countries with loads of atheists, such as Sweden and Denmark, have fewer suicides than some countries with loads of religious people, such as Iran and Sri Lanka. Lol

You're overlooking the fact that atheists can be happy and have a sense of direction without buying into myths. You say they atheists have to grapple with the big questions of life on their own, but that's bollocks. There are loads of sources of inspiration and guidance, we have philosophy, science, art, literature, and humanism.

Why do we need a supernatural being to tell us what to do or how to live? Humans can find their own meaning and worth in this life, based on reason, evidence, and all that. You can also appreciate the wonders of the universe and the beauty of nature without giving credit to a magic sky daddy.

I think you forgot the fact that atheists can have support and community without joining a church. Saying that atheists are lonely and isolated, but that's rubbish. Some have mates and family who love and accept them for who they are even if they don't see eye to eye.

Aside that, there are online and offline groups and networks where they can meet and mingle with other people who think the same. So, don't be so glum and downbeat about atheism. Cheers!

Dtruthspeaker:
Yes they do! They just can't kill themselves.

Atheist and death are like man and smelly vagina.

Hahahahaha 😛😂😂

Back this claim with evidence or remain a fool. Depression is no respecter of belief, faith in imaginary gods and the paradise they promise will not save a mind that is truly suicidal.

There's a void in a man's life which only God can fill.

Matter what a man tries to use to fill that void, without God he will still feel empty.

This is not just with atheists, but anyone who doesn't truly have God in their lives, including those who profess to serve him with their mouths and lips but whose hearts are far from Him.

May God help them all to truly seek God so He could fill that void in their lives. In Jesus name!

ReacherSaidNoth:
Back this claim with evidence or remain a fool. Depression is no respecter of belief, faith in imaginary gods and the paradise they promise will not save a mind that is truly suicidal.

Fewer Friends
An atheist in such societies is a picky person. He has very few friends. He is not comfortable with everyone. He speaks carefully. His surroundings judge his words and actions.

He doesn’t believe in the majority’s religion. He must be very picky while making friends; any carelessness can put his life in danger. He often cannot discuss his beliefs with his friends openly. He remains silent, so his mind blows, but his tongue remains silent. He wants to share his thoughts, but he can’t. So the second big reason is Fewer friends.

Drjones109:


Fewer Friends
An atheist in such societies is a picky person. He has very few friends. He is not comfortable with everyone. He speaks carefully. His surroundings judge his words and actions.

He doesn’t believe in the majority’s religion. He must be very picky while making friends; any carelessness can put his life in danger. He often cannot discuss his beliefs with his friends openly. He remains silent, so his mind blows, but his tongue remains silent. He wants to share his thoughts, but he can’t. So the second big reason is Fewer friends.

It appears you don't know what evidence means. Most people who commit suicide have friends and family, don't reinforce the stereotype that religious people are dumb.

ReacherSaidNoth:
Back this claim with evidence or remain a fool. Depression is no respecter of belief, faith in imaginary gods and the paradise they promise will not save a mind that is truly suicidal.

The primary cause of the depressing life of Atheists in undeveloped societies is a conflict between beliefs and actions. They have different beliefs, but the environment, family, and friends force them to perform different actions. In this situation, depression is obvious when you are doing acts forcefully. You don’t want to perform. Still, perform.

This is an ideal situation to trigger depression .because your will is compromised, all you are doing to praise someone else .you are not prepared to do, but you must obey.

Sometimes it happens in emotional blackmailing like you have to perform prayer to make happy to your parents, and sometimes your parents force you to perform such things. In both cases, your own will be compromised, and you are inviting depression for yourself.

Meanwhile there's a religion that promises 72 virgins in afterlife if you can strap a bomb to yourself and detonate it in a crowd

Not surprised.

ReacherSaidNoth:
Back this claim with evidence or remain a fool. Depression is no respecter of belief, faith in imaginary gods and the paradise they promise will not save a mind that is truly suicidal.

Only people who do not have God as their friend suffer depression.

Drjones109:
Depression is a serious problem with in the greater atheist community and far too often, that depression has led to suicide. This is something many of my fellow atheists often don’t like to admit, but it is true. I know a lot of atheists, myself included, would all like to believe that atheists are happier people than religious believers and in many ways we are. But we also have to accept the reality that in some very important ways we are not.

There are of course many valid reasons why atheists are sometimes more prone to suicide than religious believers. Interestingly enough, one of those reasons is religious believers themselves. We live in a world dominated by people who often fervently believe ancient superstitions and who many times demonize, harass, ostracize, and disown those who lack belief in those ancient superstitions. Atheists on the receiving end of this treatment are understandably stressed and isolated. They often experience anxiety and depression as a result.

Imagine you are a young person who has just come to the realization that God is imaginary. You have just realized that everything your religious tradition and your parents have taught you is make-believe. Your whole world has just come undone and for the first time in your life, you now have to wrestle with the great existential questions of life on your own and without any support networks. What does it mean to live a meaningful life without a supernatural deity? Without an afterlife to live for, what is the purpose of life?

Not only does this young person have to struggle with these existential questions on their own, but they also have to do so under the backdrop of fear and anxiety about revealing their doubts and atheism to family and friends. Maybe they already have and as a result, they have been ostracized and/or disowned. Left with no friends, no family, no church community… they are alone, in the philosophical dark, and probably facing the bullying and harassment of their former religious community.

I wrote about atheism’s suicide problem before and got a variety of responses. Some atheists questioned whether the statistics actually showed that a problem exists at all. For the record, it does. I can also tell you anecdotally, that it does. Like I said in that previous article, I have had friends who have died or who very likely have died from suicide. Since that post, I know even more atheists who have taken their own lives. But even if the suicide rate among atheists were exactly the same as among religious believes, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work to lower that number. This life is after all the only life we have.

There were Christians who responded both privately and publicly to my previous article on this subject. They were often quick to point fingers and say things like, “See, atheism causes suicide,” or “Maybe atheists have a higher suicide rate because they know that their life means nothing without God, but are too arrogant to beg him for forgiveness even though they know inside they are guilty, they choose to die forever with their sin.” Yes, those were real comments from real religious believers. It is what has been called, #ChristianLove. Even the odious Bill Donohue of the Catholic League got in on the action. In his book, “The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful,” Donohue mentions me by name as he misrepresented and flat out made stuff up about my previous article, which he was attempting to use as source material. These responses, of course, entirely missed the point. Let me lay it out. Yes, atheists like many other marginalized minorities can be prone to depression and even suicide in large part due to the horrible behavior of many in the religious majority.

I acknowledge that while ignorance really is bliss and people may be happier when they believe in magical paradises after death, it is only when people accept reality that they are in a better position to make themselves and others truly happy. It is the difference between being high on drugs and being high on life. Or in this case high on Jesus vs. high on the vast wonders of the universe. Obviously, I think being high on life is the better kind of happiness. But that is just my opinion.

As a community, atheists should be reminding each other about the wonders around us. It is far too easy to get lost in our day-to-day struggles and problems. To paraphrase Ferris Bueller, life moves pretty fast sometimes and if you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, you just might miss it. We only have one life. There are no do-overs and no magically perfect kingdoms awaiting us when we die. This is it. Life’s too short to waste. If your life sucks, work to make it better… if not for you, for those who come after you. Again, there is a vast cosmos out there and we are links in the chain of human achievement.

One thing I have noticed is that after someone commits suicide, there is suddenly an outpouring of support for them. If only that outpouring could have come a little sooner… Well, it kind of can (not for them obviously, but for the next them). That’s right; we can be there for our friends and family right now. We don’t have to wait until someone commits suicide to say nice things to and about them. We don’t have to wait to check in with people we know are struggling. We can be there for people right now. This is one area in which religion has an actual advantage. They have a support system and a community. But atheists can have that too. There is no need to believe in ridiculous superstitions on insufficient evidence to have a community willing to help each other. We got this.

Atheists are notorious for being contrarians and people who are not always joiners. You get three atheists in a room together and it won’t be long before there is some minor issue that divides them. South Park famously satirized this and in the past few years, we have seen this at our local and national meetings and events. But the fact is that if religion has done anything right, it has been to form actual communities for people to gather and share their struggles. We don’t have to all agree on every issue. There are going to be both minor and major issues that atheists are going to have with each other. However, we are all on this tiny blue dot together and we need to be there for each other because there is no magic deity to help us and no one is perfect.

But it cuts both ways. Not only do we have a responsibility to help each other, but we also have a responsibility to communicate our struggles with each other and ask for support. There is no magic deity peering into our souls. Hell, there aren’t even souls to be peered into. Did I just say “hell?” That’s not even a real place. But I digress. Anyway, my point is that we have to offer help to others and we have to ask for help when we need it. That’s on us and there is no shame in admitting that we need help.

OAM4J)

What scientific study was carried out that showed that atheists are over represented in suicides?

Drjones109:


Fewer Friends
An atheist in such societies is a picky person. He has very few friends. He is not comfortable with everyone. He speaks carefully. His surroundings judge his words and actions.

He doesn’t believe in the majority’s religion. He must be very picky while making friends; any carelessness can put his life in danger. He often cannot discuss his beliefs with his friends openly. He remains silent, so his mind blows, but his tongue remains silent. He wants to share his thoughts, but he can’t. So the second big reason is Fewer friends.

Is this conclusion for most atheists, some or you're just talking about yourself?

Drjones109:
Depression is a serious problem with in the greater atheist community and far too often, that depression has led to suicide. This is something many of my fellow atheists often don’t like to admit, but it is true. I know a lot of atheists, myself included, would all like to believe that atheists are happier people than religious believers and in many ways we are. But we also have to accept the reality that in some very important ways we are not.

There are of course many valid reasons why atheists are sometimes more prone to suicide than religious believers. Interestingly enough, one of those reasons is religious believers themselves. We live in a world dominated by people who often fervently believe ancient superstitions and who many times demonize, harass, ostracize, and disown those who lack belief in those ancient superstitions. Atheists on the receiving end of this treatment are understandably stressed and isolated. They often experience anxiety and depression as a result.

Imagine you are a young person who has just come to the realization that God is imaginary. You have just realized that everything your religious tradition and your parents have taught you is make-believe. Your whole world has just come undone and for the first time in your life, you now have to wrestle with the great existential questions of life on your own and without any support networks. What does it mean to live a meaningful life without a supernatural deity? Without an afterlife to live for, what is the purpose of life?

Not only does this young person have to struggle with these existential questions on their own, but they also have to do so under the backdrop of fear and anxiety about revealing their doubts and atheism to family and friends. Maybe they already have and as a result, they have been ostracized and/or disowned. Left with no friends, no family, no church community… they are alone, in the philosophical dark, and probably facing the bullying and harassment of their former religious community.

I wrote about atheism’s suicide problem before and got a variety of responses. Some atheists questioned whether the statistics actually showed that a problem exists at all. For the record, it does. I can also tell you anecdotally, that it does. Like I said in that previous article, I have had friends who have died or who very likely have died from suicide. Since that post, I know even more atheists who have taken their own lives. But even if the suicide rate among atheists were exactly the same as among religious believes, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t work to lower that number. This life is after all the only life we have.

There were Christians who responded both privately and publicly to my previous article on this subject. They were often quick to point fingers and say things like, “See, atheism causes suicide,” or “Maybe atheists have a higher suicide rate because they know that their life means nothing without God, but are too arrogant to beg him for forgiveness even though they know inside they are guilty, they choose to die forever with their sin.” Yes, those were real comments from real religious believers. It is what has been called, #ChristianLove. Even the odious Bill Donohue of the Catholic League got in on the action. In his book, “The Catholic Advantage: Why Health, Happiness, and Heaven Await the Faithful,” Donohue mentions me by name as he misrepresented and flat out made stuff up about my previous article, which he was attempting to use as source material. These responses, of course, entirely missed the point. Let me lay it out. Yes, atheists like many other marginalized minorities can be prone to depression and even suicide in large part due to the horrible behavior of many in the religious majority.

I acknowledge that while ignorance really is bliss and people may be happier when they believe in magical paradises after death, it is only when people accept reality that they are in a better position to make themselves and others truly happy. It is the difference between being high on drugs and being high on life. Or in this case high on Jesus vs. high on the vast wonders of the universe. Obviously, I think being high on life is the better kind of happiness. But that is just my opinion.

As a community, atheists should be reminding each other about the wonders around us. It is far too easy to get lost in our day-to-day struggles and problems. To paraphrase Ferris Bueller, life moves pretty fast sometimes and if you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, you just might miss it. We only have one life. There are no do-overs and no magically perfect kingdoms awaiting us when we die. This is it. Life’s too short to waste. If your life sucks, work to make it better… if not for you, for those who come after you. Again, there is a vast cosmos out there and we are links in the chain of human achievement.

One thing I have noticed is that after someone commits suicide, there is suddenly an outpouring of support for them. If only that outpouring could have come a little sooner… Well, it kind of can (not for them obviously, but for the next them). That’s right; we can be there for our friends and family right now. We don’t have to wait until someone commits suicide to say nice things to and about them. We don’t have to wait to check in with people we know are struggling. We can be there for people right now. This is one area in which religion has an actual advantage. They have a support system and a community. But atheists can have that too. There is no need to believe in ridiculous superstitions on insufficient evidence to have a community willing to help each other. We got this.

Atheists are notorious for being contrarians and people who are not always joiners. You get three atheists in a room together and it won’t be long before there is some minor issue that divides them. South Park famously satirized this and in the past few years, we have seen this at our local and national meetings and events. But the fact is that if religion has done anything right, it has been to form actual communities for people to gather and share their struggles. We don’t have to all agree on every issue. There are going to be both minor and major issues that atheists are going to have with each other. However, we are all on this tiny blue dot together and we need to be there for each other because there is no magic deity to help us and no one is perfect.

But it cuts both ways. Not only do we have a responsibility to help each other, but we also have a responsibility to communicate our struggles with each other and ask for support. There is no magic deity peering into our souls. Hell, there aren’t even souls to be peered into. Did I just say “hell?” That’s not even a real place. But I digress. Anyway, my point is that we have to offer help to others and we have to ask for help when we need it. That’s on us and there is no shame in admitting that we need help.

OAM4J)

This bullshit made me think you are bonkers. Not a shred of stats. No logical reasoning. Just regular bullshit

Drjones109:


Fewer Friends
An atheist in such societies is a picky person. He has very few friends. He is not comfortable with everyone. He speaks carefully. His surroundings judge his words and actions.

He doesn’t believe in the majority’s religion. He must be very picky while making friends; any carelessness can put his life in danger. He often cannot discuss his beliefs with his friends openly. He remains silent, so his mind blows, but his tongue remains silent. He wants to share his thoughts, but he can’t. So the second big reason is Fewer friends.

Yes, I have no friends. I'm a loner. I live in a religious society. I'm I suicidal? Hell no!
There are atheists living in UK, Nederlands who openly profess their belief, and have many friends. Are they suicidal? I don't know but I don't think so.
Like I said, your article reeks of quality bullshit. There's no stats, no logic. Just a regular horseshit someone plucked from his ass

Drjones109:


The primary cause of the depressing life of Atheists in undeveloped societies is a conflict between beliefs and actions. They have different beliefs, but the environment, family, and friends force them to perform different actions. In this situation, depression is obvious when you are doing acts forcefully. You don’t want to perform. Still, perform.

This is an ideal situation to trigger depression .because your will is compromised, all you are doing to praise someone else .you are not prepared to do, but you must obey.

Sometimes it happens in emotional blackmailing like you have to perform prayer to make happy to your parents, and sometimes your parents force you to perform such things. In both cases, your own will be compromised, and you are inviting depression for yourself.

Lets assume this piece is true for the sake of argument. Then you're referring to atheists in undeveloped countries. What about those in developed countries who contribute a huge chunk of worldwide atheists? Are you seeing your reasoning is bollocks. This demonstrates theists may be dumber than a wet bricks

hopefulLandlord:
Meanwhile there's a religion that promises 72 virgins in afterlife if you can strap a bomb to yourself and detonate it in a crowd

He completely ignored that one, but kept on plucking bullshyte from his resourceful ass

Dtruthspeaker:


Only people who do not have God as their friend suffer depression.

I guess if I bring stats of christians, both laymen and pastors that committed suicide, you'll tell me they weren't christians. So no need showing you such stats. You're the dumbest theist alive

The suicide problem of atheism comes from the same demons whose existence atheists deny.

Christian converts in Muslim countries, and those who dwell among chronic Muslim brethren suffer a greater measure of persecution which includes but not limited to isolation, death threats (often carried out), rejection, dehumanization, excommunication, molestation, mockery and a host of other evils. Yet, they do not commit suide or have the faintest thoughts of it.

The same demons are putting your focus on Christians as the cause of your problems while taking your attention off themselves.

You guys should keep deceiving yourselves. A day would come when you would never be able to say again that there's no God because you'll see Him face to face.

Those who have died are currently regretting. If they have the chance, they'll love to return to warn you to discontinue in this destructive path of atheism. It's quite too late for them now. If you still have your breath, you still have opportunity today to repent.

Yes, those atheists who have died including your revered Darwin is in full regrets right now but it's too late for them. You might ask how am I sure of this. Yeah, I am 2,000% sure because I have met God. I know Him and He knows me.

FxMasterz:
The suicide problem of atheism comes from the same demons whose existence atheists deny.

Christian converts in Muslim countries, and those who dwell among chronic Muslim brethren suffer a greater measure of persecution which includes but not limited to isolation, death threats (often carried out), rejection, dehumanization, excommunication, molestation, mockery and a host of other evils. Yet, they do not commit suide or have the faintest thoughts of it.

The same demons are putting your focus on Christians as the cause of your problems while taking your attention off themselves.

You guys should keep deceiving yourselves. A day would come when you would never be able to say again that there's no God because you'll see Him face to face.

Those who have died are currently regretting. If they have the chance, they'll love to return to warn you not continue in this destructive path of atheism. It's quite too late for them now. If you still have your breath, you still have opportunity today to repent.

Yes, those atheists who have died including your revered Darwin is in full regrets right now but it's too late for them. You might ask how am I sure of this. Yeah, I am 2,000% percent sure because I have met God. I know Him and He knows me.

You know what, there's no need replying this post. Its bullshitry is even worse than the OP. LOL 😆

Jewish fairy tales makes people's life meaningful?
Incredible

jaephoenix:

You know what, there's no need replying this post. Its bullshitry is even worse than the OP. LOL 😆

But the OP is actually an atheist. Are you angry that he has exposed what you have been denying?

Drjones109:


Depression

In all my years on NL, I've never seen anything this stupid. Without any doubt, it's now crystal clear beyond any reasonable doubt that many theists on NL has less than 2figures IQ.

jaephoenix:

I guess if I bring stats of christians, both laymen and pastors that committed suicide, you'll tell me they weren't christians. So no need showing you such stats. You're the dumbest theist alive

You already knew so why speak? You really are the most foolish atheist about to die.

Everyone is prone to getting depressed and commiting suicide it has nothing to do with non belief or belief in a God, or the stupid talk of demons causing it.

And the actual reason people may take their own lives is because they have lost temporary control of their minds either due to psychological or biological factors or both. Everyone who has committed suicide or attempted it was never fully in control.

However, the truth need to be told. An atheist may be more prone to commiting suicide than the the theist because he or she has no moral qualms in doing so . Religious people who are programmed to regard suicide as something morally reprehensible hardly think of it. Infact the dread it because of the punishment which they think awaits them on the other side

And it's this programming that's making the difference between the rate of suicide within the religious community and those of the atheist ,if not everyone is prone to commiting suicide.

No matter the loss of control, mental programming which are deeply embedded in the religious mind continue to operate unconsciously at the background to steer them away from ending their lives at the time the brain is partially crippled due to depression.

But the atheist can also to something to deal with depression so it doesn't end crippling the part of the brain responsible for critical thinking.

Atheists and other religious people should learn how to meditate. Meditation is more helpful than prayers. These days a lot of atheist are learning to meditate and it helps to starve off depression.

However ,I going to issue a disclaimer that no one reading this should take my words as an alternative to sound medical advice from a professional. If you ever feel depressed and starting to nurse suicidal thoughts please seek urgent help from a professional.

If depression is due to biological factors , it then means the problem is fully present in the brain and may require some medication to manage, not only meditation or prayers.

FxMasterz:


But the OP is actually an atheist. Are you angry that he has exposed what you have been denying?

The creator of this thread is not an atheist. He is a theist who copied the article from an atheist blog without given credit to the original writer , and now using it to indirectly push the false narrative here on Nairaland that atheist and other religious are prone to commiting suicide because they lack a God in their lives.

Apart from regurgitating parts of the article as response to what others have said here, he has not said anything else, proving he's not the same person as the original writer.

The OP is an intellectual thief . Don't give him any credit for something that's not his.

triplechoice:


The creator of this thread is not an atheist. He is a theist who copied the article from an atheist blog without given credit to the original writer , and now using it to indirectly push the false narrative here on Nairaland that atheist and other religious are prone to commiting suicide because they lack a God in their lives.

Apart from regurgitating parts of the article as response to what others have said here, he has not said anything else, proving he's not the same person as the original writer.

The OP is an intellectual thief . Don't give him any credit for something that's not his.

Okay. Thank you for the clarification.

But the post was originally written by an atheist. That doesn't change the theme of the post and the direction of the thread.

FxMasterz:


Okay. Thank you for the clarification.

But the post was originally written by an atheist. That doesn't change the theme of the post and the direction of the thread.

Intellectual dishonesty is very bad. The theme of the post is unchanged but the authenticity of the post is of more concern than the content of the post.

immortalcrown:
Iji Intellectual dishonesty is very bad. The theme of the post is unchanged but the authenticity of the post is of more concern than the content of the post.

The content still passes a message. The OP can rectify the integrity issue at any time.

FxMasterz:


Okay. Thank you for the clarification.

But the post was originally written by an atheist. That doesn't change the theme of the post and the direction of the thread.

Yes ,it doesn't change the theme of the post but you're trying to change it by your outlandish claims that the cause of atheists commiting suicide is due to demons.

Why have you deflected from the Op to talk of something else that's not related to it. Demon talk.

triplechoice:


Yes ,it doesn't change the theme of the post but you're trying to change it by your outlandish claims that the cause of atheists commiting suicide is due to demons.

Why have you deflected from the Op to talk of something else that's not related to it. Demon talk.

I only provided clarification because the OP and his source had wrong diagnosis. I even painted a comparative picture for my position.