In my opinion, people need faith to give their lives meaning.
As an athiest, I DONT believe in anything, contrary to what MAG86 says. People need to have a point to their lives, so they can merrily go about their daily business with the hope that once their day comes it wont all just end.
When I pass away, my corpse will rot, and the memory of me will eventually fade away. Im quite comfortable with that fact, and if its what happens with the rest of the animal kingdom, what makes us so special?
I wake up each morning knowing that whatever i do, on the grand scheme of things, is meaninless. Does that mean im depressed, suicidal, or generally an asshole to be around? Does that make me evil? No. Im probably one of the most cheerful people to be around. I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, and helping out those who are in need.
Harlot, you seem to be harbouring a lot of anger. Its true. The world is not fun and games, its not always happy, and it will rain down shit until you crack. Thats life.
Most religious zealots will attest to the fact that god exsits because they see miracles everyday. They also say bad things happen because we were given free will.
I personally (and my reason for being an athiest) believe that if a god does exist, and we are created in his image, he is an absolute bastard. Thousands die everyday from starvation, dirty water, disease, poverty etc. The third world is becoming more and more rampant. The gap between rich and starving is increasing.
World wars, crusaids, mass murder, genocide, all these are human characteristics. Why would god give us the choice of doing such horrendous deeds (eventually, probably, leading to the destruction of the earth) if he knew we would end up doing all this??
What is the point of it all?
If i created a robot, knowing full well as soon as i turned it on, it would kill everyone around it... including me... what would be the purpose of creating it? To show the rest of the world (who doesnt care) what it is capable of?
Please. The old testament showed a god that was quick and swift with the hand of justice. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed at the blink of an eye. The entire world was swiped clean. For what purpose? To end up in the same place.... except with the ability to wipe out the earth over 300 times at the push of a button.
If he exists, hes lost interest. Hes left us with a world run by those who care not for humanity.
In the end, its upto you what you chose to believe, what you chose to wake up to, how you live your life. Some believe that the human stage is the first of many... and is actually nothing compared to the afterlife.
I will live my life with my morals, my views, and my mentality. If there is a god, and im deemed not worthy of heaven, then so be it.
Just know that anger will eventually destroy you from the inside.
Bleh. Long post.