I'm talking about earthly happiness. For example, I myself am a homosexual atheist, would I be happier and live a more fulfilling life if I was chaste, prayed with every night, went to mass every sunday, etc etc? Or should Christians just expect the fact that they will suffer and have to give up pleasures, happiness only being expected in the afterlife?
I'm genuinely curious about this because the answer seems to vastly differ between different denominations, some churches go as far as saying that christians should not only expect happiness, but money and material things, so I thought about asking you guys.
No, Christianity is for people who are profoundly not on your page, happy/sad is largely irrelevant. People come to it as a last ditch affair, we are the "poor in spirit."
As to material goods, I don't think that enters into it at all, your pocketbook and your spiritual existence are quite apart.
BIG YES! Honestly, even as a Christian that tends towards perfectionism and demands certain forms of asceticism, after about a week, you love your duties to God and your life more. Waking up at 6 AM may seem like torture at the start, but then it is refreshing and fulfilling. Praying all the hours seems like a chore at the beginning, but then your life is looking forward to each one. As is so with all Christian practices.
You get massive benefits from 24/7 prayer in the heart, and you have a strong love towards complete strangers, no stress or anxiety or worry, because you've given all that to God. Since anger is forbidden and forgiveness demanded, you have no ill will towards anyone ever (it only bothers you when you do anyway), and are always happy, even with enemies. Giving up those things brings pure joy.
No, you will not have material things, but you will have Earthly happiness. Giving your money when asked in a literal way as Jesus commanded is extremely rewarding. Not wasting your time with media or music brings more time for pleasures that last longer and are better than all of that. Releasing yourself from the burden of violence by being an absolute non-resistant and never calling the police or locking your cars or doors relaxes you in amazing ways, because you have nothing to lose ever. Releasing all emotional attachments to things makes you physically feel light, and like you could dance on the world. The benefits of following Christ while doing these things can not ever be counted.
All I have described is the joy of Christ. You will mourn your sins 24/7 but you will have a sweetness and a joy with it. You may physically suffer or be uncomfortable but you will not care. Sadness and temporal happiness will pass, but always you will have joy. Convert and repent.
Also bonus: Chastity is rewarded even for straights, I am never getting married (probably not doing vocations either) and by a grace from God have been freed from all those desires, that also makes life light
It's difficult to understand, I for one got myself into this mess through philosophy. Eventually I had painted myself into such a miserable, morally fraught and impossible corner that I had to accept the one thing I had denied the whole way along, which is biblical revelation.
This guy is unreasonably happy imo, I wonder how he does it.
How happy will you be when you're dying alone without children from HIV-assisted colon cancer? How happy will being a homosexual atheist have made you then?
Has the thought ever occurred to you that God's commandments might possibly be for our own good?
Oliver Foster
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Phil 4:4)
"Give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God toward you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess 5:18)
Honestly it's just because when I became a Christian, and entered the struggle with the saints, I became unreasonably joyful at this, and still am. It's been months, it's not going away. I've accepted the burden of myself and my sins and my faults, and I'll endure them in the mercy of the Lord. I've removed cares for the world and it's things, so I'm free from that burden. I've removed the cares for safety with human deeds and protections, care for governments or any political action, so I'm free from those worries (never having to call the police or lock a door means you do not feel apprehension or fear at other humans, so you feel safe and comfortable and free anywhere you go). Why not be happy all the time? WE'RE GOING TO BE FORGIVEN AND HAVE REST FROM OUR SINS AND GLORIFIED BODIES! Is that not the most amazing thing ever said?
Carter Flores
I have been an atheist from birth and from my experience it doesn't. I don't seek hapinnes in life, however. I advise you shouldn't be a christian. We'd all be better off with you as far away as you can from it, including yourself.
Matthew 7:6
Charles Scott
Maybe one day, I'm still too new, also as I said, I came to this by philosophy
Ecclesiastes 1:18 is highly relevant. "For that in much wisdom is much grief, and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."
Cameron Lewis
Indeed, be careful what you read OP, or you might end up not being a normie.
