Is atheism a symptom of depression?

Question

Before I go any further, I would like for you to not try to further your cause of Christianity or atheism or whatever the hell else motivates you to be an asshole to strangers on the internet. That said, I'm not holding my breath. I have major depressive disorder and paranoid schizophrenia. I am usually happy and spiritual, I wish I could further elaborate, but I really don't know how at the moment (alexithymia, as they call it). But lately I've been really low and looking at things as though I'm just getting closer to death and a black oblivion with each passing day. I'm also frequently irate, what exactly that's a side effect of, I'm not sure. Is atheism (or more specifically, nihilism maybe?) a side effect of depression? I read somewhere that atheists are more prone to suicide than theists, so I wonder if in fact it might be that the depression that drove them to suicide caused them to be atheistic. I'm not a troll. I'm not sure why people think I am when I ask questions like this.

nameless · Answer

~~~ Nice juvenile attempt at a slam.
No, plenty 'believers' are depressed, also.
Just because you ate a hot-dog right before a stroke doesn't imply causality!

? · Answer

The absolute opposite!

Christians are grossly over represented with depression and related psychological problems and lead the use of antidepressants, tranquilizers and sleeping pills by miles!

Seems your post suggests you should ask a medical professional to check your thinking and more importantly  REAL Christian pastoral help to discover how to believe in the loving God and how to ACT as if you did!

Sadly people like you not only drive people further away from God but the reason so many DECENT people are becoming ANTITHEISTS!

Edward · Answer

I'm a depressive. And I've been an atheist for decades and a nihilist for at least on decade. And an on and off alcoholic. And I'm still here. 
Wanna see depressives pray? Attend an AA meeting.

the internet · Answer

No.
There are many undepressed atheists and there are many depressed theists. The only reputable source I could find quickly for data about a correlation between atheism and depression finds 'no':
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=2C5FFF189B3CD8106393F23B986DB791.journals?aid=8988733&fileId=S0033291712003066

~Sabby~ · Answer

By itself, Atheism is not a sign of depression. If a previously religious person suddenly stops believing in God, the afterlife, or any other hopeful thing that religion used to be to them, then yes it is.

Hailey · Answer

Atheism is a symptom of learning the truth.

Everard · Answer

Is not having or needing imaginary space mates a symptom of depression?

Sorry... I can't see the connection.
~

Reileah · Answer

Actually, atheists are less likely to commit suicide.

I wouldn't say that being an atheist causes depression, but being a believer definitely causes a false sense of euphoria.

aeiou2 · Answer

Atheism is rather the captivation for the material realm of reality, which is only one of the dimensions of perception of reality according to spirituality.

It can also be described as being dormant or awake. People who are not awake can be as happy and self-accomplished as anyone.

Leonard · Answer

Of course not! Atheism is one of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.

Is atheism a symptom of depression?

16 Antworten