Changes

{{cquote|If [[atheism]] is true, it is far from being good news. Learning that we're alone in the [[universe]], that no one hears or answers our prayers, that humanity is entirely the product of random events, that we have no more intrinsic dignity than non-human and even non-animate clumps of matter, that we face certain annihilation in death, that our sufferings are ultimately pointless, that our lives and loves do not at all matter in a larger sense, that those who commit horrific evils and elude human punishment get away with their crimes scot free — all of this (and much more) is utterly tragic.<ref>[http://theweek.com/article/index/241108/where-are-the-honest-atheists Where are the honest atheists?]</ref>}}

{{cquote|If [[atheism]] is true, it is far from being good news. Learning that we're alone in the [[universe]], that no one hears or answers our prayers, that humanity is entirely the product of random events, that we have no more intrinsic dignity than non-human and even non-animate clumps of matter, that we face certain annihilation in death, that our sufferings are ultimately pointless, that our lives and loves do not at all matter in a larger sense, that those who commit horrific evils and elude human punishment get away with their crimes scot free — all of this (and much more) is utterly tragic.<ref>[http://theweek.com/article/index/241108/where-are-the-honest-atheists Where are the honest atheists?]</ref>}}

Although [[Bertrand Russell]] was an [[agnosticism|agnostic]], he had favorable views of atheism.<ref> Russell, Bertrand (1947) "Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic?"[http://www.luminary.us/russell/atheist_agnostic.html] Most online sources say "by which one prove," probably a mistake.</ref>  Bertrand Russell wrote in 1903 about [[entropy]] and the universe:

Although [[Bertrand Russell]] was an [[agnosticism|agnostic]], he had favorable views of atheism.<ref>Russell, Bertrand (1947) "Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic?"[http://www.luminary.us/russell/atheist_agnostic.html] Most online sources say "by which one prove," probably a mistake.</ref>  Bertrand Russell wrote in 1903 about [[entropy]] and the universe:

{{cquote|That man is the product of causes that had no prevision of the end they were achieving; that his origin, his growth, his hopes and fears, his loves and his beliefs, are but the outcome of accidental collocations of [[atom]]s; that no fire, no heroism, no intensity of thought and feeling, can preserve individual life beyond the grave; that all the labors of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius, are destined to extinction in the vast death of the [[solar system]], and that the whole temple of Man's achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the debris of a universe in ruins- all these things, if not quite beyond dispute, are yet so nearly certain that no philosophy which rejects them can hope to stand.

{{cquote|That man is the product of causes that had no prevision of the end they were achieving; that his origin, his growth, his hopes and fears, his loves and his beliefs, are but the outcome of accidental collocations of [[atom]]s; that no fire, no heroism, no intensity of thought and feeling, can preserve individual life beyond the grave; that all the labors of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius, are destined to extinction in the vast death of the [[solar system]], and that the whole temple of Man's achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the debris of a universe in ruins- all these things, if not quite beyond dispute, are yet so nearly certain that no philosophy which rejects them can hope to stand.

The atheist Derek Beres claimed: "We’re the product of millions of years of [[evolution]]. Most species are extinct, as humans will eventually be."<ref>[http://bigthink.com/21st-century-spirituality/the-arrogance-of-atheism The Arrogance of Atheism?] by Derek Beres</ref> See also: [[Atheism and death]] and [[Atheism and meaninglessness]]

The atheist Derek Beres claimed: "We’re the product of millions of years of [[evolution]]. Most species are extinct, as humans will eventually be."<ref>[http://bigthink.com/21st-century-spirituality/the-arrogance-of-atheism The Arrogance of Atheism?] by Derek Beres</ref> See also: [[Atheism and death]] and [[Atheism and meaninglessness]]

In December of 2003, the University of Warwick reported:

In December 2003, the University of Warwick reported:

{{cquote|Dr. Stephen Joseph, from the University of Warwick, said: "Religious people seem to have a greater purpose in life, which is why they are happier. Looking at the research evidence, it seems that those who celebrate the Christian meaning of [[Christmas]] are on the whole likely to be happier.<ref>http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2003/A/20037338.html</ref>}}

{{cquote|Dr. Stephen Joseph, from the University of Warwick, said: "Religious people seem to have a greater purpose in life, which is why they are happier. Looking at the research evidence, it seems that those who celebrate the Christian meaning of [[Christmas]] are on the whole likely to be happier.<ref>http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2003/A/20037338.html</ref>}}