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The existentialist philosopher [[Jean-Paul Sartre]] said “existence precedes essence.” In other words, we have no stable or fixed identity that precedes us. The burden of identity, selfhood, and meaning rests solely on our shoulders. But, again, if we came from nothing and are returning inextricably to nothing, life is a temporary accident, and death is the only authentic currency at our disposal. Why is death authentic? Because it is life that is artificial and nothingness that is essential. It is not that this worldview tries to be especially morbid—in many cases it makes a valiant attempt to be life-affirming—it’s simply that it has literally nothing else to offer, or, rather, it has precisely nothing to offer.<ref>[https://www.rzim.org/read/just-thinking-magazine/the-glamour-of-atheism The Glamour of Atheism] by Cameron McAlister</ref>}}

The existentialist philosopher [[Jean-Paul Sartre]] said “existence precedes essence.” In other words, we have no stable or fixed identity that precedes us. The burden of identity, selfhood, and meaning rests solely on our shoulders. But, again, if we came from nothing and are returning inextricably to nothing, life is a temporary accident, and death is the only authentic currency at our disposal. Why is death authentic? Because it is life that is artificial and nothingness that is essential. It is not that this worldview tries to be especially morbid—in many cases it makes a valiant attempt to be life-affirming—it’s simply that it has literally nothing else to offer, or, rather, it has precisely nothing to offer.<ref>[https://www.rzim.org/read/just-thinking-magazine/the-glamour-of-atheism The Glamour of Atheism] by Cameron McAlister</ref>}}

== Atheism and ultimate meaning and purpose ==

== Atheism, death and ultimate meaning and purpose ==

[[File:Depressed man.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|Atheists have a higher suicide rate than [[theism|theists]].<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15569904 Religious affiliation and suicide rate]</ref><ref>[http://www.adherents.com/misc/religion_suicide.html Adherents.com - suicide rates]</ref> ]]  

[[File:Depressed man.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|Atheists have a higher suicide rate than [[theism|theists]].<ref>[https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15569904 Religious affiliation and suicide rate]</ref><ref>[http://www.adherents.com/misc/religion_suicide.html Adherents.com - suicide rates]</ref> ]]