Studies show that liberals and atheists are unhappier people than conservatives and Christians. Today we find anecdotal evidence that mystifies well-adjusted people who enjoy a good news story. Pope Benedict’s first tweet was met with such derision by liberals in the United States that one wonders if Michael Savage could possibly be right. Could liberalism often be a mental disease requiring sympathy and treatment for those who cling to it like religious fanatics?
Pope on Twitter
I’ll leave that question to our commenter community rather than answer it myself. Instead, I’ll just present the facts of Pope Benedict’s Twitter account for those who want to follow his tweets and understand why all the carping about a good thing.
You can find it here. The Pope’s first tweet was historic for a Catholic Church which has often struggled to keep up with the times. But it was an instant hit with the Catholic community, with his followers rapidly expanding to over 1 million within the first 24 hours.
“Dear friends, I am pleased to get in touch with you through Twitter. Thank you for your generous response. I bless all of you from my heart.” Seems rather innocuous yet this first Tweet was responded to with thousands of chortles and ha ha’s from liberals, who psychologists might say need to feel good about themselves by tearing others down.
But it was especially the second Tweet which prompted seething anger that the Pope would join a social media network and dare speak his mind. The Pope simply asked “How can we celebrate the Year of Faith better in our daily lives?”
You can read the silliness of typical liberal reactions covered here and here. My favorite response, because of its instructive nature about liberal minds, was “Mmm, by not raping children and by paying property tax.”
Despite the naysayers, the Pope seems to be getting a handle on things very well. Having already produced seven tweets since yesterday, some might worry that he is getting hooked on social media. The Pope’s fifth tweet is particularly poignant because it seems to get at the heart of atheistic depression:
“We can be certain that a believer is never alone. God is the solid rock upon which we build our lives and his love is always faithful.”
I was curious who the seven followers of the Pope’s Twitter account might be. Other heads of state? An Italian soccer team? Kim Kardashian? But no. They are simply the other seven languages which are broadcasting the Pope’s tweets, one for each language. The English version is @Pontifex, but you can find Twitter accounts for the Pope in German, Spanish, Italian, French, Polish, Portuguese, and even Arabic.
Pope Benedict’s Tweets
For an intellectual discussion of the Pope’s Twitter page from two outstanding liberal thinkers, watch the video below.
Video
December 13th, 2012 at 10:24 pm
“Studies show that liberals and atheists are unhappier people than conservatives and Christians.”
What studies Pat?
I always hear that non-religious people just happy seeking pleasure, while religious people sacrifice and live in fear of the “wrath of God?
Anyway. Is the Pope also putting up a sexual abuse report Twitter account?
December 14th, 2012 at 5:13 am
Sheesh, RonM…,
For one who claims to have studied astrophysics, you apparently are incapable of conducting a simple Google-search…
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7302609.stm
Religion ‘linked to happy life’
(Here is part of the article)
Professor Clark, from the Paris School of Economics, and co-author Dr Orsolya Lelkes from the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, used information from household surveys to analyse the attitudes of Christians – both Catholic and Protestant – not only to their own happiness, but also to issues such as unemployment.
Their findings, they said, suggested that religion could offer a “buffer” which protected from life’s disappointments.
Professor Clark said: “We originally started the research to work out why some European countries had more generous unemployment benefits than others, but our analysis suggested that religious people suffered less psychological harm from unemployment than the non-religious.
“They had higher levels of life satisfaction”.
December 14th, 2012 at 6:16 am
53% of Americans believe organized religion will save them
The same percentage prefer to fold instead of crumple.
The Pope tweeting.
Wonder if God will check out his hard drive for nun p0rn
December 14th, 2012 at 7:08 am
“I always hear that non-religious people just happy seeking pleasure, while religious people sacrifice and live in fear of the “wrath of God?”
That means nothing coming from someone surrounded by atheists.
People of faith have already found pleasure.
It gets old, but warrants repeated mentioning.
‘As the vicious sea otters of the AAA complete their planning for a sneak attack against the UAA and UAL, one elderly otter, known as ‘The Wise One’, asks whether the war is worth fighting, and implies that logic and science can be harmonized with some sort of belief in the supernatural. After pondering this for a moment, the rest of the otters brutally murder the Wise One. A massive battle between the three atheist groups begins, during which Cartman discovers the nature of the “Great Question”: the war is being fought over which denomination name is the most logical for atheists to call themselves: the AAA, the UAL, or the UAA (with the otters passionately defending the alliteration of the acronym “AAA”).
Cartman desperately tries again to call the past, and this time interrupts passionate sex between Garrison and Dawkins, who picks up the phone. As a result, Dawkins learns from Cartman that Mrs. Garrison is actually a post-op transsexual, prompting him to end the relationship immediately in horror.
Now that the two “co-founders of world atheism” are no longer destined to marry, the future is altered significantly. Cartman suddenly finds himself in a room with members of all three factions, who live in peace with each other and explain that no one fights about abstract “-isms” anymore; instead, they’re at war with the “French-Chinese” over legal ownership of Hawaii. Religion is again freely practiced; an otter present seemingly practices Zen Buddhism.
“I shall smash your skull like a clam on my TUMMY!”
====================
Point n case, morons will always fight over something. Land, titles,varying brands of Atheism
December 14th, 2012 at 7:17 am
Sheesh, Andy Z.
For a high school drop out, you sure can find a minor European study and turn it into the Gospel.
The “buffer” thing is true though. Ignorance of/from reality is bliss to some extent.
December 14th, 2012 at 8:34 am
“The “buffer” thing is true though. Ignorance of/from reality is bliss to some extent.”
Its abundantly easy to say the same for you Ron.
Your beliefs are just as valid in maintaining your feelings of clear conscience.
The thing is this.
You cant prove to anyone there is no God or highest power.
And those believers do not need or have to prove to you there is.
Its the organized zealots who use their own experiences as proof enough that there is a God you “must” believe in or face Lucifer.
Its about faith and believing that in an infinite universe theres an overwhelming possibility that theres intent behind creation.
Lot of good Atheists that carry excellent morals and sense of purpose.
I just happen to believe my purpose is defined by something holding reason our minds will never have the mental architecture to begin to understand.
Those who believe in God and are as adherent to to Christian philosophy as they can be have nothing to worry about if they’re wrong.
Those who dont believe very well could be screwed for eternity if they’re wrong.
December 14th, 2012 at 9:00 am
“Lot of good Atheists that carry excellent morals and sense of purpose.”
Have you actually met one who wasn’t consumed by self-interest? Part of the allure of atheistic philosophy is they don’t need to care about anyone.
December 14th, 2012 at 11:33 am
You’re right Patrick.
Most are self centered condescending jerks with a conscience designed conveniently by themselves.
If they want to take the chance that gukilt,hate, and remorse will be their last deathbed thoughts.
they’re quite possibly half in the doors of hell
Many do worry about being guilt consumed and regret on their deathbeds.
In the sobriety business I run into these guys more often than not.
I dont ask they believe in God. But quickly remind them that “hey ass hole, its your best thinking that got you here so if I or some extension of God can draw some guidlines for you and you faithfully follow them its quite a load off youself.
BUT!!!
When you start this crap crying about having to see or hear reference to opposing beliefs you so insecurely could be reprogrammed by, then you belong in the old USSR or N. Korea.
Not caring about anyone is great.
Til you need someone.
December 14th, 2012 at 5:28 pm
This site is going to get COMPLETELY out of control with a debate of morality/religion-atheism.
Seriously guys……isn’t it just crazy enough with the politics?
Besides. You can’t “debate” religion. You either believe or you don’t. And people should respect and leave each other alone.
When it all gets into policy…….
December 14th, 2012 at 5:38 pm
“Lot of good Atheists that carry excellent morals and sense of purpose.”
“You’re right Patrick.
Most are self centered condescending jerks with a conscience designed conveniently by themselves.”
Soooo… just so I understand, they have excellent morals and sense of purpose, while also being self-centered condescending jerks with no conscious.
Got it.
December 14th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Buzz, you’re an ass hole.
Yes, there are “lots” of Atheists that carry a good set of morals.
And then there are the “MOST” WHO ARE SELF CENTERED CONDESCENDING JERKS.
Learn how to read, stop putting your crap in my mouth. I did not combine the two types with “also”.
That was incredibly stupid of you.
December 14th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Man o man you’re a fckin jerk
December 14th, 2012 at 5:57 pm
“Besides. You can’t “debate” religion.”
Of course you can.
Christianity is a theological philosophy.
The denominations are “religions” and theres many a debate among Christian as to which brand of faith aligns best with ones interpretation of the bible.
If there was no debate there would not be umpteen brands of Christianity or religions.
December 14th, 2012 at 8:27 pm
“Christianity is a theological philosophy.”
LOL.
The last refuge of the religious. To re-classify yourself as a philosophy?
December 14th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
“The last refuge of the religious. To re-classify yourself as a philosophy?”
You’re an idiot.
You say you cant debate religion, yet, you are trying
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_philosophy
Christianity is not a religion.
Catholisism,
Only after you apply sect doctrines to denominations are they called religions.
I need no last refuge because I dont have to prove anything to you.
Read again.
You cannot prove to me there is no God and I dont have to prove to you there is.
Sooooooooo.. no refuge needed…EINSTEIN !!!!!!!
Once again you’ve inadvertently shown your bigoted contempt for alternate thought and belief by resorting to pedantics in hopes you’ll appear educated.
December 14th, 2012 at 9:16 pm
Oh poor RonM, you are being ignorant again. Religious “philosophy” is how it is studied in a modern college curriculum. Philosophies are sets of beliefs which try to explain how and why things are, which is the primary purpose of religious faiths.
And then you say….. “Besides. You can’t “debate” religion. You either believe or you don’t. And people should respect and leave each other alone.”
That would be true if one or the other choice was equal, but the fact that religious people are healthier, commit less crime, live longer, and are happier people tells you the two choices are not equivalent and are therefore highly debatable.
December 14th, 2012 at 9:22 pm
Christianity and Philosophy
Written by Michael Vlach.
“Christianity is often viewed as one of the world’s major religions, but Christianity also offers a philosophy of life that has greatly influenced Western society for nearly two thousand years. Thus, to ignore Christianity in the study of philosophy is a great mistake.”
“Christianity was founded by Jesus of Nazareth (c. 4 B.C.–A.D. 33) who is famous for his teachings, miracles, death, and resurrection from the dead. The Christian movement was furthered by Paul of Tarsus who through his missionary travels took Christianity to many areas of the known world. Much of Judaism is found within Christianity such as beliefs in one God and a linear view of history in which God will eventually triumph over evil and establish a new heavens and a new earth. Christianity differs from Judaism, though, in its assertion that Jesus was the divine Son of God and the Messiah of Israel. Christianity also uniquely asserts that Jesus’ death on the cross was a substitutionary atonement for the sins of the world.”
heologicalstudies.org/resource-library/philosophy-dictionary/100-christianity-and-philosophy
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Sometimes Medieval Christians used a different word to refer to revealed systems of ideas such as ”lex,” or today… law.
Judaism could be the “Law of Moses.”
Islam was the “Law of Muhammad.”
Christianity the “law of Christ.”
Apologists and intellectuals from all of rhese argued that their system of beliefs was an accord with Hellenistic philosophy, such as Aquinas, or the Mutazila Islamic philosophers.
The association of “religion” with prctices is as distinct from intellectual beliefs known as philosophies, this has merit in honest conversations.
December 14th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Ron;
“And people should respect and leave each other alone.”
Well then, shouldnt you just shut up ?
December 15th, 2012 at 4:47 am
Bite me, RonM!
You asked Patrick “what studies” show Liberals and Atheists are unhappier than Conservatives and Christians. So in a few seconds I easily found one such study, but there are plenty of others.
“The Handbook of Religion and Health” contains data from a number of surveys conducted in the 1990s, including the Kosmin-Lachman survey of 1993, which showed that those with no religion were at “greater risk of depressive symptoms” than people who believed in a God. The Legatum Prosperity Index also indicates a connection between happiness and religious belief. In all, there have been at least 200 studies which show similar results, that religious people are happier and more satisfied with their lives than those who have no religious faith.
So stick that in your bong and smoke it!
December 15th, 2012 at 5:44 am
I think Rons the perfect example of less fulfillment.
Even at the re-election of his own Messiah hes still a pi$$ed off tree rat.