Are you happy?

Bess writes: Happy? Then you’re in a minority. Most of us are pretty depressed. Or at least, that seems to be the premise of Faith in the Future,
a brand-new report by Christian MPs published by the think-tank Theos. They ask why, despite
being richer, we are more miserable now than in poorer, more disease-ridden epochs. 
Our bookshops, claims the report, are stuffed with guides to increasing our happiness, packaging happiness as a mystery “Stumbling on Happiness,” the
“Happiness Hypothesis” or satire (surely?); “Happiness: the Science behind your Smile”. The solution the MPs suggest – not one for the out-and-out
hedonists I’m afraid – is bringing back values. The lack – yes we’ve heard it before – is what causes current misery. They suggest five core “life-changing” principles which will increase the sum of our general happiness. </span></p>
Applied to major decisions, whether taken by Government, charities, businesses, or faith organisations, these values, argue Theos, would transform society.

Here’s their list:

Does my action encourage people to develop positive relationships in their families and communities?
Is my action socially and globally responsible?
Does my action promote a climate of trust and hope?

Does my action promote self-esteem and respect for others?
Does my action encourage people to fulfil their god-given potential?

Applied to major decisions, whether taken by Government, charities, businesses, or faith organisations, these values, argue Theos, would transform society
and the general sense of well-being. While happiness is usually perceived as the choice of an individual, the common theme to the Theos report is that we
are defined by our relationships with God  and with other people. Relationships, they say, are what makes the most difference to whether or not we are happy.
The argument, if I've got this right is that  we may be richer but we are also more isolated from each other than ever before, and this isolation is often
a recipe for misery. So,  we live in material wealth but spiritual/relational poverty. Hmm.

"

Comments

[Rick Beekman]

Attitude plays a great role in a person's misery index.

An Optimist sees Hope and Greater days Ahead if they keep pressing along

A pessimist sees doom and gloom and portrays a negative attitude especially when things are not going well for them.

A Winner never quits..and a quitter never wins.

We all face adversity in our life. it's a part of living.
As a Christian I have learned when the problem is to big for me to tackle..I just Pray to The Lord and ask for his guidance..prayer works if you believe it.

[Felix Turner]

Very interesting. I always thought this might be the case in the UK because atheists think that they that have no meaning in their lives so this might make them unhappy. I think I will get some angry atheist telling me I'm a mad and crazed moron who thinks Santa Claus is real but I've come to accept that over time.

[alan]

Hey, Felix - you know I'm an atheist - but I'm happy. And my life has some meaning.
It's not to please an imaginary deity though. It's striving to show compassion to others, to do what I can to protect nature, to oppose war, violence, crime and cruelty.
And - strangely enough - in trying to do this, I make myself happy.
Well, as happy as possible, given the grief over the dead, the discomfort over the creeping effects of old age, etc.
But I'd certainly not be happy if I deceived myself and "believed" in the supernatural.

[Stuart Hartill]

I will never understand the argument that those without religious belief must be unhappy.
I have always been happy to accept that the world is quite absurd, has no ‘meaning’ and should be regarded as one huge joke. This makes every new day fun and negates the idea that we are all doomed or that everything –or indeed anything – is inevitable.
One of the few things to sadden me is the persistent and sometimes quite desperate attempts of evangelical Christians in positions of authority to impose their beliefs on my small daughter, who can hardly fight back.
I teach her to respect other people's beliefs, however imbecilic they seem, as long as they do not harm her. From them she is learning rapidly that some adults are cruel, stupid and dishonest, but that they cannot win as long as she retains a sense of humour.

[Dr. Irene Lancaster FRSA]

I agree with Rick. May I recommend a book by the Dalai Lamas' French Translator, Matthieu Ricard, entitled 'Happiness':

http://irenelancaster.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/05/happiness-on-is.html

It includes sound advice and various helpful exercies.

[Felix Turner]

Alan it seems you're the minority. Rising rates of atheism and lowering rates of happiniess. Coincidence? I don't think so. Another strange fact is that 44% of Iraqis are optimistic about the future. In the Uk it's only 7%. A country highly religious is more hopeful than a country non-religious. To be honest I think that hope is the one word that symbolises religion. Hope.

[Stuart Hartill]

Felix, have you actually counted the respondents or read any of the comments?
There are 5 respondents - of whom 2 identify themselves as perfectly happy atheists, with Dr Lancaster not expressing a preference while recommending a book by the Dalai Lama (note also, buddhism demands no belief in a deity or the supernatural).
Be happy though, as your comments brightened my day -albeit inadvertently - and giving joy to others is to be encouraged.
In fact, I'd regard a devout believer causing me to smile more as a small miracle - were I to believe in such things!