Atheism and joy
As far as atheism and joy, there is considerable amount of scientific evidence that suggest that theism is more conducive to mental and physical health than atheism. (see also: Atheism and health and Atheism and depression and Atheism and suicide).
In December of 2003, the University of Warwick reported:
| “ | 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.[2] | ” |
Ex-atheist C.S. Lewis: Surprised by Joy
See also: C.S. Lewis
The ex-atheist C.S. Lewis in his book Surprised by Joy, wrote:
| “ | Joy, must be sharply distinguished both from Happiness and Pleasure. Joy has indeed one characteristic, and one only, in common with them; the fact that anyone who has experienced it will want it again...I doubt whether anyone who has tasted it would ever, if both were in his power, exchange it for all the pleasures in the world. But Joy is never in our power and Pleasure often is.[3] | ” |
Soviet Union and joy
See also: Soviet Union
The article The Soviet Paradise indicates:
| “ | The bloody attacks of Bolshevism into Europe were always accompanied by wild agitation that claimed that the Soviet Union was the “paradise of farmers and workers.” In reality this was propaganda, and all the cultural, social and technical advances that Bolshevism claimed were nothing but a deceptive facade that concealed the gray misery of daily life under Bolshevism. This is illustrated in the next room of the exhibition. In its center, there is an original Bolshevist monument mass produced from plaster on a wood frame. One was found in every city. Because of their poor quality they quickly began crumbling, a true example of Bolshevist culture. Such monuments intensify the dirty and miserable atmosphere that all Soviet cities share, interrupted only by a few prestige buildings that display technical weaknesses. They are built for propaganda purposes, and to deceive travelers from abroad.
These facades, built only for propaganda reasons, are the mark of all Bolshevist cities. Model streets in the American style are filled with huge buildings with a thousand deficiencies, which mock the miserable workersOld and New Buildings who are forced even after 25 years of Bolshevist culture to live gray and joyless lives.[4] |
” |