The Purpose of life I'm curious what Atheist think is the purpose and meaning of Life?

Question

I figure that there have been some really ignorant questions about Christians today and how ones that left and became Atheist are they happier after they became that way. Well what is it that makes Athiest tick, what makes you a morale person, why be good if you don't think there is anything beyond death's door. Explain to me what makes your life so much better. Because I just don't see it. You get tired of Christians preaching well here's your chance convert me.... NOT that it'll work, but maybe I can better understand you and why you have sooooo much anger towards Christians. Let this be your opportunity to enlighten us and see your logic instead of just bashing ours. I ask this respectfully as not fully understanding all the animosity.

you are stupid, you are reported, sorry but that's not appropriate.

Please only leave honest and respectful answers. This question was not meant to provoke anger or hate but a better understanding.

Several of you have mentioned Buddah, isn't he a sort of god? or is it considered a religion?
By the way I appreciate the nice answers.

b2bking, I agree with almost everything you say. Up until the very end. Great answer. I can respect you and what I'm seeing is that what really counts is respect for the person. Thanks for your answer.

Answer 1

You shouldn't have been reported, your question started out really good... I hope I get to answer it before it gets pulled:)
You asked alot of questions in there so I'm gonna try to tackle them one at a time starting with "Why atheists are angry and bashing your logic".
First, we're not angry. We are tired of having a belief system literally shoved down our throats and being told that God loves us but we're all going to hell to burn forever. See, it's not us that are angry... really. If left alone, most non-believers are content to do just the same to you - leave you alone. We think that it's OK for you to believe whatever you want, it's OK for all people to have whatever beliefs they want... so long as it doen't infringe on anyone else's freedom to believe what THEY want. This is where we differ... Christians think it's their OBLIGATION to convert non-believers and spread the faith. We are in the minority and after being told so many times that we're going to hell... well, you get fed up... and there are ignorant, cruel people on BOTH sides.
Next, morality and why we should be good if we don't believe in judgement. This one's easy and obvious:) There are good people and there are bad people. I don't believe in any God but I do believe in being kind to my fellow man as well as all creatures. Why? Because our time here is short and anything I can do to help enrich another person's life is what I consider to be a good thing. Good and evil are HUMAN concepts. I find my own spiritualty, I see beauty all around me, I find a purpose for my own life, and I bathe in all things human... and I do it without a God. There are bad Christians and there are good atheists (and vice-versa), people choose to be good or bad... I just don't believe in doing it because I HAVE to, I do it because I WANT to.
Our life isn't better, just different. Just as a person who has had a positive experience by "accepting Christ" believes his life is better; so too does the atheist who has found that his life depends on himself and felt positive about it.
Lastly, bashing your logic...
I'm not trying to be a smartelic here so bear with me...
Having faith is the opposite of logic. Faith requires that you set aside logic and reason and just "believe". People who want to believe do so not because of all the evidence for the existance of God, but rather in spite of all the contradictory evidence. Imagine this: Someone tells you that a friend of a friend of a friend saw a giant, flying green elephant. The elephant spoke and told this guy that he should tell you to burn your house down or the elephant will destroy your city by making it rain peanuts made of lead for 10 days. Ridiculous right? Ask yourself why you wouldn't believe it. You've never seen anything like this, it defies reason as well as physics, you don't know this guy... Based on "your" ability to reason, is it more likely that this story is true OR is it more likely that, for whatever reason, this person is mistaken, lying, or crazy? We feel the same way towards the Bible for the same reasons. Read "Age of Reason" by Thomas Paine... it's not too long and ask yourself if his logic is sound. You "choose" to believe, I "choose" not to. The difference is that we don't care what you believe, we feel you have a right to believe if you want to - Christians don't feel the same...

Answer 2

I guess what atheist want is peace and harmony in the world. Most religions, especially Christianity and Islam have failed miserably in bringing this about. Atheist are highly self-actualized, some might say over confident, because we believe we can make this place good by our own merits.

I am disturbed by Christians that ask things like, "How/Why are you a good person if you don't believe in God?" Does this mean you think yourself to not have one shred of decency in your natural character? Is all your goodness fear driven? It saddens me that you think so little of yourself.

Your questions have been asked many times so you should do a search to get even more answers if it truly interests you. Here are some responses from last time I responded to similar questions. Sorry I don't know how to post the question link so I just have to copy and paste.

Regarding Morals:

Q: If atheists have no religion or God, what moral or ethical code do they follow?

A: By the time you were 3 you had some concept of right and wrong and so did everyone else. These concepts developed over the course of your life. If you depended on religion exclusively for this guidance your mind could be warped easily. Just look at the 9/11 terrorists, they had a moral code and it was all from their religion. What if yours was no better? How would you even know if you don't think for yourself? Atheist have to think for themselves but it isn't that difficult in regards to morals. You don't hurt people, you use sound judgement, you're honest and, if properly motivated, hard-working. It's all very logical behavior and atheists love logic so we take to moral behaviors easily.

Death/Belief

Q: To People that Don't have a religion.?
Do You find it scarey that your nothing more than wormfood after you die?

A:It doesn't matter if death is scary or not it simply exists and is as it is. There are a lot of harsh realities in life and accepting them is part of growing up. I suppose if an atheist could make himself believe in a total dillusion to feel better they would but how do you do that? It won't make death any less scary to say you believe in god and heaven if you just don't.

Finding Happiness and Spirituality

Q: Is Buddhism the perfect way to live life?
If we all were Buddhists, we'd be in Heaven on Earth right now. Do you not agree?

A: In a way most of us are Buddhists. Anyone that thinks and seeks enlightenment in whatever form could be considered a Buddhist. I wish the monks of vairious traditions and resources were a bit more widespread in the west. Western religion has left such huge groups of lost angry souls. I wish all could know refuge in the teachings of the Buddha.

Answer 3

Hi, I'm atheist and I feel no angry for nobody, I don't believe in God because all religions were created by men, so a simple logic thought leads you that then God is also a creation of men. I don't know why you think that the lack of believing will make you a bad person, there a millions of buddish people that don't believe in God and most of them are peaceful. When you leave religion is time for you to decide what is wrong and what is right. The purpose of this life is to work to transform this primitive world full of pain, illness and evilness in a better world. It's obvious that all religions have failed in such purpose. The final goal of humanity is reach immortality then will be the time when we can say that God exist because we will be God.

Answer 4

I personally don't have any hate towards christians, most of my family are. I DO get a little irritated when they rant and rave about their beliefs, and say that other people that don't believe like they do are going to hell.

Now, as far as what makes me tick; I have morals and ethics of my own. My work ethic is making me a work-a-holic, and my doc says is killing me, but I just like to work hard. I find that I'm far from perfect, though. I want to be nice, I try to be nice. Most of the time I am, but at certain times I've slipped up and done things that make me question myself. I don't feel that just because I am an athiest that it makes me any more 'sinful'..... Especially since I am a very thoughful person. Anyway, hope you don't get too much hate on this one.

Answer 5

That's moral, not morale (sorry, force of habit, I'm a school teacher)
The purpose of life is to continue the species, no more, no less.

Not believing in god, I guess makes me atheist, but that doesn't mean that I don't have any beliefs at all. In fact, I am Buddhist. This means giving up all certainty in things because I cannot be sure of anything - what happens after death; existence of god. This giving up certainty, letting go of attachments is an enormous relief.

Read about my beliefs if you wish. The Buddha's teaching was similar to that of Jesus but without the restrictions of forcing you to believe in god

Answer 6

There is no meaning or life. Religious people often claim science explains the how, but not the why.
That's because there is no why, meaning of life is just a concept we invented when our lives because more than just trying to survive the wild.
Purpose and meaning are against what most atheists believe, that there is no design to existence cause by an intelligence of fantastic power.

Answer 7

First off, I'm not an atheist because it makes me happy. I'm an atheist because I don't believe any gods exist. Now for your questions.

1. What makes me tick? The clockwork of the universe, of course.
2. Why am I a moral person? I'm a human being. I have empathy for my fellows.
3. What makes my life better? _Is_ my life better? That's not the point. Atheism is a matter of truth, not value.

Answer 8

Well, although I follow a faith (Islam), I also ponder the question of the meaning of life everyday. Some have pointed out that life is like a test and we must pass this test to achieve eternal paradise in heaven, or fail and enter the gates of eternal hell. However, I think many people are over-looking the fundamental question of why God created us to face either eternal paradise or eternal hell. Why would a forgiving God create us to praise Him? What's our purpose, why do we even exist, why did God need to create us? I'm still searching for an answer to this question myself, and sometimes I get scared just thinking about the thought of spending an eternity anywhere (although I'd obviously prefer Heaven over Hell).

If you have an answer to the meaning of life I'd be interested in your thoughts.

Answer 9

I am an atheist because I think that us humans are much, more, better than that. I don’t think that we need to be intimated with notions of eternal damnation in order to behave. I am an atheist because I am sickened by the way religions are universally run and manipulated in order for people to gain power. I am an atheist because I don’t like to be blindfolded and have silly and archaic concepts shoved down my throat like I don’t have a thinking brain to use. I am an atheist because I believe that living a fruitful life here is greater than living one of servitude towards a higher being.

I am an atheist because I think.

Answer 10

I don't think I'm a "morale" person, but I do think I'm a moral person.
I'm good because I have no wish to hurt others and wish to live in a world where people are kind to one another, not because I fear punishment.
"Explain to me what makes your life so much better."
why should I defend a statement I never made?
I don't wish to convert you, I respect your right to your beliefs as I wish you to respect mine.

I have no respect for those who wish to impose their thinking on others, those who cannot live and let live. Yes, it make me angry when Christians assume I have no values, am an unfit parent, etc, merely because my philosophy differs from theirs.