With all due respect, the meaning of life for Christians is to go to Heaven (by loving and serving), for Hindus to be reincarnated (by living a peaceful life) and so forth.
So, for the atheist, what is the meaning or goal for your life?
I know you can't speak for all atheist but would like to hear your viewpoint or your opinion.
If you're not an atheist you're welcomed to respond with your opinion, just be respectful as well.
Thanks guys. =^)
2006-10-23 22:15:38 · 18 answers · asked by Sudy Nim 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Good question! Thanks for making me think!
Each atheist individual will have to answer that question for themselves, as they don't have a religion providing them with a reason for living.
I don't believe in a God and I am in no way religeous, but that does not mean I don't believe in anything at all. I just don't know why we are around, or if there is some Big Plan. But once I am here, I think I should try and make the world a beter place to live in for everyone, including myself. If everyone would do that, I think wars and other human negativity would be gone and that would make life happier and better for everyone. Most religions and beliefs do so, and though I don't agree with their reasons, I am glad they do. I don't know of any religion preaching war or violence, it's individuals who do, sometimes in the name of their God. And that is in my opinion abusing that God (or Allah, or Whatevertheycallhim).
So... would "just trying to make the best of it for the benefit of all" be a good enough answer to your question?
Greetings from Holland!
2006-10-23 22:37:30 · answer #1 · answered by icqanne 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
First, understand that this answer is unique to me. Certain aspects of my life that give me motivation are highly unique, and this philosophy may not be applicable to everyone. Also, it is highly likely that religious people will stop reading halfway through. I recommend continuing, if for no other reason than morbid curiosity.
The really cool (yet difficult) thing about being an atheist is that there aren't any rules. You could do anything you wanted to do, moral or amoral.
THE NEXT LOGICAL QUESTION IS WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT? I for one don't care that much about money or power: money is nice, but some people spend entirely too much time trying to get it and not enough appreciating it. Besides, people want whatever they can't have, and both my parents own/owned their own software company...
I could have whatever I wanted. I could do almost nothing, just play and read and watch TV and just live off of what is available from my parents. I had done pretty much that for many years when I decided that simple hedonism was not really all its cracked up to be. I became depressed, and started looking for something I wanted.
The thing I can't have and want the most is connections to other people. I want to be liked and thought highly of. I want to be loved, and to make others feel loved. I have found that I enjoy helping people more than causing pain. What's the fun when hurting others is so easy..., yet making people like you is so hard? Its like why people climb mountains: because its difficult.
I suppose I seek my heaven here in good works, where you seek your heaven after death. Perhaps some people would say I'm really not that good a person, and that there is evil just below the surface. Perhaps no one will understand what I mean. It would be a pity, for this is the only stable type of philosophy I have ever encountered in atheism.
2006-10-25 11:47:15 · answer #2 · answered by Acraz 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You have insightfully noted that the meaning of life depends on one's perspective, culture, and existential perspective. Atheists are no different. Because atheism is a large tent, the sources of meaning can vary broadly.
Many atheists who are connected to others find meaning in their relationships with family and friends. This can be the source of their joy and the motivation for their daily activities. Other atheists find meaning in their work. Still others develop passions for causes, such as politics, charities, or community service. Some atheists simply find artistic expression the greatest source of meaning, such as music, sculpture, painting, writing, etc. Finally, there are a number of atheists that develop hobbies that give meaning to their lives, including collecting things, building things, cooking, etc.
Did you notice the similarities between atheists and theists in this list? There is really no difference in where we find meaning. Most theists do not really center their lives around their religious life. Although the scriptures say "pray without ceasing," it's not a commandment regularly kept. In reality, religion is for most people a peripheral activity, left for Sundays and social events. The rest of the time, people find meaningful ways to fill their time.
Until we die. There atheists generally believe it's the end, which is actually comforting. Theists believe there's an event similar to a court hearing to review how good a job you've done. Honestly, I don't understand how theists can live with the anxiety that each thought, each action, will be weighed by some ultimate judge at the end of life. And theists think being an atheist is scary!
2006-10-24 09:21:03 · answer #3 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There is no meaning to life, as life is just live...then die. It sounds really bland and kinda scary, but heck, that's life!
As for goals, I'm an atheist and, put simply, I'm one of the kindest people I know, so for me, my goal in life is live my life to the fullest without it having to be at the expense of someone else. To me, I don't need a reason to be loving to other people, in fact I think it's something we all have to do, without the need for a 'reward' in the end. "Love without personal gain", that sounds like the kinda love this world is in great need of.
2006-10-24 05:25:34 · answer #4 · answered by Aaron G 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
There is no set goal or meaning. My personal goal is to live a full rich life, have a healthy family, attain my career goals, and understand as much as possible about the world as I can.
2006-10-24 05:38:49 · answer #5 · answered by Alucard 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My goal in life is to live. Living is the act of conscious participation in life and through living to become one with life. My goal is to experience Love as its recipient and as its source.
My purpose is to grasp any hand I see reaching out whether it is seeking to be lifted up or seeking to lift me up. My meaning in life is to be a person I can respect. My goal is to use all of the wonders inside me to experience the wonders around me. My purpose is to be a loving Sister to my world full of Brothers and Sisters.
2006-10-30 17:53:23 · answer #6 · answered by catalamity 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think true atheists believe that they can further advance our humanity by believing there is no God. I guess they feel that if everyone could come to that conclusion then everyone would be better off. Most atheists seem to be aiming for a goal for humanity and not just themselves.
I personally believe in Jesus.
2006-10-24 05:22:44 · answer #7 · answered by RIDLEY 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
To be honest I'm not Athiest, not Christian or anything else. I'm not quite sure of what faith I want to follow yet, but I'm sure as I get older it will be easier to find what's right for me.
Right now I think the purpose of life is to help others and help them to enjoy THEIR lives.
2006-10-24 05:23:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Live for the moment, live for the future, but don't waste your time pinning hopes and dreams on what may or may not happen afterwards.
2006-10-24 05:21:40 · answer #9 · answered by DoctorScurvy 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
live every day as if it is your last it just might be and live life to the full do not get held back by rules like the christians
2006-10-24 06:23:24 · answer #10 · answered by andrew w 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋