To me, every religion seems to be saying the same thing; how to get out of this pain and suffer on this earth. Christians' heaven and Buddhists' enlightment seem to be based on the same understanding: "life is full of pain" and "how to get out of this eternal meaningless cycle of birth and death." If so, how can you justify yourself having your baby? Isn't that a crime? Or, can you tell your children the meaning of life no matter how painful it is? If so, I respect you.
2006-11-23 06:29:21 · 11 answers · asked by area52 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Gosh, how do you get such a depressing reasoning out of the religions? We're being tested here on earth, and it gets tough, but life isn't just all about pain and suffering, hopefully. Maybe yours is though?? There are still so many wonderful things in life to celebrate, and having a baby is one of them. I have a little 11 months old, and he is the light of my life, and I will never regret bringing him into this world. Life in this world is not the perfect state, but we are all going toward that perfect state - the afterlife - but what we do in this life will reflect our next one. If you are so sad, and have such a bad outlook on your life, I hope you get some relief in family and friends. Children are the most wonderful thing in this world, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
2006-11-23 06:39:44 · answer #1 · answered by Lucia 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'll try to answer point by point. First, religion is typically not saying "life is bad" and that only what lies after is good. It's all usually about finding the good hidden in the bad, so that you can enjoy your life and be ready for the bliss (or, with the right religion, the horrors) of the next. In fact, there are religions that say life is the good part, and the next life/afterlife is what really bites bum.
As for babies, it's different for different people and religions. The most basic answer is to carry on the species. For Christians, there is that whole "go forth and multiply" thing, and people adhere to that. Other people just love the sex and could care less if it were to turn into the greatest sin of all. I don't know of any religion that makes a crime of having a child, although there have been population-control laws against more than a certain number of them in places.
Now, once you have a baby you must face that facts. This child will go through pain. What your job is, is to be the one to help this child through the pain and show them the road to the beauty and happiness behind the pain. If you've never had a child look up at you, his or her hand wrapped around your finger, and a huge grin upon his or her face from the latest joy they've discovered, then you won't be able to fully understand the reason people love children.
I suggest taking time to volunteer at a daycare or as a Big Brother/Big Sister kind of organization. Just spend some time with young children. You'll be amazed by what you learn about the side of life which isn't pain. You'll be more amazed by the side of life you find buried in pain, and how these kids respond to it.
2006-11-23 14:50:01 · answer #2 · answered by anything_but_this_again 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe you just identified a major source of problems in the world.
RELIGION
Have you ever noticed that babies generally get quite cheerful soon after coming into the world.
Maybe this is an indication that they're happy to have escaped the non physical world they were in prior to getting a body.
Pain usually begins for people after they've been beat on (in one way or another) by others.
Until then, I think we humans are quite content to live here on earth.
Look around, you may notice there are a lot of beautiful things here.
Religion is often used to oppress the many so that a few can have power over them.
So. To answer your question... "How can you celebrate a new-born baby?"
1. Ignore everything you were taught through your religious studies.
2. Look at the new-born, and notice things about him/her.
2006-11-23 14:43:36 · answer #3 · answered by davidcolyer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without pain, life would have no purpose. It's how we manage our pain that determines our level of satisfaction. Our best moments are when we are successful in the challenge and struggle. But I agree it is painful. There is no getting out of the "yen/yang." Overall I think most people are glad to get the opportunity to struggle in overcoming pain.
Good Question. I hope this answer makes some sense.
2006-11-23 14:44:55 · answer #4 · answered by Kuntree 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You might want to study a bit about paganism. We do not hide the fact that there is pain in the world, or illness, or sadness, or death any more than we hide the fact that there is life, joy, health and pleasure.
2006-11-23 14:54:26 · answer #5 · answered by Black Dragon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, there is pain in life. However, there is also pleasure. Heck, some find pleasure in pain, both others and their own. As far as the meaning of life, it's to live it. That is the only meaning of life.
2006-11-23 14:33:51 · answer #6 · answered by gaygoddevil 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the meaning of life is to gain as much wisdom and knowledge as possible and then teach it to others so that mankind might be a little bit better off for one having been here.
2006-11-23 14:34:15 · answer #7 · answered by Marvin R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buddhist enlightenment isn't getting out of this world, it's realizing this world is perfect as it is.
You therefore get the sense, you see the world as you are, not how the world actually is.
2006-11-23 14:31:45 · answer #8 · answered by unseen_force_22 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
life is a cycle of emotional struggle. pain is only a small part. what about joy, happiness, sorrow, curiosity, anger.
2006-11-23 14:37:43 · answer #9 · answered by blueJean 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Newborn babies are so cute, but sometimes they make me feel sad and it's because of pretty much what you just explained.
2006-11-23 14:36:49 · answer #10 · answered by Maria Isabel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋