I'm not trying to argue. I don't mean to offend. I just want to know about the other side. What is the meaning to life if you are an atheist?
2006-11-23 14:23:18 · 32 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
to pass down DNA(hopefully the good traits), have fun, and pay taxes while youre at it.
2006-11-23 14:31:57 · answer #1 · answered by lnfrared Loaf 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The supposition that you're starting with is that the only possible source for meaning in life is a supernatural creator that is benevolent and omnipotent. It is the opposite that is true.
If, as most religious people believe, this life is no more than a brief excursion, framed as a test, in to the mortal world, then what meaning can this life possibly have? The idea that we all live on in eternity undermines the idea that this life is important at all. "It'll all be over in a flash, then I'll get to go live my real, eternal life," we might say.
I'm an agnostic, but I agree with atheists on most points. The meaning of life for a non-believer? This is it, right here. This is all you get. You can see the meaning of life in every moment that you're alive, all you have to do is look. But you do have to look, because no one else can explain it to you.
2006-11-23 14:37:15 · answer #2 · answered by RabidBunyip 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Anyone can live a good life, without being told to.
As Lao Tze once said, what is inherently good will reflect itself by uits actions. But to do good concientously, means that the person is not inherently good for he has to make an effort.
In a chaotic world now, we should work together to better man and Earth.
Just being an Atheist doesn't mean life does not have any meaning. Look at Buddha, wasn't his life meaningful not to himself only, but for ht ecountless of people following his teachings of peace and enlightenment
2006-11-23 15:04:01 · answer #3 · answered by Dumbguy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love that question. I get that many times. Well, life is to live by your wishes and determine where you want to be in life. I mean come on, birth is just because of two people, so I don't see any sense in trying to figure out why you were born. You were born because of, you know what...
2006-11-23 21:46:37 · answer #4 · answered by Hardrock 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't consider myself a hardcore atheist, but I have some very serious doubts about the existence of any divine beings.
Where do I find my meaning? In family, friends, doing the things I enjoy. Sometimes I get depressed and all life-is-meaningless nihilist on everything, but I have learned to avoid drinking copious amounts of whiskey at dive bars, so that's better than it used to be. Mostly I just get through the day like everyone else, with lots of carefully not thinking about the howl of the ever-approaching void. From what I've heard from various friends who do believe in God, but aren't all unshakeably faithful, that's pretty much how they do it, too. You enjoy what you've got, and you don't think about death or infinity, and if you end up going there, you distract yourself, with chocolate or alcohol or movies starring very hot men (or is that just me?). If you're wondering about morality, well, that's easy. My mom raised me well, and I have benefitted from being a nice, generous, law-abiding person.
2006-11-23 14:30:36 · answer #5 · answered by random6x7 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Whatever you make of it. That is the beauty of it. If you think the meaning of life is love, persue it. If you think the meaning of life is money, attain it. You have one life and a plethora of different routes to a meaning. In fact, I find the Atheist "meaning of life" more meaningful than the Theist one of being an obedient person to get some reward in the after life that nobody can confirm does or does not exist.
2006-11-23 14:32:55 · answer #6 · answered by Alucard 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well really there is no "meaning of life." We exist because of chance evolution. No matter how good or bad you are in this life there will not be a next one. Deal with it.
That being said, I think that people should live for the coming generations. Meaning that people should do everything they can to make the world a better place for those to come.
2006-11-23 14:35:38 · answer #7 · answered by horselover1416 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The answer pertains to the entire Universe, not only life. Life is an infinitesimal part of the Universe and probably is a temporary event in the great scheme of things.
Why so much universe out there without life, if life is what's important and has a meaning?
What is the meaning of bacteria living in the bottom of the ocean?
It is much easier to say that we don't really know, instead of creating irrational explanations.
2006-11-23 14:29:28 · answer #8 · answered by Dr. Sabetudo 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Atheists are often mystical, believing that the world has or is a 'deeper meaning' than literal materialism would appear to imply, and affirming that this meaningfulness is something we are in constant contact with and need only bring into awareness -- denying that it is something that has an inherently separate 'spiritual' existence, as a being or god.
Beyond that, Humanism. "Realizing ones personal potential and working for the betterment of humanity through ethical consciousness and social works are considered paramount - but from a naturalistic rather than supernatural standpoint."
"Humanism is a progressive philosophy of life that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity."
2006-11-23 14:41:55 · answer #9 · answered by zilmag 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well, that's pretty darned simple, if you just stop to think about it. If you're an atheist, you don't believe in an afterlife, so we believe you get one shot at life... THIS one.
Now that that fundamental premise is out of the way, the meaning of life is different for everyone, so there's no ONE answer to your question. For me, the meaning of life is to accomplish something for the good of mankind that will also earn me a good living so I can provide for my family. I believe in laws, societal order, being faithful to my wife, raising responsible, independent children, and helping those less fortunate than myself. When I die, I merely hope that I am remembered fondly, after being grieved for. My "afterlife" is my children. I want the best for them.
And for the person above me... How unbelievably ARROGANT you are to assert that my life has no meaning, just because I believe that once I die, that's it for me. Do you always wear your as$ for a hat?
Conan the Barbarian's answer to that question was just as relevant as any other I've seen... "Crush your enemies, see them driven before you... hear the lamentations of their women." Lol
2006-11-23 14:30:10 · answer #10 · answered by Stretchy McSlapNuts 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
life is centered on the perfect human being who knows better than us the better way to living a certain way. He is the one who decides what happens in our lives until the we die,so i don't think doing the good thing is enough when people tell ridiculous things of how they are so special . life is not about yourself,greed,racism or anything that is not even close to good.
2006-11-23 16:28:46 · answer #11 · answered by christina p 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋