Just leaving aside the question of how we got here for a moment, I am curious as to what Atheists see the purpose of life if not a stepping stone to something else.
2007-01-05 00:02:00 · 19 answers · asked by Pilgrim 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Thank you CJunk I was interested in the personal purpose as well as the ultimate (unless it is too personal.)
2007-01-05 00:12:18 · update #1
I am not saying Atheists don't care or are not moral - I am saying they are not jumping hoops to achieve something, impress someone or go somewhere. What then are they doing? I am trying to get the point of it all.
2007-01-05 00:14:12 · update #2
Brendan G
The HOW is not the WHY. That's why we have two words.
2007-01-05 14:45:53 · update #3
Many of us dont suppose there is one. Like the Dolphins, sharks,dogs, monkeys, birds, cats, trees, flys, spiders, bears, lions, cougars, rabbits, and well you get the idea. Whats there ultimate purpose, besides just living?
No ultimate purpose does not imply no personal purpose either.
Once I finally realized that I actually have no purpose, I actually felt relieved. I felt free to make my own purpose (which I am still working on).
Well said 'Pangel'.
EDIT:
Well personally. Purpose as apposed to goals. I firstly need to do away with alot of bad habits I have gotten from being a christian. One of which is closing myself of to the 'world'. Thats not a purpose just a goal. As for purpose. umm just to look after my family(body and mind), my mind, my health, enjoy things more.
If there is a grand unified purpose in all this, well I certainly dont believe I am going to need to figure it out before I die because otherwise im screwed for all eternity
2007-01-05 00:08:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I think the How is the Why. Without a creator, sure there is no "why" per se, but I've always imagined that in the face of a supreme being that would be an arrogant expectation anyway.
On the other hand, asking the How in a scientific way has pushed our knowledge of the universe to wondrous and unexpected places. Just think, 100 years ago, there was only a vague notion that the universe might be millions instead of thousands of years old. Now, we contemplate a universe orders of magnitude older, and we have an understanding of the vast distances to the galaxies -- objects that were thought by many at that time to be inside our own galaxy.
I mean, WOW! There's so much wonder without the need for silly superstitions!
2007-01-05 00:19:58 · answer #2 · answered by Brendan G 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I care a whole lot about why we exist! I know other Atheists care also. I believe that some doors would open up if we knew why we exist. Those doors may lead to knowledge of things such as anti-aging, medical cures, and answers to what happens after we die. I don't think life is all about a stepping stone to something else. I think we should make the most of the life we have because its the only one we get.
2007-01-05 00:09:35 · answer #3 · answered by ÜFÖ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just because one doesn't believe in there being something after life and life being a step to that, doesn't mean that they can't find a purpose in the moment, the day, their life.. just as a bee does, a flowers, elephant.. whatever. One can live for the purpose of life itself and not be concerned or obsessed with the reason why.
2007-01-05 00:15:24 · answer #4 · answered by punkvixen 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the purpose of life, What makes you so sure of your purpose? did you choose your purpose or did someone tell you your purpose. The real purpose of our existence is the same as any other animal survive, reproduce & die, decompose & make more fertilizer for the food for other animals
There is no real purpose for our existence all we can do is try to make this rediculous situation as best as possible. Leave whatever we can for the world whether good or bad the memories of who we are & what we did in our life are the only thing that will remain when we are dead & gone. So do you think anything you have done will have any relevance or you just another clone like the rest?
2007-01-05 00:20:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
We watched Scenes that showed how an increased tolerance was developing. In Christianity, in both the Catholic and Protestant traditions, it was becoming understood that the true conversion experience within Christianity and the true devotional and enlightenment experience of the Eastern religions, Judaism, and Islam -- the experience itself -- were exactly the same. It was just that each religion emphasized different aspects of this mystical interaction with god.
The Eastern religions emphasized the effects on consciousness itself, the experience of lightness, a sense of oneness with the universe, the release of the ego's desires, and a certain detachment. Islam emphasized the feeling of unity that came with sharing this experience with others and the power inherent in group action. Judaism emphasized the importance of a tradition based on this connection, of the experience of feeling chosen and that each person alive is responsible for pushing forward the evolution of human spirituality.
Christianity was emphasizing the idea that the spirit manifests in human beings not just as an increased awareness of being part of God but also as as higher self -- as though we become an expanded version of who we are, more complete, capable with an inner guidance and wisdom leading us to act, as if the human personality of GOD, the Christ was now looking through our eyes.
2007-01-05 00:56:28 · answer #6 · answered by Eric E 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It would be interesting to know the purpose of life but I am more curious of the truth of our origin and the lost history.
2007-01-05 01:21:45 · answer #7 · answered by Maureen B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why does there have to be a purpose at all? What if this is it? Live your life to the fullest, because you can't be sure you're getting another one. What if there's nothing after this, and you wasted this life preparing for another you never got?
2007-01-05 00:06:24 · answer #8 · answered by eri 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Life isn't a stepping stone. Death is the destination, life is the journey. To me, life is about taking as many detours as possible while having as much fun as possible.
If life is a stepping stone, then why wouldn't the destination be seen as such as well? The journey's half the fun!
2007-01-05 00:08:54 · answer #9 · answered by Ghost Wolf 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
what terrible fear you must possess....to need more than this.
I'm not greedy. I have love, blue skies, and rainbows, and that has to be enough.
It has to be enough, it's everything in the world and everything in the world is plenty for me.
In this day and age, there is nothing you can't get. You may have to work hard, or spend alot, perhaps even devote your life...but there is nothing in this world you can't have.
It seems just rude to beg the invisible for more, you got it all now!
Just the love of my family that raised me and the family I'm raising now is enough that I don't need heaven.
I won the huge genetic lottery with my son and I get joy every day.
why is that not enough for you?
2007-01-05 00:08:34 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋