If you don't believe in an afterlife, what is the meaning of life?

Question

I don't believe in an afterlife and am having a hard time dealing with this question lately.

Answer 1

It’s the little happiness-es of life that gives it meaning. Some laughter, some conversation, good food and a little sex, satisfaction at a job well done, a walk on the beach, making a difference, even if its a small difference, seeing your children become happy, healthy, productive adults, washing your car, a game of cards, a good movie, a beer.... God (if you’ll pardon the expression) is in the details.

Answer 2

I'm not an Atheist, but I don't believe in an afterlife, per se.

I'm somewhat of a Theistic Satanist [it's a bit more complicated], but my belief is that through enough work and [self]discovery, I can survive on a different level of conciousness, and exist there. [That is, in my beliefs, where the gods function].

This "Afterlife," takes a lot of work, so I do doubt that I'll be able to do it.

Other than that, the meaning of life is to enjoy it, as it's not coming back.

Answer 3

Precisely because there is no afterlife (for all eternity), this life is all the more important. Whatever one chooses to be the purpose of one's life is that much more important. The meaning is specific to each and every one of us, and we are the ones that determines that meaning personally.

If there is an eternal afterlife, what you do in this limited short lifespan is insignificant.

Answer 4

If there is no afterlife, then you better get to living this one! Be aware of everything that happens to you, good or bad, because you don't want to wake up 20 years from now wondering where your life went.

Answer 5

Peace!
Life has no meaning if there is no afterlife. There must be a reason and a purpose why we are here. Are we here just to enjoy ourselves? If that is how we look at life, then we are no different from animals. God created us to share his goodness not only in this life but more importantly in the life to come.

Answer 6

take away the idea of an afterlife, which trivializes this one

and you have meaning, now

a family member recently killed self, we don't know his reasons, no note

but he was indoctrinated with stories of afterlife only to find out they were false

talk about a let down! he thought god would take care of things, only to realize he had the ability to do it all along

an afterlife concept trivializes this one, most cruel thing

publishing a book helps you live on after your passing, your ideas remain behind to spawn and father/birth others

Answer 7

We find the greatest happiness possible now and our lives take on richness of meaning when we apply bible principles and put first doing of Gods will. We do not enrich God by serving him;he teaches us to benefit ourselves(Isa.48:17)The bible counsels become steadfast unmovable always having plenty to do in the work of the lord knowing that your labor is not in vain in connection with the Lord.-1Cor.15:58
The bible sets before us the prospect of eternal life in perfection if we put faith in Jehovah's provisions for life and walk in his ways. That hope is solidly based it will not lead to disappointment; activity in harmony with that hope can fill our lives with real meaning even now- John 3:16; Titus 1:2; 1pet. 2:6

I do not believe in an afterlife. How ever I do believe in a resurrection. I also believe that there will be people that make it past Armageddon and get to live on earth with the resurrected.

Answer 8

To live.

Why do you need a god to give you meaning to your life? You live and you can do anything at all that you want with it because its YOUR life. The whole world is open to you and full of possibilities. The only thing holding you back is yourself and what society is willing to tolerate. Nothing else.

If you're this depressed, then you need to change the way you're living your life. That happens sometimes.

The answer to it isn't a god, its just change your life. And its not as hard as you think.

I've changed my life massively twice. Its changed who I am but its also helped me realize who I am without needing anyone, or anything, else to tell me what to do.

Life isn't easy and it never will be but YOU are the only one that can give you answers that you need.

You just have to be willing to do whats needed to move on and only you can know whats needed.

Answer 9

Are you serious? Are not the wonders of this life meaningful enough for you? . . . . the enormous diversity of life, the awesome wonders of the Universe, the twinkle in a child's eye, human love in all its forms? . . . . These things are not meaningful enough for you? You need a belief in an afterlife to appreciate life and find it meaningful?

Answer 10

I don't understand the logic in that thought. Is the only way THIS life can have meaning if is we live another life after this one? That doesn't make sense. That basiclly says that this life is meaningless. But since no one knows what happens after death, wouldn't it make more sense that THIS life means something.

I think our mortality gives our lives meaning. It defines us. The fact that we don't live forever, in any plane of existance, places more meaning on this life, the only we are guaranteed. It's unfortunate humans only live an average of 80 years. I'm glad I don't live forever, you would run out of things to do!