What is an atheist's meaning in life?

Question

I'm a Christian and although I am too a sinner like all of us are, I still life my life the best I can because I know that there is a place for me when I'm gone. I know I'll meet Jesus.

What do atheists live for? Are they just along for the ride? And what about life's major crises, how do they get through it thinking theres no God there for them??

Answer 1

The only meaning in life those people have are to loving themselves and starting common law marriages.

Answer 2

Atheist are very free to make up their minds over about anything they like themselves, but as I can only speak for myself, in macro view, when you look at the scale of the universe, there's completely no meaning in life. The universe is expanding very fast, there's no way humanity will survive on earth long enough, we're never going away from earth to live on other planets or things like that, and in the end, after many billions of years, earth gets eaten by the sun, and even much later, all matter in the universe will decay into quantum particles by lack of gravity holding the matter together. There's nothing Divine in this.
But on earth I think there are a few things to live for: having fun, trying to leave this world a better place, being a good and nice parent, husband, friend, college, etc. Probably more, I never really think about it, because I can't help being here in the first place, but in general I live my life as I described above. I can't sin, but I can hurt peoples feelings, and I try not to do that.

Answer 3

to be a good, moral, polite, kind person throughout your life. I know plenty of religous people who blind follow and "go along for the ride." There are many coping mechanisms people use to deal with a crisis without god included. That is their perogative. I think you are slightly misguided about religion and what it's about. Just because you don't believe in God doesn't necessarily mean you're not going to heaven or hell if there is one. And Jesus is NOT god, like a lot of people believe. Instead of preaching, BE the example. Do not judge. Let that be for God to decide.

Answer 4

I get meaning from life by trying to understand the truth about reality, which requires separating myth from reality. It is absolutely amazing that anything exists at all, and that we have evolved to be sentient animals who can understand a great deal. Theists somehow think that there has to be something greater, and let that belief limit their ability to understand.

When I am suffering from circumstances, I don't have to deal with the "why me" and "why is god testing me" kinds of mind games. I understand that I have control over some circumstances, but mostly I have to deal with whatever comes my way, and that there are no supernatural forces that are manipulating me. So, I know that my best course of action is to not pity myself, but to do the best I can to take control and survive until the bad circumstances are behind me. There is a big feeling of peace and empowerment that comes from accepting life as a full adult.

Answer 5

There is no purpose to life, no 'reason we are here'. However, because we are here, we are free to make our lives meaningful any way we so choose. I generally live for friends and knowledge, those make my life meaningful.

And how do I get through the major crises? I realize I'm strong enough to overcome anything that comes my way.

Answer 6

We live for the fact that after we are gone there is NOTHING. We live every day as if it's our last, we have fun and don't care about what happens to us when we die. You call not believeing in god a crisis.. ha I call it enlightenment man. maybe you'll feel the same way one day... i doubt it but maybe/ Don't try and make us feel bad it wont work my friend I live because I'm here and I need to reproduce so so get ready world here comes some more of ME! HAHAHAHAHAHA ATHEIST AND F*CKIN PROUD!

Answer 7

Atheists just live life, without a belief in a god. They live life and may do good deeds just for sake of doing them, not to get out of a torture chamber or to get into a paradise. And they may get through a crisis without a god, no problem.

Answer 8

There is no universal meaning of life. We're all along for the "ride". We're all animals. We're here like every other finite biological thing.

It might be easier to think that there's an all-loving ultimately powerful cosmic super-being looking out for me, etc etc, but as Carl Sagan once said: "It is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring."

Answer 9

Live my life the best I can...though not for any reward, but just because I should. A decent life will hopefully be reward enough.

And we deal with major crisis one day at a time, the best we can, with hopefully lots of support from loved ones.

Answer 10

When you dont believe in God your first thought doesnt go that direction when bad times come.... so they go through life just like you... Everyone believes in something including atheist..... it just isn't a supreme being...

And we all dont live life atheist or not waiting or thingking of where well go after life.... why not live life and wait to find out... like we all have to do anyways?

When you try to understand people who's thinking completely differs from yours it will drive you crazy.... just live and allow them to live... have respect for people but know you dont have to agree with their beliefes....

Answer 11

My life is just fine, thank you very much. I enjoy life much more now that I don't have to worry about whether or not I might slip up and commit some sin that would cause me to become, as one man said, "Just another log on the fires of Hell."
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