Why are we here?

Question

We are here because one odd group of fishes had a peculiar fin anatomy that could transform into legs for terrestrial creatures; because the earth never froze entirely during an ice age; because a small and tenuous species, arising in Africa a quarter of a million years ago, has managed, so far, to survive by hook and by crook. We may yearn for a higher answer -- but none exists.
-- Stephen Jay Gould, Life magazine, December 1988, from James A Haught, ed., 2000 Years of Disbelief

Answer 1

I don't know about you, but i'm just here for the cookies ;)

Answer 2

We're here because we have nothing better to do.

In an evolutionary context, we are here because if we weren't then some other descendant of the first primordial organisms would be - and they would probably be wondering the same thing. It has been estimated that humans are approximately 40 major evolutionary steps away from the first living things... which doesn't seem very many when you consider the millions of years that have elapsed since the first living things appeared. At each of those steps our path diverged from other living things that went on to evolve differently, many of which ultimately became extinct in an entirely natural process that continues to this day and will continue for as long as there is life on this planet, whether or not that includes us.

Answer 3

We all have Yahoo accounts

Just kidding..!! That's the question everyone wants to know and will probably never get anwered in this life. I can only tell you what I believe. I believe there's a dualistic relationship between the universe and concsiousness. They co-exist and depend on eachother for that existence like Day and Night or Male and Female. Take one out of the picture and the other looses it's purpose as well. If the sun was constantly in the sky over head, there would be no day because there'd be no night to separate days. Let's say hypothetically that humans were asexual like earth worms. If there were no females then no one could say that males exist. There would only be human beings with no genders. Every aspect of the universe exists this way and it takes care of itself.

There's a cause and effect relationship that also exists and it branches out and becomes more complex. According to Buddhism there's no such thing as a beginning or an end. Only different states of existence. They also have a problem with the Big Bang theory by itself because according to cause and effect and Einstein's E=MC (squared) there must be a cause for the effect and therefore all the potential energy that was needed for the Big Bang already existed. Instead of being The Beginning, the Big Bang is believed to be a a beginning to a new cycle. What came before? We don't know but it had the potential for becoming the universe we experience through our lives.

When the environment became suitable for sustaining life consciousness was then capable to finding vessels through which it could experience the physical realm of the universe. Without the consciousness there would be no awareness of existence and therefore the universe depends on consciousness. Likewise, consciousness depends on the universe for its existences because without it, there would be nothing for consciousness to be aware of.

According to Buddhism, since all things that exist are interdependent on eachother for their existence, in truth it becomes one entity, a unit. Another important dualistic concept is that all animals depend on plants to produce oxygen. In return, plants depend on animals for CO2 in a completely unifying system of interdependency. For this reason, we don't only live in our environment, we are part of it by contributing to the ecosystem. We're not above it nor below it but we are it.

I'm not trying to push this concept on anyone. It's just one Buddhist perspective. I don't claim factual evidence for the beliefs I've expressed and most of it is based on personal metaphysical beliefs and a philosophy that reveals itself as true to me void of man's words to interfere but discoveries in quantum physics coincide with many of these beliefs.

Contrary to my lengthy expression of personal beliefs, I will finish by saying "Truth can only be experienced in the absence of human words." Words do not determine existence. Many Buddhist write books but they discover what they found their writings on in silence and meditation.

Answer 4

I believe that we are here for God's pleasure and purposes.I believe that I was born by His purpose and for His purpose.

A life devoted to things is dead, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree. Proverbs 11:28

I believe that the purpose of my life is far greater than than my own personal fulfillment, my peace of mind, or even my happiness.

I have discovered my identity and purpose through a personal relationship with Jesus. God was thinking of me long before I even thought about Him. His purpose for my life predates my conception. I believe I can choose a lot of things like my spouse, career and hobbies, but I do not get to choose my purpose.

I believe that the purpose of my life fits into much larger, cosmic purpose that God has designed for eternity. In the mean time I am here ot love and help each other the best way I can. I have found that I am happiest when I serve others. : )

Answer 5

We are here as a test. There are believers and non-believers. This is the time where you are prejudged.. Which side are you on? There are those who develop a love of what is bad, wrong, unrighteous, and unnatural. There are those who develop a love of what is good, upright, God fearing, and righteous. Those are the ones who will be chosen to live forever once this wretched and twisted society is once and for all destroyed, and those who deserve a second chance, are left to live forever in a paradise. satan (along with all those that chose to live under his influence) will be destroyed for all the pain and suffering he caused while here on earth.

Answer 6

Oh yeah, now there's an argument that really makes me want to turn my back on the loving God Who created me:

Jeremiah 1:5a Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.

Good luck with that fin thing. I'll say hello to your kid brother the next time I go to Shedd Aquarium.

Answer 7

Ephesians1 verse 5

Answer 8

There is no real reason that we're here, no higher purpose.
It's just up to us to make the best of the time we have. It's either that or get extremly bored.

Answer 9

on the bright side, that allows us to attach any meaning we care for. I don't see why some people find that depressing. Must be this whole goal-oriented society thing.

Answer 10

To enjoy the ride! And get ready for the next one.

Answer 11

I think we are here just simply because we are. It was just the right process of the natural happenings of the earth.