Why are so many people insisting there needs to be a reason to be here?

Question

I've been puzzled by this one all my life.

People saying "what meaning is there to life if there's no god?"

What the?????

Why does life need to have a meaning?

We're all incredibly privileged to be able to go through this experience, but why does it have to have some sort of meaning?

Do people look for the meaning in the lives of other creatures?

Isn't it enough just to accept that we're alive......and make the most of it while we can?

Answer 1

Does your question have any meaning? ;)

Answer 2

Well, if there's no reason to be here, no meaning, then a life that includes more pain and struggle than pleasure and joy does not make any sense at all. But if there is a point, it does not follow that the old-testament God is the one who provides that point.

You say we are ALL privileged. I would disagree. Some are privileged, on the whole, and some are not. And some only find their privilege later in life. So perhaps we could say that the meaning of life is to find meaning in each individual's life. That is, to overcome the temptation to suicide (which is most common when you are young, you know), it is necessary to believe that it is still possible to find a purpose even when you don't see one at the moment. Then your purpose becomes finding a purpose. It's like the unemployed who go on because their full-time job is to find a job.

That's the way I got through my younger years, and again when My Steve committed suicide and removed my number one purpose, which was serving his needs. Now I realize that there is still plenty I can do, and one of the things is to share what I have learned with the young, as I do on Yahoo Answers.

Answer 3

Because if there is no meaning or reason then how can we separate right from wrong. It makes us lower life forms. I should be able to just walk in your home and eat out of your refridgerator because that is what a blue jay does, it just goes around stealing eggs from other birds. Or I should be able to go up to you and shoot you in the head, because your life has no reason or meaning, so what does it matter. But you know that is not true, you have a soul and you cry when you are hurt. You love your mother and father, you laugh and enjoy moments with your friends. I see you here everynight, this is why you arr called an athiest, because you thirst for the truth. You and I are no different, can't you see that you want to know so badly. you are so close.

Answer 4

Some people think there is a reason to be here...some dont...but very few know where they came from ...what there perpose is and where they will go and what waits them. I know why i am here, and why things happen to me, its all a test. I never new..until i was 26 and hit me"What the hell am i doing the things i am doing? are they wrong or right?" Ask yourself where we came from, and what promises we made before we were born. And what might happen if i see there is another world waiting for you after death. What have you done for youself to earn the right to enter that world. Confusing huh? Keep thinking and you will find your answer some day. GOD gives every one the chance. When you get it no one knows. Make the most of it yes, but do it the way GOD has shown you. Because that will effect your after life.

Answer 5

I agree. It's simply that most people always try to find meaning in everything, even those which has no meaning.
It's the same when you're in an art gallery, and someone is looking at a painting and asking what the meaning behind it is. And you're thinking 'its just a painting of an animal (or whatever), its as simple as that!'. I'm an artist myself, and I never try to put in any special meaning, or hidden message, but no doubt some people will try to find it anyway.

Thats just life.

Answer 6

But what kind of experience are we going through? We are controlled by so many conditions by the laws of nature. Naturally, We want to experience life perfectly and fully, but in the present condition we can not do that, old age, disease and death are frustrating our real nature. Therefore, is quite natural to be inquisitive about the meaning of life, what is the goal and where is that nature in which we can experience and exercise our real existence without obstacles.

Answer 7

Why then are we "incredibly privileged to go through this experience" ?
If life has no meaning then where is the privilege? What difference would there be then to have the privilege of life or to have never existed?

Answer 8

That's a good question.. I wonder who first came up with that concept and why it seems to be such a need in human beings. Other animals don't seem to have that problem.
I personally like the American Indian way of thinking.. that all animals, plants, etc... are here to learn and to heal the earth. No grand scheme, no big design.. just learning and healing.. sounds like a nice plan to me.

Answer 9

Yeah, I don't understand why so many insist that there must be some universal, cosmic, awe-inspiring, deep and important NEED and PURPOSE for our existence.

Uh... we're just animals milling about on a bit of rock floating about in space. Yes, I know, doesn't sound majestic or grand, but why should it have to?

Can't we just accept that we ARE cosmically insignificant and get on with living the life we got? Or is that too depressing?

Answer 10

It's a point that I got to when I was thinking, " Is this all there is?" I was so young when I went through that for the first time! I was still well within my first digits! About 7 I think.

At 24 I started knowing God. And I haven't had to wonder that any more. I'm glad of it too.

Answer 11

Because some people can't accept what they have and want more