Why do religious people insist that only they can have a "purpose in life"?

Question

Do they define "purpose in life" as wasting this one in the hope of an afterlife?

I feel that I am much more driven in life than many religious people I know. Just curious if anyone can find logic in the claim.

Answer 1

It's called Transference. They are simply transferring all of their own fears and insecurities onto you. If they didn't have an imaginary best friend in the sky to converse with and babysit them, their lives would be empty. They naturally assume our lives would also be empty. The sad part is their lives WOULD be empty without their make-believe fantasy world.

"What drives the true believers? Invincible ignorance & reasoning deficits are symptoms of more basic things. Many people cannot accept the grim truth that tragedies can just happen. Many people can’t face the reality that utterly reasonless, unpredictable tragedy may be waiting around every corner. They cast about for some meaningful explanation, something that will make sense of senseless tragedies."
— Skeptical Inquirer; Article by Porter Henry, March/April ‘95

Those who welcome death have only tried it from the ears up.
— Wilson Mizner (1876-1933)

Life should be lived so vividly and so intensely that thoughts of another life, or of a longer life, are not necessary.
— Marjory Stoneham Douglas

Life is but a momentary glimpse of the wonder of this astonishing universe, and it is sad to see so many dreaming it away on spiritual fantasy.
— Carl Sagan

Do not fear death so much, but rather the inadequate life.
— Bertolt Brecht (1898-1956)

From my rotting body,
flowers shall grow
and I am in them
and that is eternity.
— Edvard Munch (1863-1944)

There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval.
— George Santayana (1863-1952)

Sacrificing the earth for paradise is giving up the substance for the shadow.
— Victor Hugo, (1802-1885)

Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?
— Douglas Adams

Answer 2

first off I don't think that atheists and agnostics hate christians some do, some don't, and some our in the middle It just depends on the person. However, now i am going to argue with you The world teaches you that to love everyone that means to just tolerate everyone's ideas and beliefs What tends to happen to real Christians is that you say something like God created the earth, not evolution Well... nobody wants to hear that,so really what they are saying is as long as you agree with me, or don't share an opposing view we will get along You see Christians can't just back off and let everyone go to hell, then we won't be fulfilling the great commission of go and make disciples of all the nations. Also, if you really love people you are going to share with them the truth that there is a heaven and hell and Jesus is the way to life. If you consider that idea you will understand why we just won't be silent. We want those we love to go to heaven with us, that means they need to know Jesus. The world will have peace one day... the antichrist will usher it in...he will try to kill off the Christians Now, for example will you tolerate the idea that I think that everyone does not believe in God is a fool? Everyone has bias, it is just really a question of which bias is the best to be biased with.

Answer 3

I've personally never heard that but since you bring it up.... I do think that all people have a purpose, and it is great to be driven and I believe any person who has or wants a satisfying life will believe strongly that he/she has a purpose to fulfill. I do think that the difference for Christains is that they make it a point to ensure that what they find as their purpose is the same as God's purpose for them, while non-Christians are obviously not concerned about this. As a Christian myself, I feel I have some purposes that are specifically related to my life, just like any other person (Christian or not) would have (regarding my family, career, etc.) but beyond that I have a more basic purpose that all my other purposes are used towards, and that is to love God and to reflect his love and his truth for others to see - it is this purpose, I think, which is unique to Christians.

Answer 4

"Wasting time in hopes of an afterlife?" well seeing as how I KNOW that there's an afterlife I don't see it as wasting time to go spread the gospel.I don't necessarily think that only us Christians have a purpose but ours is a heavenly minded purpose(therefore eternal) and not an earthly one(therefore temporary). of course that's no excuse to sit down and not have a job or family but we aren't supposed to get too attached to anything.

Answer 5

because that for us is the purpose of living life fully.

nope, purpose in life fo me(personally ok) is a preparation for the after life on earth.

then good for you, you are life driven. but i think, it's not fair to compare that you are much more driven than religious people. always remember that no one in this world has the same thought & intentions...

Answer 6

Consider this....

I'm not sure what it is you do, but what ever it is, what's the point? You're just going to die anyways. make some space on the planet and stab yourself.

No, I don't mean that, but it's the line of reasoning that I want you to consider. Some people need goals. It makes them feel like they are accomplishing something. be it, Computers, Engineering, preparing for the next life, what ever. Simply because it's not the same goal that you have, does not make it any more or less ' logical ".

I mean, you're going to die anyways. So what are you working so hard for?

Answer 7

Everybody has a 'purpose' You're 'DRIVEN', GREAT! Paul was driven, Later Jesus said "why are you persecuting Me?" SUddenly Paul beleived. Hopefully you're future's something worth y.




2 Timothy 1:9
who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Answer 8

I'm a christian and I think that EVERYBODY has a purpose in life, not just religious people or christians, everyone can. If someone says that only Godly or religious people can have a purpose in life, then they are putting themselves above everyone else, and that's wrong. That in itself is a sin.

Answer 9

No. I really don't see the logic in that or in what you say either. I am religious and have never felt or thought that of those who weren't. I think you assume and presume too much.
I also find it to be arrogant of yourself to judge someone else's pursuit of happiness to be " wasting his life".
I do believe you have three fingers pointing at yourself when you point at others and I also think you need to check your passive-aggressiveness at the door.

Answer 10

I think you are interpreting that statement incorrectly. "Religious" people are probably stating that they have FOUND their purpose in life, which is actually the reason we are here... to know who we are, and why we are here.