Since the predominant factor in all religions is;
If I follow a set of defined(devine) rules I will get the opportunity to live forever.
This suggests the meaning of life is simply to live forever.
When you are 'living for ever' then your life will effectively become meaningless by the same standards.
Is this too far in the future for most people to comprehend or does anybody have any thoughts on this?
2007-10-15 01:40:29 · 28 answers · asked by interested_party 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
the true meaning of life...is to discover the true meaning of life!...
2007-10-15 01:51:29 · answer #1 · answered by djave djarvoo 'djas originel 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Life to humans has the same meaning as life to the other animals , birds , trees , fish , bugs ,worms , weeds , all living things . We are all different , but we are all part of nature .
Each living thing has a life span that is decided by nature. Many factors can shorten that life-span , but it does end .
We have evolved by the forces of nature. Each living thing will eventually come to an end , as is perfectly natural , understandable , believable .
" Everlasting life " is a dream , a hope , is contrary to nature , is impossible , is unexplanable , non-believable , pure imagination , primitive superstition .
2007-10-15 09:04:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No religion does not provide a meaning of life, it is a set of guidelines by which to live your life, in a moral, ethical, and hopefully enlightened way.
Living forever is not guaranteed by any means in any religion, but they do spell out what must be accomplished by the believer to live in the higher kingdom after your earthly demise.
2007-10-15 08:47:02 · answer #3 · answered by gryphon1911 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any religion will provide a meaning for life if the mean in offers is acceptable to you. IF not then it does not. Nothing can guarantee you the opportunity to live for ever so don't believe anyone who says they can
2007-10-15 08:46:28 · answer #4 · answered by Maid Angela 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not so much a meaning to life, as a context in which to live it. An outlook that sees a person through the changes that happen over time.
2007-10-15 12:22:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the difference is, that this life is thought of to be as a test. Our souls have been given bodies, to see whether we are good or bad. Then our souls will live eternally in heaven or hell, based on our actions during our lives now.
2007-10-15 09:00:53 · answer #6 · answered by mrr86 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not, but it does offer various paths/ways to experience 'eternal aliveness' in each lifetime. It has described the intersection of being/reality, psychology and physics - across history and culture - that the primitive fields of science have not yet caught up with.
2007-10-15 19:49:28 · answer #7 · answered by MysticMaze 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's not what Christianity teaches. Jesus came to fulfill the law. christians don't believe they are saved by following rules, rather we believe we are saved because Jesus died for our sins. It's about what God has already done for us, a faith based on grace.....the ONLY faith based on grace rather than law.
However, living forever is promised to those who accept this gift of grace. Religion cannot provide a meaning to life....only Jesus can.
God says in His word, Ecclesiastes 3:11, '...He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.'
We all desire to live forever because God has put that desire in our hearts so we will look for eternity...and find Him.
2007-10-15 12:31:09 · answer #8 · answered by good tree 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I myself think that people came up with the idea of a higher power and religion to give meaning where there is none. To me, religion is just a coping mechanism ancient society came up with to deal with the fact that we all die. My meaning comes from those I love and who love me. Sometimes I wish I could buy into religion; it must be comforting to those who believe, but I can't. My analytical mind can't make that "leap of faith".
2007-10-15 09:05:16 · answer #9 · answered by paned*expressions 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Christianity, the meaning of life is not to live forever. So let's start afresh.
Meaning is actually the same concept as worth. Purpose and worth are tied together. Our experience in life is that if there is no purpose for something, it has no worth. Therefore we long to have a purpose for living which is worthy of our life.
Purpose requires God as per:
“Unless you assume a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless.” –Bertrand Russell
Many people, when asked about meaning, will cite love. Love for children, for spouse, for parents. Love gives their lives meaning. That is because the love of the beloved gives worth just because of who we are and not because of what we do.
Those who say they make their own meaning have to find their worth through the real and imagined praise of others. They try to find worth through what they do, not because of who they are. Therefore they always have to do something; "live a full life", keep busy, "make a difference in the world", etc.
Christianity teaches that we have worth just because we are beloved of God and that God wants us to be His sons and daughters. Our purpose then is to seek God and experience God and to come to know God and to find our joy in an infinite God.
2007-10-15 10:12:27 · answer #10 · answered by Matthew T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
interesting point.. well, if you find a religion that you think is right you will know it and religions all vary believing different things.. and if you didnt believe in religion would mean you believe in "the big bang" which if you ask me is the daftest theory one think of! no offence but which plonker thought basic things like child birth and growth happened because of a few rocks and gases?!?!? In my opinion religion [to me, mine] all makes perfect sense and does provide meaning to life!
2007-10-15 12:30:58 · answer #11 · answered by S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋