Since you believe there is nothing beyond this current life, doesn't that mean your life is pointless? If it is pointless, why even bother? I am serious in this question. I have a major illness and if I thought this was all there is to life, I would ventilate my skull. I do not fear death nor do I fear God, but I just want to do more of His work before I meet Him face to face.
How do you keep up any hope if you feel this is all there is?
2007-12-07 04:15:42 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There is nothing after death. Yes, this means life is pointless entirely, in the long run. Eventually the universe will rip itself apart due to its accellerating expansion and nothing we've ever done will add up to a load of donkey bollocks in the long run.
But we are blissfully small little insignificant specks, too small to genuinely recognize our own insignificance. In the short term, we can make a difference, and that's good enough for me.
Even when the universe tears itself apart, no one and no thing can take away that I did my best TODAY, because really, today is all we have.
If you need your deity to feel hope, help yourself. I don't.
2007-12-07 04:23:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your problem is that you're reading history backwards. I read it forwards, so I look at it like this:
For a very long time, I didn't exist. Now for almost a half-century, I have existed. I live a pretty good life in a pretty good time to be alive in a pretty good place to be living. I've experienced many great joys, and I hope to experience more. I've learned a lot, I've loved a lot, and I hope to do more of both. I hope to end my life with as few regrets as I can, while having lived a life that many will mourn has ended.
After that, I plan to not-exist like I did before I was alive.
2007-12-07 04:23:16 · answer #2 · answered by Hera Sent Me 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That doesn't make any sense. How does the absence of an afterlife make life pointless? If you think that life is followed by an eternity in paradise, then I can see why you might consider life pointless.
Seriously, if the only thing that keeps you going is the thought that you'll go somewhere better afterwards then I pity you.
2007-12-07 04:22:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off all, there are various kinds of atheists, just as there are various kinds of xtians. As for myself, I believe that there indeed is existance after death--my beliefs just do not require a vengeful god monster. Rent the robin williams film "what dreams may come"--for an idea of this atheists view of an existance after death. So--just because one does not require a supreme being--does not preclude an afterlife lol. If this is not the case, then I suggest you read Edward Vance Coopers "How did you die" poem. Lot to be said in that. ("its not the fact that your licked that counts, but how did you fight, and why). We are human--I merely choose to embrace every second of humanity I have--sick or healthy.
2007-12-07 04:25:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Life is about living it. Not what happens after death. You can't really live your life if you are concerned that you might not have an afterlife.
I keep hope by loving the fact that I wake up each morning and that I'm still around to go to bed each night.
2007-12-07 04:25:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I think I should spend my time alive concentrating on being alive instead of preparing for death. I think all life is pretty much pointless, but why not? Then atheists, Christians, Muslims, and all that good stuff can party together. But that's not so often...
2007-12-07 05:07:10 · answer #6 · answered by Laura W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I enjoy life! I live for those I love, for adventure, for emotion and most of all, I live for myself. I'm rewarded by those incentives that come in life- such as a promotion or recognition. Being an Atheist allows me to enjoy so much more than being a Creationist ever could. I can drink, I can swear, I can have sex... This life is for sure. An afterlife is not guaranteed.
2007-12-07 04:25:21 · answer #7 · answered by tb19891989 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't need a grand plan, purpose, or reward to enjoy life. I love life. I come from a family of atheist who are some of the most life-lovinest people you ever met. It's rare to catch us down. I'm always making short-term plans and goals and relishing them when I see them through. I truly believe in cherishing moments and experiences, and always take a second in my mind to revere them - the taste of my first cup of coffee in the morning, the smell of my daughters hair when she sits in my lap, the sound of my best friend laughing at my jokes, my husbands sweet touch. My life is bursting with these things and I value more than anything. I get through tuff times by looking forward to my next precious moment. And they always come.
2007-12-07 04:31:14 · answer #8 · answered by zero 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No quite the opposite since we know this is the only life we have we make the best of it. You on the other hand can screw up your life as much as you want thinking you are going to spend eternity in heaven anyway.
2007-12-07 04:25:40 · answer #9 · answered by That's Why 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We don't need a man-made superstition to lean on. We know this is all there is so most of us get out there and make the most of it.
If you read any book on evolutionary biology it would help. I fear though, having been brought up to believe in a god, that it's too late to change your outlook.
2007-12-07 04:24:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋