[Death]

>Or rather, what is the purpose of life?

I'm glad you asked this question

The truth is that the answer to this question has little to do with the belief or lack thereof in any deity. This isn't hard to verify and is empirically verifiable. There are tons of religious individuals committing suicide every single day while at the same time, there are countless atheists living full passionate lives. Clearly if meaning in life is dependent on the belief in [insert preferred deity] this shouldn't be the case. The truth is that the question "what meaning does life have?" has no universal answer. What keeps an individual waking up everyday varies with the each individual.

As for portion of your question regarding the relationship between a belief in some sort of eternal life and and resultant value of this life, I would like to make the opposite argument.
The fact that I know when I die that's it for me, makes this life all the more precious. I will never get another chance to enjoy the pleasures that I can now enjoy. I would venture to say that the belief in an eternal afterlife trivializes this existence.

Allow me to present this case to illustrate my point:
John a theist, has just left Sunday mass, he is in what religious people would refer to as a 'holy state' on his way home, he is in an accident and is now in his local hospital's ICU, his life hanging by a thread. Now, the reality is that from a logical theistic point of view, it would be better for him to die at that moment. Why? because if he does, he is guaranteed to go to heaven where he will enjoy eternal bliss, as opposed to living on, where he runs the risk of falling out of his state of 'holiness' (I believe backsliding is the term you religious folk use). In contrast, from the atheist perspective, it is never better to die now rather than later. An extra day is always a good thing, as you have one more day to enjoy all the pleasures that his world has to offer.

[Americanized]

>>Or rather, what is the purpose of life?
>
>I'm glad you asked this question
>
>The truth is that the answer to this question has little to do
>with the belief or lack thereof in any deity. This isn't hard
>to verify and is empirically verifiable. There are tons of
>religious individuals committing suicide every single day
>while at the same time, there are countless atheists living
>full passionate lives.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Stop right there! Where did you come up with that idea that "There are tons of
religious individuals committing suicide every single day
while at the same time, there are countless atheists living
full passionate lives."?

Did you conduct some research that we don't know about? Or is there some research you are privy to that we don't know about? If so, show us the figures! Don't pull ideas outta your a.ss and state them as if they are fact!
------------------------------------------------------------

>on the belief in [insert preferred deity] this shouldn't be
>the case. The truth is that the question "what meaning does
>life have?" has no universal answer. What keeps an individual
>waking up everyday varies with the each individual.
>
>As for portion of your question regarding the relationship
>between a belief in some sort of eternal life and and
>resultant value of this life, I would like to make the
>opposite argument.
>The fact that I know when I die that's it for me, makes this
>life all the more precious. I will never get another chance to
>enjoy the pleasures that I can now enjoy. I would venture to
>say that the belief in an eternal afterlife trivializes this
>existence.

--------------------------------------------------------------

What you believe is your own business! You go, boy!

----------------------------------------------------------------


>
>Allow me to present this case to illustrate my point:
>John a theist, has just left Sunday mass, he is in what
>religious people would refer to as a 'holy state' on his way
>home, he is in an accident and is now in his local hospital's
>ICU, his life hanging by a thread. Now, the reality is that
>from a logical theistic point of view, it would be better for
>him to die at that moment. Why? because if he does, he is
>guaranteed to go to heaven where he will enjoy eternal bliss,
>as opposed to living on, where he runs the risk of falling out
>of his state of 'holiness' (I believe backsliding is the term
>you religious folk use). In contrast, from the atheist
>perspective, it is never better to die now rather than later.
>An extra day is always a good thing, as you have one more day
>to enjoy all the pleasures that his world has to offer.
-------------------------------------------------------------

This is utter bull! Please try to understand Christianity before criticizing it. If Christians valued the afterlife more than this life, Jesus would not have resurrected Lazarus, or the little girl!The Samaritan would not have saved the Jewish traveller, Jesus would not have saved the Roman centurion's servant from death, e.t.c....

I strongly suggest you read the bible before you criticize Christianity. Your atheism appears to not be based on logic, but deep ignorance!

[jambazimkubwa]

>I mean, why are we here on earth?

Main reason is to be custodians of Gods stuff. This we do primarily working by, which is a continuation of Gods creation work, and secondly by Muliplying, to ensure survival of the human race.

[tinatana]

I just started reading "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren and it gives alot of insight quots the bible on how to find the purpose of your life.

In my view I think each one of us was created for a reason and to fulfil something only u can (Bible says God created for a purpose) We all have to find out for ourselves what it is from our creator. we all have different talents and gifts.

[Volina]

Me too Tinatana, that book has helped me to see the Purpose of my life and I do recommend . I mean everything was right there, that dispite everything I have done and everything I am, and every incovenience I have been, that God was smiling when he saw me sleep, that he created me at such season, such time, that even though my parents did not expect me, but as Rick says, " I am not an accident". It is good to know why you are here, because sometimes you might contemplate suicide, but everything about you. Every experience you have had, every day of your life was made for you, to mold you and create a potential character in you. Every step you have made, everyone you have met, God used you to encourage, to help someone see their weakness etc.......

You can wake up in the morning knowing that God has a plan for your life, and yes, you will suffer the consequences of your arrogance, your ignorance, your sins, but, God will make you shine, for the temptations will not outweigh you. Your unbelief, your doubts, will light the candle of truth:)

Everyone is unique, wonderfully made according to God's lofty calcuation.

You may have been an orphan, a prostitute, a thief, an outcast, but to God you are precious; every experience you encouter will shape and mold you according to the potter's likeness.



Happy New Year to everyone! I must say that after my vacation I did not miss mashada:)


Happy New Year! Happy New Year!

I am blessed by the Lord. I am forgiven. I am new. I bless everyone that God may shine his face upon you and your resolutions and that everyone of you will be a new creature and enjoy your successes as I have enjoyed mine. I never thought I would do it, but I am a firm believer that with God everything is possible.

[Zelda]

>Or rather, what is the purpose of life?
>
>I mean, why are we here on earth? Now, I have always observed
>that there is a hope and that those of you who declare not to
>believe in God or the Bible or eternity, I mean where is your
>hope? How do you live your life searching for the purpose of
>what you are meant to do? why are you here on earth?
>
>Why are we here really, this time, the earth made for human
>existence? This is just too intricate, too complex, too lofty
>for human understanding:

the anthropocentric idea of humanity as the center of the universe misses the entire point.
if the universe was created for a reason, then we are only a minuscule part of the equation.
why are we here? that is a question we each have to work out individually through our life experiences. we infuse our lives with meaning by living. it follows that one doesn't have to believe in god for one's life to have "meaning".

[ATLian]

>why are we here? that is a question we each have to work out
>individually through our life experiences. we infuse our lives
>with meaning by living. it follows that one doesn't have to
>believe in god for one's life to have "meaning".

Exactly. I haven't followed or believed in god for eons, and my life has as much meaning as the next guy. In fact I dare say it has more meaning than many believers since I don't wait to really live my life in the second life. All I have is this, so I put as much as I can into it. Like Death said a while back, an atheist is more motivated to live life fully since this is his only shot. A Christian can live a punda life coz he knows he will get another shot in heaven.

What I find crazy is the belief that we only have one meaning in life - to worship god forever. Yaani we're but a bunch of myrmidons whose only role is to bow at god's knees and tell him how good and great he is FOREVER!

How the heck can that be the meaning or the ultimate purpose of anything,?

[Zelda]

>Exactly. I haven't followed or believed in god for eons, and
>my life has as much meaning as the next guy. In fact I dare
>say it has more meaning than many believers since I don't wait
>to really live my life in the second life. All I have is this,
>so I put as much as I can into it. Like Death said a while
>back, an atheist is more motivated to live life fully since
>this is his only shot. A Christian can live a punda life coz
>he knows he will get another shot in heaven.

but you must admit that someone who believes in reincarnation has even more incentive to live a "good" and meaningful life. i mean, who wants to be born as a black angus in their next life?


>What I find crazy is the belief that we only have one meaning
>in life - to worship god forever. Yaani we're but a bunch of
>myrmidons whose only role is to bow at god's knees and tell
>him how good and great he is FOREVER!
>How the heck can that be the meaning or the ultimate purpose
>of anything?

i have no idea. it's kinda troubling, isn't it? we do god a disservice by implying that he's that kind of megalomaniac.

[Muhubiri]

You are a figment of Gods' imagination ... In Gods image were you created, God has more pleasure from our lives than any purpose we exist for. The more God is pleased with us, the more meaningful our lives. Do those things that please God and your life will become more meaningful and you will have hope. Have you seen a well tuned race car win a race!
Do you see all the attention given to it.

God loves you no matter your station in life. He sent Jesus to take your place and you to take His.

Glorify God in all you do.

Have a blessed day!