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[official] The Meaning of life
What do you think the meaning of life actually is? I know from a religious point of view, there is heaven/hell/reincarnation etc., but what if you're not religious, is it to be happy? to make others happy, or just to continue the human race?
Everyone knows that the answer is 42. 
Seriously, life is for being happy.
Seriously, life is for being happy.
The meaning of life the universe and everything is 42, but what is the question?
Personally I don't believe in what we can prove, and as we cannot for certain prove anything then;
What happens when we die?, can only be answered by those who have died, so I can't answer that question.
What happens when we die?, can only be answered by those who have died, so I can't answer that question.
thats what i was thinking, thats why im so unsure about religion, if it were true, then someone should tell us if (any) one religion tells the truth, and tell us what happend after death, whats the point of leading millions of people on?
Because we'll really figure out the meaning of life in a message board poll with four options, in a community full of random people who just want to make a website.
The meaning of life is "the characteristic state or condition of a living organism."
The meaning of life is "the characteristic state or condition of a living organism."
We can't solve this with one thread, that's why this is probably the 5th-150th meaning of life thread on this board. Everyone's gonna keep saying it's 42.
i wasnt trying to find out, i was just asking to see what everyone thought the meaning of life is! 
It's to do something good & important. (not just the born>elementary>junior high>high school>college>work>retirement>die cycle). Everyone has different religious beliefs...mine just happen to be rotting in the groud 
That or some sort of Futurama cryogenic freezing
That or some sort of Futurama cryogenic freezing Life is nothing more than living and dieing..No coming back...
Moved to Philosophy and Religion
Life is what you make it, if you don;t make it anything than it won't be anything.
| kazikame wrote: |
| Everyone knows that the answer is 42.
Seriously, life is for being happy. |
amen to that. i don't think there really is any meaning to life at all, it just happens. we live, experience things, we die, and our remains become a part of that whole crazy cycle again.
i think people try to read into things too much and place importance on what they do (ie. follow a religion - not to bash any religious people out there). more people need to just relax and accept life for what it is and enjoy it while it lasts. come on people, live a little!
Good drink, meal & sex.
What exactly does the end of life have to do with its meaning? Why must you know what happens when to die to have meaning in your life? The meaning of life is to get the most out of your time here. For some it is living this life so that they can have a better one in the next, yes. If that is their meaning in life let them have it. but whether or not heaven and hell exist will not effect the meaning that they held on to, understand?
Yeah, I'm a bit puzzled. The meaning of the life, in my opinion, has nothing to do with "What do we do after we die."
Life is your own and with that you make it what it is. Religion dictates the majority of everyones life after death. Its hard to believe in something you cant prove or even see but for that matter we cant see fartherer than we believe. Life is only as good as you make it. Lets just say the meaning of life like a lot of other questions the answer always varies and isnt always complete either.
Live life have fun and end life with a body so totally buggered they cant use a single organ 
enjoy!
and 42..
enjoy!
and 42..
| Soulfire wrote: |
| Yeah, I'm a bit puzzled. The meaning of the life, in my opinion, has nothing to do with "What do we do after we die." |
This poll is severely flawed, it assumes that anyone who believes in reincarnation does not believe in Heaven or Hell. It was designed from an atheistic point of view and doesn’t reflect theistic views on the topic in a number of ways. (Who made this a sticky?)
[quote="mike1reynolds"]Funny how the atheists don’t have any problem with this poll. Clearly they have no problem with defining life’s meaning exclusively in terms of death. This says a lot about atheism.
Life is simple when you are a atheist!!
Life is simple when you are a atheist!!
Meaning of life, eh....one of my favorite quote from the 70s...
Seriously, the meaning of life, for me, is to get through it hurting as few as possible, helping where I can and enjoying it as much as I can after that.
| Quote: |
| "What's it all mean, Mr. Natural?"
"Don't mean s**t, kid." |
Seriously, the meaning of life, for me, is to get through it hurting as few as possible, helping where I can and enjoying it as much as I can after that.
life is like a particle.......absolutley unpredictable
| Spe_eddy wrote: |
| What do you think the meaning of life actually is? I know from a religious point of view, there is heaven/hell/reincarnation etc., but what if you're not religious, is it to be happy? to make others happy, or just to continue the human race? |
The meaning of life is whatever you put into it. It isn't such a big deal. After all, you and I were not consulted whether we would like to be born. And we will not be asked whether we like to die or not. So just accept life as it is presented to you while at the same time allowing others to live their own lives in a less painful way.
I think reincarnation is a very cool concept.
Just for that I think people should believe in it. No just kidding...
I mean how frustrating to think you have only one life. Especially if you messed up (or were not really helped to do well).
You get to forty something, have the famous mid life crisis, realise you were a complete moron all these years, your kids hate you, your job is rubbish...
As I said you wake up from this 40 years sleep to realise you would like to start again but you can't.
Ah ah ah ! Hilarious. That's when the idea of reincarnation can become quite appealing to a lot of people.
By the way, I am not too keen on the idea of reincarnating in anything else than a human being. Especially not a stone or a lizard.
So I put all my money on reincanation.
PS: I'm not forty something yet.
Just for that I think people should believe in it. No just kidding...
I mean how frustrating to think you have only one life. Especially if you messed up (or were not really helped to do well).
You get to forty something, have the famous mid life crisis, realise you were a complete moron all these years, your kids hate you, your job is rubbish...
As I said you wake up from this 40 years sleep to realise you would like to start again but you can't.
Ah ah ah ! Hilarious. That's when the idea of reincarnation can become quite appealing to a lot of people.
By the way, I am not too keen on the idea of reincarnating in anything else than a human being. Especially not a stone or a lizard.
So I put all my money on reincanation.
PS: I'm not forty something yet.
The meaning of life is "42"!
| mike1reynolds wrote: |
| Funny how the atheists don’t have any problem with this poll. Clearly they have no problem with defining life’s meaning exclusively in terms of death. This says a lot about atheism.
This poll is severely flawed, it assumes that anyone who believes in reincarnation does not believe in Heaven or Hell. It was designed from an atheistic point of view and doesn’t reflect theistic views on the topic in a number of ways. (Who made this a sticky?) |
"Fixed" your shouting
.
I dislike stickies (and those "top 5" topics listed on the front page), since they tend to not favour any discussion, but rather degenerate into 100s of people stating the same thing over and over again. So far, this one hasn't.
Yes, this poll is severely flawed, but so are all polls on these forums which don't have a simple Yes-No/Black-White answer. Which is why I don't have any problem with it, not because I'm an atheist
. I don't expect a profound answer from a forum poll with a maximum of 256 possible answers (as if anyone would answer a poll with that maximum anyway).
The poll also assumes that anyone who doesn't specifically believe in reincarnation, Heaven and Hell or spirits believes there's nothing after death. Just as you seem to believe all atheists do. It's "designed" from an atheistic point of view no more than it's designed from a theist one.
"Clearly [atheists] have no problem defining life's meaning exclusively in terms of death"? Are you out of your ****ing mind?! (that's a film quotation, excuse the language
). Many an atheist would submit that several major religions are the very definition of defining life's meaning in terms of death. Several, not all. Many people seek religion for that very reason. Many, far from all. To a lot of people, life is nothing but a waiting room for the "real thing", which comes at death. That's defining life in terms of death, if anything is. Others believe this "real thing" comes at enlightenment or whatever other thing they can think up. In any event, they're waiting for Godot (not God).
To an atheist (and many other religious people), that seems a waste, but if that is their meaning of life, noone's to call them wrong or judge them. It's their life.
In any event, what atheists or religious people think about the design of this poll doesn't "say a lot about atheism" or religion. It says nothing at all, except maybe about your capacity for overanalyzation and generalisation.
Don't turn this into yet another discussion about whether atheists or theists are "right", whether God exists or not.
As for the meaning of my life, it's exploring - art and nature, myself and others, living and dead, happiness and sorrow. Trying everything I wish to try, travelling, socializing, learning, experiencing. As others have said, enjoying life. Living.
I just agree with the opinion that when you die everything ends for you. There will be no more 'you', nor will there ever be again. I don't care what happens after I die. I'll find out when that happens. For now, I stick to my belief.
My meaning of life is to make the best out of it no matter who I am or my social status. It's no use being ashamed of your heritage or anything unchangeable. Restating my point: Just make the best out of it.
I agree that there is nothing after dead.. So, all we can do is enjoy our lives, fight for our intrests, and leave our mark in humanity.. so other generations can learn something... And always do what you think it's the best for humanity.. otherwise.. what would be the point of all i said?
I agree on that life means 42.
But I am puzzling why do we live?
People are going to say that quantum releases on our brain which sends electric signals something something something ... What is the reason for life?
But I am puzzling why do we live?
People are going to say that quantum releases on our brain which sends electric signals something something something ... What is the reason for life?
| nico wrote: |
| I think reincarnation is a very cool concept.
Just for that I think people should believe in it. No just kidding... I mean how frustrating to think you have only one life. Especially if you messed up (or were not really helped to do well). You get to forty something, have the famous mid life crisis, realise you were a complete moron all these years, your kids hate you, your job is rubbish... As I said you wake up from this 40 years sleep to realise you would like to start again but you can't. Ah ah ah ! Hilarious. That's when the idea of reincarnation can become quite appealing to a lot of people. By the way, I am not too keen on the idea of reincarnating in anything else than a human being. Especially not a stone or a lizard. So I put all my money on reincanation. PS: I'm not forty something yet. |
The whole point of reincarnation is to be purified in this life so as to be able to enter into the fulness of life. Reincarnation is not about fun; it is accepting the fact that ultimately you and I are nothing. Hollywood has made it appealing.
hyhy post whitch has been ignored is the only one that is biblically based, god said in Genusis *bad spelling* eat, live, subdue the earth. basically to do that last one it boils down to go do Eve, not to vulgur but thats what it is!
Its in there in the first 3 chapters im positive of that. Basically Give glory to god (basically serve him really not that hard -evil) and enjoy ourself
God sure is nice your purpose is to hang with a super being and have fun.
DUDE!
Its in there in the first 3 chapters im positive of that. Basically Give glory to god (basically serve him really not that hard -evil) and enjoy ourself
God sure is nice your purpose is to hang with a super being and have fun.
DUDE!
We are there to live for others and mainly to live for God.
I think every people is responsible for his life and will be judged.
Life is difficult and i think that God knows it and never want from us what we cant able to do. Bible is a big power we have, but sometimes we do not use it or some peoples do not exactly know what is the sense (meaning) of it.. i think. my oppinion
I think every people is responsible for his life and will be judged.
Life is difficult and i think that God knows it and never want from us what we cant able to do. Bible is a big power we have, but sometimes we do not use it or some peoples do not exactly know what is the sense (meaning) of it.. i think. my oppinion
Make the world better. If you went through life and lived only for selfish things, your life was wasted. In the big picture, we are next to nothing. Yet if we try we can make a profound impact, good or bad, in other people's lives. The measure of a person is not thier house or thier job, but rather the positive change he brings about by his actions. I personally find that at the end of the day you feel better if you help others, rather than trying to use them(this doesn't mean letting them use you.)
The meaning of life: Be Happy
The life has no meaning, anythinf in this life has a meanuing, but because of our inteligence we think it has. thats why people belive in god. but the true is that there are things that doesnt have an explanation for us, and is not god.
I don`t think that the life have some specific meaning, after all we are just one kind of animal at a small planet in a small galaxy in a huge universe.
If life have a meaning i is something that WE decides, if you believe in god that may be your meaning of life.
Life becomes what we do of it.
If life have a meaning i is something that WE decides, if you believe in god that may be your meaning of life.
Life becomes what we do of it.
I really think, or even know that we have more than one life on this earth. We are on earth to learn something and until we learn IT we come back here again and again in the history...But what have we to learn and how, that's the question 
Meaning of life? Yeah, apart from being 42, I think it is at best something for us to explore and enjoy tremendously (how I don't know) and at worst something that one has to endure while hoping that he would go somewhere else (likely to be a better place) after death.
With me, the meaning of life is almost the first one (Yay, I'm ejnoying every single bits of it right now).
With me, the meaning of life is almost the first one (Yay, I'm ejnoying every single bits of it right now).
I'm believe alot in science and since matter can't be created or distroyed i believe that we just reincarnate in something else.
It is incredible that the human society evoluated to say that there is no meaning to our life !!!
does it mean that you can kill yourself and it doesn't matter !!!
I am sure that the life is a MIRACLE
everything shows that life on earth isn't a result of hazard, it is the result of very intelligent and powerfull creator
this creator says : I didn't create this to play
there is heaven and hell
there is justice in live
if there is no difference between those who make the good things and those who make the worst, it is no sense
at the same time GOD claimed that he is the creator
and he wants to know who are the people who make things as he wants and as he asked them to do, to show him that we love him
he says : "He is the one Who hath created death and live that He may try you , which of you is best in conduct ; and He is the Mighty , Forgiving"
it is difficult to say that our life has no meaning
we feel that we are here for a BIG thing
does it mean that you can kill yourself and it doesn't matter !!!
I am sure that the life is a MIRACLE
everything shows that life on earth isn't a result of hazard, it is the result of very intelligent and powerfull creator
this creator says : I didn't create this to play
there is heaven and hell
there is justice in live
if there is no difference between those who make the good things and those who make the worst, it is no sense
at the same time GOD claimed that he is the creator
and he wants to know who are the people who make things as he wants and as he asked them to do, to show him that we love him
he says : "He is the one Who hath created death and live that He may try you , which of you is best in conduct ; and He is the Mighty , Forgiving"
it is difficult to say that our life has no meaning
we feel that we are here for a BIG thing
I chose not to vote in this poll because the correct answer, acording to the bible, is not one of the options.
One of the options on there is heaven/hell. That would imply that the bible is a factor in that answer, because heaven and hell are from the bible. Now. Why is it that a answer from the bible is up there, but the answer that the bible SAYS is real, isn't up there.
One of the options on there is heaven/hell. That would imply that the bible is a factor in that answer, because heaven and hell are from the bible. Now. Why is it that a answer from the bible is up there, but the answer that the bible SAYS is real, isn't up there.
In fact, the bible says that when you die, you are asleep until the second coming of Jesus Christ. A time of which nobody knows the day nor the hour. Now by asleep, it means not that you are just sleeping, but that you aren't a spirit, and you don't go anywhere else, you are just dead until the end of time in which you will be risen.
There are a ton of verses that support this fact, but I'm not going to look them all up. Instead, I've created a website (not today, awhile back) for people who are looking for the real answer about "What happens when you die" And I think that the CORRECT answer to this question should be added to the poll, because what you're doing is asking people to pick an answer, when the correct answer (according to the bible on which this whole particular forum is based) is not present.
the website with the truth about what happens when we die is...
www.his-truth.com
There are a ton of verses that support this fact, but I'm not going to look them all up. Instead, I've created a website (not today, awhile back) for people who are looking for the real answer about "What happens when you die" And I think that the CORRECT answer to this question should be added to the poll, because what you're doing is asking people to pick an answer, when the correct answer (according to the bible on which this whole particular forum is based) is not present.
the website with the truth about what happens when we die is...
www.his-truth.com
| Maxtoid wrote: |
| And I think that the CORRECT answer to this question should be added to the poll, because what you're doing is asking people to pick an answer, when the correct answer (according to the bible on which this whole particular forum is based) is not present.
|
Yeah, that is how I remember learning it. But in the LONG run, isn't heaven/hell the final answer for christians? And I could be way off base, but I don't think this particular thread is assuming anything about the Bible being the correct answer.
there is no meaning of life unless u mean the dictionary meaning of the actual word "life" life is the state we are in. life itself is only real because we are alive. im confusing but yeh lol. there is no heaven or hell and the thought of a second coming of jesus. no such thing as god and heaven and hell are shitty beliefs of afterlife which isnt real. i used to be christian and if u take sencond coming literally then im guessing its already been, as when jesus was born we say thats the first, and resurrection was his second. all im pointing out is that life is something we are in before we rot inthe ground, like plants for example we grow consume resources age and finally die. after death we become a resource consumes by worms and plants fungi and whatnot.
edit:
QUOTAGE:
I'm believe alot in science and since matter can't be created or distroyed i believe that we just reincarnate in something else.
yeh the atoms themselves cant be destroyed or created but is that reincarnation or we have only become food for somethingelse? wow this is confusing because reincarnation in my dictionary says "embodiment in new form"
edit:
QUOTAGE:
I'm believe alot in science and since matter can't be created or distroyed i believe that we just reincarnate in something else.
yeh the atoms themselves cant be destroyed or created but is that reincarnation or we have only become food for somethingelse? wow this is confusing because reincarnation in my dictionary says "embodiment in new form"
| Maxtoid wrote: |
| I chose not to vote in this poll because the correct answer, acording to the bible, is not one of the options.
One of the options on there is heaven/hell. That would imply that the bible is a factor in that answer, because heaven and hell are from the bible. Now. Why is it that a answer from the bible is up there, but the answer that the bible SAYS is real, isn't up there. |
The Qur'an also states Heaven and Hell exists.
| Maxtoid wrote: |
| I chose not to vote in this poll because the correct answer, acording to the bible, is not one of the options.
One of the options on there is heaven/hell. That would imply that the bible is a factor in that answer, because heaven and hell are from the bible. Now. Why is it that a answer from the bible is up there, but the answer that the bible SAYS is real, isn't up there. |
i'm quite pleasantly surprised that
there is actually this topic here on.
something i've been pondering on for a while.
and for the moment, it's GIVING and GROWING
I'm definitely more happy for it.
I now believe that we come to this world for a
reason, special gifts to share with everyone
around us.
we're all candles brightening the darkness
and lighting other candles too through
our brilliance.
there's a great speech narrated by Nelson
Mandela from another author.
I'll see if i can find it and post it.
Al
there is actually this topic here on.
something i've been pondering on for a while.
and for the moment, it's GIVING and GROWING
I'm definitely more happy for it.
I now believe that we come to this world for a
reason, special gifts to share with everyone
around us.
we're all candles brightening the darkness
and lighting other candles too through
our brilliance.
there's a great speech narrated by Nelson
Mandela from another author.
I'll see if i can find it and post it.
Al
I guess when one starts to think about the meaning of life, the more one gets confused 
in whether to think about the past (start of life or birth) or the future (end of life or death). To start, I must agree, beyond science, there is meaning of life – its pure and true essence.
For a very complex topic of life, I would say an opinion as simple as I can. No one can fully define the meaning of life until the last breath. It is the individual that makes and gives meaning to his own life. He is the author, the director, and the actor of his life. The way and manner he lives his life is his meaning of life.
At his birth, the meaning is completely blank and empty. As he grows, he starts to write the meaning, and as he dies, he completes the meaning … of life. And what could that be? His relationship to his God (if he got one) and to all the things that surround him. Without a relationship (whether human or symbiotic) with the things that surround him, there is no meaning to life.
Life becomes as exciting and beautiful as it is now because NO ONE knows the meaning of his life completely, and everyone tries to search for it. Can you imagine living a life based on a novel you have already read where you knew the highlights and the ending? How boring life could be if that may be the case.
As much as the process of procreation remains a mystery even to the best and most modern science, its meaning is even fuller in mysteries.
Though no one may be able to give a complete definition of life, everyone can contribute and gives his own share to make life meaningful – because, still, we are all living in a very beautiful ONE world. And, here is the song that tries to capture the very essence of this topic thread. Included are links to two(2) video clips showing the old and new definition; and amazingly, both versions candidly define the beauty of life well.
By the way, to the other kind posters, thank you for sharing your life with us here in this thread. Indeed, it adds meaning to our co-existence.
| Quote: |
| What A Wonderful World
By Louis Armstrong I see trees of green, red roses too I see them bloom, for me and you And I think to myself, what a wonderful world I see skies of blue, and clouds of white The bright blessed day, dark sacred night And I think to myself, what a wonderful world The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky Are also on the faces, of people going by I see friends shaking hands, sayin' "how do you do?" They're really sayin' "I love you" I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow They'll learn much more, than I'll ever know And I think to myself, what a wonderful world Yes I think to myself, what a wonderful world Oh yeah |
And here are the video clips to warm our hearts …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I60PySlYySo <- the original version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1xUQllZj6M <- the new version. lol smile.
Thats a very tough one.Possibly the hardest question ever. I mean, are we the same as an ant or a lion, are we just mamals? Too hard. Maybe it is just to enjoy ourselves. Maybe our Universe is just a microscopic cell of an onion in another world. Time is a puzzeling thing. Why are we here?
I find it hard to believe that I saw no mention of Karma or Evolution in this entire thread. These are core concepts when considering the meaning of life. Now you bible thumpers will probably hate me for this, but where did human life come from? Our entire universe has been one great continuum of evolution since it's beginning. From the initial creation of the universe (however you want to believe it happened) there was only a huge expanse of gas, primarily hydrogen. This gas condensed because of gravity to form stars and nuclear fusion began to fuse hydrogen into helium (the next element up on the scale.) When these stars exploded as supernovae, helium was spread throughout the universe. Then when new stars were created these new stars fused helium into litium and then they exploded, etc. This is how all of the known elements in our universe formed. They basically evolved from the simplest (helium) to the most complex (ununhexium) through the lives of billions of stars over time. By the time our planet came into existence, the universe had an abundace of variety in the elements that existed. So when our planet condensed from the gas and dust that was the nebula our solar system formed from, we had all the building blocks of life right here on earth.
Here's where it gets a bit tricky. Somehow, some of these molecules combined to form the first proteins. And from these proteins came the more complex amino acids. And from these amino acids came the first single celled organisms. And then over billions of years, evolution carried these first single celled organisms into the complex, diverse group of animals we see today on earth.
Anyone who's not a religious nut and has any common sense and understanding of the formation of the universe and our planet can understand these fairly simple concepts. When you look at the history of life on our planet and the universe as a whole, you see a continuous move from something basic and simple, to things more complex. This is evolution and it is essential to our purpose in life. Evolution has been the driving force to create everything we see in our known universe and it is just as strong and steady today as it has been since the conception of the universe.
So how does this apply to us and our existence? Humans are obviously the pinnacle of evolution on this planet, and as far as we know, in the universe (not that this fact can't change...but we as of yet have not found any other intelligent life in the universe.) So is it so hard to believe that our lives have purpose? And that our purpose is to continue to evolve ourselves through the decisions and actions we choose to make in the time we're given?
All life has been going towards something higher. If you can think of frequencies (vibrations, like sound or light or for you quantum physicists, all matter and energy in the universe....string theory anyone?) Everything in the universe has been going from lower frequencies (more simple and basic) towards higher and higher frequencies (more complex.) How does one incorporate this into their own life?
This is where spirit comes in (as well as the concept of karma.) No, I didn't say religion. This is not about religion, as most mainstream religions have such a distorted concept of spirit and god that comes from misinterpretation of great religious texts, like the bible.
Spirit is everywhere. It is the driving force behind our lives. We live because spirit exists. We evolve through our connection with spirit. For those of you who are religious, feel free to substitute god for spirit...though try and avoid putting god into the catagory of an entity or being seperate from the world and seperate from us. God is not a person, nor can you personify god, though that is just what most religions do.
So how do we evolve? By bettering ourselves. We cannot change anything around us. We cannot change the way others act any more than we can change the time of day or the weather. We do not have control over others or events. How things unfold, the mysteries of life. We can hardly even control our own thoughts. Thankfully none of these things are important to control. What we can control is our words and more importantly, our actions. This is all we have control over, this is all we can change in this entire world we see. So how do we better anything with only this? How do we evolve into better human beings? The answer, my friends is through spirit...through love. Love is the sign of connection to spirit. Those who are happy are those with an abundance of love. Where does this love come from? There is a never ending supply of love through our connection with spirit. How do we connect to this spirit? We do so through our actions. When you act through love, you connect to the source of love. When you do a good deed, or show kindness or forgiveness or compassion to anyone at any time, you strengthen your connection with spirit, with the life force that sustains us all.
This is easier said than done of course. People everywhere have good intentions. But good intentions are useless without good actions. You can have all the good intentions in the world, but until you DO something about them, they're absolutely worthless. So stop intending to do something good, and start DOING IT! This is how we evolve toward higher spiritual levels. This is the purpose of life. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Do no harm to the living beings on this earth and instead do your best to help them, to serve them. Once you discover the power of love and compassion, you will discover what it means to become a better person, to evolve yourself to the next level and onward.
So where does karma fit in? What about heaven and hell? I'm no biblical scholar, but I do know that Jesus (a very spiritually enlightened individual) said that "the kingdom of heaven is here on earth." He didn't mean it figuratively or as a metaphor. He meant it literally. Heaven and hell exist here on earth. Which one are you living? Is your life filled with happiness and love? Or is it filled with the opposing feelings, such as depression, sadness, anger, jealousy, etc. Do you do good to others or do you despise them and treat them with hate? Answer this question and you will know whether you live more in heaven or more in hell. There is no specific location known as heaven or hell, but merely a continuum of happiness ranging from total depression and sadness to total bliss and happiness. Somewhere in between is where most people fall. Heaven and hell are merely how you view the world and a reflection of your actions. I myself prefer to strive to live in heaven, as the feeling of happiness and bliss is more enjoyable to live in. This doesn't mean that I can just say, "I choose to live in heaven." It's not quite that easy, but by making decisions as to how I act, I can work towards that happiness that is marked by an abundance of love and a lack of sorrow. And so can all of you! Choose to live your life in heaven, not hell. Because if you live this life in hell, your next life could be worse
So here comes karma. You don't have to believe in karma for karma to exist. Just like you don't have to believe in spirit for spirit to exist. Anyone who has any inkling of intelligence can look out at this beautiful world we live in and see that spirit exists. Beauty is a mark of spirit. What purpose does beauty serve otherwise? Regardless, karma exists and is a powerful force in this world. It is so simple a child can understand it. Do good and good will come to you, do bad and bad will come to you. Then comes a slightly more difficult concept to grasp. Karma is not instant. Karma is not predictable. It doesn't operate on your timeframe or anyone elses. You do something bad and at some point, in this life or the next, karma will make you pay for it.
Yes I believe in reincarnation. I didn't use to. But more and more it makes sense to me. Our essence is spirit. There is only one spirit, one life force that makes up all of creation, and we are each but one tiny part of it. When our bodies die, what happens to our spirit? It rejoins the whole. When someone is born, part of the whole, the spirit, is what gives them life. What's hard to conceptualize is that spirit is never seperated. There is one life force, one spirit, one god if you will. It is the force that creates everything large and small, the force that wills existence to exist. It does not have seperate parts. It is a whole. And yet we feel to be individuals. This is what keeps us from understanding spirit. We feel like an individual, so we must be. Our bodies are seperate from others and other things, but our spirit is not. We are all connected through spirit, through life, through god. So when our bodies die, our spirit remains because it is what creates existence. And when another is born, spirit gives them life. So this is not easy to visualize, but to me it is absolutely true. Spirit never dies. So our spirit (just a small part of a whole) never dies. And at some other point, our spirit provides the life for another body. Just as it has in the past and will continue to do in the future.
So karma again. Doing good brings good. Doing bad brings bad. Think of it like a karmic score card. Every good deed you do, you get a point. Every bad deed you do, you get a point subtracted. The more good you do, the more points you get, the more good things happen to you. Likewise with bad. Nobody likes it when bad things happen to them, but believing in karma allows us to not take it personally when those things do happen. We get what we deserve. Life IS fair. This also allows us to let go of grudges. Sure someone, might do something bad to you, and you think "man, I gotta get back at them because they DESERVE the punishment for what they did to me." Belief in karma lets you drop it, knowing full well that at some point the universe will get them for what they've done.
Anyway, karma is more of a side topic in this insanely long post of mine. Though my main point in bringing it up is to show that we have incentive to evolve. Again, the main purpose of life is to evolve. There is no doubt about it, though I'm sure many people won't agree (but who can argue that we all couldn't use a little improvement here and there?) Karma gives us the kick in the butt to do it! Doing good brings you good things! Life is easier when you choose to love others and do good things for them, because in turn, they love you back and do good things for you. This is our motivation!
So for anyone who actually took the time to read all of this, go out there and LOVE others! Who cares if they love you back right this second...you're not doing it for them, you're doing it for yourself. You're evolving and you're serving a higher purpose in this world. You're creating a better world for us all and for our children starting with yourself and your actions.
Who wouldn't want that?
Here's where it gets a bit tricky. Somehow, some of these molecules combined to form the first proteins. And from these proteins came the more complex amino acids. And from these amino acids came the first single celled organisms. And then over billions of years, evolution carried these first single celled organisms into the complex, diverse group of animals we see today on earth.
Anyone who's not a religious nut and has any common sense and understanding of the formation of the universe and our planet can understand these fairly simple concepts. When you look at the history of life on our planet and the universe as a whole, you see a continuous move from something basic and simple, to things more complex. This is evolution and it is essential to our purpose in life. Evolution has been the driving force to create everything we see in our known universe and it is just as strong and steady today as it has been since the conception of the universe.
So how does this apply to us and our existence? Humans are obviously the pinnacle of evolution on this planet, and as far as we know, in the universe (not that this fact can't change...but we as of yet have not found any other intelligent life in the universe.) So is it so hard to believe that our lives have purpose? And that our purpose is to continue to evolve ourselves through the decisions and actions we choose to make in the time we're given?
All life has been going towards something higher. If you can think of frequencies (vibrations, like sound or light or for you quantum physicists, all matter and energy in the universe....string theory anyone?) Everything in the universe has been going from lower frequencies (more simple and basic) towards higher and higher frequencies (more complex.) How does one incorporate this into their own life?
This is where spirit comes in (as well as the concept of karma.) No, I didn't say religion. This is not about religion, as most mainstream religions have such a distorted concept of spirit and god that comes from misinterpretation of great religious texts, like the bible.
Spirit is everywhere. It is the driving force behind our lives. We live because spirit exists. We evolve through our connection with spirit. For those of you who are religious, feel free to substitute god for spirit...though try and avoid putting god into the catagory of an entity or being seperate from the world and seperate from us. God is not a person, nor can you personify god, though that is just what most religions do.
So how do we evolve? By bettering ourselves. We cannot change anything around us. We cannot change the way others act any more than we can change the time of day or the weather. We do not have control over others or events. How things unfold, the mysteries of life. We can hardly even control our own thoughts. Thankfully none of these things are important to control. What we can control is our words and more importantly, our actions. This is all we have control over, this is all we can change in this entire world we see. So how do we better anything with only this? How do we evolve into better human beings? The answer, my friends is through spirit...through love. Love is the sign of connection to spirit. Those who are happy are those with an abundance of love. Where does this love come from? There is a never ending supply of love through our connection with spirit. How do we connect to this spirit? We do so through our actions. When you act through love, you connect to the source of love. When you do a good deed, or show kindness or forgiveness or compassion to anyone at any time, you strengthen your connection with spirit, with the life force that sustains us all.
This is easier said than done of course. People everywhere have good intentions. But good intentions are useless without good actions. You can have all the good intentions in the world, but until you DO something about them, they're absolutely worthless. So stop intending to do something good, and start DOING IT! This is how we evolve toward higher spiritual levels. This is the purpose of life. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Do no harm to the living beings on this earth and instead do your best to help them, to serve them. Once you discover the power of love and compassion, you will discover what it means to become a better person, to evolve yourself to the next level and onward.
So where does karma fit in? What about heaven and hell? I'm no biblical scholar, but I do know that Jesus (a very spiritually enlightened individual) said that "the kingdom of heaven is here on earth." He didn't mean it figuratively or as a metaphor. He meant it literally. Heaven and hell exist here on earth. Which one are you living? Is your life filled with happiness and love? Or is it filled with the opposing feelings, such as depression, sadness, anger, jealousy, etc. Do you do good to others or do you despise them and treat them with hate? Answer this question and you will know whether you live more in heaven or more in hell. There is no specific location known as heaven or hell, but merely a continuum of happiness ranging from total depression and sadness to total bliss and happiness. Somewhere in between is where most people fall. Heaven and hell are merely how you view the world and a reflection of your actions. I myself prefer to strive to live in heaven, as the feeling of happiness and bliss is more enjoyable to live in. This doesn't mean that I can just say, "I choose to live in heaven." It's not quite that easy, but by making decisions as to how I act, I can work towards that happiness that is marked by an abundance of love and a lack of sorrow. And so can all of you! Choose to live your life in heaven, not hell. Because if you live this life in hell, your next life could be worse
So here comes karma. You don't have to believe in karma for karma to exist. Just like you don't have to believe in spirit for spirit to exist. Anyone who has any inkling of intelligence can look out at this beautiful world we live in and see that spirit exists. Beauty is a mark of spirit. What purpose does beauty serve otherwise? Regardless, karma exists and is a powerful force in this world. It is so simple a child can understand it. Do good and good will come to you, do bad and bad will come to you. Then comes a slightly more difficult concept to grasp. Karma is not instant. Karma is not predictable. It doesn't operate on your timeframe or anyone elses. You do something bad and at some point, in this life or the next, karma will make you pay for it.
Yes I believe in reincarnation. I didn't use to. But more and more it makes sense to me. Our essence is spirit. There is only one spirit, one life force that makes up all of creation, and we are each but one tiny part of it. When our bodies die, what happens to our spirit? It rejoins the whole. When someone is born, part of the whole, the spirit, is what gives them life. What's hard to conceptualize is that spirit is never seperated. There is one life force, one spirit, one god if you will. It is the force that creates everything large and small, the force that wills existence to exist. It does not have seperate parts. It is a whole. And yet we feel to be individuals. This is what keeps us from understanding spirit. We feel like an individual, so we must be. Our bodies are seperate from others and other things, but our spirit is not. We are all connected through spirit, through life, through god. So when our bodies die, our spirit remains because it is what creates existence. And when another is born, spirit gives them life. So this is not easy to visualize, but to me it is absolutely true. Spirit never dies. So our spirit (just a small part of a whole) never dies. And at some other point, our spirit provides the life for another body. Just as it has in the past and will continue to do in the future.
So karma again. Doing good brings good. Doing bad brings bad. Think of it like a karmic score card. Every good deed you do, you get a point. Every bad deed you do, you get a point subtracted. The more good you do, the more points you get, the more good things happen to you. Likewise with bad. Nobody likes it when bad things happen to them, but believing in karma allows us to not take it personally when those things do happen. We get what we deserve. Life IS fair. This also allows us to let go of grudges. Sure someone, might do something bad to you, and you think "man, I gotta get back at them because they DESERVE the punishment for what they did to me." Belief in karma lets you drop it, knowing full well that at some point the universe will get them for what they've done.
Anyway, karma is more of a side topic in this insanely long post of mine. Though my main point in bringing it up is to show that we have incentive to evolve. Again, the main purpose of life is to evolve. There is no doubt about it, though I'm sure many people won't agree (but who can argue that we all couldn't use a little improvement here and there?) Karma gives us the kick in the butt to do it! Doing good brings you good things! Life is easier when you choose to love others and do good things for them, because in turn, they love you back and do good things for you. This is our motivation!
So for anyone who actually took the time to read all of this, go out there and LOVE others! Who cares if they love you back right this second...you're not doing it for them, you're doing it for yourself. You're evolving and you're serving a higher purpose in this world. You're creating a better world for us all and for our children starting with yourself and your actions.
Who wouldn't want that?
once i lived among 4 tibetan monks, and then joinesd other two from nepal, all this happend in south america a place called pucon in southern chile,
well, i dont know how life its supposed to work, i guess every time we try to put our fingers on its esence melts right through our hands
well, i dont know how life its supposed to work, i guess every time we try to put our fingers on its esence melts right through our hands
i love a haiku
that says something like,
the sky is blue
the wind runs free
what else can i want?
sometimes the present is all we have
that says something like,
the sky is blue
the wind runs free
what else can i want?
sometimes the present is all we have
| moralesc wrote: |
| i love a haiku
that says something like, the sky is blue the wind runs free what else can i want? sometimes the present is all we have |
No offense, but a haiku traditionally consists of 3 lines where the first and last line contain 5 syllables and the middle line contains 7. So what you posted isn't really a haiku, though it is a nice little poem.
The art of Haiku
Looses much of it's impact
When scansion is off
Compose poetry
With 5 and seven and 5
To follow the norm
So the sky is blue
Will do nicely for the start
Haiku then follows
And the wind runs free
Can also be used by you
In your quest for verse
But beware the trap
Of counting syllables wrong
You end up short......
:-)
Chris
Looses much of it's impact
When scansion is off
Compose poetry
With 5 and seven and 5
To follow the norm
So the sky is blue
Will do nicely for the start
Haiku then follows
And the wind runs free
Can also be used by you
In your quest for verse
But beware the trap
Of counting syllables wrong
You end up short......
:-)
Chris
| myrevolt wrote: |
| It's to do something good & important. (not just the born>elementary>junior high>high school>college>work>retirement>die cycle). Everyone has different religious beliefs...mine just happen to be rotting in the groud That or some sort of Futurama cryogenic freezing |
It is interesting you said that because over 80% of the humans do actualy follow that boring cycle. im an atheist but i believe in religion. what i mean by this is that i believe in the true meaning of religions,(not church) the meaning behind religions is to drive hope into the souls of men (may it be electric charges or some essence we cant comprehend). And hope is one beutifull thing. Does it Realy matter whats behind door #3 is it jesus and lucifer is it vast emptyness, 32 black haired virgins, being reborn. Maybe one of these is the answer, maybe none. the question is. How does answering this question Affect how you live ur 40-50ish years your bestowed upon this earth. if god exist does this mean you will try harder to enjoy life and make it worth praise. If god doesnt exist, wont you wish you did the same anyway. I believe this forum is wrongly named. the question is not "whats the meaning of life?" it should be "Whats the meaning of death?" and Once you reorder this question the answer hits you in the face like a semi truck withought breaks. It is to find if your Life was Meaningfull. After-life or not, are you proud of what you have become. how you have treated people. The oportunities that arrived, how many did you take, how many you refused. the people you loved, hated, dreamed, desired and admired. your actions, how much pride do you bestow upon them. I once heard a statistic that said " over 97% whose last words have been recorded, are last words of regret. this includes religious, non religious, religious fanatics, and those who believe in reincarnation. "Whats the meaning of life".... To make your life meaninfull. Once you acomplish this, after-life or not, you will not fear dying. People dont fear Death, they fear losing the oportunity to make a change in their life, a change they have been postponing for dumb reasons and now regret. as in the words of Pumpkin in "Dead like me" tv Series
"Life is a Vacation and Death is the Job"
Find a Balance between
Enjoying life
and Being Proud of your Actions
and death becomes meaningless
Hope you Enjoyed my rant
My point of view is a very scientific one... I think that the possibilty of the big bang was not the first big bang But the only big bang that was sucsessfull. if the gravity or the explosive power was just a little bit higher/lower the results could be catastrophic and may result in no universe been made at all. mabye There are many differnt universes.Some scientist(i cant rememer there name please dont flame me) said that every action we do the opsite of that action creates another universe where the exact opsite happend. for example im sat here typing this post in another universe i could be just looking at this thread. So mabye there where thousands of big bangs that we dont know about in many other universes, but becuase of the opisate action univese thing i said there might not be life in the other univerises but there could exist. So mabye us been here on this world in this universe was just a freak acident and Every religeon are the ways people have coverd this story. I'm probably very wrong but think about it, What are the chances of one in billions of asteriods hitting the earth and this freak asteroid contained the building blocks of life. And mabye Every single so called "miracle" is just a one in a million freak acident. and becuase of this of chance that created the human race mabye there is no meaning of life prehaps we're just here to live...
| nathanuk wrote: |
| My point of view is a very scientific one. |
A scientific view is one built on sound logical reasoning, a good basis in existing theory and basic laws to formulate a hypothesis which can be refuted and, ideally, can be tested empirically in observation or experiment.
Now, this multiple Big Bang theory....do you like this hypothesis because you have had problems resolving the current model and don't really think the inflationary epoch produces sufficient baryon number violations to explain the matter/anti-matter mix we observe ? If so, nice one. That is a truly scientific point of view. If, however, that sounds like gibberish, then I suggest (kindly and helpfully) that the view is no more scientific than pixies and fairies. What is wrong with the standard model ? Why choose this particular variant ?
The multiple BB theory is a perfectly respectable theory but it is proposed for a reason and not because it sounds good or is more satisfying to our sense of continuity. I think the version you mean is the infinite multiverse where there is an alternative universe for every possible action/outcome. That means there is a universe where you are French, one where you are a girl, and one for every other possible state you can imagine.
The opposite action 'thing' I presume is a reference to Newton and the laws of motion ? Every action has an equal and opposite reaction ? That would not be specifically important in this case since there are several more forces and dimensions involved that our normal 4 so the math is going to be a bit more hairy than good old Newton...It's a good law, though, I always liked Newtonian mechanics.
Have you done any physics yet ? I'm guessing you are still pretty young so you may not have done.
Best wishes
Chris
What is the meaning of life? There is none. Now accept that. And get over it.
I believe that we just live and then just die, who knows what happens next...
we just live to die ... Die for what ? To give manure to plants to give something to eat to our childrens
Exactly.
But make sure you give the manure to the plants not the children. 
Isn't that emoticon the most annoying emoticon of all times? Shall I start a new thread on that one? With a poll of course
Isn't that emoticon the most annoying emoticon of all times? Shall I start a new thread on that one? With a poll of course
We go to heaven/hell - it really only depends how many good or bad things we made during live. this sentence is only the end of the question, or the beginning? am i a good or bad person? have you already asked it about your self? i did.
We are reincarnated as something else - maybe we reincarnate in other king of living creature. some beliefs say that if we do not fulfil our porpose during live we return again, but if we fulfil the prpose than we go to the next stage.
Thats it, nothing else,our brain dies - We go to heaven/hell. and the soul?
Our spirit lives on, and we can go anywhere on earth - thats my belief
We are reincarnated as something else - maybe we reincarnate in other king of living creature. some beliefs say that if we do not fulfil our porpose during live we return again, but if we fulfil the prpose than we go to the next stage.
Thats it, nothing else,our brain dies - We go to heaven/hell. and the soul?
Our spirit lives on, and we can go anywhere on earth - thats my belief
When death comes I am no longer, When I am there death is no longer so Why to think about death????
If you need an definate answer come and meet me after my funeral.
If you need an definate answer come and meet me after my funeral.
| hdfailure wrote: |
| We go to heaven/hell - it really only depends how many good or bad things we made during live. this sentence is only the end of the question, or the beginning? am i a good or bad person? have you already asked it about your self? i did.
We are reincarnated as something else - maybe we reincarnate in other king of living creature. some beliefs say that if we do not fulfil our porpose during live we return again, but if we fulfil the prpose than we go to the next stage. |
| Quote: |
|
Thats it, nothing else,our brain dies - We go to heaven/hell. and the soul? |
If the body decomposes and the brain dies then what is the 'we' that is left ? Purely Spirit ?
| Quote: |
|
Our spirit lives on, and we can go anywhere on earth - thats my belief |
A disembodied spirit ? What does it do ?
Chris.
The meaning of life... ahhh, an interesting question.
We cannot know the meaning of life until we know why we are here. If we never figure that out, then life is meaningless. If we do, then what a joy. When we figure out why we are here, what our purpose is, we will have something to live for. So this brings us to a more appropriate question, what is life worth living for? To help others? To get aquire as much wealth as we can? If we are to help others, how do we want to help? We all have different abilities so that we can use them to help those who lack in the abilities we have.
What a joy when we decover why we are here. With the attitude, "we live to die" is empty. So what is that you do to make life worth living?
____________________
www.socialoutcast.co.nr
We cannot know the meaning of life until we know why we are here. If we never figure that out, then life is meaningless. If we do, then what a joy. When we figure out why we are here, what our purpose is, we will have something to live for. So this brings us to a more appropriate question, what is life worth living for? To help others? To get aquire as much wealth as we can? If we are to help others, how do we want to help? We all have different abilities so that we can use them to help those who lack in the abilities we have.
What a joy when we decover why we are here. With the attitude, "we live to die" is empty. So what is that you do to make life worth living?
____________________
www.socialoutcast.co.nr
| socialoutcast wrote: |
| The meaning of life... ahhh, an interesting question.
We cannot know the meaning of life until we know why we are here. If we never figure that out, then life is meaningless. If we do, then what a joy. When we figure out why we are here, what our purpose is, we will have something to live for. So this brings us to a more appropriate question, what is life worth living for? To help others? To get aquire as much wealth as we can? If we are to help others, how do we want to help? We all have different abilities so that we can use them to help those who lack in the abilities we have. What a joy when we decover why we are here. With the attitude, "we live to die" is empty. So what is that you do to make life worth living? ____________________ www.socialoutcast.co.nr |
We are here because we are here, there is no need to take it further and believe me it does not make life meaningless or empty.
If some people wish to believe in a divine plan then fine..their choice. If others want to believe in the great green Arklseizure theory then also fine - their choice. Neither of these can possibly be shown to increase meaning in life beyond the perception of the individual. That perception could, of course be wrong or right. Is it better to live a happy delusion than slightly less happy reality I wonder ? For me, no.
I just really don't like the suggestion that atheists live sad meaningless lives and limp miserably through to the meaningless end. My own life is nothing like that and I rarely consider 'the meaning' nowadays since I am content to accept the fact that there is no 'meaning' laid down but we can make out own meaning and sense which is more difficult than following a recipe, of course, but can also be more rewarding and fullfilling.
Regards
Chris.
PS - I'm not sure that you were making the point I seem to be ascribing to you - my response was more a general point than a specific response to your post - it was the words meaningless and empty that set me down that train.
I feel like the meaning of life is different to different people. To someone it might mean to get as much money as possible. To someone else maybe the meaning of life is to be as holy as possible. To a totaly different person the meaning of life might be to have sex with as many people as possible before they die. To most people the meaning of life is probably just to make themselves happy. I know that has a little bit to do with my own definition of the meaning of life, but due to religion the meaning of life is tainted by the meaning or quality of the afterlife. To me the meaning of life is to use what talents God has given me to become a successful person in my own way and be able to share Gods love like he wants me to. I believe God has given me a great family that has been a very good example in my life so that I in turn can also build a wonderful family. He has also blessed me with the ability to succeed in school and therefore I should be able to have a good carear and maybe even start my own buisness and in turn he will provide ways for me to share his love in those environments.
| Bikerman wrote: |
| PS - I'm not sure that you were making the point I seem to be ascribing to you - my response was more a general point than a specific response to your post - it was the words meaningless and empty that set me down that train. |
In Internet forums, one must not take things too personnally.
"We are here Because we are here." What does that mean? Is there no purpose in life? does the question "why?" not exist? Why do you go to work, school, eat or sleep? Because it's a necessity? Yes, These things we need in order to survive, but that doesn't mean we have to enjoy them, or do we? Instead of pondering life's meaning, what is that keeps you motivated? This may be a simplier question to comprehind. It could be just the bare essentials to keep us breathing. Or is there meaning beyond those things? And finally, can there be meaning without purpose?
For me, it is three things. Love God, Love people and drink coffee.
______________________
http://www.socialoutcast.co.nr
| kcthomas44 wrote: |
| ... To me the meaning of life is to use what talents God has given me to become a successful person in my own way and be able to share Gods love like he wants me to. I believe God has given me a great family that has been a very good example in my life so that I in turn can also build a wonderful family. He has also blessed me with the ability to succeed in school and therefore I should be able to have a good carear and maybe even start my own buisness and in turn he will provide ways for me to share his love in those environments. |
This is one of the nice posts I read here at Frihost. It is simply worded but beautifully conveyed – thus makes a lot of sense and attraction. The post is based on self-experience and living examples and not just using some highfalutin words to create ‘imaginary’ impressions. I still like to read post about the ‘meaning of life’ that comes from the mind and heart because this kind of posts is less seen in an electronic discussion world, where even RObots can interact using their own information database (which are so easily and readily available now everywhere in the www) - though you can easily recognize their kinds because of their preference to technical lines rather than the emotional side of the discussion. Anyway, that is expected because no matter how RObots are AI-programmed, they can never emulate human emotion to the acceptable level.
Yes only the experiences and examples of a human being can give pure and sensible definition to the meaning of life itself. RObots can provide nothing but cheap copycats. If you have been to chatrooms and forums where ‘bots’ are installed to add artificial activities; and you are able to interact with them, then you will observe how ‘boring’ the discussion becomes as it progresses. Then, you will appreciate your life even more because you have been given this precious life where emotion plays a great motivating factor to excel in doing great to (and for) others, including the manner how you speak up your heart and mind. Hence, as the discussion progresses… you are revealing the wonderful workings in your life… and is there a better way to define life than the way you live it?
Life is for the living. We have seen a lot of statically emotionless ‘encyclopedic’ RObots online. It is time to hear from human beings.
| socialoutcast wrote: |
|
"We are here Because we are here." What does that mean? Is there no purpose in life? does the question "why?" not exist? |
The basic question, however, is answered 'because we are here' not in some trivial sense but in a statement of the anthropic principle.
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Why do you go to work, school, eat or sleep? Because it's a necessity? Yes, These things we need in order to survive, but that doesn't mean we have to enjoy them, or do we? Instead of pondering life's meaning, what is that keeps you motivated? This may be a simplier question to comprehind. It could be just the bare essentials to keep us breathing. Or is there meaning beyond those things? And finally, can there be meaning without purpose? |
Is there meaning beyond this ? If you think so then yes, for you there is.
Can there be meaning without purpose? No. Not in a strict sense. Meaning is defined as the intended output. Without intent, therefore, there can be no meaning. That does not mean that individuals cannot find meaning for themselves of course.
Chris
Interesting way of putting it, Bikerman. Of course the question "why?" is still not answered by the statement "because we are." The question of "why?" is subjuective. It is up to you, what it means. But then such an anwser of "we just are," would end with one last question, why bother?
Why bother with all this? This is what drives us to understanding what is around us such as the mind, people, history, biology, the universe. All of these are classified into different sciences for study so that we can understand them better, even God has his own, theology, though more abstract and spiritual.
I will agree that what motivates us as individuals varies and is impossible to state generally, until we ask them individually, as we will get our different answers.
No purpose and no meaning is just accepting everything as it is without question and go with the flow, just like plumming, and wash up, deluted in the sea of ideas.
So, it there purpose? Do not think about this question, but think about this one. What is it that you want out of life?
Love God, Love people, drink coffee.
www.socialoutcast.co.nr
Why bother with all this? This is what drives us to understanding what is around us such as the mind, people, history, biology, the universe. All of these are classified into different sciences for study so that we can understand them better, even God has his own, theology, though more abstract and spiritual.
I will agree that what motivates us as individuals varies and is impossible to state generally, until we ask them individually, as we will get our different answers.
No purpose and no meaning is just accepting everything as it is without question and go with the flow, just like plumming, and wash up, deluted in the sea of ideas.
So, it there purpose? Do not think about this question, but think about this one. What is it that you want out of life?
Love God, Love people, drink coffee.
www.socialoutcast.co.nr
| socialoutcast wrote: |
| Interesting way of putting it, Bikerman. Of course the question "why?" is still not answered by the statement "because we are." The question of "why?" is subjuective. It is up to you, what it means. But then such an anwser of "we just are," would end with one last question, why bother? |
That doesn't follow. Accepting that we exist as a chance event rather than predeterminism does not necessarily lead to a negative conclusion. I am quite happy with the accident and enjoy my fortune. I bother because I like it.
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Why bother with all this? This is what drives us to understanding what is around us such as the mind, people, history, biology, the universe. All of these are classified into different sciences for study so that we can understand them better, even God has his own, theology, though more abstract and spiritual. |
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I will agree that what motivates us as individuals varies and is impossible to state generally, until we ask them individually, as we will get our different answers. No purpose and no meaning is just accepting everything as it is without question and go with the flow, just like plumming, and wash up, deluted in the sea of ideas. |
I think you have it backwards. Accepting a religion means accepting as it is without question. The religious have scriptures to tell them what the game is, what the outcome will be and what it all is for. Accepting no designer or predetermined plan does not mean accepting anything as it is, rather the opposite - many of us are in a continual state of question with regard to the Universe and how it came to be, what the chances of other life are, and a miriad of different questions.
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So, it there purpose? Do not think about this question, but think about this one. What is it that you want out of life? |
I want what I am currently getting. Friendships and love, knowledge, physical satisfaction, mental stimulation, and so on.
Chris.
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| Accepting a religion means accepting as it is without question. |
No No and No. You have to consider this. How do you that your religion is right? There is a process to test whether somethings is rght or not. This process can be used in many contexts. Science is the biggest one to use this method, religious matters, everyday things in life.
Truth must be tested to make it believable to you or me. Is a good practice to test ways in which you do things to make sure what you do is correct.
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I want what I am currently getting. Friendships and love, knowledge, physical satisfaction, mental stimulation, and so on. |
So this is your motivation for living.
____________________
www.socialoutcast.co.nr
From a Christian view point the meaning of life is to serve God, the almighty being who makes the final decision as to whether we ascend to heaven for eternal bliss or descend to hell for eternal torment based simply on whether we have committed our lives to having His son Jesus the Christ as our Lord and Savior by maintaining our relationship with Him via Prayer and Study of His Word.
sorry for the run on sentence, lol
sorry for the run on sentence, lol
God directs my life through His word.
But I'll make it simple.
If you're going to die some time later, then why live?
Think about it, all things are meaningless if you're going to die. Do you make 50,000$ a year or more? Or earn just 5$ a day? Do you live to please your family, your boss, your friends, your company, or yourself? Life is earning money so we can do what we want?
Going for your hobbies on weekends? Work on weekdays? Family day on Sunday? Have you been cheating, stealing, or making other people miserable? Are you the guy who goes to church always? Is your motto to live life to the fullest? Is life for you 'understanding life'?
Are you a disabled person? Or not? Are you famous or an ordinary citizen? Intelligent? Highly-respected? Or the other way around? Are you serious in life?
Is life doing good deeds? Or no God? Or someone who don't care? Catholic? Christian? Atheist? Muslim? What religion do you have? ..if you have one. What do you believe in?
You name it! They're all meaningless because everybody dies -- even if you don't bother at all!
So, why live my friend?
But I'll make it simple.
If you're going to die some time later, then why live?
Think about it, all things are meaningless if you're going to die. Do you make 50,000$ a year or more? Or earn just 5$ a day? Do you live to please your family, your boss, your friends, your company, or yourself? Life is earning money so we can do what we want?
Going for your hobbies on weekends? Work on weekdays? Family day on Sunday? Have you been cheating, stealing, or making other people miserable? Are you the guy who goes to church always? Is your motto to live life to the fullest? Is life for you 'understanding life'?
Are you a disabled person? Or not? Are you famous or an ordinary citizen? Intelligent? Highly-respected? Or the other way around? Are you serious in life?
Is life doing good deeds? Or no God? Or someone who don't care? Catholic? Christian? Atheist? Muslim? What religion do you have? ..if you have one. What do you believe in?
You name it! They're all meaningless because everybody dies -- even if you don't bother at all!
So, why live my friend?
If afterlife was anything like those clay kid movies, I'd do anything to live. I'm appealed to anything, I just don't want nothing. What happens to a conscience is answered by find what a conscience is.
| jeromep wrote: |
| If you're going to die some time later, then why live?
Think about it, all things are meaningless if you're going to die. Do you make 50,000$ a year or more? Or earn just 5$ a day? Do you live to please your family, your boss, your friends, your company, or yourself? Life is earning money so we can do what we want? |
I'll add to this one here. King Solomom once said, "Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless," in the book of Ecclesiastes. I believe what he was referring to was "everything under the sun," -- the tangible things of this world--the things which can be destroyed by rot, rust, fire, flood, vandles or thieves.
"So why live?" Is the question. Our life is what we make of it, and we only get one. Also, life is full of causes and effects. What we decide to do, there are going to be undeniable consequinces -- good and bad. "So why live?" We, as humans, have the unique ability, above all other life-forms, to make our own decisions, to decide what we think, what to do with our life, and not follow instinct. What we decide to live for, to die for, what matters to us is is what makes life worth living.
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| Going for your hobbies on weekends? Work on weekdays? Family day on Sunday? Have you been cheating, ... Are you serious in life?
... if you have one. What do you believe in? |
These things mention above are all that makes up who you are. Wealth, style, possessions and all things are all subject to rot, rust, fire, flood, vandles and theives. Knowledge, wisdom and folklore may be pass down from generations, but all of these are bound to the the dirt of the earth.
What is life worth living for then? What is it that you are doing now? Do you believe what you are doing is right? Is this the thing you believe matters most to you? Then this is what is worth living for and what is worth dying for.
P.S.
| jeromep wrote: |
| You name it! They're all meaningless because everybody dies -- even if you don't bother at all! Wink |
Jeromep, are you advocating sucide if everything is "so" meaningless?
____________________
www.socialoutcast.co.nr
Yes.
So! To those who understood this and lost hope in life, God wants you to know that He loves you, and He wants to come in your life. There is hope in Him.
So! To those who understood this and lost hope in life, God wants you to know that He loves you, and He wants to come in your life. There is hope in Him.
| jeromep wrote: |
| Yes.
So! To those who understood this and lost hope in life, God wants you to know that He loves you, and He wants to come in your life. There is hope in Him. |
Jeromep,
is that a "Yes" to that you really are avocating suicide to secular people? If this is truely the case, where is your Christ like love which is spoken of in Scripture. You should know this as you stated earlier;
| jeromep wrote: |
| God directs my life through His word. |
These people may not know Christ or they may flat-out reject Him, but avocating someone to kill themself is not God's way and therefore shouldn't be yours.
As for things being meaningless, it is the things of this world that is meaningless, but it is the love God that continues throughout His creation and is beyond our understanding, but still plenty of examples to follow. It is by this which we are to uphold to everyone.
With all due respect everyone else who reads this, what you believe, what your are and what you enjoy is worth living for within the context of the law, of course.
______________________
www.socialoutoutcast.co.nr
I am not making any more comments on that
I believe that there will be nothin else after we die. If someone can prove the opposite, then I ll believe that, but if one uses his or her common sense he or she will doubt it.
| socialoutcast wrote: | ||
No No and No. You have to consider this. How do you that your religion is right? There is a process to test whether somethings is rght or not. This process can be used in many contexts. Science is the biggest one to use this method, religious matters, everyday things in life. |
In your own words...No No No. Religion does not use anything approximate to scientific method and nor can it, since it is not science and makes no testable statements.
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Truth must be tested to make it believable to you or me. Is a good practice to test ways in which you do things to make sure what you do is correct. |
So do tell me then, how do you evaluate the truth of christianity as opposed to (say) hinduism ?
As for truth being tested to make it believable...once again, no, no and no. It matters little if you believe a truth since it will still be true.
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So this is your motivation for living. |
Yep. Absolutely.
Chris
| Bikerman wrote: | ||||
In your own words...No No No. Religion does not use anything approximate to scientific method and nor can it, since it is not science and makes no testable statements. |
First off, you began that "no no no..." thing (ha ha ha). Secondly, what I'm trying to get across is that there must be a method devised that we can use confirm what we know to be true and false. The following is an illistration, so don't get bent out of shape. The scientific method is simply a method to check our observations for consistancy. (illistration done). But what we believe is what can give us, as indiviuals, purpose.
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| Truth must be tested to make it believable to you or me. Is a good practice to test ways in which you do things to make sure what you do is correct. |
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| So do tell me then, how do you evaluate the truth of christianity as opposed to (say) hinduism ? As for truth being tested to make it believable...once again, no, no and no. It matters little if you believe a truth since it will still be true. |
The truth does not take sides.
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So this is your motivation for living. Yep. Absolutely. |
Perhaps this indeed answers the question, "why?" for you.
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| So, it there purpose? Do not think about this question, but think about this one. What is it that you want out of life? |
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| Why do you go to work, school, eat or sleep? Because it's a necessity? Yes, These things we need in order to survive, but that doesn't mean we have to enjoy them, or do we? Instead of pondering life's meaning, what is that keeps you motivated? This may be a simplier question to comprehind. It could be just the bare essentials to keep us breathing. Or is there meaning beyond those things? And finally, can there be meaning without purpose? |
Perhaps then, the point to your life is simple to just continue. So perhaps the next logical questions is continue where?
Love God, love people, drink coffee.
www.socialoutcast.co.nr
| socialoutcast wrote: |
| First off, you began that "no no no..." thing (ha ha ha).
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| Secondly, what I'm trying to get across is that there must be a method devised that we can use confirm what we know to be true and false. The following is an illistration, so don't get bent out of shape. The scientific method is simply a method to check our observations for consistancy. (illistration done). But what we believe is what can give us, as indiviuals, purpose.
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No. The scientific method checks more than consistency.
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The truth does not take sides. |
What is that supposed to mean ? It's gibberish. The truth, if it exists, does not take anything, it simply is.
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| So, it there purpose? Do not think about this question, but think about this one. What is it that you want out of life? |
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| Why do you go to work, school, eat or sleep? Because it's a necessity? Yes, These things we need in order to survive, but that doesn't mean we have to enjoy them, or do we? Instead of pondering life's meaning, what is that keeps you motivated? This may be a simplier question to comprehind. It could be just the bare essentials to keep us breathing. Or is there meaning beyond those things? And finally, can there be meaning without purpose? |
My comprehension is pretty good, I think, so don't worry about keeping it simple enough for me. The things I listed ARE the things I want out of life and the things that motivate me. What part of that is difficult to understand? As for meaning without purpose, I agree that one implies the other and have no problem with that. I deny a universal predefined purpose and I also deny a universal predefined meaning. Both are subjective/personal.
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| Perhaps then, the point to your life is simple to just continue. So perhaps the next logical questions is continue where? |
I gave you a list of the things that give meaning and purpose to my life. Friendships and love, knowledge, physical satisfaction, mental stimulation. What you are demanding is an external design which is a completely different thing. I do not accept that there is a plan and therefore a universal 'goal' or 'purpose' in that sense, so different individuals will find different purpose to their different lives. It's not too difficult a concept.
Regards
Chris
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| I do not accept that there is a plan and therefore a universal 'goal' or 'purpose' in that sense, so different individuals will find different purpose to their different lives. It's not too difficult a concept. |
Exactly.
I would not subscribe to the idea that there is a preset series of events that we are to follow in the course of arre lifetime. That's ridiculous. I would agree here, Bikerman, that my purpose on an individual level is differant than your purpose and is also differant then other persons. Purpose is what you make of it.
____________________
www.socialoutcast.co.nr
42, lol. I love The Hitchiker's Guide To The Galexy.
Anyway, seriously, there is no meaning to life. Life is a Scientific accident (coincidence, if you will).
Anyway, seriously, there is no meaning to life. Life is a Scientific accident (coincidence, if you will).
Love and be happy.
Well i could start making the same quote and claiming that the meaning of life is 42, but we have all read douglas adams and we all know that this answer isn't necissarily satifying.
I don't think this question can be answered in general, it is a very personal question, that everyone has to answer for themselves. Why am I on this planet, what is the meaning of my life?
These are good questions to aks yourself. Is happiness the answer or maybe joy. I see the meaning of my life as a contribution to something bigger, something more sustainable. I would like to contribute to the world existence and do everything possible to keep this world a beautiful place.
I don't think this question can be answered in general, it is a very personal question, that everyone has to answer for themselves. Why am I on this planet, what is the meaning of my life?
These are good questions to aks yourself. Is happiness the answer or maybe joy. I see the meaning of my life as a contribution to something bigger, something more sustainable. I would like to contribute to the world existence and do everything possible to keep this world a beautiful place.
Does it have to be satisfying?
There could be absolutely no point. You just make your own.
There could be absolutely no point. You just make your own.
| Spe_eddy wrote: |
| What do you think the meaning of life actually is? I know from a religious point of view, there is heaven/hell/reincarnation etc., but what if you're not religious, is it to be happy? to make others happy, or just to continue the human race? |
ofcourse many people wonder why we are alife and with what reason. I have questioned it myself and actually, it was pointless to wonder. I don't have a religion and I'm not willing to have one, I just have my own purpose in life. being happy, making people happy and making something out of life are my most important targets. I don't even care what happens if I die ^^ if I'm in my death bed and I can tell myself "I have no regrets in life" then I can die happy ^^
ofcourse from the evolution point of view, everyone keeps the human race alive and it's something that happens automatically. it's not that people don't make babies anymore because that's not their purpose.
owh by the way, I don't have a religion, but I do have my own believe and I made it up myself. it's called "Shin" and it doesn't have any rules or anything, but it does have some principles. If I would have a difficult time, I think about those principles and I become somewhat happy again or at least calm.
Everything is meaningful but nothing has a meaning!
When you see that it is all has no meaning at all, when you see that it is all tremendously meaningful and when you see that two points at the same time - then you should know that you have get it! Yes, this life could be understood only if with contradictions...
When you see that it is all has no meaning at all, when you see that it is all tremendously meaningful and when you see that two points at the same time - then you should know that you have get it! Yes, this life could be understood only if with contradictions...