I can understand why someone might quickly come to your conclusion. However, I believe that there are probably a few things that you haven't taken into account. Check out this article:
http://www.streetarticles.com/personal-growth/what-is-the-meaning-of-life
It raises some really interesting points that you most likely haven't taken into account. The article explores this topic from a purely logical perspective based on fact. It attempts to come to a conclusion without having any preconceived bias. It's definitely worth taking a look at if you seriously want to ponder this question.
http://www.streetarticles.com/personal-growth/what-is-the-meaning-of-life
It raises some really interesting points that you most likely haven't taken into account. The article explores this topic from a purely logical perspective based on fact. It attempts to come to a conclusion without having any preconceived bias. It's definitely worth taking a look at if you seriously want to ponder this question.
It's not God that bugs me, it's his followers.
Really the whole argument is moot anyway; no side is going to convince any of the others. Have you ever seen a discussion like this end in somebody going "Wow, I'd never thought about it that way. Obviously you are right; how did I not see it before"? Well, no. Change comes from within, and no doubt everybody is 100% sure they are right and everybody else is wrong.
Pathfinder - you have a valid point (about most religions teaching you how to be a better person) but I'd rather become a better person in my own way, and do it at my own pace.
Oh and before you make passive aggressive comments at me you might want to remember your own argument :)
Really the whole argument is moot anyway; no side is going to convince any of the others. Have you ever seen a discussion like this end in somebody going "Wow, I'd never thought about it that way. Obviously you are right; how did I not see it before"? Well, no. Change comes from within, and no doubt everybody is 100% sure they are right and everybody else is wrong.
Pathfinder - you have a valid point (about most religions teaching you how to be a better person) but I'd rather become a better person in my own way, and do it at my own pace.
Oh and before you make passive aggressive comments at me you might want to remember your own argument :)
God does exist, he has to. Without God there would be no universe. You have a universe without a creator, it wouldn't makes sense. That is like saying "A glass just fell of off a table but nothing caused it to fall". For a glass to fall there has to be a cause. For the universe to exist there has to be a cause. Without God there would be no universe. If the big bang created the universe than what caused the big bang? If you answer that question than what created the thing that created the big bang? It goes on and on and on. The only logical explanation is God.
Hi guys,
I think you have posted some insightful comments. I agree that the meaning of life is to fulfil ones duty as a part of a whole moving towards increased complexity. I think people are like single celled organisms with an instinct, or 'God' drive to work together and create a multicellular being that is more efficient for all involved in terms of survival, the end of this process is something akin to the big bang. This is consistent with most spiritual notions and also evolution. Ultimately, this plays out in our human consciousness as a desire for connection, we get meaning through relationships. I am also concerned with the increasing amounts of unhappiness in the world today and have initiated a project to get people talking about their feelings of emptiness, to encourage a sense of togetherness, connection, and meaning. If you could take a minute to consider the questions i pose in this survey, i think it will be beneficial to your quest, along with the quest of others. Thank you kindly.
https://jcsmhsmonash.asia.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1TXlW5y3Uil2FfK
I think you have posted some insightful comments. I agree that the meaning of life is to fulfil ones duty as a part of a whole moving towards increased complexity. I think people are like single celled organisms with an instinct, or 'God' drive to work together and create a multicellular being that is more efficient for all involved in terms of survival, the end of this process is something akin to the big bang. This is consistent with most spiritual notions and also evolution. Ultimately, this plays out in our human consciousness as a desire for connection, we get meaning through relationships. I am also concerned with the increasing amounts of unhappiness in the world today and have initiated a project to get people talking about their feelings of emptiness, to encourage a sense of togetherness, connection, and meaning. If you could take a minute to consider the questions i pose in this survey, i think it will be beneficial to your quest, along with the quest of others. Thank you kindly.
https://jcsmhsmonash.asia.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_1TXlW5y3Uil2FfK
ummm i am not trying to be disrespectful but they have proved that in the christian faith that hell was made up when the christian churches were in power during the dark ages to keep the chaff in line. they have shown proof that it wasn't in the original writings of the bible... though i do not believe in god i try to understand all religions and their history, tho i do agree with this statement "Besides, people shouldn't love God because they're afraid of Hell. They should love God for God." Forced religion or beliefs on others is by definition cultist acts or to the more extreme (terrorism) which is not displayed here
<3JW
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<3JW
How about my wager: If you are right and there is a God, when I die I will go to Hell. However, if I am right and there is no God, then you will have spent your one and only existence limiting yourself to appease somebody that doesn't exist. Why take that chance?
So really you're risking yourself either way. Besides, people shouldn't love God because they're afraid of Hell. They should love God for God.
That said, I don't think he exists.
Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company - Mark Twain
So really you're risking yourself either way. Besides, people shouldn't love God because they're afraid of Hell. They should love God for God.
That said, I don't think he exists.
Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company - Mark Twain
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Jessica Wenzel
Humans are a funny race...
Even from this little passage of writing i can see how religious wars start...
Even from this little passage of writing i can see how religious wars start...
I don't know that people think that if God didn't exist there would be no meaning to life, however some people have deeply rooted themselves in their religion, that does not mean they are wrong. Who is to say that for THEM this IS the meaning of life. It doesn't mean that if they DO believe, that they should be scrutinized, nor does someone that thinks that God does not exist be scrutinized on this site. The purpose of this site is open discussion and the one thing that MOST of us can agree on this that NONE of us have an answer to everything, otherwise you never would have searched and found this site.
I am envious of the Christian/Buddhist/Hindu/Muslim or any other religion that can trust their faith blindly, I would love to never think about what happens next, and where do we go when we die. How simple that would be, and if it meant believing in a faith that some may consider fairy tale-like I would gladly have that over doubts,speculation, wonder, worry, depression, and fear of the unknown. Unfortunately I do think these thoughts, and I am starting to realize almost everyone does.
It makes me think twice about this scripture, God wants to be your benevolent parent. You must come to the place where you receive his offer of eternal life with the humility of childlike faith. WOW I would love to have no doubts.
I am envious of the Christian/Buddhist/Hindu/Muslim or any other religion that can trust their faith blindly, I would love to never think about what happens next, and where do we go when we die. How simple that would be, and if it meant believing in a faith that some may consider fairy tale-like I would gladly have that over doubts,speculation, wonder, worry, depression, and fear of the unknown. Unfortunately I do think these thoughts, and I am starting to realize almost everyone does.
It makes me think twice about this scripture, God wants to be your benevolent parent. You must come to the place where you receive his offer of eternal life with the humility of childlike faith. WOW I would love to have no doubts.
What chance are you possibly taking?
Seriously.
If you follow God's and Jesus' teachings, what chance are you taking? You take the chance of having a peaceful, beautiful, joyful, happy life. Oh dear, what a disaster! :)
Even if you don't pray to god and you don't go to church every sunday, you will only get to the purgatory if you still don't break the 10 main laws (don't know the english name of it). After you get purified there, you'll end up in Heaven - if there is such thing, of course :)
The teachings of the religions usually concentrate on the same things, the same principles. All result in turning you into an unselfish, compassionate person who is living a happy life. There is no need to argue about who's god is real and who's god is fake. The fundamental truth behind almost all religions is that if you follow their rules, you'll become a better person, and you'll have a better life.