The meaning of life

Since the dawn of time, the ultimate question has been asked in a number of ways. Why do we exist? What is the meaning of life? Does God exist? What is the origin of the universe? How does the world exist, and what is its origin or source of creation? Why is there something rather than nothing?

This site offers you the possibility to discuss this fundamental metaphysical question with others. It also allows you to share your opinion and react to other people's points of view. What do you believe in? What do you think is the meaning of life?

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# Godistheanswer - 2009-02-24 07:35
I am going to take a more philisophical approach to this question. If life has no meaning, then why do human beings desire a meaning for their life? Where did this come from? I know this may be a little complicated so let me give you some examples: We become thisty and we have water to quench it. we become hungry and we have food to restore us. We have sexual desires and we have sex to relieve us of these desires. My point is that humans have a need to know their purpose. If you disagree with me then why are you at this website? Did you come so that you might find answers? The fact that human beings desire a purpose is proof that there has to be a purpose. If there wasn't a purpose, we wouldn't have a need for one. So to answer the question...God is the meaning of our existence. We live to build a relationship with him and know him more deeply. We are also here to fulfill his specific purposes that the Bible tell us such as evangelism and discipleship. I think I am getting to deep into the question but I must let everyone know that God is our meaning.
# Pathfinder - 2009-02-24 13:48
I don't understand how you came to this conclusion "God is the meaning of our existence". At this part there is a pretty big jump in your post, I can't follow your logic. Could you explain it?
# Godistheanswer - 2009-02-24 16:52
I apologize for that. I went from philosophy to theology too quickly. Ok I think you understood my above post about why life has to have a meaning so I will move on from there. Ok, so if life has a meaning, then what in the world could it be? Logically, the only one who could give us a meaning would be our creator. This may seem like a big logical jump but it isn't. If you think about it logically, we cannot give ourselves a meaning. We may think we can but the meanings we give ourselves ends at death, therefore, giving life no true meaning. God, as our creator, can give us a meaning. I want to go deeper into this but I have a feeling people want read a post that is too long. If you have anymore questions I would love to answer them.
# smallBang - 2009-02-24 17:00
Another big jump you did is to affirm that God = the one in the bible. You know, christianity is not the only religion on earth.
# Pathfinder - 2009-02-24 17:04
First, I think you mix up the purpose of deeds in life with the meaning of life.

Second, don't you think that this thought "God has to be the one who gives meaning to our lives" is simply a meaning what we give to God?
# Godistheanswer - 2009-02-24 17:17
I do realize that Christianity is not the only religion out there. In the first post, I wanted people to know where I stand. I later realized that I jumped too far. My argument in the second post was simply that only a creator could possibly give us a meaning and that humans couldn't possibly give meanings to themselves. Do you disagree?
# Hold It Right There - 2009-02-24 21:59
Yes, I disagree. Why can't humans, and every living creature, give meanings to themselves?
Anyway, I'm having difficulties understanding your logic. In your initial post, you talked about how "We become thirsty and we have water to quench it. We become hungry and we have food to restore us." In which case, the hunger or thirst is the cause, and the food or drink is the result: We get hungry, so there is food. Or, the food is the reason we get hungry; if there were no food, we would not get hungry, because then we would have a cause without a result, which unbalances the equation (and messes up the ecosystem).
Okay, I'm starting to get confusing, I know.
Basically, what I'm saying is... with your beliefs, God would have to be the cause, and we would be the result. However, such a statement removes our dependency on Him - We need food, but food doesn't need us. God needs us, but we don't need God.
If you tried it the other way, you would discover that there is a God because we desire it. The cause would be us (our search for meaning), and the result was, we created a God.
I'm having a seriously difficult time putting this into words here. :P
So, with your logic, either we created God, or we don't need him. No matter which one you choose, your logic doesn't match up with your beliefs.
# Pathfinder - 2009-02-24 22:08
by: Hold It Right There
either we created God, or we don't need him. No matter which one you choose, your logic doesn't match up with your beliefs.


Not to mention that if we created him (them), then we don't actually need him, since there was humanity even before the gods were created by us :)
# Godistheanswer - 2009-02-25 05:31
God is not the cause. That is not what my argument was. Meaning is the cause. You took the argument a step further. I simply said humans desire a purpose for their lives. You said that in my argument God and man are codependent on each other. God was not my argument in that first part. Purpose was my argument. I didn't say that humans have a need for God (although I believe they do but that is not what Im arguing). I said humans have a need for purpose.
# Hold It Right There - 2009-02-25 11:59
And they find that purpose... in God?

And although you did not specifically state that God was the cause, if God created humans, as you believe, then He is the cause... There was God, therefore there are humans.
# Pathfinder - 2009-02-25 15:02
by: Hold It Right There
There was God, therefore there are humans.

That God is (if he is), does not make the creation of humans necessary. Like bread can exist because there is wheat, but the existence of wheat doesn't necessarily result in the bread. But the difference between the two examples is that we know that bread is made of wheat, but we only guess that humanity was created by God.
# Someone - 2009-02-25 17:14
What I understand from your post is:
As our body require food and drink to sustain and maintain health in general, so do our souls need "food" to sustain and maintain general health.

What I see from it:
"Hunger" for belonging, purpose, meaning in life is the cause. The food is supplied by God in the form of love, direction, care, blessings, .... and many more.
Our souls, the object receive, develop and grow, become stronger and if you are a believer, real believer, eternal life.
# Hold It Right There - 2009-02-25 21:36
by: Pathfinder
That God is (if he is), does not make the creation of humans necessary. Like bread can exist because there is wheat, but the existence of wheat doesn't necessarily result in the bread. But the difference between the two examples is that we know that bread is made of wheat, but we only guess that humanity was created by God.


What I meant is that the initial poster seems to be a believer in God, and seems to believe that God created humans. In which case, humans would have been created by God and are therefore a result of God.
I didn't say I believed it. =)
# Godistheanswer - 2009-02-25 23:24
Correct me if I am wrong but I am still seeing the argument that God needs us. God does not need us. The truth is that he wants us. We are his creation. Pathfinder I noticed earlier you made a comment about man creating God in their minds. If you dig into the topic of Christian apologetics, you will see that the ressurection of Jesus Christ is well recorded. Obviously not the physical God raising from the dead was seen but there multiple accounts of people seeing Jesus after his crucifixtion. Thus, showing that God is not just a mindset but an actual supernatural being.
# Pathfinder - 2009-02-26 21:21
by: Hold It Right There
I didn't say I believed it. =)

I didn't say you do :)
# Pathfinder - 2009-02-26 21:33
by: Godistheanswer
Thus, showing that God is not just a mindset but an actual supernatural being.

As well as witches were supernatural beings, and whitch-hunting was a way of solving a very real problem, right?
Witches, magicians, prophets, contacts with so-called spiritual beings and such things were also "very real" things once. These were also "pure facts", as well as you believe the scripts about the resurrection to be records of facts. But show me just ONE which was written before 1 A.D., thus it may be called authoritative.
# Someone - 2009-02-27 14:38
Sorry, I do not agree, witches were, and still are not supernatural beings. They are humans with either knowledge or power to do things, not all of us (think we)can do.
Neither are magicians or prophets - they definitely have abilities, but are not supernatural.
# Pathfinder - 2009-02-27 17:01
by: Someone
Sorry, I do not agree, witches were, and still are not supernatural beings. They are humans with either knowledge or power to do things, not all of us (think we)can do.
Neither are magicians or prophets - they definitely have abilities, but are not supernatural.


And what makes you think that Jesus was different? Just that the Bible says so? The Bible was written by people who thought that Jesus was different. But eventually, he just had powers to do things not all of us (think we) can do. What's the difference?
# Beloved of God! - 2009-02-27 18:01
I agree with you!
GOD is there for everyone, but is there people there for GOD,too?
The only way to show our existence is have someone to love you and you love he/she back!
Is the world didn't exist LOVE! Our existence is vanity!!!
I know he is there for me! But I still deny him?
Why i still looking for life meaning, but the meaning is God himself!!!
Maybe is not just me, is anyone there still deny this is the answer here? GOD is the answer!!!

He'll definitely say: Come back to me! My son! I loves you all the way..... forever and ever!!!

I hope this voice form God that you'll hear all the time, never say regret of my life to prove this!!!

No matter how bad i am? how worst the world outside? how suffer I bare? how much sin i have? how poor i am?

All you gotta do is believe!!!!


# Someone - 2009-02-28 14:13
by: Pathfinder
And what makes you think that Jesus was different? Just that the Bible says so? The Bible was written by people who thought that Jesus was different. But eventually, he just had powers to do things not all of us (think we) can do. What's the difference?


Well since you mentioned Jesus, let's discuss the subject of His existence and purpose on earth.
Firstly, Jesue is a supernatural being, sent to earth in physical human form (by God), to live between the humans. To teach and preach, bring the message of redemption. He paid the price for our sins on the cross.
Secondly, the Bible is written by people (Apostles), people who received the Word from God, He made sure that they write what should be written. Not their own ideas and interpretations.
The difference is, He is the Son of God, whether you believe it or not, he is. The difference is you, me, people living on earth. What we except, what we believe.
YOu will not understand this, unless you have a close relationship with God. This is essential.
People can argue God or Jesus's existence or their divine powers as much as they want to, The Father and Son exist. God is the creator of everything we see, and cannot see. He is a supernatural being and so is Jesus.
And when Revelation come into play ( which I believe, is already in motion), we will have to make the decision for or against. The choice will lead to eternal life or eternal death.
This is the truth in plain simple language.
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