Freethought & Rationalism Archive

ax · 09-24-2002, 09:08 PM

har har frickin har.
But its good to know that there IS no objective we are trying to meet etc...

The Lone Ranger · 09-24-2002, 09:51 PM

Everybody dies. Sad, but true. With all due respect, though, there's nothing more pointless than worrying about things that are utterly beyond our control.

At the moment, however, we are alive. I, for one, intend to make the best of my one and only shot at life.

Just because the ride eventually ends doesn't mean you can't enjoy it while it lasts.

Cheers,

Michael

Eudaimonist · 09-24-2002, 10:02 PM

Who cares if life ends, or if humanity as a whole has no goal? Life can have meaning for us now, as individuals. You need to find meaningful activities for yourself. I know this is possible, because my life is meaningful to me and I'm a nontheist.

No, meaning in life is not limited to making babies, though even that can be meaningful. Ask any new parents.

People often fill their lives with "menial things", such as entertainments, but they have the choice to pursue nobler, more productive activities.

Quote:

And then what? You die [...] End of story.

Ah, but what a story! And you are the main character of your story! It doesn't matter if the story ends, since it is the story itself that matters. Make it one worth living!

My advice: get away from the television/computer/radio and find a creative hobby, or pursue an interesting career. Make some friends if you are short of them.

Life is only as meaningless as you make it!

[ September 24, 2002: Message edited by: Eudaimonist ]</p>

ax · 09-24-2002, 10:22 PM

Thanks for the advice, but I do already have a life

. (I'm a musician with too many gigs!!). I just think life's too hectic. (maybe I got a bit melodramatic!!) But what I meant is, I just find it funny that we are the same as anyother animal on this earth. Its just we are aware of our own death so we invent a god to take care of ys. (In our own image mind you).

Doubting Didymus · 09-24-2002, 10:25 PM

Read <a href="http://www.secularhumanism.org/library/fi/kurtz_18_3.html" target="_blank">this.</a>

I love this article.

Edit to add relevant quote.

Quote:

Finally, each person must face death: life has meaning only if we realize that it will end. It is in viewing one's life as a complete whole that one sees it for what it is: what I accomplished and did well; whether I fulfilled some of my dreams and plans; whether I enjoyed life, made friends, fell in love, worked for a beloved cause, and so forth. I should have no false hopes about death, but I should do what I can to ward it off. Indeed, health is a first condition if one is to live well. We must not be deluded by a belief in immortality but should face death realistically. A free person worships the creative life as the ultimate good. But when death comes, he or she will accept it with equanimity, if with sorrow; and he or she will realize that in the face of death the only thing that really counts is what has been the quality of life, and what has been given to or left for others.

[ September 24, 2002: Message edited by: Doubting Didymus ]</p>

Rusting Car Bumper · 09-24-2002, 10:30 PM

One other thing.

In order to need hope one must be in sort sort of despair. So as long as you aren't in despair the concept of hope isn't really necessary.

DC

Eudaimonist · 09-24-2002, 10:32 PM

Great quote, Doubting Didymus.

d'naturalist · 09-24-2002, 11:47 PM

Sorry if I insult you here, but stop thinking like a religious person. You don't need a master/owner to assign you a purpose. If you feel there's no goal humanity's trying to achieve, create one and try to inspire as many likeminded people as you can find to join you in trying to bring your magnum opus to fruition.

Hey, I hear what you're saying. "Life is pointless! Why go on?" I've been there (and come closer than I like to think to exploring the alternatives). You go on because death is even more pointless. At least in life there are possibilities, options, alternatives. If you want your life to have a grand purpose, pick one. Just keep in mind that grand purposes usually require alot of work and can't always be accomplished by one person in one lifetime.

The meaning of life is living, but how you live is up to you. Live well. Immortality is a memorial built to honor great deeds.

abe smith · 09-25-2002, 05:15 AM

ummm. Maybe, AX, you could quit smoking & get some exercise? Just a thought...

Evil Milkman · 09-25-2002, 01:43 PM

Ax, friend... Get a hobby... Become obsessed with growing your hair out... Get outside and run around. Life isn't that bad, be thankful we're living in these 'modern' times.

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09-24-2002, 09:08 PM	#11
ax Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In your mind! Posts: 289	har har frickin har. But its good to know that there IS no objective we are trying to meet etc...

09-24-2002, 09:51 PM	#12
The Lone Ranger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Eastern U.S. Posts: 1,230	Everybody dies. Sad, but true. With all due respect, though, there's nothing more pointless than worrying about things that are utterly beyond our control. At the moment, however, we are alive. I, for one, intend to make the best of my one and only shot at life. Just because the ride eventually ends doesn't mean you can't enjoy it while it lasts. Cheers, Michael

09-24-2002, 10:22 PM	#14
ax Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: In your mind! Posts: 289	Thanks for the advice, but I do already have a life . (I'm a musician with too many gigs!!). I just think life's too hectic. (maybe I got a bit melodramatic!!) But what I meant is, I just find it funny that we are the same as anyother animal on this earth. Its just we are aware of our own death so we invent a god to take care of ys. (In our own image mind you).

09-24-2002, 10:30 PM	#16
Rusting Car Bumper Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: U.S. Posts: 4,171	One other thing. In order to need hope one must be in sort sort of despair. So as long as you aren't in despair the concept of hope isn't really necessary. DC

09-24-2002, 10:32 PM	#17
Eudaimonist Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Sundsvall, Sweden Posts: 3,159	Great quote, Doubting Didymus.

09-24-2002, 11:47 PM	#18
d'naturalist Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: USA Posts: 245	Sorry if I insult you here, but stop thinking like a religious person. You don't need a master/owner to assign you a purpose. If you feel there's no goal humanity's trying to achieve, create one and try to inspire as many likeminded people as you can find to join you in trying to bring your magnum opus to fruition. Hey, I hear what you're saying. "Life is pointless! Why go on?" I've been there (and come closer than I like to think to exploring the alternatives). You go on because death is even more pointless. At least in life there are possibilities, options, alternatives. If you want your life to have a grand purpose, pick one. Just keep in mind that grand purposes usually require alot of work and can't always be accomplished by one person in one lifetime. The meaning of life is living, but how you live is up to you. Live well. Immortality is a memorial built to honor great deeds.

09-25-2002, 05:15 AM	#19
abe smith Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: springfield, MA. USA Posts: 2,482	ummm. Maybe, AX, you could quit smoking & get some exercise? Just a thought...

09-25-2002, 01:43 PM	#20
Evil Milkman Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Illinois Posts: 499	Ax, friend... Get a hobby... Become obsessed with growing your hair out... Get outside and run around. Life isn't that bad, be thankful we're living in these 'modern' times.

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