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Purpose

So most religious people believe that atheists do not have much to live for because we are godless heathens, so my question is, what brings meaning to your life? Or do you even have to have a "purpose" to live?

TyrionLannister 5 Mar 28
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5

My purpose: work hard so I can afford a lot of holidays then back to work!

ABack Level 6 Mar 28, 2018

@TyrionLannister Holidays mean experiences and experiences create lasting memories!

3

I believe our actual purpose is to keep mankind pointed in the right direction as we steer through this twisty path of diversity towards the inevitable homogenization. Once there we can start to develop collective consciousness and evolve.

In the grand scheme their silly beliefs mean little. But in the minute details they cause a rather bumpy ride. Sometimes that ride outweighs the good it allows for in terms of social conduct. Sometimes it doesn't. It's up to them. But don't push the fish.

The concept of an evolving collective consciousness is interesting.

I see mankind eventually becoming a mental murmuration.

1

Ultimately I see no purpose to life. It occurs as an unlikely consequence of a near infinite number of random occurrences that gradually evolved into what we are today. We were nothing prior to conception and will return to the same void after death. I don't see that as being pesimistic. Once we die that's the end and nothing matters. To try to give a purpose to a brief existence is meaningless.

What if the void is a plenum?

What if is a theist type question. What if we're actually pets of giant dolphins? Then our purpose is their entertainment. What if ants are going to take over the world? We would be their slaves. What if questions without some substance are meaningless.

0
6

I am a star child, manipulated at birth by extraterrestrial beings, I vibrate at a higher frequency and existence, I am more sensitive than most, and yet I am able to endure more pain than most. This allows me to tap into the collective consciousness and total awareness of the planet.
I was sent here from far away to help transform the current society, to inspire, teach and to be a vessel to help raise you to a greater level of understanding and enlightenment. E.H.F. or "extra human function" is what I bring, through alien activation of normally dormant D.N.A. strands that all humans posses. To bring about a more advanced, superior human being for the greater good of your species....that or just to eat pizza.

3

Someone once said: "The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose." From that I deduce that it is up to me to create a life of purpose. I love my work and I have a few different interests and love to spend time with friends and others from whom I can learn something.

3

I create projects for myself that hopefully leaves a lasting positive effect

5

Doing things I enjoy, with people I enjoy, in places I enjoy gives my life plenty of meaning.

SamL Level 7 Mar 28, 2018
3

Carpe Diem is what I live for! Many religous folk I know are so busy preparing for their afterlife, thety forget about the day in front of them

2

As I only have one life, my purpose is to make the most of it and enjoy my time on this planet.

If I can manage that without pissing too many others off, then all the better.

3

My purpose is to help others I believe.

4

What gives my life purpose? Creativity, whether it be making robots, writing, doing a web page, or whatever. Helping people when I can. Being able to look at myself in the mirror and say yes when I ask myself if the world is a better place for me being in it.

4

I guess that helping others gives my life purpose. I work to try to make sure that parents that have neglected or abused their children have the education necessary to strengthen their family unit. My goal is to leave this world having made a positive difference in at least the life of one individual.

1

On this road of life, I've learned. I've passed what I've learned onto others and hopefully helped someone along the way. Possibly I've affected how some see religion and set them on a different path of enlightenment. If seeking the truth is purpose then that's mine.

3

Try and navigate life while leaving what I think is a positive impact, with my limited knowledge set, whilst simultaniously looking after myself and the life around me as much as possible. Connecting with nature and friends works for me. Trying to be kind to myself and others, even if that means opting out of some situations. Plus having a good laugh, joke and sing when possible.

4

I don't really think of my life in terms of "purpose". Do religious people NEED "purpose", I wonder? I live my life trying not to hurt anyone or be hurt by anyone if I can help it. I enjoy several creative passions, my grandchildren, a small circle of friends, my pets, most of my family, and I hope to find love again before I go toes up! That, and relatively good health is all I require.

2

We bring meaning to life by our thoughts, decisions, and actions. Otherwise, life has no inherent meaning.

3

My "purpose" is whatever I decide it is, on any given day.
Some days, I don't have one, and that is absolutely fine with me.
As far as "meaning" goes, I'm here. That's all the "meaning" I need.
Like I'm going to go along with anything the delusional believe.

4

Since facing death I don't need an official purpose. I just take one day at a time.

3

My job gives me a purpose. I've done a lot of good work that benefits my fellow humans in the testing labs I've worked at.

1

Meaning and purpose are brought to you by what you do and what you like to do. Nothing or nobody can give you purpose. It's the same with meaning.

2

I like this quote:

“You’re an interesting species. An interesting mix. You’re capable of such beautiful dreams, and such horrible nightmares. You feel so lost, so cut off, so alone, only you’re not. See, in all our searching, the only thing we’ve found that makes the emptiness bearable, is each other.” – Carl Sagan, Contact (1985).

1

For me, the inherent will to live is strong. Further, I enjoy love, beauty, art, music, foods, explorations, physical arts, feelings, sexuality, exercise, playing with my son, the pursuit of wisdom, knowledge, understanding. That we are all aspects of nature / the Universe knowing itself ... is fascinating to me. I know that there is no ultimate purpose for the universe as a whole other than simply to be what it is. I do not think religion provides any more ultimate purpose than that either, since even IF there were a God, its purpose would be the same -- to be what it is! All other purposes are relative. And despite the fact that this planet is too often a horrible, nasty, polluted, ugly, painful, tortuous place for too many people and animals too much of the time, I still find love, beauty, joy, and value in myself and my fellows, and I still find meaning in trying to make things good, better, to maximize the best pleasures and values I've found, especially the values of love, joy, peace, harmony, wisdom, knowledge, understanding.

0

Life is its own means and end.

1

Yeah, that's one of the more idiotic criticisms of athiesm. They have the same purposes as everyone: family, friends, career, art, life, making the world a better place, etc. Minus the devotion to an invisible superfriend.

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