The living define the meaning of their lives. Life just exists. There is some value in learning about life and how it came to be, but as Yoda says, there is no WHY. LOL!

I agree with you on your reasoning ?. And I like to think of an analogy of ants or honey bees.. ants or honey bees are small, not very cognizant of the vast universe that they reside in and spend their existence in.. yet they care for each other, work hard for the well-being of their fellow beings.. no need to interject the supernatural..

Life has no inherent meaning. We give it meaning by our own actions/inaction.

Life doesn't have an inherent meaning, but I love learning, laughing and exploring.

Don't panic! Bring a towel!

My standard reply to this kind of thing is: There is no reason why any adult should feel that life is meaningless in the absence of a delusional belief.
It shifts the discussion away from trying to describe a meaningful life, back towards a discussion about the make-believe aspect that props up their mental health.
It puts the onus on them to justify their position. i.e Why do they need a belief in an unseen being to give their life meaning?

So this is a question I’ve asked in my life too.

I believe this is where atheists and humanists can meet with those who follow religions in the way that we should be good to everyone and treat people well including ourselves. If Heaven and Hell exist it’s on Earth and what we create for ourselves and others.

They're just making additional assumptions.

I agree..people always need reasons or meaning. Universe owes us nothing.

I often wonder, does there have to be a meaning beyond being decent to others and enjoying yourself - Enjoying the sights and sounds and feelings?

What a silly question. The Meaning of Life is the Last full-length movie by Monty Python and the theme song.

Philosophy Teacher: Ben, what is the secret of life?

Ben: Hellllllooooooo! It's a SECRET!

Philosophy Teacher: Ho-Kaaaayyy! Let's try it this way. What is the MEANING of life?

Ben: DUH! To keep the secret.

Philosophy Teacher: Who sent you?

I'm a bit on the existentialist side. Whatever meaning there is in life is the meaning you create with people you care about who care about you, with your decisions and actions.

Since nothing actually exists until it is observed and or measured, intelligent life is required, if you believe in the anthropic principle, therefore the purpose of life is to facilitate existence.

They don't get it do they? I believe your every word on this.

42

I think that we all make meaning in our own life and I love the patchwork quilt of comments here about how everybody does just that - constructs meaning for themselves - Some things people say here touch me deeply and that communication seems to me what keeps us vital.

Well, if you've ever watched The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, the answer to the meaning of like is 42 which if you seperate it is 4 and 2 or in Japenese Shi and ni which together shini means death.

But if you're like me then the meaning of life is to live you days and never look back becasue the past is done and the future is never promised but it is an adventure to find

Exactly!

There is no specific meaning to life, or why we even exist. An individual's life only takes on meaning when said individual gives it meaning, by doing and or engaging in activities and endeavors such as hobbies/profession/charitable works etc just to name a few.

The meaning of life is life itself. What more do you need?
And if you have a problem with life itself, why do you need a infinite afterlife of it?

Reverse it on them. Here we go. If there IS a god what is the meaning of life. Let them fill it all in just like they want to and ask them if any of this would work without a god.
If what they tell you back is that we are really just here for god's pleasure and to do his will ask them why you would want to do this. Play this right and it will boil down to "nobody wants to die and we all want to live forever."
Now you see the reason for religions.Nothing here about god and his love, or love in general.

"Life means living, which I intend to continue doing. That's meaning enough." This could be one response.

I think there is a bit more to it. I think we have the capacity to see our evolution and decide how we want to contribute to it all. Seeing it and understanding that presents an oportunity to enhance the human condition.

There is no meaning. I'm here because my parents had irresponsible sex. I'm here so I'm going to make the best I can of it, but there's no big "answer" in all of it. People live, people die. It's just that simple.