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As An Atheist Can Your Life Have Purpose and Meaning?

I was wondering what other people thought about this.

I realize we weren't born with a purpose. No creator or "higher calling".

But as a non believer can your life have meaning and purpose without god?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sentient Biped on June 17, 2012 at 11:58am

Tony, that's a great response. I think it's good to connect to people and to nature. To be a conduit for comfort and joy, that is noble and kind.

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Permalink Reply by TNT666 on November 15, 2012 at 8:42pm

Purpose is most certainly not biological, it is religious. Our god given purpose is to procreate and have dominion over the earth. Before such religious stupidity was invented, Homo sapiens did not nurture such delusions. I hope that humanity can give up entirely on purpose and just enjoy life instead. Of course that would mean putting an end to all economic objectives, whether left or right.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Sarbeck on November 16, 2012 at 2:01am

TNT, my purpose is to enjoy life. As surely as you jest, I enjoy your jest.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Chang on November 16, 2012 at 2:29am

The only difference between having a purpose and not having a purpose is whether you've arrived to a conclusion through deliberation of your actions. A purpose is to be sought, then discarded, but not avoided; a problem should be tried even if it shall end in necessary failure, but giving up without trying is tantamount to ignorance. And if ignorance is accepted, then why bother deliberating at all?

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Permalink Reply by Sarah Walton on June 13, 2012 at 12:29pm

Yes! Even when I believed in gods, I believed that people were responsible for finding their own purpose or meaning. Purpose bestowed on you by another person or authority is just you becoming a servant.

That said, I don't think life needs to have a purpose or meaning to be happy. I figure as long as you're happy, healthy and generally not being a dick to people, it's all a matter of style. If your life is better and more productive with meaning, that's fine. If you think questions like, "What is the meaning of life?" are silly and meaningless so lets go to the water slides, that's fine, too. I fall a bit more into this latter category.

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Permalink Reply by booklover on June 13, 2012 at 3:11pm

You know Sarah, that's about how my Mom looks at life now and I agree! She has raised her kids. Her grandkids are half-grown, she's single, doesn't even have a cat! She doesn't volunteer, she's retired,etc. She is always there for us, but she says so what if she just reads all day, or takes a nap, or goes for a swim? She's not hurting anyone and she's happy! So good for her and for you! I'm glad you are living a happy life! That can be enough!~ Melinda

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Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on June 13, 2012 at 4:05pm

My feelings are mostly like Sarah's.

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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on June 13, 2012 at 5:08pm

oh hey Sarah! Really cool perspective. I like it! That's why I like to ask you all what you think on things. You are all so smart.

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Permalink Reply by A. R. on June 13, 2012 at 2:09pm

The answer is YES. Well, that is what most atheists I know will say (including myself). You build and make your own purpose, you can do it by doing the things that give your life meaning, and what is important to you and the people you love. Remember, we only have one shot at this, so we better be prepared to "face reality in reality's terms". I will dare to say this is something that many theists do as well, although maybe the rationalization is different.

It is a good thing not to be hindered by superstition when you try to live a purposeful life, don't you think?

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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on June 13, 2012 at 5:10pm

Yes I agree that without superstition you can truely be free to make your own decisions and purpose.

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Permalink Reply by A. R. on June 13, 2012 at 2:28pm

I question the claim that most theists make that without god, there is no purpose or meaning. If we take christianity for example (and yes, that is a lowercase "c"), the idea is that you are living this life based on god's plan for you, and you must accept this. When you look at this closely, you realize that if you are going to get your "purpose" and "meaning" from the plan that said god has for you, you are nothing but a "player" in a game (mind you, some theists think this is a grandiose game). Doesn't this way of thinking cheapen life? What kind of purpose do you get by falling into "god's plan"? Purpose and meaning become nothing more than a script to follow.

Just my two cents.

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Permalink Reply by Loren Miller on June 13, 2012 at 2:33pm

According to the believers, without their god, there's no purpose, no morality, no meaning ... and probably no hot fudge to go over your ice cream! The level of dependency on their deity that they exhibit is as staggering as it is frightening.

Besides which ... who really wants to have the purpose and/or meaning of their lives handed to them, take it or leave it? Not me, nor any other atheist I know.