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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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on July 20, 2012 at 11:45pm

Thank you very much Richard and Tony! Wow - I am so honored.

Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on July 21, 2012 at 9:58am

I like that thought Tony.

Permalink Reply by Alan Carter on July 24, 2012 at 2:18am

darkblack....Tripe and bullshit..tell that one to the oppressed the little people .....mostly WOMEN 

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on July 22, 2012 at 10:08am

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.
Dalai Lama
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/purpose.html#eFludyl2G5s...

Permalink Reply by Alan Carter on July 24, 2012 at 2:20am

AMERICA..AMERICA.....YOU ARE BEING SERIOUS steph

Permalink Reply by Dr. Allan H. Clark on July 22, 2012 at 12:50pm

The only way in which being an atheist limits having purpose and meaning in your life is that you reject the "one-size" fits all purposes of religious believers. Nature is full of variety and human lives can have many different purposes.

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on July 22, 2012 at 10:44pm

That's true Dr. Clark. Human lives have many purposes. We just need to find out what they are ourselves.

Permalink Reply by Alan Carter on July 24, 2012 at 2:14am

Life has no meaning..the human race is crazy..mostly psychopathic 

Permalink Reply by Tom Sarbeck on July 24, 2012 at 3:33am

Yeah, Alan, I too sometimes say humans are mostly psychopathic and then feel better.

About meaning:

I once told a Catholic priest, who was a fellow juror on a case, I had once been a Catholic.

True to his calling, he tried to bully me and said my life is absurd.

Having just seen "absurd" defined as without meaning, I told him it's my responsibility to put meaning in my life.

Did he ever clam up!!!

For days I was telling myself, "Don't tell me revenge isn't sweet."

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on July 28, 2012 at 1:57pm

Thank you Jennings and I must agree with you.

Your purpose and meaning is all up to you - it's what you make of your life.

Thanks so much for your reply.

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on August 3, 2012 at 9:25pm

A man`s ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death. Albert Einstein

Permalink Reply by Tom Sarbeck on August 4, 2012 at 11:23pm

Steph, please tell me that women also have ethical behavior they should base effectually on s., e., and s.t.

Yeah, women can be cruel to each other, but surely....

Don't blame Einstein for ignoring women; he grew up in another time. There's no law that makes illegal your adding a couple of words to his, especially if you enclose them in square brackets.

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