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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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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on August 6, 2012 at 11:07am

I agree - being of good character - very important!

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Allan H. Clark on August 6, 2012 at 10:02pm

Science, art, literature, medicine, and music are things people can devote their lives to. I've known people whose lives were devoted to antiques, old cars, books, or dogs. I've known women whose lives were entirely devoted to their families. There are many things worthy of devotion and endeavor.

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Permalink Reply by Dan Harkins on August 6, 2012 at 11:58am

We are lucky to be alive at all and so having that chance, it is incumbant upon all of us to make the absolute most of this brief blip of time we find ourselves self-aware and able to contemplate the world around us. I think for many, purpose is found in children (having three myslef, I agree) but for those without or who wish not to have them, the universe still offers plenty and we are seeing it right now on Mars. I think life is in our chirldren and in our freindships and in our family, but always, always with a dream of what future generations will be capable of if we ourselves contribute to making a better today. The potential to dream has never been greater. We have the most amazing vantage point in human history, able to imagine how increased knowledge in physics, biology, cosomolgy, medicine, etc. can accomplish truly miraculous things. Walking on water ain't nothing compared to rolling on Mars. http://youtu.be/gOMSOJeZ3dw "They see me rollin'..."

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Allan H. Clark on August 6, 2012 at 10:03pm

Marcus Aurelius: "Death stands at your elbow. While you are alive and it is in your power, be good for something."

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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on August 8, 2012 at 11:42am

I like the quote you selected Dr. Allan H. Clark. To be good for something while you are alive.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Chang on August 7, 2012 at 12:25am

First, I'll apologize in advance...

Since meaning is arbitrarily assigned, it is as meaningful to our subjective ego, and meaningless all the same. It's one of those concepts that we could all say is common sense, yet if asked to prove that it exists, it would draw blanks, I'm sure, from each of us. If we all went about our day, and did the exact same things that we do without assigning meaning, the world would continue in the exact same way as it did, with or without meaning.

In other words, when religionists say, "God is our meaning.", they got all the words right, but they reversed the order. Meaning is our god. To each and everyone of us. It doesn't exist. Yet it exists. It is illogical. Yet we require it to make logic. It should not be taken for granted, yet most of us "find" meaning anyway.

But "find" is a bit of a misnomer... We don't "find" God. We "invent" God.

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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on August 7, 2012 at 5:16pm

We do invent god Jonathan Chang - a god and myths created by us.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Chang on August 7, 2012 at 6:27pm

We do, and we also invent meaning.

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Permalink Reply by Steph S. on August 10, 2012 at 6:02pm

Yes Jonathan Chang we do invent meaning as well. Thanks for your reply.

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Permalink Reply by James on August 7, 2012 at 2:22pm

I believe as a athiest that I have more meaning and purpose in my life now.I value my short time on this beautiful plant knowing that this is it ,no pearly gate or cloud in the sky after death.