Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chris Breman on February 27, 2013 at 5:23am

I guess it's one of the more difficult things to understand that Homo Sapiens (SAPIENS??) is not at the core of the universe and not above everything else. And to place yourself next to others instead of above others is far too difficult for some. Most people are constantly trying to capitalize on unimportant differences and I often feel that it's such an uphill job when I treat other people as equals and they don't even understand why. At that point I often get the bad treatment: "A short, unbeautiful, elderly woman - she must be stupid or something..." It doesn't really hurt me, but it takes my appreciation of some people a few points down. And I won't change my behaviour, because I feel it's right, and it's how I find the people that really matter to me.

Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on February 28, 2013 at 2:39am

Chris, So many wonderful sights and sounds mixed in with delicious tastes and smells, and we live to participate with it all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddLd0QRf7Vg

Permalink Reply by Chris Breman on February 28, 2013 at 3:24am

Thanks Joan, that's beautiful! I wrote the post above when I came home tired...

Permalink Reply by Madhukar Kulkarni on February 28, 2013 at 7:26am

A few weeksbefore Ihad posted a discussion on this subject in the Universe group, stating clearly that as far as the Universe is concerned, our existence serves no purpose that we are not its deliberate and meaningful creations. Many replies stated that human race attaches meaning to its life and makes it meaningful. Very few accepted the fact that there is no meaning to our lives.

There are billions upon billions of fire balls of absolutely wasted material in the universe and we are just a small part, like a grain of dust on our earth, of this wasted materaial in the universe. That we try to make most of our lives is a credit to the human race, the universe has no part in it.

Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on February 28, 2013 at 2:45pm

MADHUKAR KULKARNI, I like reading your posts and it is fun to delve into the belief systems to take them apart, piece by piece. For me, it is like being the fourth generation and the first to peek outside the tent into the much bigger scene of the universe. At first it is scary, then intriguing  and then full of so much wonder it takes my breath away.   

Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on March 2, 2013 at 1:41pm

Chris Breman, I kind of think of myself as a well into the universe, held to Earth by gravity, and operating with elements and forces beyond my doing. Like a well into the Earth from which to draw water, a well into the universe feeds me, even as disgusting, deplorable, stupid, ego-centered people swirl in and out of my life. Looking into the night sky, I celebrate having the opportunity to be a conscious part of all this; looking into the daytime sky, I claim the right to be, do, belong, think, and rejoice in my awareness.

Higher Ground | Playing For Change
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hGSqqhhokE

When I heard words I do not support, i.e. "preachers, preachin'" I block them out with "speakers and speakin'".

Permalink Reply by Ruth Anthony-Gardner on March 6, 2013 at 10:09pm

When you say

I see no evidence that I was created for a purpose or have particular meaning in my life.

together like that, you give religionists exclusive rights to define "meaning of life" for their own purposes. Order can evolve, through evolution, complex systems exhibit emergent properties. The ancient idea of a needing a creator with a purpose of his own in order for people to find meaning is a logical error.

By our nature we create meaning. When you express your feelings and ideas, Joan, you create and share meaning - no spooks required. Every time we write a poem, paint a picture, or create a video mashup, we are creators. Check out We're Creators to the tune of Hallelujah chorus. How about this title instead:

"Atheism states life has meaning and purpose."