ok, so this is a topic that i'm really curious to know what people think about.so what is the purpose of life?.

Life? I doubt that anyone can truly answer this question. But I would be willing to say that the 'purpose' of life is to simply enjoy it. It only lasts so long and then it's gone. Maybe, make the lives of others more pleasant with your kindness. I don't believe that this animal civilization which we call humanity has a set purpose, so just enjoy it while it lasts.

what if you look at it through the eyes of someone who believes in "life after death"?

Enjoy the ride.

It's supposed to have a purpose?

quote:

Originally posted by Dork:
Enjoy the ride.

yeah, but doesn't it get depressing to think that once u die, that's the end of you.i actually think there is more to that!

It is depressing kid, but that's all I know. I can't hope that some imaginary omnipresent being is going to be there at the end, I have no reason to, I have no evidence. Religion is a way to ignore the reality that is life. Don't get me wrong, it's a nice thought, but probably not realistic.

If you are religious, and want a 'purpose of life' I don't think it be any different than the one I've already stated. Make life better for others, enjoy your life, relax.

Check out our Religion thread if you're interested, it's pretty long but also very informative.

Cheers.

i know, i know, i already have a belief in something and i'm not gonna change it.but this is not about me.i just want to see what other people think about it.thats all!

quote:

Originally posted by Harmonix-X:
yeah, but doesn't it get depressing to think that once u die, that's the end of you.i actually think there is more to that!

No it isn't. Nothing in this world ever "ends," it only changes. Your impact on this world will never go away, even if it seems minuscule to you.

quote:

Originally posted by Dork:

quote:

Originally posted by Harmonix-X:
yeah, but doesn't it get depressing to think that once u die, that's the end of you.i actually think there is more to that!

No it isn't. Nothing in this world ever "ends," it only changes. Your impact on this world will never go away, even if it seems minuscule to you.

So your consolation is that we can have a "miniscule" impact on something that has no purpose? What about this is not hopeless and depressing.

quote:

Originally posted by Shadrach:
So your consolation is that we can have a "miniscule" impact on something that has no purpose? What about this is not hopeless and depressing.

Who said you only have a minuscule impact? Not I.

The number of changes you have already made to the world is almost infinite. You will never know how different this place would have been without you. Every decision you've ever made is the proverbial butterfly flapping its wings and causing a hurricane. Every blade of grass you've ever bent has brushed someone else's foot that much less and changed them in some tiny, tiny way -- but it has changed them nonetheless. Every tree you've ever planted has given shade to those who needed it. The human mind is so complex and malleable that every interaction you've ever had has altered the life of that person forever. And in turn they will plant trees and change lives, and the people they touch through their actions will do the same.

In this way, your actions will immortalize you, even though your bones will crumble and your name be washed from all the record we have.

What about that is not hopeless and depressing? Everything.

what do you mean by "your actions will immortalize you?" i don't get that.

He just explained it. He's saying that every person you've ever talked to has been changed in some way by having known you, hence, those people go on to affect others.

I think that it's probably hopelessly optimistic, but I'm a bit cynical. I think that he's right, but don't think that our civilization is valuable to begin with. Therefore, making it all pointless and depressing again.

I think that the question is probably off a bit, I would have changed it to, what is the purpose of human life. We can all make our lives purposeful in a cultural context, but I'm not sure that our existence as a society matters. Considering that humans have destroyed everything they've touched, I'm not as optimistic as my friend Dork is.

well, i believe there is a God, and he is the creator of everything.i also believe in the Bible and thats my only source of evidence.i mean, what's the point of living without faith.without thinking that when you die, it's not the end..

I sort of saw this coming...

I'm not sure how old you are, and really don't want to be convicted of 'corrupting the youth.'

Why have 'faith' in anything? Faith means that in the presence of no evidence whatsoever, you still choose to believe something. I present to you, Russell's Teapot:

"If I were to say that between the Earth and Mars there is a teapot revolving about the sun in orbit, nobody would be able to prove me wrong provided I were careful to add that the teapot is too small to be revealed even by telescopes. But if I were to go on to say that, since my assertion cannot be disproved, it is an intolerable presumption on the part of human reason to doubt it, I should rightly be thought to be talking nonsense. If, however, the existence of such a teapot were affirmed in ancient books, taught as the sacred truth every Sunday, and instilled into the minds of children at school, hesitation to believe in its existence would become a mark of eccentricity and entitle the doubter to the attentions of the psychiatrist in an enlightened age or of the Inquisitor in an earlier time."

I'm not saying don't believe whatever you want to, I'm simply suggesting you maybe think about it and instead of blindly following what you are told to believe, make decisions for yourself.

If you want to talk about your religion, check out our religion thread.

I hope I don't end up drinking Hemlock for making this post...

Cheers.

but it doesn't really have much to do with religion.and i believe it cuz i want to, not because i'm forced to.i think that it sounds very reasonable..there is a really good book that talks about it.its called "The Purpose Driven Life".mayb you should read it.i'm in the process of reading it myself.anyway..i'm gonna allow others to comment.

I don’t know if there is an over all purpose for the existence of the human race, nor am I sure if any religion has an answer whether you’re believer or not, but as individuals, I think or at least hope that we all eventually find our own personal purpose or “quest” in life, if not multiple quests, like chapters in the span of our lives as we continue to live on and change.

When it comes to religion, I have varied beliefs, but I think no matter what you believe, you should consider your life and the lives of others as precious. Having kept that in mind, if you’re searching for “meaning” in the life you’re living now, I would suggest seriously thinking about what you want out of it for yourself, and for those you care about.

I'm pretty sure the purpose of life is to make Top 25 lists

quote:

Originally posted by theelfpat:
I'm pretty sure the purpose of life is to make Top 25 lists

Haha, I love you.

quote:

Originally posted by theelfpat:
I'm pretty sure the purpose of life is to make Top 25 lists

i dont get it!