Why give Alice the time of day? Its premise that the atheist meaning of life is survival is incorrect and so there is absolutely NO REASON to discuss its post further.
Plus it's a troll.
The general atheist meaning of life
by mankkeli 106 Replies latest watchtower bible
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bohm
MS: This is alice?
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TheUbermensch
excellent points mankkeli
Seriously? Wow. Let me take this flaming vat of shit and dissect the "excellent points".
"When things like spirituality are no longer present in one's life, they may or may not stop looking for meaning"
Incorrect. Meaning is a relative term, for instance I do not find God meaningful, but you do. Does that mean that what you find meaningful is the only correct meaningful object(s)? Please. You are speaking of nihilism, a completely different subject.
"Meaning is an essential part of human psychology, though some feel the need for it less than others,"
Incorrect. Contradictory statement. If I say that all triangles are NOT circle-ish but say that some ARE sort of circle-ish I would sound like an idiot. You can't say that meaning is an essential part of human psychology and then say that some people don't need meaning.
"There also seems to be a trend that occurs: in the lack of a meaning of life, the brain tries to find one, because it sees a purpose for everything."
Partly correct The brain does find meaning for objects and existence, but a lack of a meaning in life IS a meaning. (nihilism, read up on it)
"What this thread is to address is the most commonly assumed purpose of living associated with atheism, but is rarely consciously understood: survival."
HA. You just made a generalization about millions of people throughout the world. You think that since I don't believe in God I only care about survival? Give me a break. The subconscious is not concerned with life or it's meaning, that is a conscious thought (read some psychology).
"The survival of life is the most common thing that is subconsciously assumed to be the only purpose for survival. From this perspective, things like art, music and spirituality are considered to be mere psychological needs."
They are not psychological needs they are psychological EXCERCISES. This has been proven, so there is no point to the contrary. I am an extremely passionate musician and I realize that music is an expression of my experiences.
"Though, to most it may seem like simply a depressing state of mind, it is hypothetically dangerous."
Oh please. I don't need your pity. Dangerous? Your false explanation about a mindset that you've never experienced? Do I post threads about the mindset of a Buddhist? Of course not.
." Religion may have literally evolved physically because it supports clan efforts to make sacrifices for the group even when they may not recieve something in return."
Religion couldn't have evolved physically, it is not a physical being. Are you saying that religion is socialistic at heart? O_o
"Due to this, they survived strongly as a group because they needed each other to watch out for each other. The only way they could sustain a tribe from a lack of morality in desperate times is fear of a diety, or promise of a better life, which only comes from religion."
Incorrect. If the fear of a deity had never been placed in someone's mind, but instead an extreme sense of morality (which is present in my mind, asshole, how dare you assume that atheists have no sense of mroals), then you would have much better human beings roaming the Earth. You do realize that religion creates a natural schism in human beings? You believe yourself better because you have been chosen by God, whereas I have not, because I am not worthy. That is an IMmoral thought.
"If the purpose of life is simply to survive, then there's really no reason why I shouldn't lie, cheat and steal. My instincts tell me not to, but others may come to the conclusion that their instincts need to be overridden with "reason," and that their desires should be met by whatever means necessary."
Incorrect. Your values that you place in life have nothing to do with morality. In fact, if you can be forgiven for your sins doesn't that mean that I can just go do what I want and then be forgiven again? Much more of an escape than the idea that THIS is the only life (which puts much more value in THIS life than religion does. Instictual thought has nothing to do with morality. Too much generalization for me to even discuss.
"A lot of this is subconscious, and it is part of why atheists won't succeed without first philosophizing the "whys" of life. Why not kill? Why not lie? Why not cheat? Why do any of these things if I'm not going to get something back, and especially if I'm not going to suffer consequences?"
It isn't subconscious. The subconscious does NOT deal with value. Value is a CONSCIOUS thought. Why not kill? Because I do not wish to end another person's life because it is the ONLY life. (see what I did there?) Why not cheat? Because my moral standards would make me view myself as a loser. There is law enforcement in this life... you realize this?
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cofty
having seen the contribution from our resident atheists here I can only say they are morons - don't listent o them. - s&g
Really? I assume you include me in that assessment. Do you want to explain why you have resorted to name calling? Why not try giving a reason for your position?
The survival of life is the most common thing that is subconsciously assumed to be the only purpose for survival.
This sentence is just ugly - it's offensive to anybody with a love of the English language. What on earth do you mean?
Religion may have literally evolved physically
Aaargh that's just a horrible collision of meaningless words, stop it! I thought you were an intelligent guy who advised authors about cults and worked for the borg at branch level?
If the purpose of life is simply to survive, then there's really no reason why I shouldn't lie, cheat and steal.
You have confused a fact about our evolutionary past with a basis for morality - that's just dumb. Every time you use contraception you demonstrate that we are in fact driven by far more than the need to propagate our genes.
Why not kill? Why not lie? Why not cheat? Why do any of these things if I'm not going to get something back, and especially if I'm not going to suffer consequences?
Because we are social animals and we have learned that our lives are enhanced when we behave in certain ways that promote the well being of conscious creatures.
You religious types are no different really, everything you do, every rule you observe is about promoting your well being. Can you name me anything that isn't?
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mankkeli
What a pity?, atheists don't believe they need a "purpose", and they dont even try figuring out that purpose for themselves. they only have the self given assignment, (i.e. worker, wife, mother, vegetable grower, etc). That's ridiculous.
BTW - JonathanH- B y calling me a liar, You come across like a stupid fool, an Idiotic buffoon. Write the university of Tromso, they will give you every information you need to know about me. I have no time for you.
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bohm
what should we write the university of tromso about if we do not know your name? why not simply give an url for your thesis?
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designs
'vegetable grower' That's me, my whole purpose in life
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TheUbermensch
Mankkeli, where did you even get that? I find meaning in my life without the belief in God. Are you high?
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soft+gentle
mankeli there is nothing wrong with this sentence and you are right
Religion may have literally evolved physically because it supports clan efforts to make sacrifices for the group even when they may not recieve something in return myth for example does evolve physically and is a crucial component of religion.
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TheUbermensch
Religion DID NOT involve physical evolution. Myths were stories to explain things we do not know. There is no PHYSICAL EVOLUTION. GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHIrugahriuhiruaghriuaghvnaeri FRUSTRATION.