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Often I've been told that atheists (I'm agnostic but don't mind being lumped with atheists) don't have any meaning to their life. I usually reply with all the things in my life that I find meaningful and what I seek from the experiences that can be found in life.

I've often given lip service to a "meaning of life" when I speak of why theists hold onto their belief in God. Although, I'm not really sure what extra special meaning they actually get from believing in God. Yet, I've stated they do find meaning because they say they do, and I take them at their word.

Nehor says that atheists have no rational basis for meaning to their life. If he'd like to elaborate on that here that would be great!

If you're an atheist what is the meaning of life for you?

If you're a theist what precisely in the belief of God gives you extra meaning beyond what you would have if you were an atheist? Or how precisely does the belief in a deity give your life meaning?

Moniker wrote:Often I've been told that atheists (I'm agnostic but don't mind being lumped with atheists) don't have any meaning to their life. I usually reply with all the things in my life that I find meaningful and what I seek from the experiences that can be found in life.

I've often given lip service to a "meaning of life" when I speak of why theists hold onto their belief in God. Although, I'm not really sure what extra special meaning they actually get from believing in God. Yet, I've stated they do find meaning because they say they do, and I take them at their word.

Nehor says that atheists have no rational basis for meaning to their life. If he'd like to elaborate on that here that would be great!

If you're an atheist what is the meaning of life for you?

If you're a theist what precisely in the belief of God gives you extra meaning beyond what you would have if you were an atheist? Or how precisely does the belief in a deity give your life meaning?

I didn't say that. I said there is an argument that can be made for that. Whether it is right I have no idea. You should add that I also said that really using pure reason theists don't have a rational basis for finding meaning either. Meaning in life is not a rational thing.

The Nehor wrote:

Moniker wrote:
Nehor says that atheists have no rational basis for meaning to their life. If he'd like to elaborate on that here that would be great!

I didn't say that. I said there is an argument that can be made for that. Whether it is right I have no idea. You should add that I also said that really using pure reason theists don't have a rational basis for finding meaning either. Meaning in life is not a rational thing.

This is what you said:

I think the main axis of the attack on atheism in that area comes from atheists having no rational basis for charity and meaning. While there is some truth to this argument theists have no rational reason to prefer heaven over hell either.

Well, can you tell me about the "some truth" to the argument? That's what I was getting at. I assumed that since you stated that there was some truth to this argument that you agreed with the argument in some way? I think there are rational reasons to prefer heaven over hell if you're a believer in those! :)

Why is meaning in life not rational for atheists?

Is there a rational basis for theists?

I don't see you saying that meaning in life for theists is not rational -- unless you're insinuating with the heaven and hell (reward and punishment) that this is not rational.

Moniker wrote:If you're an atheist what is the meaning of life for you?

Propagation of the species.

If you're a theist what precisely in the belief of God gives you extra meaning beyond what you would have if you were an atheist?

Propagation of a higher species.

Or how precisely does the belief in a deity give your life meaning?

I get to propagate, proliferate, and circulate while the godless heathens burn.

Doctor Steuss wrote:

Moniker wrote:If you're an atheist what is the meaning of life for you?

Propagation of the species.

Are you an atheist?

Are you a smartass? ;)

I get to propagate, proliferate, and circulate while the godless heathens burn.

That's the best argument I've ever seen to convert! Bravo! :)

Doctor Steuss wrote:

Moniker wrote:If you're an atheist what is the meaning of life for you?

Propagation of the species.

If you're a theist what precisely in the belief of God gives you extra meaning beyond what you would have if you were an atheist?

Propagation of a higher species.

Or how precisely does the belief in a deity give your life meaning?

I get to propagate, proliferate, and circulate while the godless heathens burn.

Is propagating all you can think about, Steuss?

Goodness. You must be wearing fornication pants.

KA

PS. I know, I know. You don't wear pants!

(No more thread derailments from me, I promise!)

Here's the problem with this "meaning of life" proposition... there are two general ways you can look at it, and religious types only seem to notice or accept one of them:

- there is an objective, divine, third person "assigner" who has designed life with some purpose or meaning in mind (this is the one religious types will only acknowledge)
- there is the meaning that each individual assigns to their own life based on their own self-interests

It appears that, if one actually does accept both of these propositions, they think that only the first one is significant, or matters, and to that, I think, "Wow, that's incredibly sad." To me, the second one is far more important and valuable for several reasons:

1. It's tangible and knowable by the individual
2. It embraces what's important to the individual
3. You can't be wrong about it
4. You can do something about it immediately rather than waste time wondering if you've got the meaning correct or not

I've decided that the meaning of my life is to enjoy my wife and daughter, be the best husband/dad I can be, practice tackling my problems head on, learn, try to enjoy each moment, and to be decent to other people. I have no need for more meaning than that. If there really is a divine "meaning-giver" and this isn't the meaning he/she/it had in mind, then he/she/it should have the decency to make the meaning ubiquitously known in clear and certain terms.

As an agnostic, I like to keep it simple:

My meaning of life:

1: Have kids, though not too many
2: Leave the world a better place for my kids and their kids
3: Have fun and live my life
4: Find somebody who believes in that too (found her)

Atheists and theists are all shooting for the same thing - happiness. Theists are just hoping to have it in the next life, while atheists want to have it now.

God takes the responsibility of finding meaning from theists. Atheists have to work a bit harder, but through their work can perhaps have more personal growth than people who are raised in a belief system and never leave that comfort zone.