What do agnostics and atheists do for meaning?

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    1. #1
      windy36's Avatar
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      What do agnostics and atheists do for meaning?

      Hello, I have decide to become an agnostic because the answers in my religion are not answering my question as to the meaning of life or what we are suppose to do here. What do agnostics and atheists do for meaning without traditional religion to answer the question? Let me know what you guys do for meaning or how you create meaning. I personally am considering traveling the world, and getting some hobbies.

    2. #2
      pancreasman's Avatar
      pancreasman is offline Life is a song. Sing it.
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      Re: What do agnostics and atheists do for meaning?

      The meaning of life is the meaning you make in life. Be loving and kind and add to the joy of others. Live life, and help others live life more fully. Of course, you could do all that and still be 'religious' if you wanted.
      One blue sky above us
      One ocean lapping all our shore
      One earth so green and round
      Who could ask for more

      Pete Seeger

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    4. #3
      Carrikature's Avatar
      Carrikature is offline Seeking Truth
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      Re: What do agnostics and atheists do for meaning?

      Quote Originally posted by windy36 View Post
      Hello, I have decide to become an agnostic because the answers in my religion are not answering my question as to the meaning of life or what we are suppose to do here. What do agnostics and atheists do for meaning without traditional religion to answer the question? Let me know what you guys do for meaning or how you create meaning. I personally am considering traveling the world, and getting some hobbies.
      I'm not really sure what your questions are, I guess. I suspect if you are looking for a meaning beyond what you create for yourself, you're not going to be very satisfied with atheism/agnosticism either. You could obviously find meaning by devoting your lives to others, but it still boils down to understanding what pleases you and/or what goals you possess and working from there.

      It's entirely possible to get satisfaction out of life, enough so that you desire to keep living. "Live long and prosper" is a common enough goal, and not one that requires any particular religious affiliation to fulfill. Of course, figuring out what it means to prosper could be a lifelong endeavor...
      Last edited by Carrikature; January 4th 2013 at 01:25 PM.
      What the world thinks the most valuable exhibition of the Dao is to be found in books. But books are only a collection of words. Words have what is valuable in them - what is valuable in words is the ideas they convey. But those ideas are a sequence of something else - and what that something else is cannot be conveyed by words. When the world, because of the value which it attaches to words, commits them to books, that for which it so values them may not deserve to be valued - because that which it values is not what is really valuable. Thus it is that what we look at and can see is (only) the outward form and colour, and what we listen to and can hear is (only) names and sounds. Alas! that men of the world should think that form and colour, name and sound, should be sufficient to give them the real nature of the Dao. The form and colour, the name and sound, are certainly not sufficient to convey its real nature; and so it is that 'the wise do not speak and those who do speak are not wise.' How should the world know that real nature?

      --Zuangzi, Way of Heaven

    5. #4
      Seasanctuary's Avatar
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      Re: What do agnostics and atheists do for meaning?

      Agnostics and atheists find meaning the same way everyone else does: by being involved in projects they consider important. Relieving suffering, creating art, learning skills, teaching others, raising children, etc.

      We just don't find meaning in certain imaginary projects associated with revealed religions.
      "'tis usual for men to use words for ideas, and to talk instead of thinking in their reasonings." A Treatise of Human Nature, I.II.V.

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    7. #5
      Eudaimonist's Avatar
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      Re: What do agnostics and atheists do for meaning?

      Quote Originally posted by windy36 View Post
      What do agnostics and atheists do for meaning without traditional religion to answer the question? Let me know what you guys do for meaning or how you create meaning. I personally am considering traveling the world, and getting some hobbies.
      Travel and hobbies are a great way to create meaning. You might even find meaning in a career, though that can be more challenging.

      You can find meaning in art. There have been certain anticipated movies and television shows that have helped to make life worth living.

      You can find meaning in ethics or politics. Perhaps it's a charitable cause, or perhaps it is defending political freedoms.

      You can find meaning in your personal relationships. Some people find meaning in their children, for instance.

      Be attentive to what creative activities you love to engage in. Maybe they help you to get out of bed in the morning. Maybe they give you a sense of Flow. Perhaps they help to give you a sense of achievement and improve your self-esteem. Look for those signs.



      eudaimonia,

      Mark

    8. #6
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      Re: What do agnostics and atheists do for meaning?

      You have a life...One. It lasts from birth till death. You can choose to squander it in drug addiction, you can choose to squander it in destruction or you can create to the best of your ability the environment and social links that make others admire and respect your effort. You can confront evil, you can endorse "good", you can do the opposite. You are responsible for your life and those things and people you influence. Do good or not. Humanity is going through the transition called "revolution". The last major revolution was the "industrial revolution". Many people were displaced and found difficulty as we moved the vast population from agriculture to industry. The new revolution is the "information and technological" revolution. Many more people will find difficulty and fear as the information/technological revolution will have an effect 10 X that of the industrial revolution. There is great need. You can find ways to help or hurt. Choose well.

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    10. #7
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      Re: What do agnostics and atheists do for meaning?

      Moderated By: Catholicity

      Just a friendly reminder That this a non theist area only

      ***If you wish to take issue with this notice DO NOT do so in this thread.***
      Contact the forum moderator or an administrator in Private Message or email instead. If you feel you must publically complain or whine, please take it to the Psychotherapy Room unless told otherwise.

      PATER aeterne, offero tibi Corpus et Sanguinem, animam et divinitatem dilectissimi Filii Tui, Domini nostri, Iesu Christi, in propitiatione pro peccatis nostris et totius mundi. PRO DOLOROSA Eius passione, miserere nobis et totius mundi.

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