COMMENTS:
Hmmm. Good question. Wish I had a good answer.
No, we are stupid
by ABC on Tue Sep 07, 04 5:00pm
[+]
What we're missing is a missing link. Something half-way between Orang-Utans and Humans that would back up theories about evolution but probably still not shut up the Creationists.
As for WHY we're here? F*CK KNOWS.
Wow, great question. I really don't think so.
I think this question has already been answered.
For those people who hold a spiritual/religious belief, we have already discovered the purpose to life and the truth behind our existence. It is only those people who lack faith (atheists, agnostics, nihilists, etc) that are at a loss. Even some of the latter, however, have decided that we are simply here by chance to die and feed the future generations.
Secular or non-secular, Atheist, Muslim, or Christian, we have a world-view and as such, a faith in humanity's purpose on earth.
Just a thought.
( But I am sleepy and shouldn't be posting ).
We might would have a chance if we opened our minds, quit believing, and start thinking. There's as much dogma in science than there is in religion, and that's what would be in the way of progress IMO.
keithsheen. What the missing link thing shows is that you can get species that look quite similar but you don't find the gradual transition that would prove evolution. That's why there is no such thing as a missing link.
Good points anti-yankee and CuriousCow. I know atheists who have a great sense of faith in humanity as well as a good grasp of justice and fair play. These sort of people are usually down to earth, practical and full of integrity and probably still don't believe in God when they are flying off to heaven surrounded by singing angels.
God: Hello mortal! I am God! You have lead a good life. Although you didn't believe in me you held the lives of your family and friends to be valuable and you helped them out whenever you could. Welcome to eternal bliss!
Mortal: I must be going mad. God's existence will never be proven. It's all just a load of superstitious stories. I saw it on telly.
Having faith in humanity differs from knowing the truth. Am I incorrect in understanding that 'faith' embraces a lack of material evidence or proof? Perhaps we have beliefs regarding our existence, but I hardly think any we --any of us-- have come to know the truth.
Mags,
You said:
I hardly think any we --any of us-- have come to know the truth.
If you are a relativist, as many are today, then everyone knows the truth. As long as they are not searching for it.
The thing about faith is that it permits you to know the truth with certainty, the way one knows the earth is round or the universe immense.
anti_yankee-
Thanks for copying my typo! :(
Anyway, I think we have different definitions of the word 'Faith' here. As a result of that, I have to wonder about this Faith in Humanity you speak of.
For me, it is believing that we, as a whole, can continue to develop as a society. Not necessarily that we will, for how can I know? Further, if it were certain, why would we need Faith, then?
However back to the original topic, I must admit that I've failed to comprehend what you meant when you wrote that everyone knows the truth.
Mags,
The Truth behind our existence is a double edged thought.
1. In one respect, it is a question of purpose. Why are we here?
2. In another respect, it is a question of origin. How did we come to be?
Religions typically answer these questions. In the Christian sense, we are here to love one another and to spread the Gospel. We were created by God.
For the Atheist, the questions may be answered " we are here to eat, die, and feed the earth. " And our origin is simply by chance. Incredibly anticlimactic.
The relativist believes everything is relative to place and experience. Therefore, whatever you believe is true, is true.
Every thought that goes through your head is a reflection of the truth. Everything in the universe is a reflection of the truth. That truth lies at the heart of your soul. Every attempt to describe it is just another reflection. The only way of understanding this question of ultimate truth is to personally search for it.
The purpose of life is to spread the gospel? I would think that would be more of a means for another purpose.
I love what cretin-slap wrote, although I usually disagree with his opinions.
This discussion cannot be resolved, I fear, so a good response for this poll might be:
NOT IN THIS BALLOT!
As somewhat of an Atheist myself, I might say in turn that it seems anti-climactic to live your life working toward a goal which awaits you after death, and consequently may never happen.
The thought of living life to the fullest and striving for happiness in the now is pretty exciting for me.
:)
AMEN Mags
Mags,
I didn't say either was right, simply pointed out.
I will take it offline
Yes, we are quite capable of finding truth, but most are quick to denounce it and skeptical when it comes to accepting it. We all have the capability, but few of us use it.
The thought of living life to the fullest and striving for happiness in the now is pretty exciting for me.
What's happiness for you, magdalenasdollar?
anti-yankee,
I didn't either. Just trying to offer a perspective from the other side.
cretin_slap,
That's a whole 'notha ballot.
Righto.
I suspect not. I think the "truth" is the ocean and we are drops of water. If this is the relationship, we cannot possible hope to contain this truth.
Further, this question assumes that there is such a truth. If "God" is eternal, which seems necessary, then he cannot be dichotomized into truth and falsehood. God is unbeginning, unending, and boundless in all directions. No opposites there: no truth, no false; no good, no bad. Well, I drone on. You see my point?
Interesting question.
I could not presume to have an answer, however as humans, I suspect not. and my reasoning is that human existance is really just a minute part of the overwhelming vastness of what is. The very nature of our physical being limits what we perceive, the range of sound vibration our ears can interpret, the range of light energy our eyes can recognize - our senses are like instruments that monitor and interpret the energy around us, and they do have their limitations. Thus while we might speculate about our existence, I don't think we can ever really KNOW because as humans - there is still so much beyond what we CAN know. I think of it as the known, the unknown, and the unknowable, and while the unknown is vast, the unknowable engulfs it as the ocean engulfs a tear.
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