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Atheists: have you considered that your beliefs mean your very existence is utterly meaningless?
Even if you try to ascribe meaning to your life - it is an illusion. It is all an utter waste of time. An exercise in futility.
You die. All is lost. The Universe dies. All is lost. So in your belief system - all that you do is utterly and completely meaningless.
How can you reconcile this? I don't rejoice in reminding of you of the logical end to your belief but my hope is that it will jar you into reasoning it out.
Surely, your life isn't meaningless is it? Surely, you have a PURPOSE don't you?
If you say to me - well I have a purpose regardless of what you say - again - it's all an illusion. You are merely assigning a purpose to your life when in the end - it really will not have one.
All will be completely. And utterly. Lost.
But the dead are raised in Christ Jesus. And I do hope you will turn to Him so that you will find your purpose.
Peace.
Again, if anyone says something like "its not meaningless to me" then this too is an illusion. Cognitive dissonance can get you through the day, surely, but in the end. Meaningless.
In atheism if anyone were to say, "My purpose is to teach my children to be rational, logical, good, hardworking people who are kind to others, take care of their children and live a good life," then this too is meaningless. A chasing after the wind. Because the universe dies. The atheists children die and they are forgotten too. All is utterly meaningless.
If an atheist said, "No. In fact, I think life means more than theists do because it is so precious and fleeting," then this too is an illusion. A temporal illusion that vanishes upon death. All of everything you imagined to have value is lost. Utterly lost.
If an atheist were to say something like, "Our purpose as organic life forms is to reproduce for the continuity of our species. The end of our lives is permanent, but that doesn't mean that you can't have a good time of it while you're alive," then this too is an utter waste of time. The universe dies. All species are lost. All consciousness is lost. This is the logical end to atheism and it is wrought with sadness, hopelessness, and despair. Atheism is not true. Jesus is Lord. And He loves you dearly. Even as you deny Him.
If someone were to tell me that I don't know what cognitive dissonance means they would not be telling the truth. Cognitive dissonance is the psychological conflict resulting from incongruous beliefs and attitudes held simultaneously. This is what an atheist does when he/she tries to ascribe meaning to his/her life even in the face of the undeniable logical end to his/her belief system which is that life is utterly meaningless.
If an atheist says, "No it is not meaningless for me. I love my girlfriend and my family. I want to help people who need it in this world. I want to advance my career and enjoy my life. A supernatural deity is not necessary to be meaningful.
The things I do in my life mean more than you give credit to. The effect I have on the ones I love is what life is about."
Then the logical end is that the girlfriend and family all die. The people who were helped all die and all of the help given to them is futile. The memory of the help is lost. All is gone. All of the career achievements and the enjoyment of life is lost upon death. All meaningless and a chasing after the wind. Any effect on the ones that this person loved is an utter waste of time because all die - the universe dies - and all is lost.
But atheism is a lie. You do have a purpose and it is to KNOW and to be KNOWN by your Creator. To be loved by Him and to love Him. A Father as you've never known. A Perf
@Rob - aren't you someone who typically tells everybody not to "judge." Why are you playing the hypocrite then - and judging me? Go do your own work. Leave me to do mine. To my Lord I will stand or fall.
If an atheist were to ask me, "Exactly how does a god give a life meaning, serving a god is a purpose not a meaning," I would tell him this:
Not "a" god. THE God. This is of the utmost importance because there is only ONE God. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. His Son Jesus - who is the Christ. And the Holy Spirit. This is God and there is only ONE.
And so I would answer his question with a question. What do you want from your own children? If you do not have children - then remember what I asked you - and one day when you do - consider those words very carefully.
If someone were to say to me, "Please, just dont assume that all atheists are miserable without a purpose and meaning, this would also be an illusion on your part," then I would answer them and say, "oh, I don't assume that all atheists are miserable. I never said that in the least. Sure, many atheists walk about and are 'happy' or walk about and find purpose - perhaps helping the poor, taking care of their children or parents or whatever it may be. But, again, and I can't emphasize this enough, that if they take their own ideology, belief system, thoughts, lack of belief, or whatever it is they want to call it in their denial of the existence of God - to it's logical end - all of their supposed happiness and purpose is completely and utterly meaningless.
Just read some of the replies and one can see that a few atheists do indeed "get" what I'm saying and have come to accept the truth of what I'm saying. But I'm not the fir
If an atheist says, "I will live on in the DNA of my descendants just like my ancestors live in my DNA.
this has been going on since life first appeared on this dirt ball. this will continue until the sun burns out,"
And what? This person still dies, is lost, and all of this person's descendants are ultimately lost. Because for the atheist the sun will indeed burn out - the Universe will end - and all DNA will be lost so no matter how much of your DNA continues generationally speaking - in the end - all is lost and gone forever.
This is a very sad lie that is being propagated to the masses. And it saddens me. The hopelessness of it saddens me greatly. Because in Christ - all of your hope is restored. Not for the sake of hope. But to KNOW and love and to be loved by your Creator. Please place your hope and faith in Jesus - for He has overcome the world and in Him death cannot contain you!
Peace and love to you all.
33 Answers
- ?Lv 48 years ago
have you considered that your beliefs mean your very existence is utterly meaningless?
Even if you try to ascribe meaning to your life - it is an illusion. It is all an utter waste of time. An exercise in futility.
You die. All is lost. christianity dies. All is lost. So in your belief system - all that you do is utterly and completely meaningless.
How can you reconcile this? I don't rejoice in reminding of you of the logical end to your belief but my hope is that it will jar you into reasoning it out.
Surely, your life isn't meaningless is it? Surely, you have a PURPOSE don't you?
If you say to me - well I have a purpose regardless of what you say - again - it's all an illusion. You are merely assigning a purpose to your life when in the end - it really will not have one.
All will be completely. And utterly. Lost.
But the dead are dead thats in there is no place only a select few can go, there is not like of fore and torment. And I do hope you will question your faith in a person who hides his face from you, so that you will find your own purpose and not not some imaginary sky fairy you cant physically prove exists
Peace.
- Rodrigo OLv 58 years ago
Yes, sure.
Have you considered that not everyone needs a meaning to have a happy life?
If not, you need to talk to more people.
I agree that this is all meaningless, but I am enjoying while it lasts. And dont really see a problem in that.
I suppose not all atheists share my opinion, since most try to give a purpose to their lives.
Please, just dont assume that all atheists are miserable without a purpose and meaning, this would also be an illusion on your part
- Anonymous8 years ago
I'm a Christian and even I can see how flawed your question is. Ever heard the phrase "it's the journey not the destination that is important"? Surely living in the present is a good purpose for someone who doesn't believe in eternity?!?!? It can even make life that much more beautiful to them. For me, I look forward to an eternal life in God's glory. As such, I can revel and enjoy my day-to-day life, but it will never shine quite so beautiful as an atheist who acknowledges a belief that this world is all there is. Every blue sky they see will be slightly bluer than I will see. Every blade of grass a deeper shade of green, every smile on a baby's face that much cheerful.
Just because an atheist doesn't subscribe to a belief system that I or you may hold, it doesn't mean they think it is meaningless.
Edit: and now you're just preaching. Do you really think an atheist is going to be edified by your behaviour? Did atheists come here to be preached to? Are you more likely to draw them to God or drive them away? If I was an atheist who came online to Y!A and read this, it would push me away. Thankfully when I was considering converting I didn't see anyone like you, it may have pushed me away from God.
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- ?Lv 45 years ago
"If the universe have been some grand accident with none meaning or motive, then proper and wrong can be totally subjective. Objective morality wouldn't exist. To me, existing in this sort of world can be totally meaningless, so I rationalize my existence by using believing in a higher, benevolent power." it could make me sad to peer any one unable to discover a cause to exist instead of god-notion (I predict problems later on when the god turns out not to pay attention very good) however as long as they don't bother others with it, what can you do? Are living and let reside.
- RicardoLv 78 years ago
Atheists: have you considered that your beliefs mean your very existence is utterly meaningless?
- Yes, and we understand that it is as much a fantasy as your deity.
Even if you try to ascribe meaning to your life - it is an illusion. It is all an utter waste of time. An exercise in futility.
- Only in your fantasies.
all that you do is utterly and completely meaningless.
- Only to you.
How can you reconcile this? I don't rejoice in reminding of you of the logical end to your belief but my hope is that it will jar you into reasoning it out.
- It is logical ONLY to you but since you believe fantasies are real, consider the source.
If you say to me - well I have a purpose regardless of what you say - again - it's all an illusion.
- Yes, it is an illusion, YOUR illusion, not mine.
But the dead are raised in Christ Jesus.
- You believe in zombies and think we have illusions.
In atheism if anyone were to say, "My purpose is to teach my children to be rational, logical, good, hardworking people who are kind to others, take care of their children and live a good life," then this too is meaningless
- It is to you, because rational and logical is the LAST thing you want.
This is what an atheist does when he/she tries to ascribe meaning to his/her life even in the face of the undeniable logical end to his/her belief system which is that life is utterly meaningless.
- But it is only meaningless to you, WE do not have that dissonance.
But atheism is a lie. You do have a purpose and it is to KNOW and to be KNOWN by your Creator.
- But your creator id your fantasy, not ours.
Not "a" god. THE God
- Yes, the one YOU have made up, and it exists ONLY in your imagination.
- 8 years ago
I'm totally comfortable with the fact the my life has no purpose or meaning. Knowing that there is no afterlife just means that I try to get more out of life than someone who thinks it will still get "better" after they die. I know my time is limited so I have to squeeze every ounce of life that I can, and take it in. I sometimes sit and stare at something like a flower petal. Because there will be a time when I no longer can.
I think our only responsibility (and note that I don't use the word "meaning" or purpose") is to learn as much as we can and educate and research and learn learn learn. This will benefit the advancement of our species. Even after we're dead we would have contributed to the lives of our children, their children and many generations onwards.
- Anonymous8 years ago
Exactly how does a god give a life meaning, serving a god is a purpose not a meaning. I have never read or heard anything about any of the gods who humans have created that would ever make me want to live in the same neighborhood as them, never mind devote my life to them.
My purpose is to see that my family are healthy, happy and achieve what they want to. My meaning, (for now), is to get my masters degree in history and then go on to do some original research on the growing political power of the papacy in the 6th to 8th century and its relationship with the Lombards. Also to grow a good crop of chilies, melons, tomatoes and strawberries, (which are very late this year).
My meaning may change with the passage of time, my purpose will not.
- NousLv 78 years ago
Are you really as dangerously unstable as your post suggests?
so if your faith wavers that is how you will behave and be a danger not just to yourself but also to others?
seems you need urgent medical help if that is so followed by pastoral help to discover the believe in the LOVING GOD and just as importantly how to ACT LIKE YOU BELIVE IN ONE!
ALL the other religions and atheists live in peace and are ONLY attacked by BAD Christians which causes all GOOD Christians to despair at the damage they do!
The self destruction of Christianity is underway and the only thing that can stop it is to abandon the terrible human emotions, seek to rediscover the idea of a loving god and act like it!
Posts like yours that drive people further away from God are driving you towards hell.
So who are you working for the devil or the antichrist because it sure ain't the loving god!
- Anonymous8 years ago
So what? That notion doesn't depress me one bit. Heaven would be truly meaningless since everything that is even remotely fun is a sin and the only reason to exist is to worship god and watch your non-believing family members burn in hell. That would be more depressing and meaningless than any suffering that this world has to offer.
- robin_lionheartLv 78 years ago
You remind me of one of my favorite xkcd comics, “Nihilism”:
A: There is no god. Our life is without purpose.
B: Oh, definitely. We are adrift in an uncaring void indifferent to our mortal toil.
―
A: Exactly! In the end, nothing we do matters.
B: (climbing tree) Totally.
A: We just… Why are you climbing that tree?
―
B: (from branches) Because the future is an adventure! Come on!
A: But—
B: Hey! I found squirrels!
Since this is almost certainly the only life we’ll ever live, live it to the fullest!
Source(s): http://xkcd.com/167/
