What, if anything, is the point?

One can have faith in humanity's ingeniousness in steadily improving quality of life for as many as possible without having what is usually seen as religious faith.

grandmajet

I suppose this follows on from the discussion of faith yesterday. Is there, or does there even have to be, a point to our lives? Enjoying ourselves, loving our family, being kind and helpful to others are what we want to do, but in the end, we die, and that’s that. What was it all about?

I don't think there is a 'point' nor that there needs to be except, perhaps, in societally and environmentally postive ways, (because positivity feeds back advantageously both individually and collectively) the pursuit of happiness.

What it's all about in my view, via Carl Sagan, is that we are scraps of stardust to whom extraordinary things have happened to make us alive and conscious of being so.

Not everyone agrees that Christianity has been hi-jacked by the politically Right Wing Alexa what you've posted is a point of view, not fact.

"But if you have faith you don't believe that's it do you?" That's right Calendargirl you don't.

It's a belief in "something after death" for many that makes them bother about the life they lead before death comes Alexa.

What's it all about? Why are we here?

We're here because we happen to be on a planet which is in The Goldilocks zone and because life gradually evolved.

The way we are behaving and treating the planet we may not be here for another couple of hundred thousand years.

Calendar Girl relied to me:
"I think that’s rather unfair. Just because there is a belief in something after death does not mean no effort is made to try and improve the existence we have."

Nevertheless this unfairness is how Christianity has been hi-jacked by the politically Right Wing who do not want to spend a lot of money on improving this terrestrial life for the poor and downtrodden.

I have faith in myself which has kept me strong in mind and body. Without that I know I wouldn't be who I am now.

I think many feel like this at times. I've asked myself a few times " is this it ?" , then I have to think of those who really are in the doldrums in many ways.
At least I've had my life, managed to come through difficult times unscathed really ( only more time will tell ) and have travelled extensively.
Ageing is renouned for bringing these feelings.

Alexa

The main trouble about the Vicar's hope in life after death is that it is an excuse for not bothering to make this world a better world.

I think that’s rather unfair. Just because there is a belief in something after death does not mean no effort is made to try and improve the existence we have.

Helping others to be happy is very rewarding and gives meaning to my life. I’m not some kind of martyr; I’m often too lazy and selfish to make the effort! All I can say is that, when I do, it feels great.

Shinamae

I know what you mean about time. I am the same age as you. I was only discussing with DH this morning about a big event in my life 21 years ago. It still seems very recent in many ways!

As you say, it’s scary when you visualise the next 20 or so years flying by as quickly.

That’s it Grandmajet ! No I don’t think I’ll be on a pink cloud playing the harp. We have reproduced and done our duty like all living beings. If we can go through life just doing ‘ordinary’ things without too much grief, then we’ll be very lucky indeed.

The main trouble about the Vicar's hope in life after death is that it is an excuse for not bothering to make this world a better world.

I am agnostic, I have great faith in mother nature. I do actually envy people who have a faith, my ex-husband was from Liverpool and had had the catholic faith indoctrinated into him from a small child so although I personally don’t agree with that I do envy the fact that however he got it he has got a faith and that comforts him and if as I suspect there is nothing after death then he will not be disappointed because he will know nothing about it...

but in the end we die, and that’s it

But if you have faith, you don’t believe ‘that’s it’ do you?

A vicar said that when he had a conversation with a humanist celebrant at a funeral, he said that his faith offered him ‘hope’, and that was the difference.

Thank you grandmajet You too. I have whinged often on here.

It’s concern for the future and past that is the curse of humankind. The rest of creation just lives in the moment.

The purpose of Life is to recreate itself.

We have stepped outside that and pay the cost.

Kate, sorry to hear that your life has been hard. Your DH is probably right. Hope things are good for you now.

I often don't see the point. My life hasn't been easy. Pretty horrible really. When I say to my DH 'What's the point?', he says 'Its all we've got'.

What about the lives of other living things, including plant life, everything just goes round and round. Watching birds, and envying them their live for the moment life. However, they still make nests, pair up, lay eggs, raise their young; do they have a sense of the future, or is it just instinct?
Inside my head is a strange place at the moment.

Yes I agree with Alexa, we make our own purpose and it is different for everyone.

Funnily enough I genuinely and generally feel like that when I first wake up in the morning but as the day goes on I get better. I am now 68 and if the next 20 years goes by as quickly ?‍♀️?‍♀️?‍♀️ as the last that’s what scares me. I know I should live in the day, take each 24 hours as it comes and actually be very grateful that l am alive because old-age “is a privilege denied to many” including my own brother who died at 49 but I feel how I feel.....?

There doesn't seem much point to anything lately.

Very existentialist grandmajet.
The point to me is that by believing in something bigger maybe I am living a better, as you say kinder, life here on earth.

Like it or not we are responsible as adult mean and women for making our own meanings. We are not children who have to be spoon= fed what the point is.