RE: Share your worldview?
February 6, 2018 at 1:35 am
(This post was last modified: February 6, 2018 at 1:39 am by haig.)
Origin
How do you think we got here - how did humans originate?
There is nothing to think about really. The evidence is overwhelming to the point that evolution is a fact. We evolved. Homo Sapiens really started about 200,000 years ago. A visit to the Hall of Human Origins in New York at the Museum of Natural History, and a book by the curator of that museum called "Masters of the Planet" will enlighten you.
Where did the universe/world come from? Big Bang, God, other?
Big Bang for sure, estimated some 14 billion years ago. More scientific evidence for the Big Bang is being discovered every year, and there is no First Cause involved, there is no supernatural intelligent designer. Just a magnificent event that set things up. We continue to shape our understanding of this event through science.
Meaning
What do you think the purpose of life is?
Why does life have to have a purpose? Yes we are an intelligent species but we are a species like any other species. Do all the dogs in the world follow a common purpose in their lives? Human beings all have different purposes in their lives.
Does human life have meaning? If so, what gives that meaning?
All humans have meaning in their lives, but the meanings are not consistent. I enjoy my family immensely, and my personal meaning is to make sure my children are looked after, after I am gone. I also yearn for knowledge, and will continue to learn new things every day until I die. I am proud of who I am, I love life, and I feel awe everyday to be in a world where natural beauty is all around us. As an atheist, I feel in total control of my actions, and I feel empowered to achieve my goals in my life.
Are humans more significant than other creatures? Are we special? Why?
We are obviously more intelligent then other creatures, and that has us believing we are more significant. But in reality our self centered significance and intelligence may ultimately destroy us. We continue to advance technology at a speed that is faster than our collective will to use that technology safely for the betterment of all life on our planet. I guess that is a little doomsday philosophy, but I must admit I worry about the future of my grandchildren.
Morality
Why do we have moral ethics? Why do some things ‘seem’ bad (like murder).
Do good and bad exist? How do you determine what is good or bad?
Of course we have moral ethics, we are a social animal. Morality is a product of our co-existence. We have rules that we need to abide by in a community.
Let me ask you a simple question. If you woke up tomorrow and decided that you no longer believed in god, would your moral values change? I don't think so.
Morality has absolutely nothing to do with religion. Religion lays claim to moral values when in reality it just provides a social gathering where groups can focus their morality, nothing more.
Are good and evil subjective or universal/absolute?
Good and evil are subjective.
If you don't believe in sin, do you ever feel guilty?
The concept of sin suggests a god hanging around somewhere so I reject that concept. Atheists feel guilt about things, it has nothing to do with religion. Sometimes our actions may not be consistent with our moral values and guilt can result.
Destiny
What happens to us after death?
Our cells, atoms, recycle in the biosphere. There is no conscience that survives us. There are no souls. There is no supernatural.
Is there a heaven / hell?
Absolutely not, though I will admit that when my wife is pissed at me, I am in my own sweet hell
If so, how do you get there? Is there anything specific you have to do?
How do you think we got here - how did humans originate?
There is nothing to think about really. The evidence is overwhelming to the point that evolution is a fact. We evolved. Homo Sapiens really started about 200,000 years ago. A visit to the Hall of Human Origins in New York at the Museum of Natural History, and a book by the curator of that museum called "Masters of the Planet" will enlighten you.
Where did the universe/world come from? Big Bang, God, other?
Big Bang for sure, estimated some 14 billion years ago. More scientific evidence for the Big Bang is being discovered every year, and there is no First Cause involved, there is no supernatural intelligent designer. Just a magnificent event that set things up. We continue to shape our understanding of this event through science.
Meaning
What do you think the purpose of life is?
Why does life have to have a purpose? Yes we are an intelligent species but we are a species like any other species. Do all the dogs in the world follow a common purpose in their lives? Human beings all have different purposes in their lives.
Does human life have meaning? If so, what gives that meaning?
All humans have meaning in their lives, but the meanings are not consistent. I enjoy my family immensely, and my personal meaning is to make sure my children are looked after, after I am gone. I also yearn for knowledge, and will continue to learn new things every day until I die. I am proud of who I am, I love life, and I feel awe everyday to be in a world where natural beauty is all around us. As an atheist, I feel in total control of my actions, and I feel empowered to achieve my goals in my life.
Are humans more significant than other creatures? Are we special? Why?
We are obviously more intelligent then other creatures, and that has us believing we are more significant. But in reality our self centered significance and intelligence may ultimately destroy us. We continue to advance technology at a speed that is faster than our collective will to use that technology safely for the betterment of all life on our planet. I guess that is a little doomsday philosophy, but I must admit I worry about the future of my grandchildren.
Morality
Why do we have moral ethics? Why do some things ‘seem’ bad (like murder).
Do good and bad exist? How do you determine what is good or bad?
Of course we have moral ethics, we are a social animal. Morality is a product of our co-existence. We have rules that we need to abide by in a community.
Let me ask you a simple question. If you woke up tomorrow and decided that you no longer believed in god, would your moral values change? I don't think so.
Morality has absolutely nothing to do with religion. Religion lays claim to moral values when in reality it just provides a social gathering where groups can focus their morality, nothing more.
Are good and evil subjective or universal/absolute?
Good and evil are subjective.
If you don't believe in sin, do you ever feel guilty?
The concept of sin suggests a god hanging around somewhere so I reject that concept. Atheists feel guilt about things, it has nothing to do with religion. Sometimes our actions may not be consistent with our moral values and guilt can result.
Destiny
What happens to us after death?
Our cells, atoms, recycle in the biosphere. There is no conscience that survives us. There are no souls. There is no supernatural.
Is there a heaven / hell?
Absolutely not, though I will admit that when my wife is pissed at me, I am in my own sweet hell
If so, how do you get there? Is there anything specific you have to do?
Living our lives to a grandiose plan of some religious ideals, is an affront to our intelligence, our ability to reason with the evidence before us.
Once those shackles are released, life becomes much more simple, more rewarding. You only have one life to live, don't waste any of it focusing on things you perceive will get you to a favorable after life, unless those things also give you what you want in your life. Just a tip: the after life will not be there.
Once those shackles are released, life becomes much more simple, more rewarding. You only have one life to live, don't waste any of it focusing on things you perceive will get you to a favorable after life, unless those things also give you what you want in your life. Just a tip: the after life will not be there.
