RE: Question about meaning and perception of reality from a theist.
January 7, 2012 at 10:55 pm
[quote='J.D.' pid='225191' dateline='1325988926']
[quote]Sorry, but I don't understand why a god is required for there to be meaning to life. George Washington's life has meaning to me, and there is no god that makes his life meaningful. It was his actions while he lived that gave meaning to it (to you). The same goes with me. I am not the father of my country, but I can still make some small difference that will have made my life meaningful (to you). [/quote]
The bolded part is where you seem to be having trouble. You BELIEVE your life has meaning, but beliefs to not dictate reality. Just because you have the opinion that your life has meaning doesn't make it true. That is the same as saying that because someone has the opinion that God exists, God actually exists...
The italics is an unfounded conclusion. Provide evidence that God does not exist. Evidence can be limited to a logical argument.
[quote]I guess it is a matter of perspective. From my point of view, there is no god and I feel that life is meaningful, and to you there is a god who gives meaning to life, so you have to try to imagine how life without god has meaning.[/quote]
The bold part again is the only thing you really aren't getting. You "feel" your life has meaning, but in reality if there is no God meaning isn't real. You could "feel" that your meaning in life was to rape children and it would be an equally valid meaning.
The italics is your mischaracterization of my argument. Whether or not God exists is not central to my argument. My argument does not assume God exists.
You are correct when you said that through Gods existence life has meaning. If God exists it is possible for life to have an actual meaning regardless of whether or not any of us believe it does. I have no problem imagining how people FEEL life has has meaning if God does not exist. We are conscious, we have beliefs, we can believe life has meaning. No God necessary. If you believe that the meaning you think you have is objectively true a belief in God is necessary.
[quote]If you feel that your life has meaning, than you know it is possible without god because there really is no god.[/quote]
This statement is travesty. I refuse to respond to it. Think.
"if you feel that you are a cantaloupe, than you know it is possible without Batman because there really is no vampire."
[quote]Sorry, but I don't understand why a god is required for there to be meaning to life. George Washington's life has meaning to me, and there is no god that makes his life meaningful. It was his actions while he lived that gave meaning to it (to you). The same goes with me. I am not the father of my country, but I can still make some small difference that will have made my life meaningful (to you). [/quote]
The bolded part is where you seem to be having trouble. You BELIEVE your life has meaning, but beliefs to not dictate reality. Just because you have the opinion that your life has meaning doesn't make it true. That is the same as saying that because someone has the opinion that God exists, God actually exists...
The italics is an unfounded conclusion. Provide evidence that God does not exist. Evidence can be limited to a logical argument.
[quote]I guess it is a matter of perspective. From my point of view, there is no god and I feel that life is meaningful, and to you there is a god who gives meaning to life, so you have to try to imagine how life without god has meaning.[/quote]
The bold part again is the only thing you really aren't getting. You "feel" your life has meaning, but in reality if there is no God meaning isn't real. You could "feel" that your meaning in life was to rape children and it would be an equally valid meaning.
The italics is your mischaracterization of my argument. Whether or not God exists is not central to my argument. My argument does not assume God exists.
You are correct when you said that through Gods existence life has meaning. If God exists it is possible for life to have an actual meaning regardless of whether or not any of us believe it does. I have no problem imagining how people FEEL life has has meaning if God does not exist. We are conscious, we have beliefs, we can believe life has meaning. No God necessary. If you believe that the meaning you think you have is objectively true a belief in God is necessary.
[quote]If you feel that your life has meaning, than you know it is possible without god because there really is no god.[/quote]
This statement is travesty. I refuse to respond to it. Think.
"if you feel that you are a cantaloupe, than you know it is possible without Batman because there really is no vampire."
