RE: Lack of "Connection" to something higher - is this holding atheism back?
February 25, 2012 at 5:41 pm
@Rhythm: Yes, people of all walks of life find purpose in hobbies or the media they consume. However, at the end of the day, the type of purpose those activities provide isn't enough for many people.
Regarding you not needing an alternative to something you don't desire in the first place, I would say most atheists do not desire religion. However, they may desire the non-religious things which religion offers in one package.
@ Insanity X: I agree in the sense that I believe life has no inherent purpose. However, I do follow the existentialist belief that we may make our own purpose for life. Does that make the purpose one creates some sort of "truth" that is applicable to all? Of course not. When I think alternative to religion I'm thinking of the formation of an arbitrary purpose or set of goals that people can choose to follow with others. To create a purpose for oneself doesn't mean one doesn't realize that life is innately meaningless.
Regarding you not needing an alternative to something you don't desire in the first place, I would say most atheists do not desire religion. However, they may desire the non-religious things which religion offers in one package.
@ Insanity X: I agree in the sense that I believe life has no inherent purpose. However, I do follow the existentialist belief that we may make our own purpose for life. Does that make the purpose one creates some sort of "truth" that is applicable to all? Of course not. When I think alternative to religion I'm thinking of the formation of an arbitrary purpose or set of goals that people can choose to follow with others. To create a purpose for oneself doesn't mean one doesn't realize that life is innately meaningless.
