Atheism and the meaning of life - what drives you?

[Ahriman]

Not really, not "challenge". I mean, I don't feel threatened. I'm sure someone else in the world has the same beliefs I have.

No, I don't mean challenge as in threaten.  Rather do they sometimes cause you to question what you really think or believe about something?  Do they cause you to go deeper in thought about a topic than you have before?  I'm asking this because if you are having difficulty putting your thoughts to words then perhaps these questions are taking you somewhere you haven't been before in your thoughts.  And this is a good thing.  This is precisely why I engage in this way with others.  When people talk about things like the meaning of life, I'm hoping someone says something I've never heard or thought of before because this provides me with a new idea that I should evaluate and perhaps incorporate into my own worldview.  I know this must come as a shock to you since you think that I'm narrow minded and rigid, but this is the truth.  I was narrow minded and rigid back when I was an obedient Christian.  But listening to others and thinking about what they said had an impact on me and led me to widen my worldview significantly.

No, that never happens.

[vulcanlogician]

Happens to me all the time. And I like it when that happens. Because it's a learning opportunity.

[LadyForCamus]

No, I don't mean challenge as in threaten.  Rather do they sometimes cause you to question what you really think or believe about something?  Do they cause you to go deeper in thought about a topic than you have before?  I'm asking this because if you are having difficulty putting your thoughts to words then perhaps these questions are taking you somewhere you haven't been before in your thoughts.  And this is a good thing.  This is precisely why I engage in this way with others.  When people talk about things like the meaning of life, I'm hoping someone says something I've never heard or thought of before because this provides me with a new idea that I should evaluate and perhaps incorporate into my own worldview.  I know this must come as a shock to you since you think that I'm narrow minded and rigid, but this is the truth.  I was narrow minded and rigid back when I was an obedient Christian.  But listening to others and thinking about what they said had an impact on me and led me to widen my worldview significantly.

No, that never happens.

Then why are you here?

[Spongebob]

Happens to me all the time. And I like it when that happens. Because it's a learning opportunity.

Precisely.  I suppose one could say that learning is a large part of what makes life meaningful to me.  See how I brought it back on topic?

In fact, my first post to this forum was about an autobiographical book/film that was receiving negative reviews and I failed to understand where the criticism was coming from, so I asked an open question on the forum if anyone had any perspective on that.  I hadn't intended to join a new atheist forum because I had participated on one for over a decade before it collapsed and decided it was too much of a time sink anyway, but I did want some honest opinions about this book.  I simply could not rest until I understand the opposing perspective on the book.

[Ahriman]

No, that never happens.

Then why are you here?

Just to throw in my two cents when I feel it's appropriate. Same as anybody else.

[Spongebob]

No, I don't mean challenge as in threaten.  Rather do they sometimes cause you to question what you really think or believe about something?  Do they cause you to go deeper in thought about a topic than you have before?  I'm asking this because if you are having difficulty putting your thoughts to words then perhaps these questions are taking you somewhere you haven't been before in your thoughts.  And this is a good thing.  This is precisely why I engage in this way with others.  When people talk about things like the meaning of life, I'm hoping someone says something I've never heard or thought of before because this provides me with a new idea that I should evaluate and perhaps incorporate into my own worldview.  I know this must come as a shock to you since you think that I'm narrow minded and rigid, but this is the truth.  I was narrow minded and rigid back when I was an obedient Christian.  But listening to others and thinking about what they said had an impact on me and led me to widen my worldview significantly.

No, that never happens.

Well, if this never happens, then I don't understand how or why you have difficulty expressing yourself.  If you understand where you are on a given topic and nothing anyone here says challenges your thinking, then you should be well acquainted with your own thoughts and thus, able to express them adequately.  You just start typing and see what comes out.  Or is it that you just don't like to type all that much?  I do notice that most of your posts are very short and you seem to enjoy criticizing me for being verbose.

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Then why are you here?

Just to throw in my two cents when I feel it's appropriate. Same as anybody else.

That is most certainly NOT what everyone else is doing.  I just explained that to you.  Did you not read it or did you not understand it?

[arewethereyet]

Then why are you here?

Just to throw in my two cents when I feel it's appropriate. Same as anybody else.

It doesn't seem that we are getting a full two cents worth.

[LadyForCamus]

Then why are you here?

Just to throw in my two cents when I feel it's appropriate. Same as anybody else.

Why do you think your two cents should matter?

[no one]

Not for nothing, but once, I threw in three cents.

[Silver]

Not for nothing, but once, I threw in three cents.

Too rich for my blood.

*folds*