Atheism and the meaning of life - what drives you?

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

A lifetime observation is that the average atheist has more intellectual honesty and integrity in his/her little finger than most believers have in their entire body.

Yes, that is the fantasy.

Interesting that the best you can do is an ad hominem.  

Bored now.

[Jackalope]

I think you're the silly one, for thinking God is silly.

It's an old meme, but it checks out.

[Ahriman]

Yes, that is the fantasy.

Interesting that the best you can do is an ad hominem.  

Bored now.

You really think you're better than someone who believes in God? Why?

[Spongebob]

Interesting that the best you can do is an ad hominem.  

Bored now.

You really think you're better than someone who believes in God? Why?

Let's be clear here, having integrity and being honest are NOT the same thing as someone thinking they is better than others.  In fact, those are contradictory positions.  Believing you are better than someone else is a demonstration of a lack of integrity and perhaps intellectual honesty also.

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

Interesting that the best you can do is an ad hominem.  

Bored now.

You really think you're better than someone who believes in God? Why?

 
Kindly don't put words in my mouth sonny.

 I see  I was far too subtle for you.

"Bored now" means I have lost interest in anything you have to say, I've heard it all before, many times, it's tedious.  It also means I'd better stop here before I say some very unkind things.

[Spongebob]

Okay? Well the whole concept of "meaning" within the human experience is irrelevant, since we'll never know the truth any which way. Humans do not exist forever, don't waste your time trying to find some higher meaning in life.

Yeah, don't agree with that.  I can define meaning for me, no problem.  What I don't understand is what adding the adjective "higher" does for the question.  I know what gives life meaning for me; there is no higher or lower meaning as far as I know.

Example:  Filling out my taxes provides no meaning at all for me; its torture.  Painting, otoh, is incredibly enriching.  So, by that logic, if I was forced to do taxes all day every day of my life, I would rather die.  But I could be quite content to paint every day.  I also find meaning in providing for my family, but I really don't see either as "higher" in value than the other.  I think theists like to use this term to suggest that worshiping god or doing god's work is of higher significance in life, but I don't agree.  I certainly feel that when someone decides to dedicate their time to efforts that help strangers or the community are honorable, I still don't see those efforts as higher in value than, say taking care of one's children.  People ultimately do the things that make them feel that their time is well spent, whatever that is.  But a person being a good parent is just as important as building houses for the homeless.  Both are important work and can bring meaning to one's life.

[Ahriman]

You really think you're better than someone who believes in God? Why?

 
Kindly don't put words in my mouth sonny.

 I see  I was far too subtle for you.

"Bored now" means I have lost interest in anything you have to say, I've heard it all before, many times, it's tedious.  It also means I'd better stop here before I say some very unkind things.

You could use some humility.

[Simon Moon]

Interesting that the best you can do is an ad hominem.  

Bored now.

You really think you're better than someone who believes in God? Why?

So, earlier you made it clear that you do not understand epistemology (beliefs, facts, knowledge).

And now you make if clear that you do not understand what intellectual honesty and integrity mean, either.

It would be nice if you actually acknowledged when someone correctly pointed out when you wrong on a certain point. But then, that would require...wait for it....intellectual honesty.

If you ask any of us atheists here, if we want to be corrected if we have a false or unsupported belief, and universally, we will answer, yes.

I want to have as many true beliefs, and eliminate, from my mind, as many false beliefs as possible.

Why don't you?

[Spongebob]

Actually, I would like to add that doing anything with my finances is the most tedious and boring thing for me. I have no desire for money except that I need it to buy food and electricity. But accumulating money and managing it and dealing with it is just life suckingly boring. I hate it. Yet for many people it is the ONLY thing in their life.

[Ahriman]

You really think you're better than someone who believes in God? Why?

So, earlier you made it clear that you do not understand epistemology (beliefs, facts, knowledge).

And now you make if clear that you do not understand what intellectual honesty and integrity mean, either.

It would be nice if you actually acknowledged when someone correctly pointed out when you wrong on a certain point. But then, that would require...wait for it....intellectual honesty.

If you ask any of us atheists here, if we want to be corrected if we have a false or unsupported belief, and universally, we will answer, yes.

I want to have as many true beliefs, and eliminate as many false beliefs as possible.

Why don't you?

Because who cares? Is life a contest to see who has the most "true" beliefs?