Overly Chatty Penguins

The Ready Room => Off Topic => Topic started by: Uranium - 235 on February 07, 2004, 06:12:31 PM

Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Uranium - 235 on February 07, 2004, 06:12:31 PM: What's the non-Douglas Adam's meaning of life?

I think this is where the thread started to slide off topic, so I decided to do the splits.

Teh groinache. Teh hideous hideous groinache...[/size]
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Smoke Nova on February 07, 2004, 07:43:45 PM: Cogito Ergo Sum.

I think therefore I am.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Niteowl on February 07, 2004, 07:44:25 PM: Quote
What's the non-Douglas Adam's meaning of life?
damn you for prefixing that question!!
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: JHunz on February 07, 2004, 10:29:40 PM: Quote
What's the non-Douglas Adam's meaning of life?
41
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Bogglesteinsky on February 08, 2004, 01:30:59 AM: There is no meaning to life. Everything is just a poinless waste of time and resources.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Dirty Harry Potter on February 08, 2004, 05:04:46 AM: somehow i think the meaning of life is the find the meaning of life, and then follow it... and every person has a different 'meaning' because of their personality/taste/etc.

i know this sounds kinda like en easy answer - but well everyone has different goals, and to pack that down to one large saying would be tough, and it would probably require some more knowlegde on how we work psychically(sp?), like a 'map' of chain reactions and interactions...
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: BobTheJanitor on February 08, 2004, 12:59:51 PM: Quote
There is no meaning to life. Everything is just a poinless waste of time and resources.
I sense commrage.

DHP: Stop thinking so hard; go play a game. ; )
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Uranium - 235 on February 08, 2004, 02:13:13 PM: Comm, drop me a book on zen buddhism, stat! ;)
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Dirty Harry Potter on February 08, 2004, 04:49:58 PM: Quote
DHP: Stop thinking so hard; go play a game. ; )
talking a tad serious here - i have done that the most of my life... and believe me it doesnt really help. im still a somewhat depressed person -_-, and you can only look away from reality for so long...
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Satiagraha on February 08, 2004, 06:53:04 PM: Quote
and you can only look away from reality for so long...
and then you view it with a look of disgust and return to your gaming safehaven v_v
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: BobTheJanitor on February 08, 2004, 07:10:49 PM: Do we need a new topic for people that think too hard to vent their depression? Cuz let me tell you...
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Malevolent on February 08, 2004, 07:29:48 PM: Quote
Do we need a new topic for people that think too hard to vent their depression? Cuz let me tell you...
What we really need is a topic for comms to vent their commrage. So, if they just had a terrible game, they can complain about it. They could also ask what they could of done differently to get players to be organized, etc.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Black Mage on February 08, 2004, 09:52:16 PM: our reason for existance is to continue existing
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Legionnaired on February 08, 2004, 09:55:04 PM: Quote
our reason for existance is to continue existing
Hardly seems like a worthwhile reason.

I follow Christ. Most fulfilling thing I've ever done and ever will do.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Niteowl on February 08, 2004, 10:45:52 PM: lets keep the religious chat to a minimum. not that there is anything wrong with what you said, i just don't want to see it go down that road, further. just for future reference. you can say, i'm buddhist, or christian, or whatever. but by gut instinct tells me we should keep religious discussion to a nice low key level :)
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Smoke Nova on February 08, 2004, 10:56:11 PM: I still hold...

Cogito Ergo Sum.

That is the meaning of life.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: @gentOrange on February 08, 2004, 11:36:28 PM: The meaning of life is latin for I think therfor I am?

Eh this post was about naming of ships. Why you gotta drag the whole emo "life is meaningless" tom foolery into it huh?
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: lolfighter on February 09, 2004, 05:09:06 AM: To quote Last Order: You don't need a reason to live.

And to add my own thoughts: If you needed one, you'd stop living without one. But even those who can't find something to justify their existence keep on existing. You don't need to find an excuse for your life, you don't need to see yourself as a part of some greater plan. You don't need to justify your existence. You were born for no particular reason, you might well die for no particular reason, and there's no particular reason for the life you lead inbetween. Life's what you make it. If you need a reason for your life, make one. If you need justification for your existence, justify it. But don't go searching for the answer like somebody else can tell you, or like a slip of paper will magically flutter from the heavens with directions for your course in life.

Unless you are a devout of Darwin's teaching, in which case the meaning of life is to reproduce. So go do that, I hear it's mighty fun.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Dirty Harry Potter on February 09, 2004, 06:33:06 AM: LF just said what i should have said :) espicially these two sentences:
Quote
If you need a reason for your life, make one. If you need justification for your existence, justify it.

Life is what you make it, is i think one of the best Emo killers - at least in my coincidence...Yes im emo at times..
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Legionnaired on February 09, 2004, 06:38:34 PM: Quote
If you need a reason for your life, make one. If you need justification for your existence, justify it. But don't go searching for the answer like somebody else can tell you, or like a slip of paper will magically flutter from the heavens with directions for your course in life.

I'd have to argue the contrary. I wouldn't have the meaning in my life I have now if I didn't look for it, and I wouldn't have the purpose I have if someone had not told me.

Nobody needs a reason to justify their life. But let me tell you, it sure as hell makes it more incredible and amazing to live out when you have a destination in mind, one where just moving in that direction provides joy.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: BobTheJanitor on February 09, 2004, 11:13:00 PM: Quote
lets keep the religious chat to a minimum. not that there is anything wrong with what you said, i just don't want to see it go down that road, further. just for future reference. you can say, i'm buddhist, or christian, or whatever. but by gut instinct tells me we should keep religious discussion to a nice low key level :)
Dangit, there goes my 'argue your religion' thread RIGHT out the window. I'll just have to pick something nice and safe like 'defend your politics' instead! >:D
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: lolfighter on February 10, 2004, 09:20:46 AM: Bob loves the smell of napalm in the morning it seems...

Legionnaired, I partially agree with what you say. From what I understand, you're religious, which is where you get your purpose in life from. That's how it has worked for christians for the last two millenia. But the problem nowadays, and the reason why people are so actively looking for a reason for their life, is that religion is on the decline. Many people are not religious at all, and many people are only casually religious (half of which are just afraid to admit that they're not).

What I said was not meant for those that have found a reason, it was for those who are looking for one. Agonizing for one. And I'm saying that the realization that there doesn't have to be one is very enlightening.

Quote
Life is what you make it, is i think one of the best Emo killers - at least in my coincidence...Yes im emo at times..
In danish, the word "tilfælde" can mean both "case" and "coincidence", depending on context. Here, the correct translation is "case".
The sentence just struck me as odd, and I immediately noticed why you'd made that error, so... Yeah. Sorry. :)
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Black Mage on February 10, 2004, 09:52:55 AM: your purpose is do die and feed a group of worms

until then, you exist to convert O2 into CO2 and help plants breathe
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Niteowl on February 10, 2004, 09:56:15 AM: i used to be really religious, but then the logical fallacies kept on smacking me upside the head. so now i'm not. i'm just cynical and ebil. EEBIILL!

i'll state my case in pseudo-code, because.. well, i'm geeky.

Religion r = new Religion();
r.addReason(Reasons.SALVATION);
r.addReason(Reasons.KNOWLEDGEOFGOD);
r.addQuality(Qualities.FAIR);
r.addQuality(Qualities.COMPASSIONATE);

while(Time.goBackOneYear() && Time.getValue()>158,000 BC){
if(r.allReasonsAndQualitiesConsistent()!=true){
niteowl.adhereToReligion(false);
}
}
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Legionnaired on February 10, 2004, 01:51:45 PM: If I read that right, you are saying that it seems illogical that a fair and compassionate God would not allow certain people salvation?

If so, then I agree with you. Nobody, not even the wicked and ebil are denyed salvation, the only thing needed is to ask for forgiveness, through Christ's work.

People tried to follow God's rules for a perfect life for thousands of years before Christ's time. There's the ten commandments, certainly, but also another 603 that are defined in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In all that time, not a single person could keep those rules perfectly, could have the absolute moral perfection that God calls for. (God, being a morally perfect and just being, cannot, will not allow imperfection into his presence.)

It's for this reason that Christ came and was crucified, to present some other payment for the sins of the world. When people talk of "the savior" or "the messiah," they mean it in the sense that Jesus of his own free will, offered his own perfect self in the place of the world.

Salvation is available, but God isn't one to force it upon us, he gives it up to us as a choice. Why?

I, and apparently you, could write code that outputs "I love you." Thousands of times, and it would never mean anything. Yet, said once from a real human being, it means everything. Love, or hate, or indifference, out of a free choice to love or hate or be apathetic, is the only thing that matters. So it is with God.

God is fair in denying salvation, we all had the chance to live perfectly, and yet we all choose to rebel, and for that we don't deserve anything. Yet, He is also perfectly compassionate in offering up His own self in our place. Christianity isn't about abiding by a set of rules, nor completing an endless list of tasks, it's just accepting the fact that Jesus is in fact Lord, and asking him to make his sacrifice apply to you. The rest is all just applications of that radical message.

I hope that wasn't too heavy-handed for issue, well, at hand. If you don't like it, go ahead and nuke it, but since you brought up your thoughts on God, I figured I might as well follow suit.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Niteowl on February 10, 2004, 01:58:27 PM: no, a fair and compassionate god would not allow everyone to not KNOW him.

btw, you don't need to tell me the doctrine of christianity, i know it pretty well :D

naw, your post is fine. i got sucked into this discussion, i can't expect ppl to not reply in kind. this is, tbh, one of my more favorite topics of discussion.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Legionnaired on February 10, 2004, 02:10:30 PM: Quote
no, a fair and compassionate god would not allow everyone to not KNOW him.

btw, you don't need to tell me the doctrine of christianity, i know it pretty well :D

naw, your post is fine. i got sucked into this discussion, i can't expect ppl to not reply in kind. this is, tbh, one of my more favorite topics of discussion.
Ahh. I misread the code then :).

If you look at early church history though, you really see how God has moved in amazing ways to see to it that everyone at least has the choice to know him, or at least, have knowledge that He is out there somewhere.

If you start talking to missionaries, you really see how a lot of culture's local traditions and legends have something in them that mimics a biblical story, be it the flood, or in some cases, a god that has come to earth to die, only to raise again.

We're also told in the Great Commission, Mt 28:18-20, that He will be with us as we do go out and 'spread the word,' and He will act in some amazing ways to get his message out. Everywhere that a person would respond, someone is there to act upon them. (The eunich in Acts 8? for example.)
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: BobTheJanitor on February 10, 2004, 02:27:49 PM: So we ARE starting the religious debate eh... eeeeexcellent. Let me go get an alcoholic beverage and I'll be right with you. Half drunken religious discussion may be my second favorite thing in the world.

Well, actually I'm at work and don't have time to shatter you all with my stunning logic and debate tactics, but I'll get around to it later, fear not.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Dirty Harry Potter on February 10, 2004, 02:29:11 PM: Quote

Quote
Life is what you make it, is i think one of the best Emo killers - at least in my coincidence...Yes im emo at times..
In danish, the word "tilfælde" can mean both "case" and "coincidence", depending on context. Here, the correct translation is "case".
The sentence just struck me as odd, and I immediately noticed why you'd made that error, so... Yeah. Sorry. :)
its okay, you didnt like "OMG YOU SUCK AT SPELLZ00r!", but you told me what i did wrong, and how to fix it. And now that you're saying it, it makes perfectly sense XD
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Niteowl on February 10, 2004, 03:01:55 PM: although that might be the case. the problem still arises that there are millions of ppl who do not get to 'know' whatever god you might adhere to due to spatial and or temporal limitations. seems unfair and uncompassionate to me.

but if religions brings joy and meaning to your life, all the better :)
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: BobTheJanitor on February 10, 2004, 03:17:35 PM: Oh I really shouldn't get into it now, but still: Just because Christ said that he was the only way to the good life, doesn't mean that actually KNOWING him is the only way to do it. Everyone seems to have this idea that you have to have heard of the man Jesus to be saved by his actions... I don't see that as being the case at all, and I'm fairly certain that readings of scriptures don't rule it out either.

Basically, I think the idea of some, say, perfectly nice african tribesman who never saw a missionary in his life dying and being told 'sorry, it's hell for you buddy, you don't even get the choice!' is just as repugnant to God as it is to you or me. Now those that are given the choice in life, and make their choice then are a different story, but I really don't have time right now, argh!
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Niteowl on February 10, 2004, 03:19:48 PM: Quote
Oh I really shouldn't get into it now, but still: Just because Christ said that he was the only way to the good life, doesn't mean that actually KNOWING him is the only way to do it. Everyone seems to have this idea that you have to have heard of the man Jesus to be saved by his actions... I don't see that as being the case at all, and I'm fairly certain that readings of scriptures don't rule it out either.

Basically, I think the idea of some, say, perfectly nice african tribesman who never saw a missionary in his life dying and being told 'sorry, it's hell for you buddy, you don't even get the choice!' is just as repugnant to God as it is to you or me. Now those that are given the choice in life, and make their choice then are a different story, but I really don't have time right now, argh!
yes, i know the theology of how christ saves those who don't even know him. i know this. the problem is taht these ppl STILL don't know about whatever god you happen to believe in.

gah, just read my code again.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Niteowl on July 26, 2004, 05:08:36 PM: bump for bob!
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Evangelion_2 on July 26, 2004, 06:22:32 PM: Watch Monty Python's Meaning of Life..it will explain everything! :ph34r:
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Fewlio on July 26, 2004, 10:08:00 PM: What about satan? I mean if we're going to talk about religion and god, we have to include satan :p.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: That Annoying Kid on July 26, 2004, 11:06:32 PM: My whole take on the meaning of life is that humans will continue on replicating until the purpose is discovered.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: fatty on July 26, 2004, 11:33:04 PM: the meaning of life is to play ns.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Grimm on July 27, 2004, 12:15:50 AM: If the meaning of life is truly to play NS, I'd rather go swallow a bullet than spend my life suffering through the horror.

And why exactly did Niteowl bump this thread?
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Seth on July 27, 2004, 01:57:28 AM: the meaning of life is to suffer, suffer at the hands of others, suffer of your own deeds and to ultimatly die someday which will be your only release from this prision that is your body... also the meaning of life is to inflict suffering upon others be it lower life forms or whatever tickles your sychotic funny bone...
be it a crule way to offer peace to other beings, death is a part of life, it is a part of us all. we can never excape it but we can choose how we will greet it, weather you go out fighting or as a old invilid man sleeping with his wife.

truely a bullet would seem so humain. it is our nature to destroy, and in the destruction springs new life and so the chain continue's.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: JHunz on July 27, 2004, 02:08:11 AM: Quote
the meaning of life is to suffer, suffer at the hands of others, suffer of your own deeds and to ultimatly die someday which will be your only release from this prision that is your body... also the meaning of life is to inflict suffering upon others be it lower life forms or whatever tickles your sychotic funny bone...
be it a crule way to offer peace to other beings, death is a part of life, it is a part of us all. we can never excape it but we can choose how we will greet it, weather you go out fighting or as a old invilid man sleeping with his wife.

truely a bullet would seem so humain. it is our nature to destroy, and in the destruction springs new life and so the chain continue's.
I can't decide if that's goth or emo. Someone help me out here
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: ThoraX on July 27, 2004, 03:55:47 AM: Quote
the meaning of life is to reproduce.
exactly. think about it; all life exists to create more life, all of life's existance revolves around the eventual point where reproduction must occur. think in terms of animals. the reason they live is to eventually mate and carry on the survival of their species. it is also one of the single most important things to an animal during it's lifetime. the mating habits (nest building, courtship dances etc) and such things use up alot of time and energy for some animals when their entire life revolves around conserving energy and spending time effectively. hell, even plants and microorganisms need to reproduce and exist today because if the urge that's hard-coded into every animal. that's the meaing! now go out there and hump like bunnies, people! (not all together in a big pile, of course).
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Dirty Harry Potter on July 27, 2004, 05:16:51 AM: well yes, but since we're sentinent beings capable of thinking for ourselves and not "slaved" by instincts, we could in fact, do something else and find a meaning in that.

And Jhunz, does it matter? >:D

And Seth, feel free to think how you like, but erm...it's possible to break whatever beliefs oneself has, and thus change how life actually is.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Dubbilex on July 27, 2004, 05:35:55 AM: Quote
Quote
the meaning of life is to suffer, suffer at the hands of others, suffer of your own deeds and to ultimatly die someday which will be your only release from this prision that is your body... also the meaning of life is to inflict suffering upon others be it lower life forms or whatever tickles your sychotic funny bone...
be it a crule way to offer peace to other beings, death is a part of life, it is a part of us all. we can never excape it but we can choose how we will greet it, weather you go out fighting or as a old invilid man sleeping with his wife.

truely a bullet would seem so humain. it is our nature to destroy, and in the destruction springs new life and so the chain continue's.
I can't decide if that's goth or emo. Someone help me out here
:p

Well, the purpose of life is to find your own purpose. There is no preexisting purpose set in place for us, so this actual purpose (even if one decides to find one) is of tenuous validity.

I mean, Legionnaired's purpose in life is to follow the dictrines of Christianity and to become happy in doing so. Mine is siumply to float along until i find that one thing that just fits and makes me eternally happy. But since each of these purposes come from our own respective minds, one is no more "correct" than the other. They're both purposes, and they're both what drives us, respectively.

In short, the entire point of life is in getting to the destination you set for yourself or feel was set for you. It's really much simpler than we make it out to be - we just make it more complicated so we can seem more special.

At least I think so :D
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: lolfighter on July 27, 2004, 05:57:11 AM: Quote
I can't decide if that's goth or emo. Someone help me out here
Having had a tiny bit of contact with goths, I'd say that isn't goth. Goths generally complain that life is too shallow. Beneath all the makeup and black clothes and sulky attitude, they're romantics of the worst (or is that best?) kind. They reason why they seem so depressed and sulky is because they seek a deeper, beatiful meaning in life, but realize that they are searching for a perfection that can never be found, and that they'll have to settle for the next-best thing.

I'd call Seth's opinions angst. Please believe me when I say that I don't mean this in a belittling way: It'll pass. Life isn't like that.

Actually, maybe Seth IS an aspiring goth. If so, go ahead. You'll feel better for it I think.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Seth on July 27, 2004, 07:22:12 AM: Goth? haha thats kinda funny.

i'm not a goth i think goths are whiney cry babies, but you put it much better.

i've had quiet a few goth friends yes, some of which proceded to later commit suicide ( RiP ) but i'm no goth.

what i meant was the only reason your life exsist is to be tested, challenged, and it is you and your freewill that allows you to either overcome the obsticals of everyday or fail.

without challenge, a test, we would be obsolete our exsistance on this planet pointless... and all be it that "challenge" may have changed over the millenia ( or even man-made, thank you george bush ) but it has always been there in one form or another in each one of our lives, weather it be passing that final taking the driver's test or whatever.

if there wasnt someone/something challenging you everyday why would you bother to get out of bed, let alone live.

i dont mean to be quoting great people or nothing but, it is better to have honestly failed then to have faulsly won? right?
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Dubbilex on July 27, 2004, 08:00:38 AM: Quote
..

i dont mean to be quoting great people or nothing but, it is better to have honestly failed then to have faulsly won? right?
nah B)
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Diablus on July 27, 2004, 09:17:40 AM: Life. They sell those on Ebay right?
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Niteowl on July 27, 2004, 09:32:56 AM: this is why i bumped this, and nobody really addressed the two prongs of this argument, just the one (salvation)

"
i used to be really religious, but then the logical fallacies kept on smacking me upside the head. so now i'm not. i'm just cynical and ebil. EEBIILL!

i'll state my case in pseudo-code, because.. well, i'm geeky.

Religion r = new Religion();
r.addReason(Reasons.SALVATION);
r.addReason(Reasons.KNOWLEDGEOFGOD);
r.addQuality(Qualities.FAIR);
r.addQuality(Qualities.COMPASSIONATE);

while(Time.goBackOneYear() && Time.getValue()>158,000 BC){
if(r.allReasonsAndQualitiesConsistent()!=true){
niteowl.adhereToReligion(false);
}
}
"
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: BobTheJanitor on July 27, 2004, 09:57:24 AM: Could you possible translate that to BASIC? Or maybe logo? I never got around to learning a real programming language, just the easy junk they teach you in jr. high where you finish the assignments in 5 minutes and have plenty of time to go read a book. :p
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Grimm on July 27, 2004, 10:06:40 AM: Yea, Niteowl, we're not all a bunch of über-nerds who can speak in code, and it would be nice if you just said in plain english what point you're trying to make.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: ThoraX on July 27, 2004, 11:22:20 AM: nah... just draw a picture in red crayon. it'll be easiest to understand.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Dubbilex on July 27, 2004, 11:45:08 AM: He's basically saying that if you can proive to him that Salvation, Knowledge of God, Fairness, and compassion didn't exist in religion in 158,000 BC, he won't follow that religion.

My guess is ol' hoots is trying to make some jab at the fact that religion has always been the pursuit of the big man at the expense of the little guy, and saying that the reasonhe doesn't follow religious dogma NOW is because of the sordid, shadowy past of basically every western religion.

But...well...I really do know nothing. Take it or leave it :p
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Niteowl on July 27, 2004, 12:28:09 PM: Religion r = new Religion();
r.addReason(Reasons.SALVATION);
r.addReason(Reasons.KNOWLEDGEOFGOD);
r.addQuality(Qualities.FAIR);
r.addQuality(Qualities.COMPASSIONATE);

while(Time.goBackOneYear() && Time.getValue()>158,000 BC){
if(r.allReasonsAndQualitiesConsistent()!=true){
niteowl.adhereToReligion(false);
}
}

translation:
reasons for adhering to religion are Salvation (whatever, save my soul from Original Sin, release me from samsara, make sure i dont' reincarnate into a tape worm next go around, etc), and Knowledge of Whatever God you are talking about.

IF that religion is fair and compassionate, then it ISN"T consistent as you go further past it's origins, since obviously ppl weren't exposed to said religion before it was founded/invented/whatever. this also refers to SPACE, depending on WHERE you lived as much as WHEN.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: lolfighter on July 30, 2004, 09:39:25 AM: Random fact: Buddhism is the only major religion that no war has been started over.

I don't remember whether I've said this before. I also haven't bothered to verify it, so I present it "as-is". If you have evidence that I'm wrong, you're probably right.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: BobTheJanitor on July 30, 2004, 09:57:31 AM: Quote
Random fact: Buddhism is the only major religion that no war has been started over.
Quick, let's start one. Can individuals declare war? Or is that only the reserved perogative of soverign nation-states (and GW Bush)?
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Bogglesteinsky on August 04, 2004, 11:30:53 AM: Quote
the meaning of life is to suffer, suffer at the hands of others, suffer of your own deeds and to ultimatly die someday which will be your only release from this prision that is your body... also the meaning of life is to inflict suffering upon others be it lower life forms or whatever tickles your sychotic funny bone...
be it a crule way to offer peace to other beings, death is a part of life, it is a part of us all. we can never excape it but we can choose how we will greet it, weather you go out fighting or as a old invilid man sleeping with his wife.

truely a bullet would seem so humain. it is our nature to destroy, and in the destruction springs new life and so the chain continue's.
[snapback]23798[/snapback]

hang on. If the meaning of life it to suffer and die, why don't we just slowly suffocate babies as soon as they are born? They will suffer and die, and not have to do any of the boring waiting process called living in the mean time.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: rad4Christ on August 04, 2004, 12:38:36 PM: Quote
but if religions brings joy and meaning to your life, all the better :)
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NiteOwl, if I'm in this because I want to feel good, boy was I screwed. My life was SO much easier before accepting Christ's salvation. Because when I made Him Lord of my life, now I had a purpose to live for, and a plan for me, but I was also a threat to Satan, and constantly attacked. When I decided to become a minister, I realized I was taking a major pay cut, going into unknown territory, and doing something that would be very hard. If it wasn't for the strength and love of my God, I'd be back in computers a long time ago. But you know, Christianity isn't the save all solution to your problems. It is only the acceptance of God's free gift of salvation, and the commitment to live for the Creator, your God, and your Friend. Is it painful? Yes. Tough? Yes. A constant struggle? Yes. Is it really worth it? YES.

Bob, as to your comment about tribesman. Yes, I agree, it's repugnant. Every day when thousands of people die without the promise of eternity, it's repugnant. I hate it, you hate it, God hates it. But, it happens. We are called as Christ's followers to go into the world and preach the Gospel. Why do you think we work so hard to tell others about Jesus? To increase our numbers? For political strength? No. Because ONLY by the blood of Jesus can anyone see heaven. I do it so people, teenagers, can know that God loves them, died for them, wants to be with them every step of their life, has a plan for them, and wants to give them eternal security. I do it so someday I can see those I care about in heaven with God. But when His followers aren't doing our job, if we aren't reaching out to others, if we aren't sharing the truth, then people like that tribesman in Africa suffer. Yes, it sucks. Do something about it. Go there. That's why I'm wehre I'm at. I'm sick of watching teenagers throw their lives away on drugs, beer, sex, money, whatever garbage they can. Not when there is a purpose for them, and a God who wants to give them a life more abundant and free than they could imagine. Yes, I have alot of struggles in my life, my job, and my spiritual relationship with God. But it's worht every bit of it because every day I'm renewed by a Spirit that never runs dry. Sounds hokey, I agree, but when the God of creation touches you, no words can describe, and no tongue can deny Him. It's simply (to use the word properly, for once) awesome.

Someone said if Legion wants to follow the tenants of Christianity, then so be it. It's so not about rules. It's about having a daily walk with God. Talkign to Him, listening, following. I do follow the guidelines set forth in the Bible. BUt I only do it because I want to, because I know God has a better life for me. And you know what? I may not make hardly any money, or have alot of the "pleasures" of life, but I wouldn't trade my relationship with God for anything this world has to offer, I'd openly give even my life for it.

PS. Niteowl, any contradictions/discrepancies you have in Christianity, I'd love to talk about them, in a friendly discussion. I'm always one ot test my faith to the fullest, so I love new challenges.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Slink on August 04, 2004, 12:58:36 PM: disclaimer: i am not religious, i apologize if this rubs you the wrong way...

I would venture that there is NO meaning to life. I don't see some artificial purpose for me, however beneficial having that purpose may be. I don't dispute that life exists any more than anything else, but the question of WHY life exists. To me, there is no reason for life to exist, it just does.

It's fairly simple, once you break it down. life exists because it replicates itself. It's more successful at creating an exact copy of itself than, say, a rock. There are lots of rocks in the world, but they are created by outside forces, and are not copies of eachother. When life first crawled out of primordial ooze, if it didn't replicate, it died, and soon the only things around would be things that do reproduce. Funny thing, this is called natural selection. Animals > rocks. It's that simple.

As a side note, that's why orgasms exist. If reproducing wasn't entertaining, nobody would bother. GG species suicide...

That's why i don't see some emphereal meaning to life. How could there be one, if we're just here by accident?

edit, rad slipped his post in while i was typing mine: Sometimes i love america. It's the ability to interact on a regular basis with someone of such a different viewpoint. I may have no idea what rad is talking about, but it's ok. He's not gunna shoot me for it, just try to convert me. While i may take issue with conversion, i'm free to do as i please.

This is very much my personal viewpoint. I tend to be extremely logical, and of all the religions in the world, science seems the most logical. Therefore, that's what i put the most belief in.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Niteowl on August 04, 2004, 01:49:03 PM: hiya rad, if you would like to have a conversation with me, feel free to continue with legion and my convo, somewhere around here. the main points i put forth have not been addressed.

so it is of your opinion that if ppl never hear god's word, then they go to hell? in my mind, that's an unjust god. and because of that, i refuse to believe in him. (yes yes,i know, but he still believes in me).

feel free to continue this discussion in whichever way you like, on this thread, in a PM, whatever. and no need to expound on christian theology, i'm fairly well versed in it.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Seth on August 04, 2004, 02:44:54 PM: Quote
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Random fact: Buddhism is the only major religion that no war has been started over.
Quick, let's start one. Can individuals declare war? Or is that only the reserved perogative of soverign nation-states (and GW Bush)?
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i do believe you can pay order a form from congress known as the international declaration of war... you later then send it back and if they approve then you are at war with said people/contry
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Necrosis on August 04, 2004, 03:13:02 PM: Meaning of life is Death.

Alternatively, Nanites.

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Random fact: Buddhism is the only major religion that no war has been started over.

Random fact, in Bhuddist countries other religions are severely persecuted, practitioners imprisoned, etc. Can't escape sectarianism.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Grimm on August 06, 2004, 02:49:50 PM: Well, at least they've found a way to not have wars over it. ;)
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Necrosis on August 06, 2004, 07:43:58 PM: If in doubt, I turn to Alpha Centauri for the solutions to global problems.

In this case I suggest Nerve Stapling.
Title: The Meaning Of Life
Post by: Satiagraha on August 06, 2004, 07:58:08 PM: Sounds like a job for the psych team :ph34r: