Heretic
06-02-2005, 08:38 PM
Has it ever crossed your head, what is the real meaning in life? Love? Hate? No one can really tell until they're time comes. Read the follow information, and think about it.
Religion itself, it is often suggested, is a response to humanity's search for meaning or purpose. Indeed, the realm outside life itself referred to in the previous passage could be interpreted as the religious or spiritual realm. Most people who believe in a personal God would agree that it is God "in Whom we live and move and have our being". The notion here is that we do or ought to seek a higher purpose that will give our lives meaning.
One particular perspective on how religion answers the purpose for human life is given in the Christian story of creation: That the purpose for man is to "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it..." Gen 1:28 Indicating that the propagation of the human race, the care and restoration of the earth, and the control of our environment are the three goals God has set for man.
Another perspective looks at the history of what God has taught man, and then summarized. The Westminster Shorter Catechism did so, famously answering at its outset that "man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever."
However, this does not help the non-religious person in dealing with the question "What is the Meaning of Life?" when it is asked in a philosophical context. It is not a complete answer to say "Believe, and you will understand", as this relies on faith in the delivered truth rather than logical or rational justification.
Islam's viewpoint is that God created man for one purpose only and that is to worship God.
I only created jinn and man to worship Me. (Qur'an, 51:56)
Purely theological answers raise other questions. For instance, if we exist to obey, how does obeying improve us? If we live to worship God, what is God's purpose? Even for the religious, dogmatic imperatives may not be satisfactory.
Religion may or may not be the answer to the common question "What is the meaning of life?"
It is our job to choose a road to walk along..
Religion itself, it is often suggested, is a response to humanity's search for meaning or purpose. Indeed, the realm outside life itself referred to in the previous passage could be interpreted as the religious or spiritual realm. Most people who believe in a personal God would agree that it is God "in Whom we live and move and have our being". The notion here is that we do or ought to seek a higher purpose that will give our lives meaning.
One particular perspective on how religion answers the purpose for human life is given in the Christian story of creation: That the purpose for man is to "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it..." Gen 1:28 Indicating that the propagation of the human race, the care and restoration of the earth, and the control of our environment are the three goals God has set for man.
Another perspective looks at the history of what God has taught man, and then summarized. The Westminster Shorter Catechism did so, famously answering at its outset that "man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever."
However, this does not help the non-religious person in dealing with the question "What is the Meaning of Life?" when it is asked in a philosophical context. It is not a complete answer to say "Believe, and you will understand", as this relies on faith in the delivered truth rather than logical or rational justification.
Islam's viewpoint is that God created man for one purpose only and that is to worship God.
I only created jinn and man to worship Me. (Qur'an, 51:56)
Purely theological answers raise other questions. For instance, if we exist to obey, how does obeying improve us? If we live to worship God, what is God's purpose? Even for the religious, dogmatic imperatives may not be satisfactory.
Religion may or may not be the answer to the common question "What is the meaning of life?"
It is our job to choose a road to walk along..