30 Oct '06 02:54>
Let me point out that while it has been taken upon assumption by many of the theists so far, it is not necessarily the case that the existence of a god gives our lives purpose.
Originally posted by amannionwell you made a purpose for your self, but if you had no purpose at all then why would you live?
What keeps me from committing suicide?
My purpose in life - self-generated - is to contribute as much as I can to a positive world, to raise my kids well, to love my family, and be a good person.
How would suicide help this?
Originally posted by EcstremeVenomIf I didn't have a purpose I guess I wouldn't want to - which is why people commit suicide I guess.
well you made a purpose for your self, but if you had no purpose at all then why would you live?
Originally posted by amannionCan you please help me again:
Why would I need a purpose in the afterlife?
What the?
Do you get that as an atheist I don't believe in the afterlife, so why would I care about a purpose for it?
Most of my family are Christians so I don't think any worse of you because you've chosen that path.
I don't care about a purpose for the world - whatever that means? I care about the world ...[text shortened]... themselves.
They have only one life to live - so they (and we) need to make it worthwhile.
Originally posted by EcstremeVenomWhy do you insist that life must have some purpose? Existing is the first thing we do, we do this regardless of a purpose. As we learn more about the world, we define our purpose from a standpoint of already existing. Why should we justify the fact that we exist already, using hindsight?
well you made a purpose for your self, but if you had no purpose at all then why would you live?
Originally posted by ahosyneySomething like this I guess:
Can you please help me again:
Define a good person?
Originally posted by StarrmanYou guess!!!
Something like this I guess:
One that benefits the lives of others, strives not to cause pain or suffering and seeks out the experiences available to him as an active member of the world, equally trading what resources he can give to it for what he takes from it.
Originally posted by ahosyneyWhy does there have to be a unique definition? Is there a unique definition of beauty, or humour, or existence, or even god?
You guess!!!
So there is no uniqe definition.
Another question
What prevent you from being a bad person?
Originally posted by StarrmanYou didn't answer my question...
Why does there have to be a unique definition? Is there a unique definition of beauty, or humour, or existence, or even god?
The same thing which I presume prevents you; morals. That my moral code is relative and based on society rather than a supernatural being makes it no less powerful to me or anyone else that shares my views.
Again, I point out t ...[text shortened]... e purpose in life (or the presence of an afterlife) is not equivalent to the need to cause harm.
Originally posted by ahosyneyThe law and strong law enforcement institutions go a long way toward preventing us (all of us, theist and non-theist) from being bad people. It's kinda sad, but that's the way it is.
You didn't answer my question...
What ever a good person is defined as, what prevent anyone from being a bad person?
For the definition of Good person, it is a big problem, because what you see is a good person others may see bad. Do you got what I mean?
From your answer I understand that every one is responsible for defining what a good person is..
Originally posted by ahosyneyI certainly did answer your question, you asked what prevents me from being a bad person. I answered morals.
You didn't answer my question...
What ever a good person is defined as, what prevent anyone from being a bad person?
For the definition of Good person, it is a big problem, because what you see is a good person others may see bad. Do you got what I mean?
From your answer I understand that every one is responsible for defining what a good person is..
Originally posted by telerionAgain the law is the same as the definition of Good person, it is all human made. So they are depending on the persons who wrote them. Differe from one socity to the other, they are not perfect. But most of all it the same sort of control that you refuse GOD existance for.
The law and strong law enforcement institutions go a long way toward preventing us (all of us, theist and non-theist) from being bad people. It's kinda sad, but that's the way it is.
"[Y]ou are quite right to quote the oath as an undeniable example of the practical efficacy of religion. But, in spite of all you’ve said, I doubt whether the efficacy of r ...[text shortened]... hensions or our measures of precaution."
Philalethes from Schopenhauer's "On Religion"
Originally posted by ahosyneyI don't understand your last sentence, please explain.
Again the law is the same as the definition of Good person, it is all human made. So they are depending on the persons who wrote them. Differe from one socity to the other, they are not perfect. But most of all it the same sort of control that you refuse GOD existance for.
Originally posted by StarrmanCan I ask where do you get you morals from? What is the origin of morals in the human life?
I certainly did answer your question, you asked what prevents me from being a bad person. I answered morals.
And yes it is up to everyone to decide what a good person is. From my point of view there are branches of the nature of behaviour; legal, moral etc. But all of these are decided through some sort of consensual process, be it through the courts or through socio-cultural agreement.