god help: What is the purpose of life? - Help.com

Humans are a virus.

Like they say, life is a STD. The worst kind.

I think that our rise was not planned, but it doesn’t really matter to me.

I certainly hope life is about reproduction. Anything else is death.

Here to mate is the only correct answer, there could be nothing more destructive (in terms of species survival) than the loss of the reproductive instinct. Everything else, love etc.. is just a byproduct of consciousness.
“Animals just stay as they are - eat, sleep, poop, mate etc.” Animals are just bound by instinct, (as we are) the way we strip resources is no different to what animals do. When a fox gets into a pen of chickens what does it do? It kills every single one. I don’t disagree with your concern for the planet, but nature couldn’t be more perfect. We are not/never will be beyond nature, the system works so perfectly on every level.

We all ready have the tools to reduce population growth. We just have to encounter the natural forces to make us want to use them.

You bring up an interesting question too. Why is it that we are the only “intelligent’ species? Our brain development is the answer.

I don’t understand this idea of a gap between us and nature, there is no such thing. We will live harmoniously with the land when in our interest to do so. The funny thing is that with economy going to ****, it is happening to some extent, i actually make a decent effort turning of lights etc.. I can’t afford the bills if I don’t.
“but how often do you see a fox creating a pen and raising chickens. nature would have already provided enough sustainance for survival”
Nature provided us with the intelligence to domesticate jungle fowl, build pens, and breed chickens, so fat kids can stuff their faces with kfc.

The idea of over population is quite a nasty thought. The so called “solutions” we have now, such as intensive farming, and genetic engineering are yet another evil we have brought into existence. I don’t like to Imagine what the desperation could yield. My Biology teacher at school told us that the most amazing thing our generation would witness was the evolution of genetic science. He said, “it will literally be possible to grow fields meat” His words not mine lol.

*fields of meat

I’m going to have a vasectomy so I won’t contribute any to population growth.

It’s too bad we don’t have the evolutionary adaption that some elves in fiction are portrayed to have. Some of them are created by their authors as having the physiological trait of being unable to reproduce when the population is dense.

I’m not so sure that there is no homosexual activity in other species.

Catholocism doesn’t help.
Contraception does.

Dougie the Pisces wrote:
Catholocism doesn’t help.
Contraception does.

They should teach us that motto in schools. :P

With regards to the way we treat the environment, money and politics… I believe the majority of the population is very greedy and selfish. I believe an American Indian proverb I know to hold very true…

‘Only after the last tree has been cut down,
only after the last river has ben poisoned,
only after the last fish has been caught,
only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.’

Somehow we all need a change of attitude, toward our environment, toward money and toward each other!! We are in theory social animals who strive to survive. That is why we mate, it was initially for procreation, however with the increasing loneliness, miscommunication and increasing hurt we experience, we have become more selfish as a nation, so we mate for our own pleasure most of the time, become more aggressive whilst striving to get what we need. We are social animals by nature so need love affection too, so we demand this in our lives. The economy has gone to pot yes, and we can’t afford to just dip our heads in the sand. Also I wouldn’t rate us as the most intelligent species…. I mean in the last 1000 years where have we got, we still wage wars to ’solve’ disagreements, failing to reach a resolution in a mature and logical manner, we are greedy and selfish and arrogant, but at the same time we are confused and are slowly lacking trust with our government(s) around the world, so we hide away, take what precious good time we have and keep it for ourselves and amuse ourselves, either by countless movies, drinking, drugs, any form of escapism to avoid the actual possible acceptance of knowing what we really are in this world. There are the hippies and the people who wish to do good and help, but they are selfish in ways too. The fact that we can barely afford to go volunteering, donating to charities etc. etc. due to the fact we have bills to pay and our own families and children to feed means we don’t strive to save the rest of the world, because the current situation is we work for a living or lose out. It is a vicious circle and I don’t know how we solve it. Also there is the agreement that all oil, minerals etc. in Antartica cannot be retrieved / explored etc. until I think 2012 - Countries are already demanding and arguing about their ’share’ of the earth and will probably wage another few wars to get what they want, releasing more radiation into our earth. Radiation, processed and GM foods are what is creating the most disease on the planet. Yet we are the losers, the powerful governments and who pulls the strings behind them are the ones who win!! It is a sad situation but a very true one.

trut wrote:
life is about the continuation of humanity but the bit in between life’s beginning and death is wrong, the way we bring up our children and the way we leave the world for future generations is in a shambles as we can all see from poverty, war and wrongful distribution of power.
If you believe in what you believe you are yourself not some silly classification or stereotype be who you are.
I myself do not believe in a god or some sort of meaning, i believe religion has and always will be a sort of comfort blanket, to get rid of fear.
too rid ourselves of fear is to get rid of the unknown which religion does and leaves no questions.
Maxibon you are right but we are very intelligent and have the ability to live with nature etc instead of fighting against it, and when you see millions of dying people in pain and poverty and know we can help, is it not that human nature wills us to do so.
would you not pluck the thorn from the lions paw to rid it of its pain.
i do believe nature will always be and that even if we kill ourselves or nature does so, the world will repopulate with different creatures (dinosaurs - humans) this is how nature works but we are in a sense different and have the ability to further ourselves in a way that is uncommon from past species.

Couldn’t agree more. However we have tried to help nations like Africa and millions have been poured into the country to aid the poor.. only to be snatched by drug dealers holding guns to the poverty stricken, and the government taking food away because they deem it to be ‘unfit for human consumption’ leaving their people starving whilst knowing the rest of the world will chip in with their share of money - it is sick but very very true. There are the good and the evil, sometimes I cease to wonder if the evil actually do have any good in them, can people really be that cruel? The horrific resounding answer of ‘yes they can’ often returns in my mind though and I want to close my eyes and bury my head from the situation because it is too difficult to reconcile.

Maxibon wrote:
The idea of over population is quite a nasty thought. The so called “solutions” we have now, such as intensive farming, and genetic engineering are yet another evil we have brought into existence. I don’t like to Imagine what the desperation could yield. My Biology teacher at school told us that the most amazing thing our generation would witness was the evolution of genetic science. He said, “it will literally be possible to grow fields meat” His words not mine lol.

The worst type of food is GM, processed and hydrogenated fats (still not banned in Britain and not labelled so we consume them without knowledge… only I have literally tried to ban them from my diet it is difficult, as they are in restaurant food, margarine, biscuits, cakes EVERYTHING… yet they are poisonous to the body. When I found out what was in supermarket SPAM (processed ham made in England) and in bangers (sausages with less meat) I was almost sick with the thought of what I was eating. We can do something about it though… in Italy they have what is known as ‘The slow food movement’ which is an organisation only allowing organic foods and organic meats to be sold… and not to let the big chains like McDonalds take over… which I wouldn’t eat in there unless I was nearly dead with starvation I’m afraid… I think it is a brilliant idea, and only wish to see more of this in the world. Organisations supporting the organic farmers, small businesses etc. etc. - only we as a population can change this, if we seek to do so and there are many of us, it could become quite powerful. However, sadly we sit and do nothing, accepting the ill treatment we are given and the bullying of having to eat pure crap for a low price because we can’t afford the higher priced decent food… another sad situation I’m afraid.

“The worst thing is, it only seems to be intelligent people that understand that you really should be having more than two kids. Whereas some idiots in the world (e.g. part of africa) are having like 13 kids?! Whhhyyyy?”

This is because there are different cultures than the west and to them this is a normal part of life. It is not for lack of intelligence whatsoever!! For some tribes of Africa, they fail to understand why a woman isn’t married with children by the age of 25 years old. After all the womans biological function is to produce children… part of our survival.. so to me it makes sense. Also they have so many wives for one husband… thus a very much family orientated life - which the father always being present and bringing food for the children and providing emotional support and the wives doing all the housework, putting children to bed etc. I actually think it is a very intelligent way of living… there are practically no divorces this way, the children grow up with a secure family life… now take a look at the western way… one man for himself…selfishness and then arguments, kids growing up confused and angry… taking drugs etc…due to how their parents (or sometimes parent) brought them up.. Tell me, how is that more intelligent than that of Africa?!

trut wrote:
i know what you are on about things such as morals, laws, society etc it is all an illusion that was the byproduct of a power system.
the whole thing such as love, education etc it is all an accident that is why we are in such a dire situation at the moment our whole society is founded on a corrupt and power hungry foundation.
its not that we are just here to mate and to propagate the species, we are an intelligent being and what we should be doing is exploring space, creating a better understanding of our universe and further ourselves as beings.
life is all about humanity and humanitarian efforts and to base our lives in the furtherment of understanding and intelligence.
I sometimes feel pointless living in a economic society where money is found by screwing others and where war and poverty is just an everyday occurrence.
Next time you look at poverty or war on tv and wander why it is like this you must look at the fact that we can stop this, our goverments have enough money combined to pull the world out of this rut it is in.
But alas the governments will not do such a thing in a economic society.

I think morals are built within us… everyone has a different view on whether something is as bad as something else. EG Some people think it’s fine to steal from a large store, others strongly disagree, some people think it’s ok to kill an intruder in your own home… others strongly disagree or are in disagreement of some sort… I think the law states on both those occasions that it is wrong.. yet some of us would disagree with the law, thus not being a byproduct of a power system. However the rest of what you say I agree with to a large extent.

045001 wrote:

Spangle wrote:
“The worst thing is, it only seems to be intelligent people that understand that you really should be having more than two kids. Whereas some idiots in the world (e.g. part of africa) are having like 13 kids?! Whhhyyyy?”

This is because there are different cultures than the west and to them this is a normal part of life. It is not for lack of intelligence whatsoever!! For some tribes of Africa, they fail to understand why a woman isn’t married with children by the age of 25 years old. After all the womans biological function is to produce children… part of our survival.. so to me it makes sense. Also they have so many wives for one husband… thus a very much family orientated life - which the father always being present and bringing food for the children and providing emotional support and the wives doing all the housework, putting children to bed etc. I actually think it is a very intelligent way of living… there are practically no divorces this way, the children grow up with a secure family life… now take a look at the western way… one man for himself…selfishness and then arguments, kids growing up confused and angry… taking drugs etc…due to how their parents (or sometimes parent) brought them up.. Tell me, how is that more intelligent than that of Africa?!

I think you’re missing my point. Family life is very important, but is it not possible to have a good family life with 2 children? And is it not easier on the parents to bring up 2 children rather than 10+?

I would say in our western culture and through personal preference - both answers to your questions would be yes but in some other cultures if I were brought up under a different religion or culture then the answer might be no.

to enjoy your physical dimension…
well tell me who won the 12th oscar award…who won the grammy awards for the maximum nunber of times…u necessarily need not necessary
but now tell me …
who really makes u feel the best the way u are..
who was the first onwe to wish u for ur b’day this year,,..
which teacher gave u a pat of appreciation for your good work…
……………………….
i know u know the answers for these questions now

A movie you might deem funny;
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387808/

Spangle wrote:

045001 wrote:

Spangle wrote:
“The worst thing is, it only seems to be intelligent people that understand that you really should be having more than two kids. Whereas some idiots in the world (e.g. part of africa) are having like 13 kids?! Whhhyyyy?”

This is because there are different cultures than the west and to them this is a normal part of life. It is not for lack of intelligence whatsoever!! For some tribes of Africa, they fail to understand why a woman isn’t married with children by the age of 25 years old. After all the womans biological function is to produce children… part of our survival.. so to me it makes sense. Also they have so many wives for one husband… thus a very much family orientated life - which the father always being present and bringing food for the children and providing emotional support and the wives doing all the housework, putting children to bed etc. I actually think it is a very intelligent way of living… there are practically no divorces this way, the children grow up with a secure family life… now take a look at the western way… one man for himself…selfishness and then arguments, kids growing up confused and angry… taking drugs etc…due to how their parents (or sometimes parent) brought them up.. Tell me, how is that more intelligent than that of Africa?!

I think you’re missing my point. Family life is very important, but is it not possible to have a good family life with 2 children? And is it not easier on the parents to bring up 2 children rather than 10+?

I would say in our western culture and through personal preference - both answers to your questions would be yes but in some other cultures if I were brought up under a different religion or culture then the answer might be no.

you cant hold africa to the same standard as western society. They may have more kids, but they also have a much higher death rate. Think of how small their tribes can be, less than 50 people. the avreage life span is less than 50 and if 4 out of 5 kids die before the age of 10, due to predators, disease, war, or famine, then it makes sense to have more kids so that their tribes can continue and their way of life wont dissappear.

To answer your question, life is the meaning of life. Every single instinct we have is geared towards the creation, preservation, and continuation of life. Mate, protect, and nurture. All the cities and pollution and crap is just deviation from the natural instincts and has nothing to do with the meaning of life.

045001 wrote:

Hybrid Theory wrote:

Spangle wrote:

045001 wrote:

Spangle wrote:
“The worst thing is, it only seems to be intelligent people that understand that you really should be having more than two kids. Whereas some idiots in the world (e.g. part of africa) are having like 13 kids?! Whhhyyyy?”

This is because there are different cultures than the west and to them this is a normal part of life. It is not for lack of intelligence whatsoever!! For some tribes of Africa, they fail to understand why a woman isn’t married with children by the age of 25 years old. After all the womans biological function is to produce children… part of our survival.. so to me it makes sense. Also they have so many wives for one husband… thus a very much family orientated life - which the father always being present and bringing food for the children and providing emotional support and the wives doing all the housework, putting children to bed etc. I actually think it is a very intelligent way of living… there are practically no divorces this way, the children grow up with a secure family life… now take a look at the western way… one man for himself…selfishness and then arguments, kids growing up confused and angry… taking drugs etc…due to how their parents (or sometimes parent) brought them up.. Tell me, how is that more intelligent than that of Africa?!

I think you’re missing my point. Family life is very important, but is it not possible to have a good family life with 2 children? And is it not easier on the parents to bring up 2 children rather than 10+?

I would say in our western culture and through personal preference - both answers to your questions would be yes but in some other cultures if I were brought up under a different religion or culture then the answer might be no.

you cant hold africa to the same standard as western society. They may have more kids, but they also have a much higher death rate. Think of how small their tribes can be, less than 50 people. the avreage life span is less than 50 and if 4 out of 5 kids die before the age of 10, due to predators, disease, war, or famine, then it makes sense to have more kids so that their tribes can continue and their way of life wont dissappear.

To answer your question, life is the meaning of life. Every single instinct we have is geared towards the creation, preservation, and continuation of life. Mate, protect, and nurture. All the cities and pollution and crap is just deviation from the natural instincts and has nothing to do with the meaning of life.

Very true (re:death rates) but I’m sure the majority of their children are making it to adulthood (correct me if I’m wrong).

So if life is the meaning of life, why are humans such a destructive force on the planet. At the rate population is increasing, Earth will be uninhabitable in a relatively short time. Every other species seems to have its own equilibrium.

the question was what is the meaning of life, not what are the consequences of that meaning. And humans are destructive because we have found our balance, because we are gifted with intelligence(for the most part), the balance is a destructive and consuming nature. good and bad, yin and yang, yadda yadda yadda.

I believe that humanity was created by God with purpose, just as everything else in the universe was.

The Westminster Shorter Catechism’s first question is “What is the chief end of man?” The answer is “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever.”

I haven’t read all the other replies to this post but I have to say that as a doctor - and muslim doctor at that, I find your opinion that humans are nothing more than germs on a petridish extremely sad and disturbing.

The highest principles of humanity, the things that separate us from the animals, is that we are the bearers of sacred ideals like ‘truth’ ‘beauty’ and so forth. Tha means we can concieve of beauty when there is nothing beautiful and that gives us special licence and a special place in creation.

If we’re humble, this licence allows us to do great things. We can visualise order and complexity like no other creature.

So to answer your question - I believe the purpose of being - is to ‘be good’

In my opinion, The purpose of life is just to simply live as long as you can! The choices you make while you are alive shapes your life. Like the dude said in Jurassic Park: “Life finds a way!”!

yeah rando i agree with u…i am pretty happy with the way u replied .i guess u expressed my opinion more beautiful than the way i wanted to…i guess u misinterpretated wat i wanted to say or i failed to put it across in words…
i personally feel wat defines ones individuality is their wants..in would include even animals wild domestic as well.. our wants define our personality..so i would like to reframe the question of wat is the purpose of life to wat is the purpose one’s birth..
we are all bound to our wants..as long as we get wat we want we are not botheres wat it took to get it( the procedure followed is ethical to our true conscience).. so i persoally would like to make a statement here this is inspired from a very good english writer who once wrote in his work “wen we want something with a true desire the entire universe conspires in making arrangements to get wat we always asked for”..so people be as specific as u can about ur wants..ask for it eveyday… work for it everyday.. include it in ur prayers everyday… know why u want it…dont give up till u get it because have faith in this universe..its higly spiritual… so i here terminate my reply saying we are what we want… our wants or our urges are something that happpens to us unconsciously… so let the wants kick when it has to kick inside us…follow the procedure that takes to get it like its gods desire that u should have it…. so wee all are very very natures creation and we should be inside our true natures box…eveything has a box in itself..like if lion craves for fresh blood to make its apettite happy then monkey asks for a bananna and deer for grass…but forest wants all the kinda of animals inside it to keep up the ambience of the forest…likewise are we part of this big universe

It’s kind of like the iPhone. One day you’ll get THE latest one. 2 months later, there’s a new one. We’re ruining our lives with technology. Think about cavemen. They drew on walls. They were with dinosaurs, and THEY didn’t have GPS to run away from them. God wants us to be like him. No language, dirty…things, etc.

There was a 13 year old girl in England that got pregnat with an 11 year old. Someone asked him, “how will you handle the baby financially?” (sorry, I spelled it wrong) He said, “what’s finance?”

We’re distroying ourselves!

~aci.manate

Mother nature can take care of herself. We are very arrogant to believe that we actually have an impact on the climate. Did the dinosaurs pollute and cause the last ice age? We are in similar weather pattern and the media wants us to believe that we are destroying the planet. All of Gore’s numbers are meaningless. If we measure rising temps in New York, how do we know that the earth is warming up - it could be the cement. Did you know that in the same time period, Albany, NY (about 100km away) actually had a decrease? Like everything, it’s truth management.

As for life, we are but people watching a series of good and bad unfold. Good comes into our lives for a finite time. Sometimes longer, sometimes shorter. Bad does the same. Just find peace and be an observer of these things. It’s all an illusion.

We are all INDIVIDUAL DIVINITIES!!! Each one of us is here just for a moment, for to learn to play with the colours and aromas, the sounds and the shapes… After we are going to learn on another levels .. there is no limit of learning, being, wondering! We are the life! Each child is a Universum! But, the drugs, alcohol, psychotrops, injustice, yeast, fermented food, fear, education, sadness hinder us to understand, to feel and to be connected with the source of life… We even don’t understand what is PERSONAL SOVEREIGNTY!!! WE don’t know that FREE WATER, FREE LAND, FREE FOOD, FREE HOUSES… ARE OUR REAL BIRTHRIGHTS. We are lost in the economical, religious, political manipulations. We don’t know that we can claim A GIFT ECONOMY (in the image of wikipedia, linux…)!!! We don’t know to give and to share fairly… the abundance is all around us - there is enough for all 7 billion people for to be infinitly rich!!! Someone doesnt’t want you to know all this… someone pollutes our beautiful earth and let you believe you are guilty… Stand up and defend the Life, the Truth… don’t let them any more to poison us!!! Bonne chance!!!

the purpose of life is simple. i can sum up the purpose of life in one word! Cheese!

life sucks then you die