Existence

[The Graceful Assassin]

I believe before you can study any religious assets of life, you gotta start off with the primary existence questions. First off, do we even exist? Then, is there meaning in existence? And so on. Open for debate. Naturally, I believe that we do exist and there is purpose (hopefully an afterlife), but neither i nor anyone else can really answer these. So, give your views on it.

[Terminal Est]

Weather we ''exist'' or not, in the sense of your question, is impossible for me to reflect, for the simple reason that to mankind as life forms, even besides the obvious traits which make us human, such as emotions (Which I believe to be the most manifest parts of our survival instinct.) it is evident that our conscience and our physical beings render us ''real''.

And besides, if there would be some other...plain, deity or force making it that we are not real, those illusions, those forces or gods are very real, because logic voids our known meaning of ''nothing''. Nothing cannot be there if it is there, no matter how insignificant.

But of course there are things which we cannot comprehend and never will, weather these are very logical or not. No amount of philosophical wisdom could ever clear that to light, if it is so..

Hum..but I believe in evolution (Although I do not agree with such a word.) and therefore, although I accept the possibility of such examples as I mentioned above to be real, (God, as an example.) I do not believe they are. Nor do I think we know much of evolution as we think we do, but to me, the little bits I may think I grasp make sense for me.

Therefore, as for the purpose of our existence, as far as I am concerned, it is purely instinct, animal like...
We have intelligence and the most refined conscience of all living things on Earth (Or so we think.) but I do not doubt that, like much of anything that lives on our planet, we are ruled by instinct.
Although our instinct, due to evolution, is based so much more on a mental aspect, which to me explains emotions and the cycle of human nature. We act a lot like animals, although our methods of survival are different. We need to eat, sleep, fight for our freedom and achieve happiness, in short.
Everything we do is for a reason: every cruel and corrupt incident which we create, although the woe and death of others, are for the good, the advancement of the human race. If the Earth dies slowly, it is because we are nearing our end, and prepare for it, much like a seagull ventures out to sea in order to die.
All this, the end of humanity or no, only to live...we strive for life, like anything else does anything at all.

I do not think we are so different from animals, and I do not think we truly..''evolve''..we refine, and adapt.

Our purpose is to live, and to die. What may cause this, weather it be a god, a sentient force, or a force without a conscience, this I could never even begin to ponder. But we, and everything around us, on the planet, are like one giant organism, and it seems the perfect ball of life, when you put your emotions away and try to see how things work.

[The Graceful Assassin]

As far as I know, I am the only thing that truly exists in the entire universe, for there is no way for me to get a litereral interpretation of how you have the ability to think reflect and such ("I think, therefore I am"). Instinct is not a purpose it is a primal survival mechanism that urges us to live on and reproduce so that our species may continue its existence.

[Terminal Est]

As you say, perhaps instinct itself is not a purpose, but it drives us to our purpose, which as far as I am able to understand, is to live. It is like a reflection of our ''purpose'' for existence. Like a dog hiding its own bone.
I do not believe there is a defined or preordained reason to our existence, driven by instinct or some other thing. I do not believe anything states it, and as a human being like anyone else, I can only speculate on what I feel, on both mental and physical basis. Other then what I think I may know, I cannot invent anything as to my existence. It may steep one in ignorance, and often illusionary bubbles, but what makes sense to me cannot be wrong, as it tells me in itself the proof of existence.

As far as I know, I am the only thing that truly exists in the entire universe, for there is no way for me to get a litereral interpretation of how you have the ability to think reflect and such

I completely understand what you mean, but if you want my opinion, as I stated before, I believe we are all pretty much the same. As well like you, I cannot read the minds of others, or feel what they do, but because of my beliefs of evolution, I do not see that I should be so unique, or alone. It is rather hard to explain, but I hope it made some sense...

But out of curiosity, what do you mean exactly, by saying you are the only thing in the universe?

[The Graceful Assassin]

Through theory, I can't prove that you or anything else exists, so as far as I know, everything that I perceive is irrelevant. Again with purpose, instinct drives us to live, living drives us to thrive, and so on. It's a chain that no one can really find the end to.

[Terminal Est]

I suppose so. Because one cannot really define living as a purpose, as I do. But speaking from a scientific viewpoint, it is enitrely possible there is no purpose, not one set by its definition, anyways.

[The Graceful Assassin]

that's my fear. I honestly hope not and that there's a Big Man upstairs... or SOMEONE

[Terminal Est]

How much do you know about religion? You seem fairly knowledgable with it, from what I read in your posts. I admit I do not know much of it, but from what I can see, God, religion and its applications are very human..so I doubt there is a..''Big Man'' upstairs, as it seems nothing but a manifestation of our hopes out of fear.
Surely that is easy to realize.
Or at the very least, if there is a god, or someone, I do not think this entity is anything like that portrayed in The Bible.

You know..like Calvin once said..

What if we die, go to Heaven and find out God is a big chicken?! Then what?!

[Achtes]

Originally Posted by Terminal Est

How much do you know about religion? You seem fairly knowledgable with it, from what I read in your posts. I admit I do not know much of it, but from what I can see, God, religion and its applications are very human..so I doubt there is a..''Big Man'' upstairs, as it seems nothing but a manifestation of our hopes out of fear.

Ah, well, that all depends on what God you speak of. There are many different versions of God. You say it all seems "very human", and that would be correct, it IS very human. However, this is one particular version of God. The most popular version, in fact.

I believe there is an afterlife, and some greater force. I have come too far and seen too much to believe otherwise. True, I am only in my late teens, but as I said, I've seen quite a bit for someone my age.

Now, back to what I was saying...most people who believe in God, believe He is always going to be there to save us, always going to protect us. I do not believe this to be true. Not all the time anyway. God will not save you, you have to save yourself. He will always be there, watching over you, but He will NOT hold your hand through the whole journey. People might argue that He would not be a loving God, but to that I would say...Is this not exactly what parenthood is like? Parents coddle their children when they are young, but once they've grown, the children must take responsibility for their actions and fend for themselves. The parents will still be watching them, but for the most part stay uninvolved. If He were to hold our hand the entire way, we would learn nothing from the journey known as life.

The question of our existence and His existence is not easily answered...no answer will please everyone. But you can't please everyone. I know we exist, and He exists...it's all a matter of personal belief. And I believe.

[Terminal Est]

Personal belief.

But this means it is a belief you have chosen, am I right? Therefore, is it not a desire instead?
To believe...is something you understand. As an example, I believe people are tortured the world over. Do I like it? No. I certainly am not here to tell anyone what to think or how they should believe, I just wished to make clear what my own understanding of it is.

Ah, well, that all depends on what God you speak of. There are many different versions of God. You say it all seems "very human", and that would be correct, it IS very human. However, this is one particular version of God. The most popular version, in fact.

Indeed. Obviously, religion is human. There is nothing supernatural about that, weather it be Christian, Anglican, Jewish Catholic or whatever else...even other organized religion, (And non organized.) like Buddhism are human. Because weather or not the god for whatever religion exists or not, the religion is real.
There is a huge difference between man and his god. I believe that would stand for religions of old as well.