Sense of Purpose and Security Without Religion?

[Twilight Hue]

But according to science all of our race will die out one day....

Let's just say the components that have made us who we are, will still be around long after our species dissipates and passes on.

On the molecular and atomic scale, things just come together and fall apart in a seemingly perpetual continuum. I think of the universe can be somewhat portrayed as a perpetuated "Lego" set destroying its "creations" but not the potential to rebuild whatever has been broken down.

I think purpose follows well the question of what is next, and security would be the enternal aspect of infinite time and space by which we have these types of occurrences.

 

[Naama]

I suspect that it requires courage, an open mind, and the willingness to accept doubt in many areas, to do without religion. (That's me , folks! ) The main thing that sustains me is the concept of freedom and the ability to ascribe meaning, to our lives and to others, such that overall what it gives to humanity is more hope than any religion might provide, simply because the answers they appear to have usually just shut down any or all possibilities for our futures - the end time, H and H, etc, - all based in speculation as far as I'm concerned. So for me, the endless possibilities for future human life - hopefully for the better and for all life - would be better off without all religions. I have no problem with a consensus view on morality coming to fruition, for example, because essentially we are at such a state if we discard the various interfering religious dogmas. A sense of purpose thus envisioned would be necessarily personal but is this so difficult to achieve and would it necessarily lead to anarchy?

I don’t understand. You believe in free-will?

 

[Naama]

I have a p

I think your view is based on a nihilism which views the mental as "mere material stuff" and concludes that because it doesn't matter to rocks and sand what we do to rocks and sand, it ought not matter to us what we do to ourselves. Bad logic really. Were a different species of entity.

"Mattering" is wired into us insofar as we have feelings and needs, and also as we live in relation to an external world which can be organised either benignly or detrimentally also. Its "rational" to choose that which benefits, as its rational to choose a better option. Its a potent logic that is appropriate to the state of affairs we're faced with.

So some form of rationality is our purpose, I call it 'rational attraction to being' and it comes on a sliding scale - it can occur either consciously when we reflect on then big picture, or in general everyday affairs like eating, sleeping, chatting online etc. but in a more pre-reflective fashion.

So rationality is a kind of mechanism, but also a pre-given project at the same time. The "being" bit, that's what our rationality relates us to, and maintains us in, for better or for worse according to our skill. (cf the "sliding scale" idea).


Its also not all vain because its all passing by, that's more bad logic. In fact without change and time we couldn't be purpose minded creatures with projects, adventures and quests, or nights in etc. So therefore change doesn't destroy purpose and meaning, its actually a pre-condition of it!

You cant make a sand castle (or a home) unless you're in a partner the space time continuum, yet the essence of 'raitonal attraction to being' remains as a mechanism and a goal.

Hope this helps.

I really like the effort you put into this, I really do.....but why do you think that I believe that?

 

[shunyadragon]

He definitely isn't in Judaism.

. . . nor the Book of Revelation.

 

[Sunstone]

Is there a way to have a sense of... security without religion?

No. And you can't have a legitimate sense of security even with religion, although it is easy enough to lie to yourself, saying religion has given you security that it has not and can not give you.

However, as the Buddhist monk Kenko observed, "the most precious thing in life is its uncertainty". But do not take his word for it. Study it! See for yourself how it is true. Once you have seen for yourself the truth of what Kenko said, you will be at ease with uncertainty.

 

[Naama]

No. And you can't have a legitimate sense of security even with religion, although it is easy enough to lie to yourself, saying religion has given you security that it has not and can not give you.

However, as the Buddhist monk Kenko observed, "the most precious thing in life is uncertainty". But do not take his word for it. Study it! See for yourself how it is true. Once you have seen the truth of what Kenko said, you will be at ease with uncertainty.

I have decided to tentatively try this path.....I won't deny that I'm scared though....

 

[Sunstone]

I have decided to tentatively try this path.....I won't deny that I'm scared though....

It's scary at first. Later on, it becomes downright comforting that life is uncertain. Or, at least it can and sometimes does turn out that way.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I don’t understand. You believe in free-will?

Yeah, unfashionable as it seems to be.

PS Take a look at my journal. I tend to the belief that we should own our mistakes in life and hence perhaps the belief in free-will. I just can't seem to play the determinist game.

 

[Trailblazer]

It's scary at first. Later on, it becomes downright comforting that life is uncertain. Or, at least it can and sometimes does turn out that way.

Of course life is uncertain. Some religious people just cannot accept that fact... They say you can be happy all the time and if you just do x, you will get y...

It is more of a psychological problem than anything else, but they use scriptures to back up their positions, although scriptures do not really back up their positions.

 

[Sunstone]

I have decided to tentatively try this path.....I won't deny that I'm scared though....

After thinking about it, I wish to offer you any help I can. Feel free to PM me with any questions or concerns you might encounter while "following the path". I will no doubt offer poor insights and appalling advice should you screw up the courage to ask me for help, but the mere fact you can always count on me for poor insights and appalling advice should reassure you that at least somethings in this world are constant. Beyond that, I can only promise to do my best by you.

 

[Naama]

Yeah, unfashionable as it seems to be.

PS Take a look at my journal. I tend to the belief that we should own our mistakes in life and hence perhaps the belief in free-will. I just can't seem to play the determinist game.

Yeah.....I don't see any reason to believe in free-will myself XD

 

[Revoltingest]

....thinking there is makes me feel better.....

You could pick your own purpose(s).
Does anything call to you?

 

[Mock Turtle]

Yeah.....I don't see any reason to believe in free-will myself XD

Have a nice determined life then.

 

[Naama]

You could pick your own purpose(s).
Does anything call to you?

I'm trying to read some philosophy my girlfriend recommended. Nietzsche and Dennett right now.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I'm trying to read some philosophy my girlfriend recommended. Nietzsche and Dennett right now.

Dennet's good - only read Consciousness Explained though, and much of Pinker, him too ...

 

[Revoltingest]

I'm trying to read some philosophy my girlfriend recommended. Nietzsche and Dennett right now.

I'm generally not a big fan of philosophers. They're prone
to making the simple into something needlessly complex.
Better perhaps, are there people who do things which inspire you?

 

[Naama]

I'm generally not a big fan of philosophers. They're prone
to making the simple into something needlessly complex.
Better perhaps, are there people who do things which inspire you?

To many to name!

 

[Revoltingest]

To many to name!

Do any particularly fields of endeavor or communities appeal to you?

 

[Naama]

Do any particularly fields of endeavor or communities appeal to you?

I like working with special needs people

 

[Revoltingest]

I like working with special needs people

Is this your profession or profession-to-be?