I am an agnostic. I withhold judgment on whether there is or is not a God- because as yet I see absolutely no proof of one, but proof might come along later. And when I say proof I mean proof- I don't mean an inner voice or some good fortune I can interpret as God, I mean something tangible, visible- like a burning talking bush (and it would be helpful if someone else could see it too- so I could rule out personal psychosis), and of course I would need to also rule out mass hysteria.
But, as for there being a meaning- you don't need God for that. Humanists can make a meaning out of learning how to love others and oneself. There is meaning in just trying to be a good person- perhaps even MORE meaning in trying to be a good person if you don't think you are going to get some eternal sweet treat for being a good person- but rather you strive to be good and kind merely because you feel that by being good and kind you make your environment a better place for you, and for your children, and for every one else. Of course I think there is a deep need for God in many people- across cultures and across centuries. From a survey of the worlds religions I think it can be argued that humans develop God's to suit their needs, to answer their questions- God's seem to evolve with the civilizations they are born into and of course they reflect those civilizations.
I am not sure it matters why we are here- outside of the meaning we create for ourselves, in pursuing lives that are in harmony with others.
Suffering is everywhere, and it always has been. Even before humans big animals ate little animals (and of course to be eaten alive must cause suffering). Humans (unlike animals- I think- I can't be sure) look for REASONS for suffering, but I am not sure there are any- except insofar as it is one way our behavior is shaped and guided. It just seems to me to be built into us as organisms- as the flip side of pleasure. What causes us pleasure we will pursue- and that is generally beneficial for us (reproduce, form social attachments, etc- very beneficial behaviors)- and we will avoid pain (suffering) ie- starvation, avoid being killed, wounded etc. As organisms we can do things to influence what will occur to us, and we can plan ahead (unlike many animals) so we can try to tip the balance of the future in favor of pleasure. On a planet where one organism must eat another organism to live (aside from the plants) one has to agree that suffering is just built in.
If I were forced to choose a religion I would sign up as a Unitarian or a Buddhist, since both these "religions" allow you to follow the middle way. They do not exhort one to go out and convert people (which I find an annoying thing) and they allow one to be oneself, while still striving to be better. |
