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Chapter 1, part one

Why was I born? Why are we here and what is an atheist anyway? Why was I born, where did I come from, where are we going and why are we here? These arguably are the most common questions asked throughout history by children, adults, philosophers and scholars. The child can easily answer these questions, he says “I came from my house and I’m going to play and I’m here because mommy told me to be”- easy enough. However, as one grows up, of course, these answers don’t work anymore and all but the dimmest are forced to reach further to find satisfying answers. Many ponder these questions till their last days and, even then, never see the light…. Questions concerning the true meaning and purpose of life are virtually endless, arising from many disciplines such as philosophy, psychology, spirituality, science, and religion. They proliferate like the ‘old swami on the mountain’ tale. We present here some of the main viewpoints that attempt to answer the question “What is the true meaning of and purpose of life?”

The Christian devotee, of course, obviously feels his true purpose is one of devotion to God.

Mother Teresa and the many thousands like her in service to God and humanity are examples. All religions presuppose a supernatural omnificent being. The followers are called to connect with the higher power and do good works in the name of the deity or creator that will benefit humankind. Devout Christians (and many not so devout) model themselves after the Christ and try to emulate him in thought and deed. ATHEISTS 6 The commandants, as delivered by Moses and venerated by Jews and Christians alike, are used as moral guidelines upon which to model ones life.

Atheists, by contrast, hold the opposite stance; they recognize no supernatural being or Creator.

Atheistic views generally assume that the universe and all life simply ‘evolved’ and look for non-religious meanings to explain the universe and life’s true purpose. The Golden Rule and the Ten Commandants hold that humans should treat others as they would themselves be treated and conduct themselves accordingly. This provides strong purpose in many religions such as Christianity and Judaism as well as Buddhism but, means nothing to the committed and unenlightened atheist. The true atheist recognizes and professes no moral restraints and has therefore, at best, adopted a kind of ‘moral relativism’ and, at worst, sees no clear difference or distinction between good and evil. These kinds of people are clearly capable of and have committed the greatest crimes in history.

Why? Because, there is nothing to hold them back, they have no fear of God’s punishment since, in their mind, there is no God. For them, nothing can be evil because the term evil itself is purely relative. The distinction, for these dangerous wretches, between good and bad, right and wrong, is therefore blurred such that no action they may take carries moral relevance or significance. What is ‘good’ for them is good and visa versa! Some ‘empty-suits’ (secular humanists) actually argue that the ‘real meaning of life’ is mostly biological. They feel that highest meaning of ones existence is to continue humankind through procreation of the species. Since, for them, the end of life is nothing more than a cold and lonely grave, they argue that the creation of more humans is the most important thing- otherwise, of course, humanity would cease to exist. What an ATHEISTS 7 logical and neat little arguments…. cold, reasonable and empty! There are different types and stances of those who call themselves ‘humanists,’ but many dark ‘humanist views’ see one’s purpose as solely the individual’s contribution to needs of the collective. Of course, this is 100% the Marxist and communist view and we know where that leads! Many secular humanists express the view that the true meaning of life might be in some kind of ‘connection’ to others: biologically, socially and culturally. Here, it is important to note that many humanists that view humans as constantly evolving beings see the true meaning of life as one that could possibly change. (really?) Included in these sad groups we should give honorable mention to those environmentalists who find it convenient to worship mother earth. These groups are generally anti-human, anti-civilization, anti-modernity, anti-energy and anti almost everything. They worship at the alter of nature, wishing all human endeavor and progress to somehow cease and disappear.

They know that the earth would be a far better place were humans not present. So, we have here not merely anti-theists but, a group wishing and praying for the negation of all human life and all human activity. We posted a few of these silly groups in the appendices. Good grief! For the secular humanist, hedonist and atheist by any other name, life’s true meaning is to make the most of life on a personal level. Their answer to the question of the meaning of life is that humans are here simply to just enjoy and strive for a happy existence. Sigmund Freud, the Viennese drug addict doctor, who invented the psychological therapy method known as psychoanalysis, called this hedonistic view ‘the pleasure principle.’ The idea is that humanity is exists only to experience maximum pleasure and minimum pain. Of course, on some level, I can understand the attraction…ATHEISTS 8 The humanistic branch of psychology grew out of a need for a more personal meaning than Freud’s. Humanistic psychologists concentrate on individual potential and purpose in life. Many people do see only personal achievement and the purpose of their own place in the greater world to hold a basic meaning of their lives. The answer; eat drink and be merry and be content with the dunce you are! Existentialists hold the philosophical viewpoint that some humans make individual choices in their existence. French existentialist Jean Paul Sartre said “Man is nothing else but that which he makes of himself.” In this view, personal freedom may be seen as having the potential of both positive and negative outcomes depending on the choices one makes. Little comfort this does the dunce, who with limited cognitive potential in the first place, has made nothing of his life. Sartre had nothing to offer him or the 95% of humanity who are incapable of coherent reflection and who, in any case, lack the talent to change anything…This explains all you need to know about the frustration of the BLM raging in the streets. One argument we find of significant merit in the search for life’s true purpose is to advance or help humankind. Many people feel that the one true meaning of life is to be grateful to our Creator for ones abilities and work to advance human happiness and decrease human suffering. This marvelous outlook often contains views that humankind, especially those gifted with superior intelligence and ability, will find satisfying purpose and meaning by working to reduce and end suffering. Life’s meaningful purpose in this view includes the desire to devote ones talent to meaningful pursuits benefiting those in need. The scientists who have found cures and preventatives for disease, of course, rank high under this formula. Doctors, Dentists, nurses and all those who help to directly reduce ATHEISTS 9 misery and suffering are obvious members of this group of angels. There can be many variations on what it actually means to help others. Many people may feel the answer to what their life’s meaning is about is to contribute to society through their work. Musicians, artists, writers, inventors and scientists fall into this group. Others may feel that it’s important to help discover technological or other types of advances to aid in the positive progress of humankind. Some fortunate people decide that following and developing their God given talents is their true purpose in life. Artists and musicians who create great beauty and wonders certainly find their lives meaningful as do writers and poets. Indeed, there is great satisfaction and joy in such pursuits. Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo da Vinci, Beethoven and Mozart certainly fit into this category as would Jonas Salk Dr Salk who, in 1952, developed the first effective polio vaccine.

Trans-humanism is an interesting school of thought suggesting the meaning of life is to improve the human body by extending that life. There is nothing in this discipline precluding those so engaged from having religious beliefs. In fact, many do. Transhumanists seek mental and physical improvements in humankind such as the advances concerned with slowing and even arresting the aging process. Trans-humanist views hold that since life began through evolution, it is up to ‘evolved humans’ to control and extend the quality of life. Recent developments in the medical properties of nanobots, as they relate to the extension of human life through a slowing the aging process, suggests the possibility of almost endless life We are nearing a tipping point in life extension, thanks to technologies that enhance our health and maximize resources ATHEISTS 10 Extending human life expectancy is not a new story. When our genes evolved thousands of years ago, it was not particularly in the interests of the human species to live past a child-rearing age as resources such as food were always in short supply. Human life expectancy years in the dark ages was about 37. Today it is now pushing 80, and we have been adding about three months each year for the past several decades. This is due mostly to advances in medical procedures and pharmacology and does not address the bodies overall aging process. The science of life extension is about to go into high gear. Until recently, health and medicine was a hit or miss affair. We would discover interventions such as beneficial drugs but many also had undesirable side effects. We did not have the means to design truly life-prolonging interventions on the cellular level. But that is changing. The breakthrough in stem-cell biology recently reported offers just one example of the progress

To be continued.

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