The purpose of life

[MrVicchio]

Life, as is seen regularly is harsh, horrid and can be aweful.

But why? God we are told, is a kind and gentle, benovolent being that wishes the best for us.. why then is there evil and pain in the world?

Simply, life is a test. A test of Character. The story of Job teaches us this. You also must consider a bigger picture, you might live to be 76, longer if you are fortunante.. that is nothing in the comsic scale of time. No matter how bad Life is now, here on earth, faith can sustain you, and hold you through it all. For greater rewards will come.

So no matter what happens in Life, pray, stay steady, stay strong, and one day, you will see the rewards. That is what has sustained me in my life. My mother passed away from cancer when I was 7, she suffered horribly, but I found God. I have at times.. been.. less then I could be, but only through God and Jesus can you deal with the crap that is life.

We have evil, to test us, we see hell to remind us of what happens to those that lose faith. This is my belief.

Why did I post this? Too much meditating.. maybe.. Rather, I hope to maybe spark another intelligent debate. I really believe that man is tested in life, not because God is cruel, but because, he knows that just a little faith proves you, and that 70 some odd years of hell on earth is nothing compared to an eternity of salvation. Be safe all.

[Bighoss]

the meaning of life is what ever you choose it to be. Well that's more of the meaning of an individuals life. The overall meaning? I dunno its unanswerable I guess reproduce and die so your species goes on.

[Fire_Monkey]

I don't believe in any salvation aka: heaven, but I do agree that life is a test/challenge. I gotta try that meditating stuff, sounds enlightening.

[Ludio]

I happen to be atheist so I don't believe in god. That said I do have a similar view of life. I think that its not so much a test that a higher power gives us, but rather one that we give ourselves. When you die you look back on life and if you haven't done anything you will regret it. That is one reason why I would like to pursue a career that adds to humanity in some way (scientist, writer etc...).

Life is tough, but it is also full of joy. I think that while we are alive we try and experience as much joy as possible, while still doing something worthwhile. If all you did was play computer games all day, you would have a lot of joy, but no worth. If you actually do something with your life, then you can be satisfied when you die. This is the 'test' and when we die we all know deep down how we did.

Of course some people don't have enough time in life to do anything and I feel sorry for them because of what they could have done, that is why everyone that lives to a ripe old age owes it to others who aren't as fortunate to do their best in life.

[Fire_Monkey]

Well put Ludio. I was born Jewish, went through my Bar Mitzvah, but that was one of the most significant things that pushed me away for religion. I felt that all anyone ever did was read the words out of the books, and never felt G-d for what it truly is. I believe that there is a reason for being here, and that joy should be experienced as well as contributing to society ( I intend to be a writer and have my hobby as gaming).

[Lexington_Steele]

You know, life isn't always a test. Sometimes life doesn't have to be about clinging to faith. Sometimes your allowed to just sit back, relax and enjoy the action.

I don't see life as harsh, cruel, and aweful. I am thoroughly enjoying it. Sometimes things happen that we don't like, but it is always good to be alive(sometimes I wish otherwise, but looking back at those times, it was still good to be alive).

Don't look at life as a test. Look at it more like a whimsical journey through a magic chocolate factory.

[Jaged]

The meaning of life is to play Planetside.

[Ludio]

Jaged, less spam, more serious discussion.

Lex, I think you are right in the sense that people want to enjoy all that they can, and as I said happiness is an integral part of our life (If I wasn't happy then it doesn't matter what I do, life would suck), but I still think that you should do something besides have fun. At the moment I am doing what you said, having a whimsical journey through a magic chocolate factory, but I'm 17 so I don't think anyone minds. When I am older I would like to do something that I can look back on and take pleasure in being a part of. In a sense, doing something important or meaningful with your life is a way of being happy.

[ABRAXAAS]

First off theres starting to be a fair bit of these kind of threads poping up a little to much preachin goin on, life is simple its whatever you want it to be, whatever makes you happy, thats it thats all end of discussion

[Incompetent]

IMHO the purpose of life is to try and make it better for those who follow you. No test, no supreme being standing to the side with a clipboard trying to decide where you should go after you die, just a challenge to make sure the people who follow you don't have to spend their all to short time here going through the same shit that you did. Their is no inherent reason you exist, but you do, so you might as well do something that actually matters and will get you some respect from those who follow you, and you should show respect for those that came before you and fought and died for what they believed in and made this substandard blue marble worth the material its made out of.

btw im agnostic, leaning toward athiesm if anyone thinks it might matter

[KoldFusion]

I'm with your Mr. V
I found God 2 1/2 years ago. Always nice to see someone who isn't afraid to put what they believe out there for others.

[Mtx]

It seems everytime I say something about God an athiest jumps out and slanders me for it.

[Navaron]

*I* say the point of life is to get to heaven, and to bring as many of these other numb nuts with you as possible. If you believe in heaven, the earth is just a flick on the radar, so it's quick and painless. The sooner you die, the sooner you get to heaven, so why be a coward? Why be ashamed of your beliefs? There's my 2 cent. People blame God when bad things happen, but they just ignore the facts that they didn't do anything to stop the evil in world. Makes no sense to me. People who blame God for bad things, are just ostriches who want to blame someone else when shit hits the fan.

[KoldFusion]

Originally posted by Mtx
It seems everytime I say something about God an athiest jumps out and slanders me for it.

Thats sad MTX. I'm sorry you have experienced that. I know how you feel. It doesn't bother me that athiest slander me for saying what I believe. I just blow them off if that is what they chose to do. I also pray for them. It says in Bible that we (who believe in God and trust in His Son) must not be shy and timmid. We must proclaim Him no matter if that cost is persecution.

I'm not trying to a give a sermon (I could quote versus and begin to evangelize though) . Everyone is entitle to their own view. in my religon we pray for instead of hate those who would try to silence us.

[Mtx]