Silver_and_Jade_Tears Silver_and_Jade_Tears

The Absurdity of Human Life

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The Absurdity of Human Life

from JoeUser Forums

Imagine one day you were to come across a young man digging a hole in the earth with a shovel.  An inquiry into his actions leads to the conclusion that he is digging his grave.  Likely you would find this intriguing, and would attempt to draw more information from the man.  Suppose the man explained that he wanted the best grave he could create throughout the years of his existence.  The man is literally spending his life preparing the resting place for his dead body.

Would you find this ridiculous?

Yet, throughout human existance, like the man digging his own grave, we have spent our lives preparing for our death.  Many find it necessary to believe in an afterlife, and are willing to sacrifice parts of their earthly lives in order to gain admittance.  Others spend their lives researching various religions, sciences, and beliefs, in order to find something regarding death that they can come to terms with.

At the very root of it, everything in our existence has grown out of our obsession of death.  Humans fear death so much that we have created religion, (a way to either accept death with the hope of some sort of better life,) and science, (a way of postponing death through medicine, or other forms of preservation.)

Why?

Why can't human's just accept that this may be the one and only life we have, and live it accordingly?  Yes, we are afraid of what happens after we die, afraid that there may be no purpose for our existence.  But why allow that fear to dictate the way we live the life that we know for certain we have at this moment?

Why can't we spend our lives simply enjoying being alive?

 

 

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Reply #26 from JoeUser Forums Top

People don't talk about the soul very much anymore. It's so much easier to write a resume than to craft a spirit.
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This I agree with and what I've already said here.

learned to live many years ago. I learned to love the journey, not the destination. I learned that it is not a dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get.
End of quote

This I don't agree with.  Reminds me of Christ when he said about those who are heading for destruction (not preparing for their destination) "eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we will die."   Meaning for some this is all there is, for others there's another whole world waiting for them. 

To me it's a sad state to think this is all there is.  Life is but a vapor and then we're gone. 

Reply #27 from JoeUser Forums Top

I simply find it ironic, and fascinating, that we choose to live our lives certain ways in an attempt to receive a better afterlife, instead of attempting to make this life, this world, better.
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So you cannot fathom that while one is "attempting to receive a better afterlife" that he can't make this world a better  one in the progress? 

Think about it.  For many who think this is all there is, they are more likely to be self-centered wanting to get all the gusto there is because, well, you only get one chance. There is no afterlife.   For those who believe they are living for God and the chance to be with Him, they are living for Him now.  While living for him now and being accountable to Him,  they wish to bring glory to Him by serving others in the hopes that those they are serving can also benefit eternally. 

People don't talk about the soul very much anymore
End of quote

This I agree with and have said as much here. 

I learned to love the journey, not the destination.
End of quote

Why not both?  This would echo the sentiments of Silver and Jade.  They are not mutually exclusive as I've said above but can co-exist quite well.  We can love the journey and look forward to the destination.

To me it's a sad state to think this is all there is.  Reminds me of what Christ said of those heading for destruction...."eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we will die."   For some this is all there is, for others there's a destination to look forward to.

 

Star Control: Origins
Reply #28 from JoeUser Forums Top

So you cannot fathom that while one is "attempting to receive a better afterlife" that he can't make this world a better one in the progress?
End of quote

Actually, I can fathom it.  However, look at all the wars, and pain that has been caused, (for both religion, and other secular ideals) because of people's attempt at reaching a certain afterlife. 

Yes, the two can co-exist, however, in our world today, (and in the world's history) they haven't.

 

Reply #29 from JoeUser Forums Top

learned to live many years ago. I learned to love the journey, not the destination. I learned that it is not a dress rehearsal, and that today is the only guarantee you get.

This I don't agree with. Reminds me of Christ when he said about those who are heading for destruction (not preparing for their destination) "eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we will die." Meaning for some this is all there is, for others there's another whole world waiting for them.

To me it's a sad state to think this is all there is. Life is but a vapor and then we're gone.
End of quote

As you, I don't agree with her on this point. She's very much in the here and now isn't she? Yet, there is more to life than just the earthly journey,,,there is earthly life and eternal life in either Heaven or Hell.

The reason why I posted it is becasue the main gist of what she is saying refutes the notion that life is an absurdity.

   

 

Reply #30 from JoeUser Forums Top

The reason why I posted it is becasue the main gist of what she is saying refutes the notion that life is an absurdity.

To me, yes, spending life preparing for death is an absurdity.

Reply #31 from JoeUser Forums Top

To me, yes, spending life preparing for death is an absurdity.
End of quote

Well maybe that's because you're young?  When you get older, maybe it won't seem so absurd afterall? 

I remember when I was young and in school and the teacher would say that at the end of the semester we would have to pass in a lengthy report on a given subject.  She would then go on to give us the criteria that had to be met which involved quite a bit of research and resources.  I would get right on it and finish it well before it was due.  Some thought that was absurd.  They would wait until the last moment barely getting it in on time.  Since mine was done so early, I had much more time to relax (and enjoy life) and perfect it if I thought of or saw something that pertained to this report worth adding.  Needless to say I always got A's on my reports. 

Do you see where I'm heading here?  The physical world is a picture of the spiritual.  We are both physical and spiritual people.  Why do so many take care of the physical and emotional side of things but totally neglect the spiritual until too late?

However, look at all the wars, and pain that has been caused, (for both religion, and other secular ideals) because of people's attempt at reaching a certain afterlife.
End of quote

but that's not why the wars and pain are caused.  They are caused by man's selfishness, pride and arrogance.  It really has nothing to do with the afterlife.  Some have caused war in the name of God disguising the real fact that it was power and greed that really drove them to this. 

 

Reply #32 from JoeUser Forums Top

kfc posts:

We are both physical and spiritual people.
End of quote

Exactly. We have a physical body and an eternal, immortal soul (spirit).

S&JT WRITES:

The man is literally spending his life preparing the resting place for his dead body.
End of quote

To me, yes, spending life preparing for death is an absurdity.
End of quote

 

It's not an absurdity when you consider that our physical death happens just before our eternal life begins. The physical body remains in the grave while our spritual soul is immediately judged and sent to everlasting life in Heaven or Hell.  

So, it seems to me that spending our life preparing for our death is a prudent, most wise thing to do.  

Reply #33 from JoeUser Forums Top

double post...

Reply #34 from JoeUser Forums Top

Why can't human's just accept that this may be the one and only life we have, and live it accordingly?
End of quote

Because it isn't true. It's foolish and nonsencical to accept something that isn't true. 

Yes, we are afraid of what happens after we die, afraid that there may be no purpose for our existence.
End of quote

But there is a purpose for our existence....everything that is created has an end for which it was made.

Think about it. The end of a clock is to keep time and the end of a pen is to write. Then ask yourself, for what purpose was humankind made and if we discover that, we'll know his end. Look around, everything has a purpose or an end. What was man made for....anything in the world? The answer is clearly no.

We see all classes or beings were created for something higher than themselves. For example, the soil is made for plants to grow for animals and us to feed upon and from this we can easily see that everything in the world was made to serve something else. Plants are higher than soil because they have life and soil does not, animals are higher than plants because they have life and can feel and plants cannot. Man is higher than animals because he has reason and intelligence and an eternal soul  and can understand while animals cannot.

There must be something higher than man himself but there is nothing higher than him in the world so we must look beyond to find that for which he was made. And looking beyond and considering all things, we find man was made for Almighty God...to know Him, to love Him and to serve Him in this short life's journey to be with Him in the eternal next.

You ask

Why can't we spend our lives simply enjoying being alive?
End of quote

It's called happiness and the only way to be happy, I mean really happy is to serve the purpose or existence for which we are made...to serve our end...Who is God Almighty....live this short earthly life knowing, loving and serving God through faith, hope and charity, that is love of God and our neighbor for His sake, and we'll be happy .......simply enjoy being alive and then

SUPERNATURALLY HAPPY IN THE NEXT.

That's the ticket my dear.

 

Reply #35 from JoeUser Forums Top

My philosophy:

Live this life the very best you can as if it was your last, because no one can be unequivocally true that there is a life after death; essentially - Live, laugh, love, and make a difference.

Reply #36 from JoeUser Forums Top

Live this life the very best you can as if it was your last, because no one can be unequivocally true that there is a life after death; essentially - Live, laugh, love, and make a difference.
End of quote

and no one can be "unequivocally true" that there isn't a life after death.  So who's better prepared?  Hmmmmm?O:)

It could be a matter of life and death.  Wouldn't it be better to err on the side of life than death? 

Reply #37 from JoeUser Forums Top

and no one can be "unequivocally true" that there isn't a life after death. So who's better prepared? Hmmmmm?

It could be a matter of life and death. Wouldn't it be better to err on the side of life than death?
End of quote

It's my belief that if your heart is true, then there is nothing to worry about. That beign said, my comment still stands:

Live this life the very best you can as if it was your last, because no one can be unequivocally true that there is a life after death; essentially - Live, laugh, love, and make a difference.
You know why? Because even if you are right, is it not a good thing to live that way? No I'm not talking about boozing it up, but living, laughing, loving, and making a difference.
Reply #38 from JoeUser Forums Top

It's my belief that if your heart is true, then there is nothing to worry about.
End of quote

but it's not YOUR belief that matters. 

God makes up the rules.  You don't. 

It's not about you.  It's all about Him. 

 

Reply #39 from JoeUser Forums Top

God makes up the rules. You don't.
End of quote

In your belief system that is so.

but it's not YOUR belief that matters.
End of quote

Neither is it yours, KFC. You're not getting it. Though I realize that you justifiably cannot approach most matters (topics) in an entirely different mindset since you have your set beliefs that govern your world - it would be nice to have you understand what I'm saying. '

You just flat out do not understand differences of belief sets.

 

 

 

Reply #40 from JoeUser Forums Top

You just flat out do not understand differences of belief sets.
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oh yes  I do, because I went from you to me to some degree.  So I've been where you are. 

You're playing the game with your own made up rules.  I'm just telling you that it's not our rules that count.  You can use your own rules if you want.  But be warned, you will be thrown out of the game by the official sooner or later.  It doesn't matter if you point to your own rules or not.  It's not your rules (nor mine) that matter.

You didn't make up this game of life.  God did.  It's his game and his rules that count. 

 

 

 

 

Reply #41 from JoeUser Forums Top

oh yes I do, because I went from you to me to some degree. So I've been where you are.

You're playing the game with your own made up rules. I'm just telling you that it's not our rules that count. You can use your own rules if you want. But be warned, you will be thrown out of the game by the official sooner or later. It doesn't matter if you point to your own rules or not. It's not your rules (nor mine) that matter.

You didn't make up this game of life. God did. It's his game and his rules that count.
End of quote

"Since our world community is so very vast and diverse, it is important for us t orespect the entire range of religious and spiritual traditions, not setting ourselves up as 'opponents' of any other tradition. The way to accomplish happiness in the world is to do meaningful work in one's own life, with a positive motivation that sees all people and all traditions as equal"

(Seventeenth Karmapa, "Buddhadarma" magazine, Summer 2008)

I think he says it best.

Reply #42 from JoeUser Forums Top

My philosophy:

Live this life the very best you can as if it was your last, because no one can be unequivocally true that there is a life after death; essentially - Live, laugh, love, and make a difference.
End of quote

Your philosophy on life is oversimplified as no one of us or a group of us is self sufficient. It would be an insult to the infinite wisdom of God to suggest that He would make man to live a few earthly years, die and end the same as a termite or tree. And Almighty God is not only wise but He is JUST. If there is no future life, what of justice? Good and evil are in this life.    

Whether we realize it or not we must admit immortality. Justice demands it.

Even apart from God's revelation, we can know there is life after death by use of our reason as there is not a single argument against the existence of God, Heaven or Hell, which cannot be proved fallacious....including yours. If there is no future life, there is no true morality, for there is no sufficient sanction. Rob, lie, murder, etc. ---only be careful! If there is immortality we can understand God reserving His full manifestation of Supreme Justice for the next life. But if the be no immortality, as you suggest, then there be no God at all. For this doctrine that there is no immortality, the proofs should be strong...but where are they? There are none.   

Believe me, the human soul is made in the image and likeness of God and is therefore, immortal. We know that God, Heaven and Hell exist becasue Justice demands there be God, Heaven and Hell. The very sense of justice among us results in law, in courts....this supposes a Just God. We are not self sufficient...we didn't give ourselves a sense of justice. It comes from our Creator who made us...and no one can give what he does not possess himself. Yet justice cannot always be done by men in this world. Here the good often suffer and the wicked prosper. And even though human justice does not always succeed in balancing the scales, they will be balanced some day by a Just God, who most certainly does exist...as does eternal life in Heaven or Hell.

Reply #43 from JoeUser Forums Top

You know, you really are preaching to a brick wall Lula.

But if the be no immortality, as you suggest, then there be no God at all.
End of quote

Uh, no lula, that is not necessarily true.

~Lula~

You're misinterperating my point; my motto simply comes down to the following:

We cannot prove or disporve God; whether it is through scientific or biblical fact. That being said, the best thing, in my opinion, is to just live life and make a difference through love, laughing, making a difference, etc.

Why not be good, loving, compassionate, honest, etc...for the sake of you and your fellow man. It comes across as selfish in thinking "Well, I want to get into heaven, so I must be xyz." Again, why not just be what I previously mentioned for the sake of it? It makes sense.

 

 

Reply #44 from JoeUser Forums Top

It makes sense.

End of quote

not to me it doesn't. 

Reply #45 from JoeUser Forums Top

not to me it doesn't.
End of quote

 

So being good, etc. for the sake of it, and just out of genuine desire to have a life like that and help others....doesn't make sense? You would have to have some incentive or God?

 

 

Reply #46 from JoeUser Forums Top

So being good, etc. for the sake of it, and just out of genuine desire to have a life like that and help others....doesn't make sense? You would have to have some incentive or God?

End of quote

Nope. 

It's not about incentive.  It's about whom am I living for.  Myself?  God? 

If I'm living for myself than I'm motivated by self.  If I'm living for God, then I'm motivated by God.   It's like Paul said.... when we live for God we die to self.  To live for God means that I know I will be held accountable by him but more than that I know what he's done for me so I'm eternally grateful.  To show that gratefulness I do my best to love Him by loving my neighbor. 

God includes us in his plan if we so wish.  First we walk with God then we work for God and all we do should bring glory to Him, not ourselves. 

I'm much more willing to do things for God than I ever would be for myself.  If it wern't for Him, I doubt I would do much that wouldn't benefit myself. 

 

Reply #47 from JoeUser Forums Top

All the "debate" on here comes from two groups of people...

Those that "know" there is an afterlife, and those that accept that this life may be all we have.

Coming from it from the perspective of those that "know" there is an afterlife, and that certain sacrifices must be made in this life in order to gain a desirable place in the afterlife (ie: heaven over hell), I completely understand why you live the way you do.  As KFC said, it brings you peace.

I understand the argument that this life is only fleeting compared to eternity, so this life is the preparation for said eternity.

Perhaps you are right.

BUT, what if you aren't, and this life is all that you have.

Sure, you can always say "better safe than sorry," but coming from the viewpoint that I am offering here, wouldn't spending your one life preparing for death be an absurdity?

Yes, it all comes down to personal beliefs.  KFC and Lula believe there is an afterlife, and that we should spend our lives preparing for it.

Do I believe there is an afterlife?  Absolutely. 

But still, the question "why do we spend our lives preparing for death?" can be thought provoking.

 

Reply #48 from JoeUser Forums Top

I'm much more willing to do things for God than I ever would be for myself. If it wern't for Him, I doubt I would do much that wouldn't benefit myself.
End of quote

It could be argued (endlessly, I am sure) that by doing things for God, you are doing them for yourself.  You want to be considered good/moral by God, and spend eternity in heaven, so you obey God.

 

Reply #49 from JoeUser Forums Top

I'm much more willing to do things for God than I ever would be for myself. If it wern't for Him, I doubt I would do much that wouldn't benefit myself.
End of quote

 

See, that's thing...I am, so to speak, without him, and I go out of my way to help others and be selfless. It just goes to show that people like me who do not believe in your God - can be good, moral, upright, caring, compassionate, etc.

(Sorry, that does sound a little arrogant/boisterous, not intending to be)

Reply #50 from JoeUser Forums Top

It just goes to show that people like me who do not believe in your God - can be good, moral, upright, caring, compassionate, etc.
End of quote

yes they can.  I'm not debating that.  I'm debating motivation.  Who do you do it for?  

Most people do for others because it makes them feel better.  Some do it out of guilt.  Some do it for monetary gain.  Some do it for attention.  Some do it only when the cameras are rolling. 

As a Christian I do it for the glory of God.  If I, on occasion, do it for one of the reasons listed above, scripture says that my works will be burned up.  At the end of time we will pass by the bema seat of Christ and our works will be judged (for crowns sake).  Those who do their works for the glory of God (not praise of men) is said to have built this on a foundation of gold and silver and the fire will not destroy these works.  But those who did their works built on hay, wood or stubble will find their works burned up.  They will make it into the kingdom of God as if scorched but they will have no works to follow them in.  As a Christian that will be an embarrasing moment. 

Sure, you can always say "better safe than sorry," but coming from the viewpoint that I am offering here, wouldn't spending your one life preparing for death be an absurdity?
End of quote

Yes it would.  But it's not like we're just sitting here waiting for the afterlife to happen either.  We're going about our busy days and making decisions in the light of eternity. 

Yes, it all comes down to personal beliefs. KFC and Lula believe there is an afterlife, and that we should spend our lives preparing for it.
End of quote

to some extent yes, but it's not like we don't live in this one either.  We shouldn't be so heavenly minded that we're no earthly good.  It's just that we don't want to be so earthyly minded that we're not heavenly good. 

Do I believe there is an afterlife? Absolutely.
End of quote

I'm glad to hear that.   I didn't know you did.  I thought this was all about your not believing in the afterlife. 

But still, the question "why do we spend our lives preparing for death?" can be thought provoking.
End of quote

It is very thought provoking.  And something we should think about.  Everyday we're dying more and more physically.  As a Christian everyday I'm living more and more spiritually.  I'm exchanging my physical life for the spiritual and it pays dividends even now.  There is no comparison. 

It could be argued (endlessly, I am sure) that by doing things for God, you are doing them for yourself. You want to be considered good/moral by God, and spend eternity in heaven, so you obey God.

End of quote

In a way and from a human standpoint I can see what you're saying.  As a Christian we long to hear "well done good and faithful servant."  It's like a child who wants to honor his father so obedience comes easy because it flows from love.  Love is at the crux of the whole matter.  I do what I do because I love God.  He showed us by example what it was like to live a selfless life.  As a Christian we are to follow him in all his ways.  He's our example.