Is it important?

Is it really important for us to know where we come from and why we are here? Really?

Yes and no.

Important? I don't know... But we are curious creatures. We want answers to our questions.... so much so.. that we make them up if we don't have one.

Ya know... like a talking snake in a garden a few thousand years ago... that sort of thing.

I think the origin is important if you're looking for the perspectives on the why are we here and what are we supposed to do wtih our time. Some may disagree but I think the beginning is the most important blank to fill if we're expected to know what to do with our time.

Honestly I do not really care, I am a curious creature most definitely, but why people are here is not an area I am curious about. I love science, and particularly astronomy, but why we are here nope, don't think about it.

In one way it is of central importance, as the Cosmogenic myth in many cultures instructs our understanding of the cosmos. The natural order, the purpose of humanity, the purpose of the Gods (whether they be the makers or custodians of creation). In this way it allows us to understand why things are the way they are, and gives us a model to base other aspects of culture on.

My genetics professor told us that he had good news and bad news. He knew the secret of life, and would share it with us.

The secret of life is that your only purpose is to pass on your DNA.
We can prove this.
It in no way helps formulate moral, ethical, or legal decisions; and offers no guidance whatsoever in living that life.

How you understand the cosmos in relation to your origin myth is important in shaping your world view, but honestly the real answer for why you are here can be something as useless as your mom can't hold her liquor, or dad bought cheap condoms. Neither of these in any way prepare you for the choices that await you or the legacy you leave behind.

By my professors description, some of the greatest men and women in history are utter failures, as their genes were not passed on. Likewise some losers on Death Row with four babies abandoned with four separate mothers would be deemed a success as they passed on their genes.

How it came to pass matters less than what you did with it while you were here.

John T Mainer wrote:My genetics professor told us that he had good news and bad news. He knew the secret of life, and would share it with us.

The secret of life is that your only purpose is to pass on your DNA.
We can prove this.
It in no way helps formulate moral, ethical, or legal decisions; and offers no guidance whatsoever in living that life.

How you understand the cosmos in relation to your origin myth is important in shaping your world view, but honestly the real answer for why you are here can be something as useless as your mom can't hold her liquor, or dad bought cheap condoms. Neither of these in any way prepare you for the choices that await you or the legacy you leave behind.

By my professors description, some of the greatest men and women in history are utter failures, as their genes were not passed on. Likewise some losers on Death Row with four babies abandoned with four separate mothers would be deemed a success as they passed on their genes.

How it came to pass matters less than what you did with it while you were here.

So true!

For as long as I can remember, I've been thinking about why or how we got here. Of course, as a kid... the answer that I was given was simple. "God did it". But just like Santa Clause, eventually I needed actual evidence to support that. The more questions I asked... the more I realized that nobody could support it.... and also saw the frustration on their faces. I think I drove people crazy with all my questions...

I no longer look at this concept from a religious standpoint.. nor do I think it has anything to do with how we are supposed to live our lives. And the deeper I've studied it, the more irrelevant this human concept of "God' has become.

But the idea of how or why (if there even is a "why"..) still fascinates me.

It always amuses me that certain people of faith will snicker at me and tell me that I don't have any answers to how or why we are here. Which is true. But of course, unlike them.. I prefer not to make something up just to satisfy my curiosity.

Rob

..

John T Mainer wrote:

If believers know one thing for sure, it is that our gods and ancestors will be reviewing with us what it is we have "made up". As an athiest, you really only have what you make up; and it is that which stares back at you from the mirror. Build well.

Actually, you don't know that for sure.... you only believe it.. but that's fine.

Yes... everybody makes up their own mind as to their purpose in life. But... as a believer.. you also only have what you make up... including your gods.

And the whole "god in the mirror" thing is a typical insult tossed at atheists by theists. But I'm used to it... and I also know that all they have is what they see in the mirror as well. So.. like you said.. build well....


Rob

UPG. In the end, UPG.

Hey John..

Not sure what happened.. but I wanted to respond to your post in more detail on this post.... but somehow, in the process your post disappeared. So I then decided not to respond....

I think I hit the "edit" button instead of the quote button.. but I'm not sure why your post disappeared.

Forgive me... still trying to figuire out this software, I guess.

Rob

John T Mainer wrote:My genetics professor told us that he had good news and bad news. He knew the secret of life, and would share it with us.

The secret of life is that your only purpose is to pass on your DNA.
We can prove this.
It in no way helps formulate moral, ethical, or legal decisions; and offers no guidance whatsoever in living that life.

How you understand the cosmos in relation to your origin myth is important in shaping your world view, but honestly the real answer for why you are here can be something as useless as your mom can't hold her liquor, or dad bought cheap condoms. Neither of these in any way prepare you for the choices that await you or the legacy you leave behind.

By my professors description, some of the greatest men and women in history are utter failures, as their genes were not passed on. Likewise some losers on Death Row with four babies abandoned with four separate mothers would be deemed a success as they passed on their genes.

How it came to pass matters less than what you did with it while you were here.

Everyone is better than their birth.

wontgetfooledagain wrote:Hey John..

Not sure what happened.. but I wanted to respond to your post in more detail on this post.... but somehow, in the process your post disappeared. So I then decided not to respond....

I think I hit the "edit" button instead of the quote button.. but I'm not sure why your post disappeared.

Forgive me... still trying to figuire out this software, I guess.

Rob

Computers are smarter than we are, and smug about it. No worries. I have more than once killed my own posts with the stroke of a key, or occasionally when my mouse decides to use the mysterious third and forth buttons that do something drastic and irrevocable that no one has explained yet.

I think it is important to know.....

But part of that "knowing" is actually knowing. There is nothing wrong with having beliefs about something, but it is of utmost importance to differentiate between those beliefs and actual knowledge. If reality, and your beliefs about reality are in conflict, one of them needs to change.

all

John T Mainer wrote:

wontgetfooledagain wrote:Hey John..

Not sure what happened.. but I wanted to respond to your post in more detail on this post.... but somehow, in the process your post disappeared. So I then decided not to respond....

I think I hit the "edit" button instead of the quote button.. but I'm not sure why your post disappeared.

Forgive me... still trying to figuire out this software, I guess.

Rob

Computers are smarter than we are, and smug about it. No worries. I have more than once killed my own posts with the stroke of a key, or occasionally when my mouse decides to use the mysterious third and forth buttons that do something drastic and irrevocable that no one has explained yet.

Thanks for understanding, John. Believe me... it was not intentional.

allthegoodnamesweretaken wrote:I think it is important to know.....

But part of that "knowing" is actually knowing. There is nothing wrong with having beliefs about something, but it is of utmost importance to differentiate between those beliefs and actual knowledge. If reality, and your beliefs about reality are in conflict, one of them needs to change.

all

I agree with what you are saying, all... but everyone seems to have their own reality. I suppose that's why we have so many different ideas about this concept of "God".

Rob

wontgetfooledagain wrote:

allthegoodnamesweretaken wrote:I think it is important to know.....

But part of that "knowing" is actually knowing. There is nothing wrong with having beliefs about something, but it is of utmost importance to differentiate between those beliefs and actual knowledge. If reality, and your beliefs about reality are in conflict, one of them needs to change.

all

I agree with what you are saying, all... but everyone seems to have their own reality. I suppose that's why we have so many different ideas about this concept of "God".

Rob

No, we all have the same reality, it's the beliefs about it that differ.

No one's beliefs trump anyone else's and that's an important thing to remember.

My post was a bit tongue in cheek. Reality is reality, and isn't going to change. So if reality is shown to be in conflict with your beliefs, your beliefs are the only thing that can change.

allthegoodnamesweretaken wrote:

wontgetfooledagain wrote:

allthegoodnamesweretaken wrote:I think it is important to know.....

But part of that "knowing" is actually knowing. There is nothing wrong with having beliefs about something, but it is of utmost importance to differentiate between those beliefs and actual knowledge. If reality, and your beliefs about reality are in conflict, one of them needs to change.

all

I agree with what you are saying, all... but everyone seems to have their own reality. I suppose that's why we have so many different ideas about this concept of "God".

Rob

No, we all have the same reality, it's the beliefs about it that differ.

No one's beliefs trump anyone else's and that's an important thing to remember.

My post was a bit tongue in cheek. Reality is reality, and isn't going to change. So if reality is shown to be in conflict with your beliefs, your beliefs are the only thing that can change.

Yes.. I know what you were saying, all.. but my point was... people tend to create their own reality... one that they can deal with. And not surprisingly, their beliefs line up with that reality.

And then there's Mythbusters.

Ok.. I'm a geek.. but I love that show.

Me too. I caught their 2 hr special demolition derby the other night. I was tired, and wanted to go to bed, but they were going to drop a BMW from a helicopter at 4000 feet.

Needless to say, I had to see that.

sacrificialgoddess wrote:UPG. In the end, UPG.

Yes, SG.. I'm all for UPGs... but when somebody tries to impose their UPG on me and my life.. then I usually return the compliment.

wontgetfooledagain wrote:

sacrificialgoddess wrote:UPG. In the end, UPG.

Yes, SG.. I'm all for UPGs... but when somebody tries to impose their UPG on me and my life.. then I usually return the compliment.

That's my policy!