In today’s (2/9/15) Garfield cartoon*, I couldn’t help but think to myself … this is probably 
what many Christians think about atheists … that they are “stumbling aimlessly through a meaningless existence.”
Speaking for myself as a non-believer, I can assure you my life is FULL of meaning. I have direction, I have goals, I have dreams … and more than this, I have peace in knowing my life is my own. I answer to no supernatural Big Guy in the Sky. I’m not worried about some unseen malevolent creature tempting me to “sin.” And most of all, I have no fear of a “hellish” afterlife.
I would daresay most non-believers/atheists feel similarly. But just for fun, I decided to conduct a quick study.
If you are an atheist/non-believer, how would you describe your existence?
*If you are reading this on another date, you will need to click “Comics” and type in the date. I tried to get permission to post the relevant strip, but didn’t get a response. 😦
Nan's Notebook 
I think the meaning discussion can be confusing because everyone has different definitions for meaning.
Some think “meaning in life” is something which is objectively defined by something that is outside of the minds of humans. Given that definition then I think my life is meaningless, but to me that is a silly definition.
A good definition I’ve seen for “meaning in life” is whether someone has reasons to continue living their life. If that is the case then my life is filled to the brim with meaning.
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Life had no meaning – we just are for a brief time, and we’re gone. The only meaning life has is that which we bring to it, and that which we leave behind us, as a legacy for those we’ve left. It’s only those who are looking for more than that, that get caught up in religious traps.
“But there HAS to be more than this!” – Why?
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Howie, technically, I suppose the discussion could be confusing. But I wasn’t asking for anyone to define “meaning in life.” I was asking how they would define their existence — in contrast to what Garfield said to Jon.
It’s a pretty common belief among Christians that atheists are “stumbling aimlessly through a meaningless existence” … for the simple reason they don’t have “God” and Jesus in their lives.
I was hoping my atheist friends would counter this belief through their comments by offering reasons why they are NOT “stumbling aimlessly ….” For example, Arch commented on another blog how much his granddaughter means to him. THIS is just one of the things that obviously makes his existence meaningful.
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Yeah, that was my last paragraph. I’ve got so much in life that gives me reason to live. I can list specifics. Is that what you’re going for? Does posting here require a specific response?
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GrandSON! I also have two granddaughters, but wasn’t allowed to cut their cords – rotten to the core, both of ’em – runs in the family.
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No, Howie, no “specific response” is required. I was just hoping for more detailed comments since I know I have some Christian lurkers.
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….. I have peace in knowing my life is my own. I answer to no supernatural Big Guy in the Sky……
You formulate my thoughts, Nan! When my mother, a believer but not a church-
goer, indicated that she wanted to end her life, of course everybody tried to prevent her of making that mistake. Although a widow, she was healthy, she had (grand)children, good friends, relatives, neighbors. My mom listened patiently to the protests, and her answer was: “You are soo right, but it is I who doesn’t want to live any more. May I?”. She died at 2 o’clock in the morning of her 93rd birthday.
I agree with the doctor’s explanation that nobody can give meaning to somebody else’s life. I cannot see how anyone else than myself can give meaning to my life. Your post makes me want to hear Richard Dreyfuss again, questioning the medical staff of the hospital “Whose Life Is It Anyway?” – I suppose you have seen that movie. Greetings.-
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Sorry, Arch. 😦 I completely overlooked the gender when I read your comment on the other blog.
I’m thinking now that I should have just offered my own thoughts on Garfield’s comment rather than open it up for discussion. But I saw so much meaning in it, I couldn’t help but think others would too.
I remember so well that when I was a Christian, I had no life other than those things that were related to my belief. Church on Sunday and Wednesday for sure, other days when there were “Fellowship” meetings. Bible reading everyday (or at least twice a week during services … HA!). Prayer … unceasingly, of course. Witnessing? Oh, you betcha! Gotta’ reach out to those sinners!
And I sincerely believed those who didn’t know “the Lord” were “stumbling” exactly as Garfield described. How could they ever know the true meaning and value of their existence without a relationship with “God”?
But like I said in the posting. There is soooo much more to my existence now than there ever was when I was trying to please you-know-who.
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“Whose life is it, anyway?” Excellent question, Federico. And I would answer … It’s my life, my existence, and as such, it is mine to live as I see fit and in the way that brings me the most joy.
If a person finds happiness, delight, and meaning in serving an unseen entity that lives somewhere skyward, that’s their prerogative … as it is mine to spend my existence on this planet enjoying the wonders of nature, the love of family, the excitement of learning, and the freedom from guilt and fear that religion places on those who accept its myths and stories.
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My existence matters to my wife, my kids, my family of origin, my friends, my coworkers, my employer, my community… And theirs matters to me. We give each other meaning.
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my existence just is. The things I do, friends I meet- everything I do- is what makes my life. No more meaning beyond that is necessary for me.
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I agree, Mak. But, as you know, Christians claim this is not enough.
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I have just written a long post on the same. I don’t get it with this believers.
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And I’m jealous … because if your past posts are any indication, it will be a lively one for comments. ;(
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don’t be jealous my friend. Yours still has very interesting comments
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Nan, the link you have now shows today’s cartoon. But based on your comment I can pretty much get the gist of the cartoon. The Thinking Atheist wrote about two two years ago, and I thought it represented my own thoughts fairly well.
I will add to this what I said in a blog post I wrote 2 years ago before TTA wrote his thoughts”
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Victoria, did you see the note at the bottom of my posting related to the date of the cartoon?
I’m with you. The Thinking Atheist said it far better than I ever could. And your thoughts wrap it up very nicely as well. 🙂
TTA’s first words are primarily the reason I wrote this post: “Theists continue to tell me that my life is void and meaningless without God.” IOW, their thinking runs along the lines of Garfield’s comment. I just wanted to point out that they’re wrong-wrong-wrong!
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Well duh — I see it now. 😀
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I disagree with Arch: His life has meaning and it appears to be to annoy the crap out of people like Colorstorm and Brandon.
He annoys me too, but that’s okay.
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But you’re so annoyable —
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Nothing to “Pass on”
No meaningful Heirlooms , no memories, no pictures or videos, no thoughts of your birth, life or death , no desire of future generations to learn something about you………
This could be a “life without meaning” and transcends the religious and non-religious alike.
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Not you, KC – I expected this to go under Ark’s comment!
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You probably annoy Ken as well, you Old Fossil.
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“You probably annoy Ken as well, you Old Fossil.”
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To be remembered as “Annoying”
I suppose this could provide meaning to life. or NOT 🙂
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Speaking of idiots, and I was, near the turn of the century, 10,113 Americans insured themselves against giving birth to the messiah at the millennium. I would have taken that bet in a heartbeat!
It’s hard to imagine that many people, who believe that strongly that such a thing could even exist, would say in essence – we don’t want him!
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I missed this one, too. Sorry. My existence isn’t meaningless. I exist to make folks smile and laugh. I likes that. 🙂
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