On Reconciling Atheism and Meaning in the Universe

[intaglio]

45. No I am just saying that the question is void

Give examples of meaning, or point or purpose. Alternatively say what class of answer would satisfy those questions. I suspect that you have no idea of examples or meanings or purposes or answers. You might come up with something like "To live in the glory God," or " to dwell forever in Heaven (or Hell)" but those are not meanings they are ends you wish to achieve. You would have unanswered the questions "what is the meaning of my glorifying God?" or "what is the purpose of living in Heaven?"

Meanings apply to words and symbols and asking for a meaning of creation (the universe) is to assume the mantle of the Gnostic or Kabalist and claim that the word, Logos, is both the act of creation and the creation itself. The universe is not a word or symbol any more than the living animals dog, or kitten, or a Guinea worm are symbols. An image or the words for any of those things can have meanings imposed upon them but those meanings are not inherent in the living, respiring biological structures.

Now to the charge of Nihilism. It is true I am saying there is no inherent purpose or meaning to life but I also say that you should get out there and find a purpose; find a way to make your life meaningful. To ask for someone or something to provide you with that purpose is asking to remain a child or slave forever and ever, amen. You may want to be spoonfed, to abdicate responsibility to another; sorry but I do not find that either appealing or indicative of maturity.