Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

NeoGreen

(4,033 posts)
Mon Jul 31, 2017, 07:37 AM Jul 2017

Even if Our Existence is Temporary, Theres Reason to Celebrate

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2017/07/28/even-if-our-existence-is-temporary-theres-reason-to-celebrate/




Even if Our Existence is Temporary, There’s Reason to Celebrate
July 28, 2017 by Hemant Mehta

Richard Dawkins famously said, “We are going to die, and that makes us the lucky ones.” His point was that there were so many things that had to happen for us to be alive, and so many reasons we shouldn’t be here, that we ought to embrace the “miracle” of life while we have it.

Religious people often criticize atheists for thinking “this is it.” As if we have to believe in an afterlife or there’s no point to anything. But as this video brilliantly explains, there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic even if it’ll all be over in a blink of the universe’s eye.



My favorite part: “If the universe ends in heat death, every humiliation you suffer in your life will be forgotten. Every mistake you’ve made will not matter in the end. Every bad thing you did will be voided. If our life is all we get to experience, then it’s the only thing that matters. If the universe has no principles, the only principles relevant are the ones we decide on. If the universe has no purpose, then we get to dictate what its purpose is.”

Think of all the amazing things that bring joy to your life. And realize how rare it is that get to enjoy all that. Make the most of it. Help others experience it.
8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Even if Our Existence is Temporary, Theres Reason to Celebrate (Original Post) NeoGreen Jul 2017 OP
Our lives are shorter than flowers WhiteTara Jul 2017 #1
Think of all the amazing things that bring joy to your life. LakeArenal Jul 2017 #2
Don't you cry. Don't you cry, anymore. Warren DeMontague Jul 2017 #3
Beautiful mountain grammy Jul 2017 #5
... Warren DeMontague Jul 2017 #6
it tickled my brain. thanks. RussBLib Jul 2017 #4
Thanks for this Neo. progressoid Aug 2017 #7
I cannot agree more. Intransigent Atheist Aug 2017 #8

WhiteTara

(30,168 posts)
1. Our lives are shorter than flowers
Mon Jul 31, 2017, 08:29 AM
Jul 2017

Then shall we mourn? No we shall dance and wear bright colors and teach our children to plant gardens, because our lives are shorter than flowers.
Toltec Fragment

LakeArenal

(29,808 posts)
2. Think of all the amazing things that bring joy to your life.
Mon Jul 31, 2017, 09:26 AM
Jul 2017

Think of all the amazing things that bring joy to your life. And realize how rare it is that get to enjoy all that. Make the most of it. Help others experience it.

We live longer than many things on the earth. That is a life experience right there. Just because I don't believe in divinity, doesn't mean there isn't a next "stage" in our "lives" after death. We don't know. That's the point: To move forward on this earth to learn what "life" means in the scheme of things.

I do believe energy can not be created or destroyed so, who knows?

RussBLib

(9,666 posts)
4. it tickled my brain. thanks.
Mon Jul 31, 2017, 06:12 PM
Jul 2017

worth passing along

and, of course, the fun we seek should not be at the expense of others

8. I cannot agree more.
Tue Aug 1, 2017, 12:12 PM
Aug 2017

When I think of all the things that could have prevented me from being here, I feel very grateful. I get to be here for a little while and I hope to keep making the most of it.

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»Atheists & Agnostics»Even if Our Existence is ...