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Think about the title first of all, and what those words mean. (The subject heading was chosen by Mr. Snuggly, btw, so I thought we'd discuss it).
So, what is the point of being mortal? You're here, then you're not, and that's it. So IS there a point to it all?
There's basically two sides to the argument. Take Bert and Ernie.
Bert believes in God. (Doesn't matter which religion he is, let's just say that he does.) So for Bert, his life is about serving God in the way that his God has decreed. He was placed on Earth by God, so that he can serve God, then, when he shuffles off his mortal coil, as long as he's served God diligently then he'll go to Heaven and be blissful ever after.
So for Bert, being mortal has a definite purpose, therefore being mortal is not futile. Life itself has a definite purpose for Bert.
Ernie doesn't believe in God. He is an aetheist. Ernie doesn't know what life is about but has a vague idea that the number 42 and the name Darwin have something to do with it. He hopes he's immortal, but deep down he knows that one day he will be no more, as has happened to every other member of every species known to man up until now.
So for Ernie, he spends an awful lot of time trying to work out what he's actually doing here, and whether or not it's worth it.
The funny thing is, both Bert and Ernie are twin brothers, the ONLY difference between the two of them is what they believe in, and yet this belief structure totally differentiates their outlooks on their own lives and their reasons for existence.
For one, mortality is not futile, for the other it appears that it IS futile, all based upon their respective mindsets.
In the immortal words of Mr. Snuggly: 'Discuss'...
So, what is the point of being mortal? You're here, then you're not, and that's it. So IS there a point to it all?
There's basically two sides to the argument. Take Bert and Ernie.
Bert believes in God. (Doesn't matter which religion he is, let's just say that he does.) So for Bert, his life is about serving God in the way that his God has decreed. He was placed on Earth by God, so that he can serve God, then, when he shuffles off his mortal coil, as long as he's served God diligently then he'll go to Heaven and be blissful ever after.
So for Bert, being mortal has a definite purpose, therefore being mortal is not futile. Life itself has a definite purpose for Bert.
Ernie doesn't believe in God. He is an aetheist. Ernie doesn't know what life is about but has a vague idea that the number 42 and the name Darwin have something to do with it. He hopes he's immortal, but deep down he knows that one day he will be no more, as has happened to every other member of every species known to man up until now.
So for Ernie, he spends an awful lot of time trying to work out what he's actually doing here, and whether or not it's worth it.
The funny thing is, both Bert and Ernie are twin brothers, the ONLY difference between the two of them is what they believe in, and yet this belief structure totally differentiates their outlooks on their own lives and their reasons for existence.
For one, mortality is not futile, for the other it appears that it IS futile, all based upon their respective mindsets.
In the immortal words of Mr. Snuggly: 'Discuss'...
Life after death is a very poignant subject beacuse it is something we have all thought about but also normerly forget about; that is until we see death coming. the point is then what answers we derive at in answer to the question: Is there life after life?
bert and ernie are perhaps the two extremes but at the end of the day is not ernie happier? I've often thought and observed that religious people are often those happiest in society. And the reason for this I believe is because they shuvel off some of their burdens and get on doing their best in life. and yes they have heaven to aim for. So surely it is best to aim for something good by behaving in a way to make the world a better place for everyone and hey, just enjoying yourself. You don't have to be religious to follow these values but just show a little optimism.
I don't think that contment breeds complacency when it comes to exploring existence and meaning. Christians are always exploring deeper into their faith. yes they are trapped to certain beliefs bt where they look for answers from God others explore science and others philosophise while many mix them all. what is important however is that we don't take the world for granted but apply ourselves to maximise existence while not fearing death but having an open mind.
And well does it really matter if you were wrong? If there is no life after death then it doesn't matter and if there is then bonus but atleast by thinking there is theres the possibility of living a fulfilled happy life. Unless of course one just couldn't give a damn.
bert and ernie are perhaps the two extremes but at the end of the day is not ernie happier? I've often thought and observed that religious people are often those happiest in society. And the reason for this I believe is because they shuvel off some of their burdens and get on doing their best in life. and yes they have heaven to aim for. So surely it is best to aim for something good by behaving in a way to make the world a better place for everyone and hey, just enjoying yourself. You don't have to be religious to follow these values but just show a little optimism.
I don't think that contment breeds complacency when it comes to exploring existence and meaning. Christians are always exploring deeper into their faith. yes they are trapped to certain beliefs bt where they look for answers from God others explore science and others philosophise while many mix them all. what is important however is that we don't take the world for granted but apply ourselves to maximise existence while not fearing death but having an open mind.
And well does it really matter if you were wrong? If there is no life after death then it doesn't matter and if there is then bonus but atleast by thinking there is theres the possibility of living a fulfilled happy life. Unless of course one just couldn't give a damn.
The rubber duck is an analogy for mortality, the differences between Ernie and Bert, symbolically naked whilst in the bath, are stripped of their worldly differences, whilst the rubber duck remains constant to us all.
Or something.
Or something.
But Bert and Ernie share a bath and sing of "Rubber Duckies".
This cannot be right.
This cannot be right.
Being mortal defines humans, it gives them drive and ambition to achieve within their own lifetime.
Berts religion assures him that, to worship god is all that is required to obtain immortality. But we would have to assume that Berts faith is unshakeable. He wraps himself in a blanket and denies himself the experience that is life, on the assumption that his spirit will live forever. Denial is not too strong a word to use in this case, not accepting your mortality is self destroying and futile.
Ernie may accept his mortality though, providing a positive impetus to his lifestyle, this might even be on a subconscious level. If people ask the question 'Why do you think we are here' to Ernie, his response may change with experience, understanding and wisdom. The sciences, philosophy and meta physics may have driven other Ernies to reveal larger parts of this question, because of their constant need to realise the answers before they are unable to ask the questions.
Berts answer is always going to be the same, no matter how often he is asked. Unless his faith is shaken, leading him to question his religion and his god. Through this questioning Bert will either revert to the comfort of immortality, come to accept his mortality as Ernie has, or fall into the category somewhere in-between, he no longer believes in God but has been unable to accept his mortality, leaving him confused and spiritually empty.
Ernie can give good advice to people in this position though; Other than not actually going to Church and being nice in God's name, he has lead a good life, a humanist atheist is the term they prefer. He would say, 'Do not concern yourself with the issues of immortality Bert, experience life to the best of your ability, as you see fit. After you die, if your spirit lives on and is somehow judged by an omnipotent and all forgiving presence, then you will have nothing to fear. Your perceived short time as a sentient living being caused you to ask questions, rather than accept stated answers. Is there any harm in that?'
Bert and Ernie are fairly extreme characters, most people would fall well between the two. Most religious people do not close themselves of to life, most non believers aren't overly driven by the finality of their death.
Ask yourselves this though; 'For the Human race to move forward and evolve, which of these two people do we need?'
Mortality is in my opinion inextricably linked to the progression of humans emotionally, psychologically and mentally. To absolve ourselves of it's burden removes our reasons to move forward.
Berts religion assures him that, to worship god is all that is required to obtain immortality. But we would have to assume that Berts faith is unshakeable. He wraps himself in a blanket and denies himself the experience that is life, on the assumption that his spirit will live forever. Denial is not too strong a word to use in this case, not accepting your mortality is self destroying and futile.
Ernie may accept his mortality though, providing a positive impetus to his lifestyle, this might even be on a subconscious level. If people ask the question 'Why do you think we are here' to Ernie, his response may change with experience, understanding and wisdom. The sciences, philosophy and meta physics may have driven other Ernies to reveal larger parts of this question, because of their constant need to realise the answers before they are unable to ask the questions.
Berts answer is always going to be the same, no matter how often he is asked. Unless his faith is shaken, leading him to question his religion and his god. Through this questioning Bert will either revert to the comfort of immortality, come to accept his mortality as Ernie has, or fall into the category somewhere in-between, he no longer believes in God but has been unable to accept his mortality, leaving him confused and spiritually empty.
Ernie can give good advice to people in this position though; Other than not actually going to Church and being nice in God's name, he has lead a good life, a humanist atheist is the term they prefer. He would say, 'Do not concern yourself with the issues of immortality Bert, experience life to the best of your ability, as you see fit. After you die, if your spirit lives on and is somehow judged by an omnipotent and all forgiving presence, then you will have nothing to fear. Your perceived short time as a sentient living being caused you to ask questions, rather than accept stated answers. Is there any harm in that?'
Bert and Ernie are fairly extreme characters, most people would fall well between the two. Most religious people do not close themselves of to life, most non believers aren't overly driven by the finality of their death.
Ask yourselves this though; 'For the Human race to move forward and evolve, which of these two people do we need?'
Mortality is in my opinion inextricably linked to the progression of humans emotionally, psychologically and mentally. To absolve ourselves of it's burden removes our reasons to move forward.
Grix you have a good point there. We are all born with a blank mind with only some unconcious knowlage of how to survive (like breathing and eating). When you are little you are open to new ideas as you have no ideas of your own. If someone comes up to you and says there is a god you will believe as you have not currently got your own beliefs on the matter.
Why are we here? maybe its a stepping stone to heaven or maybe we are just a byproduct of the creation of the universe. Here for no reason but to just exist.
My view is not to wonder why we are here but to just enjoy the chances we have been given. If you think about it we are the lukiest species/people on this planet. We have a better life then animals and out of all the humans on earth we have a good deal with running water and electrisity, no earthquakes and just the odd bit of flooding.
Why are we here? maybe its a stepping stone to heaven or maybe we are just a byproduct of the creation of the universe. Here for no reason but to just exist.
My view is not to wonder why we are here but to just enjoy the chances we have been given. If you think about it we are the lukiest species/people on this planet. We have a better life then animals and out of all the humans on earth we have a good deal with running water and electrisity, no earthquakes and just the odd bit of flooding.
Same worlds and different perspectives I suppose. Another side to this could be the giant "nature or nuture" arguement... does Ernie believe in God because he was born in a nature of finding something to look up to, or was it forced into his mind that he should like God, in the same was that Bert forced into his that he shouldn't believe in him.
I personal believe that we are all born remotely equal, mind wise. Anything that happens to us is born only of experience, and experience doesn't have to be a good thing.
I'm going to start babbling soon, and I really don't have the time to babble today. So I'll stop now.
I personal believe that we are all born remotely equal, mind wise. Anything that happens to us is born only of experience, and experience doesn't have to be a good thing.
I'm going to start babbling soon, and I really don't have the time to babble today. So I'll stop now.
Think about the title first of all, and what those words mean. (The subject heading was chosen by Mr. Snuggly, btw, so I thought we'd discuss it).
So, what is the point of being mortal? You're here, then you're not, and that's it. So IS there a point to it all?
There's basically two sides to the argument. Take Bert and Ernie.
Bert believes in God. (Doesn't matter which religion he is, let's just say that he does.) So for Bert, his life is about serving God in the way that his God has decreed. He was placed on Earth by God, so that he can serve God, then, when he shuffles off his mortal coil, as long as he's served God diligently then he'll go to Heaven and be blissful ever after.
So for Bert, being mortal has a definite purpose, therefore being mortal is not futile. Life itself has a definite purpose for Bert.
Ernie doesn't believe in God. He is an aetheist. Ernie doesn't know what life is about but has a vague idea that the number 42 and the name Darwin have something to do with it. He hopes he's immortal, but deep down he knows that one day he will be no more, as has happened to every other member of every species known to man up until now.
So for Ernie, he spends an awful lot of time trying to work out what he's actually doing here, and whether or not it's worth it.
The funny thing is, both Bert and Ernie are twin brothers, the ONLY difference between the two of them is what they believe in, and yet this belief structure totally differentiates their outlooks on their own lives and their reasons for existence.
For one, mortality is not futile, for the other it appears that it IS futile, all based upon their respective mindsets.
In the immortal words of Mr. Snuggly: 'Discuss'...
So, what is the point of being mortal? You're here, then you're not, and that's it. So IS there a point to it all?
There's basically two sides to the argument. Take Bert and Ernie.
Bert believes in God. (Doesn't matter which religion he is, let's just say that he does.) So for Bert, his life is about serving God in the way that his God has decreed. He was placed on Earth by God, so that he can serve God, then, when he shuffles off his mortal coil, as long as he's served God diligently then he'll go to Heaven and be blissful ever after.
So for Bert, being mortal has a definite purpose, therefore being mortal is not futile. Life itself has a definite purpose for Bert.
Ernie doesn't believe in God. He is an aetheist. Ernie doesn't know what life is about but has a vague idea that the number 42 and the name Darwin have something to do with it. He hopes he's immortal, but deep down he knows that one day he will be no more, as has happened to every other member of every species known to man up until now.
So for Ernie, he spends an awful lot of time trying to work out what he's actually doing here, and whether or not it's worth it.
The funny thing is, both Bert and Ernie are twin brothers, the ONLY difference between the two of them is what they believe in, and yet this belief structure totally differentiates their outlooks on their own lives and their reasons for existence.
For one, mortality is not futile, for the other it appears that it IS futile, all based upon their respective mindsets.
In the immortal words of Mr. Snuggly: 'Discuss'...