Regardless of what your mother or minister may have told you... (1149 hits)
Category: GeneralRating: 0.39 on 52 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Insanethemind (View user info) at 2005-09-08 17:59:14 EDT
Regardless of what your mother or minister may have told you, you are not on this earth for a purpose.
Yes, I said it. If there were ways to prove opinions either 'right' or 'wrong', 'good' or 'bad' or 'smart or 'stupid', someone who told you that you were on this earth for a purpose, beside of course the purpose that you make for yourself, would be wrong, for they would be stupidly telling you something bad.
Did that make sense?
Good.
Personally, I am tired of hearing the phrases " you are on this earth for a reason," or "there is a purpose to your life that you do not know about." Usually people say these things to me in response to all the wild and sometimes surreal events that have transpired in my life over the last 10 years or so. Not only are these sayings cliché, they also do not seem to be grounded in logic, at least not to me. Regardless of this, I still hear them often and debating them with the person who voices them is commonly about as useful as asking the grass not to grow.
However, sharing ideas and the getting back the subsequent, guaranteed responses that follow here on Ubersite is always interesting so I have decided to give it a go.
Allow me to give an example of why the commonly heard, forever recycled garbage that is the two statements listed above never fails to irritate me.
In my lifetime, people that I knew died. Some I loved, others I cared for a bit less and the passing of some I had trouble even acknowledging. For where I am heading today with this post, we will stick with those that fall into the category of ones I loved, focusing only on one young man.
I had a friend who died at the age of 17 in an auto accident. If anyone was to blame for his death, it would certainly be him. He was driving recklessly and impaired one night and the road happened to be one that was not exactly straight and wide. Neither he nor his passengers wore seatbelts, but because of where he was sitting as the driver and also because of the path that the body of his rear seat passenger took on impact, my young friend was killed while his companions lived.
This was a young man who, as far I as I know personally, never did anything 'worse' than smoking some grass, driving high and perhaps cheating on an exam in high school. Nevertheless, he died that night.
I am now 23 years old and at the time that this guy died I was 20 and by then had already done more 'bad', 'sinful' deeds than I care to admit.
I too drove impaired, quite often I might add and I am sure that it transpired many more times in my case than it did in his. Not only that, but there were the other, 'bad' things that I did, which we will not go into right now, but it suffices to say that if one of us 'merited' life more than the other, the roles would be reversed and my mother, not his, would have buried her son 3 years ago.
If I did not have a point here then this entire post would be a trite truism, and it probably is, but I do have a point. Call me a bromide or a bore, but this classic and seemingly never ending case of the 'banalities' that many I know seem to have caught, needs to be remedied, something that I shall now attempt to do without further delay. Please listen up because there is a chance that I am talking to you.
God or any other being, whether unseen or not has no finite, 'greater' purpose for you, or anyone that you know.
You are most certainly not on this earth for any other purpose, no matter how close you came to death or how many times you cheated the odds, beside the one that you, being that is human, make for yourself. (I know I already said that, but I feel that it bears repeating) If you were, then my 17 year old friend most certainly was too and obviously, after summing up his circumstances and those surrounding his death and my life, he was not.
In his case and in in that of others like him, I will go so far as to say that in my mind, their deaths were caused and ergo, ultimately purposed by the circumstances that transpired directly before their death.
It was not their wish and it was most assuredly not their 'time' to go, but they did and someday you will too.
What then you might ask, do I propose we do about it?
I think that this poem, entitled "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time", written by Robert Herrick says it better than I ever could:
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may
Old time is still a-flying:
And this same rosebud that smiles today,
Tomorrow will be dying.
The glorious lamp of heaven, the sun
The higher he's a-getting,
The sooner will his race be run,
And nearer he's to setting.
That age is best which is the first,
When youth and blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse and worst
Times still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time,
And while ye may go marry:
For having lost but once your prime,
You may forever tarry.
Birth_of_Venus.jpg (25 kB) [image/x-jg]
User Reviews
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-22 08:26:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Likewise, wookie.
Here's to us finding something we can really debate!
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2005-09-21 18:52:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Having read most of, or at least quite a few of, your other posts, I actually wouldn't consider you a close-minded person either.
I merely saw the tangent...hmmm, digression...I can't think of the right word really...I saw the opening your post afforded and ran with it for the sake of a light-hearted debate. Playful banter, really. But I got the heart of what you were saying, and I agree.
At any rate, it's been pleasant hitting the tennis ball back and forth across the net with you.
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-21 17:30:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Wookie,
I should have simply made the post these two, short sentences and would have made my point much better and far more concise:
*Since we are not assured a life after this one and since this one is only here until we die- get out there and choose your path, never wavering on your journey to fulfillment!*
*Do NOT waste this life away waiting for God's design to take hold because, it could (though I do not believe it will) but if it didn't and there weren't anything more than this life, you would have wasted many precious years that are now gone forever.*
Wook- I do not consider myself to be a close minded person, perhaps some people who read this post did not realize the sarcastic tint to it.
ITM
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2005-09-21 13:06:44 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I would first argue that there is plenty of evidence for a grand design (and no, that is not a synonym for "intelligent design").
But let's suppose there is no evidence. Why is that a rational excuse to doubt? There are plenty of things that we have only recently (relatively) found evidence for--I'm thinking of the natural sciences here--surely atoms and subatomic particles always existed, obviously long before anyone conceived of their possible existance and thought to look for them. Were the pioneer-scientists who discovered them foolhardy for believing in the existance of something for which they had no real evidence.
Or were they visionaries?
Why should the metaphysical world be conceived of any differently?
Your inability to see "proof" or "evidence" of higher meaning and purpose does not make you rational for believing higher meaning and purpose do not exist. It simply makes you close-minded.
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-21 01:57:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
wookie,
sure there is a possability of a grand design, but personally, i doubt that which lacks evidence and in this cASE that certainly applies/
fuck i am smashed
Submitted by Viciousriffs (user info) at 2005-09-13 03:54:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Had a pickle today.
It was good.
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2005-09-12 09:00:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-09 16:41:01 (#)
Ranking: 0
Wookie,
Either way my sentiment remains the same. I have explored these conclusions and I simply do not see a reason to believe that any God, or anyone, has any grand purpose for me. Maybe you would like to tell me what it is causing you to rue my belief?
Perhaps you think I am missing out on something that you are not, or that my life is pointless, or maybe even that I am going to miss out on eternal life or heaven? Any of those?
---------------------------------------------------
Nope, none of those.
In fact, I don't see anything in the belief that "things happen for a reason" or that "you are here for a purpose" or that "things happen the way they're supposed to" that necessarily entails the belief/existance of a god or gods or an after-life. That seems to merely be YOUR interpretation of those statements--and a very reactionary interpretation at that. MY interpretation of those statements is that this world is larger than we are, and there are things about "reality" that are simply beyond our comprehension as mere mortal human beings. There are truths and meanings and patterns to our singular lives, and life as a whole, that are simply beyond the ability of our woefully inadequate physical vessels to completely grasp and understand--or to even acknowledge in some cases. And so, sometimes the best we can do is remind ourselves that things do indeed happen for a reason, and that things do happen the way they're supposed to, and that each of is quite certainly here for a reason and purpose--regardless of whether or not those reasons and purposes are veiled to us.
More to the point, and to put it more simply, I am always a little saddened when someone expresses what at the very least SEEMS to be the belief that our tiny little mortal lives are all there is, when there is so very much more than that.
My wish for you is that you at some point, if you haven't already, get a chance to take a glimpse behind the veil.
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-11 13:46:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Gaidin,
I agree. One things that I love about this world is that one person's high purpose is another's mediocrity: we do not all have to aspire to the same level of 'accomplishment' to be satisfied.
shandythedog,
"??" indeed you blubbering buffoon. I think you know what this is all about you slothful, compulsive masturbator.
Submitted by AsshOly (user info) at 2005-09-10 03:38:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
http://despair.com/mis24x30prin.html
lots of truth to that.
Submitted by GaidinCanuck (user info) at 2005-09-10 03:12:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
One of the greatest things humans can do is give themselves purpose. If you can't do that for yourself, then do the rest of us a favour and off yourself. You're just taking up resources.
But still get a +2 'cause I really don't want you to kill yourself, but if can't believe that someone has a purpose for you, then find one yourself.
Submitted by shandythedog (user info) at 2005-09-10 02:51:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
??
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-09 16:43:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Bubby,
I certainly agree with you. However, until the moment I die, I am guaranteed life 100%, no questions asked, on this planet at least. Where is my guarantee for the next?
To me, seizing the day now and making the most of it until it is no longer mine, is the only 'logical' conclusion. Beyond that, we are dealing in matters of conjecture.
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-09 16:41:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Wookie,
Either way my sentiment remains the same. I have explored these conclusions and I simply do not see a reason to believe that any God, or anyone, has any grand purpose for me. Maybe you would like to tell me what it is causing you to rue my belief?
Perhaps you think I am missing out on something that you are not, or that my life is pointless, or maybe even that I am going to miss out on eternal life or heaven? Any of those?
My mother feels sorry because she thinks that I will miss out on the promised land of paradise after horrible armageddon...
Anyway, to me that *sounds* like a bunch of hocus pocus, perhaps it is, perhaps not. But why in the world should I believe in it, when there is nothing at all to support it? Why is there a grand purpose for me, and not for those people dead in New Orleans.
*Grass I command you to stop growing, because I am fucking tired of mowing you and do not feel like paying a fine if I do not.*
Submitted by Bubba2341 (user info) at 2005-09-09 10:28:31 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Philosophy, which is precisely what you are attempting
here, is seldom backed by facts or the use of the
Scientific Method. Idealism, Realism, Jungism, etc.
cannot be considered logical. All are simply opinions
of their authors, as is your post.
Submitted by TheSpook (user info) at 2005-09-09 10:09:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I think you need to get a fucking job.
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2005-09-09 10:07:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I don't feel sorry for you. I'm sorry that you feel the way you do.
I believe there is a difference.
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-09 10:02:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
wookie,
why feel sorry for me? Dont waste your time feeling sorry for me, waste it feeling sorry for people who are selling themselves short in THIS lifetime, waiting for some other, perfect, painless one to follow their dreams.
This life is not even assured, how can anyone believe the next one is?!
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-09 09:59:58 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Ainkara (user info) at 2005-09-09 01:25:03 (#)
Ranking: 0
Insane, maybe people telling you this is a way to comfort themselves aswell. You don't have top believe in what they say, but if they do and it makes their life more peaceful, why does it matter?
----------------------------------------------------------------
Well said, Bec. Usually I do not say anything to them beside, "yes I do have a purpose in life, you are right," which essentially is not a lie because I have made a purpose for myself and like you said- it really does not matter.
It is just the blind repeating of these simple mantras over and over again that irks me, ainkara. It is as if they do not really think for themselves and explore it, when they make a one sentence statement like the ones I included here, yet almost always fail to extrapolate.
(Such as the time you told me my hair would grow more quickly if I cut it first. *wink*)
Now if someone were to tell me such things backed up with a well thought out explanation, it would be a different story. I still do not see myself agreeing with them, unless of course they come at me with something new (yes I do keep my mind open, well, ajar at least) but nonetheless, I would listen.
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2005-09-09 09:03:51 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm sorry you feel that way.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2005-09-09 03:11:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
or to sum up :
Get off your arse and do something.
Submitted by Ainkara (user info) at 2005-09-09 01:25:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Viciousriffs, faith is believing in something without the need of concrete evidence to back you up. That's how people can believe in God, there's no hard evidence to back them up, but that's not the point. They have faith.
Insane, maybe people telling you this is a way to comfort themselves aswell. You don't have top believe in what they say, but if they do and it makes their life more peaceful, why does it matter?
Submitted by shitfuck (user info) at 2005-09-08 23:26:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Your dad told me he fucks you in the ass and makes you suck his dick off.
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-08 23:23:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Williamson,
Maybe my entire post could be better stated simply by me saying:
"NO ONE IS GOING TO MAKE YOUR LIFE MEANINGFUL EXCEPT YOU! NOT GOD, AND NOT YOUR MOM!"
That was basically my point. I never denied the existence of God and do not presume to know whether or not one exists. (Personally I look for 'God' within myself) Also, I do indeed know that people are quite often better off seeking fulfillment earlier rather than later, because buddy, the longer you wait... the harder it becomes.
That comes from personal experience. That is how I know.
Submitted by Viciousriffs (user info) at 2005-09-08 22:31:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I cannot PROVE God does not exist; nonetheless, I choose to not believe in (its) existence.
Nobody else can PROVE that God does exist, yet they choose to believe in it anyway.
O, opinion, what a valuable little tool.
But hold on a second- it's not opinion, it's faith, right?
You tell me- which one is more concrete, opinion or faith? What is the difference? Maybe there isn't one, other than faith being (presumably) less fact-based.
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2005-09-08 21:57:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
aHEM williamson, did you not read?
HE KNOWS EVERYTHING!
Submitted by williamson (user info) at 2005-09-08 21:55:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
And you know this how?
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2005-09-08 21:43:06 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Coley,
P.S. Yes we all do have our opinions, but ones which do not agree with mine are not only wrong, but bad and stupid as well.
----------
OHHH I see.
I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking.
*bows down*
:oP
Submitted by Leroy_Brown (user info) at 2005-09-08 19:57:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
reallybored wrote the same sort of sentiment, which yous two share also with Leroy Brown. We're just animals.
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-08 19:52:10 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Rad,
You would have to be very full of shit to presume such a preposterous thing. I do not see where I did. I think I made it quite clear that these were merely opinions of mine and if you read the first few sentences, you might just see the sarcastic tint to my dismissal of other's thoughts and beliefs.
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-08 19:49:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2005-09-08 19:20:36 (#)
Ranking: 1
but we all have our opinions.
----------------------
Coley,
P.S. Yes we all do have our opinions, but ones which do not agree with mine are not only wrong, but bad and stupid as well.
I thought I made that clear already? ;)
Crystal,
I would have no reason to call you a bitch, would I? I think that would be a bit much, don't you?
I almost always accept and welcome any sincere comment, whether I acknowledge it or not. Now when someone obviously does not spend the time to read what was (in my opinion) moderately interesting sbject matter and instead just does the equivelant of electronically farting in my direction, or calls me an idiot, it isn't as welcome.
Submitted by rad1101 (user info) at 2005-09-08 19:47:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
how full of shit do you have to be to assume that you know everything there is to know about life, the universe, and everything?
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-08 19:41:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
In his case and in in that of others like him, *I will go so far as to say that in my mind,*
----------
Coley,
you make a good point. What i said in the middle of the above pasted line about "in my mind" should have been said a little earlier it seems.
Thanks, thats all I was looking for, a little discussion.
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2005-09-08 19:31:52 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
My "long" posts - ironically, the posts I would prefer to have people read, and that are most often ignored.
http://www.ubersite.com/m/70831
http://www.ubersite.com/m/66335
http://www.ubersite.com/m/65292
also three different writing styles! WOOT!
And yes, the "not offended at your ability to use words" was a little tongue in cheek, but I was also trying to convey the sense that you do have a good vocabulary, and I like it, but sometimes writing something in a concise manner is more powerful, in terms of getting a message across.
When I was trying to DO something or responding to a request, I wrote short posts (those you linked) because that was the best for the subject. When I wanted to create a scene, or draw a complete picture, I write longer posts. Different agenda, differnt style. That's all.
but hey.. +2 because you're not flipping out and calling me a bitch
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-08 19:06:08 (#)
Ranking: 0
Crystle,
Personally, I know of no post by you which was "long", at least not in any definition that I understand long to have.
Perhaps you could paste a link?
I was referring to these two 'tomes' you posted : http://www.ubersite.com/m/65654
and this: http://www.ubersite.com/m/62072
Also, saying that you are "not offended at your (my) ability to use words" must be some sort of joke.
Am I being presumptuous by thinking that the words I used in this post would be understand by enough people to make it worth posting, as it was written?
Either way, I thank you for your criticism, sincerely. :)
Submitted by coley (user info) at 2005-09-08 19:20:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
I think you expressed your opinion quite clearly, but I have a problem with other people telling me what "is" and "is not"...whether it be their opinion on religion, abortion, politics, ethics, etc. I feel that every individual can see things as they wish, regardless of logic, etc..it hurts no one..in this case, I believe it HELPS a lot of people get through tough times.
None of us *knows* about god, afterlife, etc.
but we all have our opinions.
Submitted by Feijuada (user info) at 2005-09-08 19:06:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
F-E-I-J-U-A-D-A
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-08 19:06:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Crystle,
Personally, I know of no post by you which was "long", at least not in any definition that I understand long to have.
Perhaps you could paste a link?
I was referring to these two 'tomes' you posted : http://www.ubersite.com/m/65654
and this: http://www.ubersite.com/m/62072
Also, saying that you are "not offended at your (my) ability to use words" must be some sort of joke.
Am I being presumptuous by thinking that the words I used in this post would be understand by enough people to make it worth posting, as it was written?
Either way, I thank you for your criticism, sincerely. :)
Submitted by Feijuada (user info) at 2005-09-08 19:05:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
The images I post are visible. The only time I screwed up an image was when I tried to link to an image in another site. I have no idea how you screwed this up.
And, like I said before, your post is just not entertaining.
Submitted by ChristPuncher (user info) at 2005-09-08 19:00:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
GO BEARS WOO!!!
Submitted by Axolotl (user info) at 2005-09-08 18:59:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This doesn't deserve THAT bad a rating.
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2005-09-08 18:54:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I'm not offended at your ability to use words, I just prefer them to say something when they are used. I know.. some of my posts have been long. But at least they say something.
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-08 18:50:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
forgive me, I meant to say, "just like *you* do
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-08 18:49:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Crystle,
Perhaps. Now knowing that, be sure to not read my soon to be posted treatise entitled "Why the grass is green," for it is even long than this post which is a STAGGERING 931 words.
I have seen your posts crystal, and in the future maybe I will make it my purpose to say as little as I can in as few words as possible, just like I do.
Would that make things easier for you, dejuida et al?
Submitted by jeveuxgagner (user info) at 2005-09-08 18:45:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Feijuada (user info) at 2005-09-08 18:38:36 (#)
Ranking: -2
Your whole post is BORING, but I decided to focus on your image because I honestly don't know how you can screw up posting an image.
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-08 18:45:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Feijuda,
Just as I suspected. You obviously do not know how to do it either. I realize that for people of such high intellect as you, questions such as 'what is my purpose,' and 'why am i alive', may be boring because let's face it, geniuses such as yourself do not have time to bog themselves down with such trivial matters.
You need to focus all your energies in making sure you brush your teeth, drink water, breathe, and most certainly do not do such a thing as procreate, for that would just make the world a little more tragic for the rest of us.
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2005-09-08 18:44:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Verbose much?
You used alot of words to say very little. Is that your purpose in life?
Submitted by mles76 (user info) at 2005-09-08 18:40:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Smile, Jesus loves you.
Submitted by Death_Metal_Dude (user info) at 2005-09-08 18:38:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
it's true
those who chant their rehashed mantras of "everything happens for a reason" are foolish and naive
Submitted by Feijuada (user info) at 2005-09-08 18:38:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Your whole post is BORING, but I decided to focus on your image because I honestly don't know how you can screw up posting an image.
Eat shit.
Submitted by Insanethemind (user info) at 2005-09-08 18:34:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Feijuada,
Yes, you are correct. Unfortunately for my inept ass, the ubersite tech support line was busy when I called to ask them if something saved as .art would show up if I posted it.
Since you are obviously much more knowledgable than I am on every topic under the sun, perhaps kind sir, you could enlighten me as to how I can convert said file into one that is usuable here on ubersite and will show up when posted, instead of a link that would take at least 1/4 of a second to load and therefore waste everyone's valuable time.
Thanks!
Submitted by Feijuada (user info) at 2005-09-08 18:26:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Can't even post an image right.
Submitted by IWasRaped (user info) at 2005-09-08 18:15:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
SHUT THE FUCK UP AND BE THANKFUL MY TAX DOLLARS ARE ALLOWING YOU TO KEEP LIVING YOU DRAIN-ON-THE-ECONOMY WELFARE COLLECTING WASTE OF SPACE!!!!
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-09-08 18:02:26 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
meh.