We're born, we live, and then we die. What's
the point?

The point is entirely up to us.

It is up to us whether we bemoan or enjoy the
interval between these two events.

We can enjoy life to its utmost by taking
responsibility for the way we live, the way
we look at the world, how we perceive life -
either as miserable or as wonderful. The choice
resides in us as individuals.

You know the answer don't you o sung wu? You're only asking this to see how many others do.

This of course is recruit school. It is a tough one. Only very few will graduate, & pass on to real life. The rest are bound for the compost heap, to fertilise the next generation of recruits.

I don't think very many are here because their parents wanted to pass on their genes. Most parents were just having a bit of pleasure not knowing we were waiting to grab their genes, & leap into their lives as a by product of that pleasure.

Yep sex is a con job to make us careless with our genes, so those ankle biters can grab them.

Just be glad your not a Muslim mate. If those poor fools get through recruit school they have 72 insatiable virgins to negotiate, before they can move on

"What's the point of it all?' o sung wu...

At one level, being self-aware enough to ask "What's the point of it all?" and simultaneously being self-aware enough to not expect an entirely adequate answer.

Why not strive to enjoy the journey through life maximising your own satisfaction whilst minimising any distress or dissatisfaction to others?

You can leave answering the 'big picture' questions until after your life... if you feel any need to do so at that stage.

The 'purpose' cannot be told, it must be experienced. Not everyone will get this, possibly most won't. Yuyutsu knows.

There are regulars on OLO who denounce all religion as mechanisms to control the masses. There is also a tendency to portray the followers are simple ignoramuses', brainwashed or unable to understand science provides all the answers.

The denouncers are generally referring to the institution of western religions, the dogmas, the illogical myths, as well as wars and corruptions conducted by the religious. Some denounce all things spiritual or anyone who holds a belief in higher forces and universal truths influencing our experience or reason for being.

I don't buy the literal translations, stories, myths and prudishness of the Western religions. However Buddhism, Taoism and the teachings of the ancients in Hinduism offer an understanding of the universe that is very closely aligned to quantum physics.

When reading anyone's ramblings about how bad all religions are, especially those who become quite hateful in their criticism, I don't see much difference, accept for the perspective, of the religions they are criticising. The 'I'm right, they are wrong' stance is equally ill informed, closed, and limits one's ability to grow or experience life in a way they cannot imagine.

Even if you are Stephen Hawking, just because you say there is not a God cannot take away the 'truth' another person experienced 'in the presence of God.' Sure, one can say the other's experience was a hallucination, a psychotic episode, or whatever; but that does not negate other realities or states of mind are possible to attain.

The Eastern philosophies and teachings offer a way for individuals to find their true self, increase their potential, reach a better head space, and even Enlightenment. To understand and/or practice the Eastern teachings one does not need to join a religion or even seek out a teacher, though the latter may help speed the process.

In all religions, the followers and the hierarchy rarely achieve the potential of the teachings and therefore provide fodder for anti-theists determined to make a case.

G'day there JAYB...

Those three innocuous little words; 'Front Toward Enemy' as if you'd need to be told, for Christ sake ! You've got an amazing memory there JAYB, still our small friend (M18A1) is a hard piece of apparatus to forget I suspect ? Once deployed, never forgotten. Nah, it's cool ol' mate, and thanks for asking by the way. Those delicious little 'jelly bean' have been doing their job, as well as the crew at the VVCS. As you age it doesn't seem to get any easier though ? Recently, we had a look through the little museum they have down near Philip Island, in Victoria ? It's my understanding the place is run entirely by Assoc. members ? Worth a look, if you'd never seen it before JAYB.

Your last paragraph was spot on ! The more misery and hopelessness there is, does seem to provide plenty of additional work for those of the cloth ! It's to be hoped the latest batch of 'Saturdays an' Sundays' they've sent over to Iraq, remain well clear of those murderous bastards, we don't wish to overwork the Padre's too ?