Yeah runner,..I've always wondered how you would explain the constant mutations of something like a flu virus - if "everything" is "designed" by a higher entity?

But, talking of whether there's a point to being born, living, etc. I'm not sure there has to be a point - except that humans prefer it. We find it difficult to abide things that don't appear to have a point.

I've actually tried a number of times to grapple with Christianity...but I can't quite get my reason to allow me to plunge into it. It just won't let me. That's not to say that I don't have a kind of leaning to spirituality, because I do - and I tend to think all the great religious tenets point to the same end, whether it be called God or Nirvana or (in the Tao) The Way.

I also believe that the simple faith of say medieval peasants wasn't such a bad thing. They tussled with their realities and were guided by the tenets that ruled their time.

As Ivan Illich wrote:

"Traditional society was more like a set of concentric circles of meaningful structures, while modern man must learn how to find meaning in many structures to which he is only marginally related. In the village, language and architecture and work and religion and family customs were consistent with one another, mutually explanatory and reinforcing. To grow into one implied a growth into others..."

We think we're so much better off with our superior knowledge...however, there is still no answer to "why" - and we can't help demanding that there should be?

Psychologically, it leaves us in a bind.

Ahhh, religion, "the opiate of the masses".
Like everything else of worth in this world it is a double-edged sword. It has helped countless millions to cope, it has done endless good for and to millions as well, yet it has also caused pain, tumult and turmoil and has been responsible for some of the very worst horrors in our history. It has served as the clarion call that has freed people from repression and torment, and has inflicted the same on others.
I don't, can't, believe in god, that's true, but at the same time I respect those who do, as long as it's a belief that serves good, rather than division and strife.
I have used Meditation to deal with personal problems ever since the age of 20, and still use it to maintain my balance on many levels, but is that Spiritualism, or whatever? I don't believe so in my case, I see it as "centreing" myself, finding tranquility and clarity of thought and emotion by seeking the calm within.
Works for me, even if I can't define or explain the process.

There doesn't have to be "a point" - it just is.

You can use the phoney argument of pre-supposition by claiming there is a mystical entity the created everything with some sort of overly elaborate purpose, whether He/She is lonely and needed some friends or is insecure and needs constant reassurance via worship - and then work backwards - or just accept that you're here for no particular reason and live the best life you can.

We're just another manifestation of something called Life, which constantly changes and mutates to perpetuate and spread itself in any way it can.
Unfortunately we're also cursed with a degree of sentience and are aware of our own mortality so live in constant denial of accepting it.

As a result we place ourselves on some sort of cosmic pedestal and try to explain things that the human mind is not even capable of understanding. We can't imagine anything beyond three dimensions or the notion of infinity but we have a handy explanation for it all and will kill those who challenge our second-hand manufactured beliefs.

Despite it's trials, life is an amazing thing so just enjoy what time you have and try to leave the universe a better place for your existence. Look at the road ahead, not constantly in the rear vision mirror or you may miss something important.

Essentially you are not your DNA or your body it is only the carriage in which you are. Every cell in your body has been taken from other living organisms, and your body completely replaced every 21 years. Therefore who are you?
You are your character, actions and wisdom or the lack of any of that.
It is only in that, that you impact the history of man and leave an impression. Your body protein was built from the Earth and will return to the Earth, so establish who you are and how you will impact the lives of others. This is a spiritual concept and places us in the image of God, and to whom we are accountable.

Good evening RUNNER...

It would make things so much easier, if there were a spiritual dimension to our existence, a much higher, a more superior dominance that one could believe in ? But alas, there's not. Sadly our atheist friends have pretty well summed it all up. And even though they are right and there is no God, never has been a God, it would be marvellous if they were indeed, really quite wrong, just for once !

Imagine if you will, God really does exist he could banish all the ills of mankind, the misery, the wars...everything, with his immense, unfettered powers, almost instantaneously ! Yet he chooses not to, surely one is entitled to ask why, particularly as he claims to love each and everyone of us, without conditions ? Again, I ask why ?

o sung wu

'Imagine if you will, God really does exist he could banish all the ills of mankind, the misery, the wars...everything, with his immense, unfettered powers, almost instantaneously ! Yet he chooses not to, surely one is entitled to ask why, particularly as he claims to love each and everyone of us, without conditions ? Again, I ask why ?'

and i think almost every human being does ask why. The only answer is that He will one day. Much of the old testament predicted the first coming of the Messiah and it happened. Very much is also written about His second coming and a new heaven and new earth without the curse of mutations which I believe resulted from mankinds fall. Again either Christ was a liar or the only One never to lie.

Though I have never claimed to be a scientist I know enough to see many of the answers that are given by pseudo science are a long way from being clear cut.

as far as a spiritual side is concerned only spirit can discern spirit. I think their is ample evidence again of spirit activity good and evil. Faith in Christ actually brings alive one's spirit to God.

Interesting enough you, myself, Poirot all think we are living or trying to live from the 'right ' moral base. You ask the questions about the end of wars etc. How on earth do you conclude wars are wrong? The terrorist will tell you its right. Why is your opinion more valid than his/hers. People say that they don't believe in absolutes but then tell you that you are wrong. Life without God isn't scientific or rational.