- Oct 28, 2006
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Just curious, because I have heard people say that without god/an afterlife, then life itself is pointless.
Sarah,
One thing we might consider is the focal point of of the term "value" when we relate it to the meaning of human life and the afterlife. If we are asking whether or not the 'living the human life' in general has value, then we may be in some way asking if suicide is an option or not. Or, if we are asking if value pertains to the way in which we estimate the worth of someone else, we may be asking if homicide or genocide are justifiable or have some kind of utility.
As for myself, when I'm asked, "Do you think life has value?", then my response is focusing on whether, with all things considered in this historical world, my life is worth living and/or has meaning. My adoption of Christianity provides me an affirmative answer. Otherwise, many things seem pointless and other people's admonitions about respecting people and life seem contrived.
Without an afterlife, and specifically one provided by the Christian God, I default to Nietzsche's Nihilism and to his Will to Power; without God, I don't really have to care about what you may think of the things I do, especially if I gain power over you and I can get away with it. I will create my meaning of life as I see fit, and if I so choose, run roughshod over your intentions in life. In the end, without God, even if you and your community overcome me, my life will not have more or less meaning and there will be no Higher Power to answer to.
With God, the possibility of an afterlife changes everything. There is a positive place to go to that, in essence, I have to be worthy of obtaining. Thus, the meaning and focus of life become clearer. At least for me.
Peace
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