Re: The Myth of Meaning
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I haven't read the whole thread, but I think this is easily answerable by looking at the definition of meaning:
From dictionary.com
1. to have in mind as one's purpose or intention; intend: I meant to compliment you on your work.
2. to intend for a particular purpose, destination, etc.: They were meant for each other.
If God exists, this generally implies an intelligent creator of our universe. In other words, our universe was made to be the way it is because God intended it to be that way.Thus, there is "purpose" or "intention" behind our universe (definition (1) of meaning). If God does not exist, our universe lacks that meaning.
I agree that God's existence does not necessarily add any "personal" or "subjective" meaning to our lives, but I think when most theists claim that God gives their lives meaning they are referring to it in a more "universal" or "absolute" since... i.e. the universe as a whole has meaning.
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I think it was nice to try to use some uniformity in definition.
But I'm still not sure I get how having a creator gives some important meaning to your life.
Lets say most people's parents intended to create a child. Do we attribute significance to our life and all of its choices simply because our parents sought to create us?
Even if you believe in a God (any of the hundreds or thousands of Gods that man has and/or does believe in)... once you accept that, what is the purpose or destination that I now have? (and I mean.... at a simple level I can say I will be good on Earth so I can spend an eternity in heaven... what will my purpose be there? Will I need to find 'meaning' in my eternity in heaven? (same question with all the other religions that man has seen fit to worship)
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