Taken from thinkquest.org's library. Made by Duncan Long
“Live life like you’re gonna die, because you’re gonna.” – William Shatner, You’ll have time
Brief moment of honesty, when I was a teenager, I was convinced I wouldn’t survive to see the age of 30. I now turn 30 in fourteen days, which will mark another point at where I was completely wrong as a teenager.
Recently, a friend’s friend passed away, and their discussion about death got me thinking about death.
There’s a few ways people approach death, they turn to religion, most of which promise a life after death. Or they turn to atheism, which promises a rotting corpse. In these terms, I see myself as an atheist. And honestly, it is a wholly depressing view point. Everything, you, me, the Earth, the Sun, the Universe will eventually come to a screeching halt after which there is no more. Believing that, what the fuck’s the point? Why do you keep going when everything you’ve ever done will amount to a few component atoms?
Because there is also life. Not just my own, but the life of others. Lives worth finding joy, lives worth helping, lives worth doing something that is remembered long after our names have been forgotten. It’s mainly why I enjoy cooking. When people eat, they often are taking pleasure in the smells and the taste of the food. It’s why I like doing random acts of kindness to help fan that flame that “Hey, not everyone’s a douchebag.”
Lately, I’ve been reading a lot of religious texts. It’s not because I’m trying to find God, it’s because I’m trying to find People. Throughout many of these works there is a common thread that says “By following these rules, people will grow and prosper.” I’m hunting these down and weighing them. I see which parts of the ideas are useful, and which parts are slag. I’m cutting out the obvious failures: (Anyone not of our people are less of a people, all women are weaker then men, I’s okay for you to kill people because in doing that you serve X) and finding points that resonate with me. These points are connecting into lines, and they’re taking shape. That shape’s still pretty rough, but it’s at a point where I feel I can start saying that other people would find this useful.
So, in the face of certain death, I find myself wanting to help the lives of others. Of working to make sure that humanity is not just another evolutionary blip in time. And as such, I give you a bit of knowledge.
The purpose of life is something each person must search out for themselves. For some, the purpose is to push the boundaries of success and knowledge. For others, it is to be remembered for centuries past their demise. But for most, it’s to make sure that your children have a better life than you do.
So the next time I talk, it will be about the children.
Paul,
Let’s assume that we make the world into a utopia for our children or grandchildren. They have all the comforts in the world. There is no poverty, no want of any kind. What then will those children strive to do for their children. To what end the progeny? To what end the legacy?
That was pretty much the situation with Nero when Rome burned. But, you are right, Paul, the answer is not to be found with orthodox religions. They have distorted the truth. The answer can be found in psychical research. Go to my blog above or check the features section at http://www.aspsi.org/
Mike
So true are the purposes that you write and such are Satre’s insightful words, “I think, therefore I am.” But there is yet more insight in the significance of the name “I am,” which is in the Bible in ‘Exodus 3:13-14 {AV}.’ Yes, we’ll not take anything with us, after this life, not material anyway: ‘I Tim.6:7: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.’ Then again, the Holy Bible is a book of instruction and of answers. It’s a wisdom literature. When speaking of life and its daily living, Proverbs 22:4 comes to mind. Still, most importantly, is ‘Matt. 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.’ In the light of these verses, is yet an even more significant insight in ‘St. John 3:27: John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.’ Such is the knowledge in our discovery to who I am. Happy Birthday, Duncan Long! (‘III John v. 2: Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.’)
Suzanne McMillen-Fallon, Published Author (year-end 2010)
http://www.strategicbookpublishing.com/Mommy’s Writings: Mommy, would you like a sandwich?
Nothing like a post on religion to bring out the wonks, eh?
Anyway that’s a wise thing you’re doing; going through and separating the valuable mineral from the slag that often consumes religious texts. First off I’ll say if you need any help tracking material down, be it old Nordic stuff or Egyptian (I like that stuff a lot because it way predates xianity yet you can still see some of the influences in xianity while having an interesting look at the soul and some completely wrong stories as well) tomb texts don’t hesitate to pester me.
Secondly I must inquire as to the scope of your project. Is it enough to go through line by line? Or parable by parable? In other words how do you know where the wisdom lies? I’m fascinated by the Nordic stuff (of course) but it wasn’t until a relatively recent reading that everything really pulled together for me and now makes sense. Not that I’m an avowed Ásatru follower or anything, but given the broader scope through the lens of Óđinn (and ultimately Þórr, Heimdallr, Loki, Baldr, etc and finally leading to Hœnir (after Ragnarök!)) and the correct tuning it makes more sense than initial readings would ever indicate. How do you deal with such esoteric knowledge that may be hidden? It would be a maddening task for me; perhaps that’s why, then, I’ve found my way and will stick to it. Ideas I’ll never be closed to, but I’ve found what suits me for any times of doubt and it is, as you stated, about the future. I just take a more isolated view of that future, given my situation.
I’ve always admired your character. Don’t ever change that.