So what exactly is the point of it all then?

[Thinkingthesethoughts]

Life? What are we here for?

I’m not depressed, just having a midweek musing while ill at home on the sofa.
If it’s just to reproduce and pass our genes on, how does that explain infertility?
Unless we have occupations that make a huge difference in people’s lives, or change the course of history somehow, how are we making any difference?

Why do you feel we’re here?

My dogs know when something isn't fair and they'll express it eg when dishing out treats I have to give them both the same. Monkeys have shown they know when things aren't fair and display outrage too.

We are (unlike the animals) uniquely created as image bearers of God. Something of Him is reflected in us.

How do you know that God isn't also talking to the animals and that animals aren't waiting for God to come back and sort all the bad stuff in the world out too?

The bible and similar religious texts were written down by humans, so how do you know what the animals are thinking or what God has or hasn't said to them?

Sorry OP this thread reminded me of this comic.

I didn’t claim human beings all act morally. That’s ridiculous. But generally speaking most of us know the difference between things which are objectively right and wrong and those who don’t are suffering some sort of disorder.

If that's the case, why doesn't everyone agree on what the law should be on every issue? Why are people with these 'disorders of thinking' running whole countries and governments?

Isn't it a tad closed-minded to assume that every person who doesn't agree with your moral stance has "some sort of disorder"?

There doesn’t need to be a reason or a purpose for life to have intrinsic value.

Life is rare in the universe. So much is empty, cold and barren.

Here we are, existing against all odds. It is enough that it’s happened - so try not fuck it up for others, appreciate being the beneficiary of random chance and be good to the planet wherever possible.

There's always going to be something/someone/some species at the apex... Just happens to be us, hence this discussion can happen. Yay us!

Unbelievably succinctly (and beautifully) put!

This is absolute twoddle.
It is obviously bad to cause pain or suffering to another person.
Empathy is possible without a creator.
There is no ultimate point to life but that doesn't render it meaningless.

It’s pointless (and really short). So just make the most of it and have a good time. I’ve made that the point for my life.

Life is a glint of light between two eternal darknesses

I just don't agree with that at all

Bad is a religious word.

Um, what? If you're religious, you might see it as a religious word, but it's no more a religious word than knees are Christian because Christians have knees.

If we're just here because we're here, there is no meaning at all. That is to say something might be meaningful to you, but it's not absolutely meaningful. Same with morals.

What's wrong with that? Why can't humans create different meanings? Does this extend to, say, interpretation of art or literature in your mind?

Do you accept that people interpret the same bible passage differently? What is the point of bible study if there's no room for different meanings? Why do we all need to have the same interpretation?

Not having any absolute meaning doesn't equate to having no meaning at all. There can still be meaning; it just isn't absolute.

So if someone finds meaning in causing hurt to others, that is no better or worse than finding meaning in being good to others. Meaning or morals as an an absolute, independent idea, just doesn't exist.

Unless of course there is a Creator.

So what you're saying is that people who believe in a divine creator believe that meaning and morals are absolute, and people who don't might have different moral values and might see things differently?

Is that just a description of how things are? It doesn't prove there's a creator unless you already believe in moral absolutism.

A first step is to acknowledge that there is no such thing as "fair" or "unfair". There is no score card and every experience just "is". It's up to you what you do with it.
I've recently experienced a relationship breakdown. I am grieving but in that grief I am also recognising what worked, what hasn't. I am learning the lessons to take into my new relationships as well as learning things about myself. Every day I am realising something new about the world and my place in it and learning new skills.
I had a lot of trauma in my childhood but it taught me to recognise what good relationship looks like. It taught me how to be safe and it taught me when is the time to give up on something that isn't working. Do I wish the "lesson" didn't happen? Sometimes. But then I would not have been the same person I am today and I would not have experienced the power of post-traumatic growth.
Life is an incredible gift, you just need to remember it. Everything that happens can be both negative and positive and it is entirely up to you to decide which way it's going to go. I really hate the idea of a bearded guy in the sky making decisions for me and scoring me on good and bad deeds. No. I am in full control of myself, my thoughts, my habits, my actions and my destiny.