"What embitters the world is not excess of criticism, but an absence of self-criticism." - G.K. Chesterton
For anyone who reads this blog who feels inclined to share:
Labels: Alex, Meaning of Life
posted by Alex at 2:06 PM
For as long as I've thought seriously about God I've been engaging those who see the world differently than I do. Usually, but not always, these folks are atheists. Through the course of my discussions I have perhaps learned (and been spurred on to learn) more than any other educational endeavor I've engaged in. About 6 months after starting this blog I quit my day job as a graphic designer to pursue a Masters Degree in Christian Thought. I should be finishing that up in 2010. I welcome all view points and encourage honest disagreement with me. Who knows, I just might learn something. (again)
9 Comments:
Woah. Deep.
What's the deepest ache of your soul?
Understanding. Or, if that's not possible, to at least establish my place in the universe. (Existentially speaking).
What do you hope to find in this life?
I'm not entirely sure. But it increasingly seems like its the journey itself that's important.
What do you hope to accomplish?
To be able to look back on my life with pride and satisfaction, not regret.
Why?
It seems better than the alternatives.
What do you fear?
Moths. The big ones that get into the house at night and crash around like crazy.
That, and not living up to the standards I set for myself.
Why?
Because moths are creepy.
What frustrates you?
My inability to get myself focused and my tendency to put off what I should be doing.
What gives you hope?
Little things. Those moments where you find yourself caught up in the tiniest of things, making you realise just what a strange and beautiful world it can be.
2:25 PM
Self exploration, Alex? Obviously you have a purer mind than I. Anyway ... don't forget to get those nominations in for the Blogpower Awards - vote early and vote often!
1:28 AM
Blimey, I was just passing by. Well, here goes.
1) Not being able to protect the innocent against horror. Being a parent makes you more aware of the fragility and preciousness of life I think.
2) I agree with Matt. The journey itself is what makes life worthwhile.
3) To be there for the ones I love.
4) It's instinct. I don't deem a career and affluence very important since it all can be taken away in an instant. Things are just ephemeral, the well-being of those dear to me somehow seems more everlasting and important.
5) Something bad befalling my daughter.
6) A geneticist would say it's because I share 50% of my genes with her. I think it's because she is absolutely adorable.
7) The fact that I delay things till the last minute. Really, life would be so much easier with a little focus.
8) Experience. Little coincidences. The small joys of life. That the vast majority of people are essentially good.
Head hurts now. I need a cup of coffee. Hope that helps you a little, Alex. Kind regards etc from Germany,
Ario
6:10 AM
"What's the deepest ache of your soul?"
That our species is still so easily controlled by primitive forces such as anger and envy.
What do you hope to find in this life?
More questions than answers. Questions are always interesting, whereas answers inevitably lose their novelty after a while.
Also, I hope to witness more sights like this before I shuffle off this mortal coil.
"Who do you hope to be?"
Somebody capable of inspiring others in a positive way. Failing that, I'd like to be a storm trooper in the next StarWars Trilogy.
"What do you hope to accomplish? "
What Matt said.
"Why?"
Because regrets hint of wasted opportunities. Whether one is an atheist or a theist, we can all agree that life represents a spectacular and unlikely opportunity that shouldn't be wasted.
"What do you fear?"
That apathy will one day win me over.
"Why?"
I like to stay motivated.
"What frustrates you?"
My abilities to multitask are about on par with Win3.1
"What gives you hope?"
That even among those consumed by hate, there are always those driven by compassion.
1:42 PM
I'm sorry to have been gone so long. I was preparing for an exam, and then I had to be Internetless for a week. So...more than a month late:
The deepest ache: Very broadly, to live a life acceptable to a God who is love. Even if one doesn't exist.
What I hope to find: I agree with Matt that the journey is the important bit, but I would like to find meaning. I suppose this corresponds to Matt's deepest ache somewhat. I mean, if it happens that there is no God who is love, I'm not sure my deepest ache makes sense, even if I still want to behave as though God existed.
What do I hope to accomplish: To make a difference both within and outside the church. Within the church, to spur interest among the young laity in biblical scholarship, theology, philosophy, and science, and to equip them to think clearly and critically of all things. Outside the church, to do what I can in alleviating the suffering of individuals and groups, especially among the poor and hospitalized.
Why? Because the church is, as far as I can see, currently anti-intellectual. The Creationism fiasco I hear about in the U.S. and the biblical/ theological ignorance I find in my own circles is appalling. And because I think God is interested in persons more than souls. Coming from a developing nation, I've seen my share of (not so extreme) poverty, and something has to be done about that. My experience in NZ has also revealed to me that people in hospitals need more than drugs and surgery.
What do I fear? Spiders. And that my faith and morality has no basis beyond my upbringing and other evolutionary factors.
Why? Who wants to believe and live a lie?
What frustrates me? My inability to live as I believe I should. My inability to comprehend the things I think I should. And God's general apprent absence from the world.
What gives me hope? When I see the church at its best. There was a flood in a suburd here last year, and the only aid the victims got was from a church, and that reminds me that God hasn't abandoned His world.
4:23 PM
Hey Jon,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. I hope to come back to this someday. I plan on using these comments for a future discussion.
Meaning, virtue, impacting the world around us, finding our place, beauty, compassion, love...
We all desire these things... What are they? How do we grasp them? Can they be reduced to mindless "forces"? If not, the atheist has some serious questions to answer. If they can, we have just lost everything worth living for...
...anyway, I don't mean to begin start this conversation just yet. Have my hands full with studies. Also we have a pretty active thread going on objective morality going here.
P.S. I just bought "Good Monsters" today. Listening to it as we speak. They've done it again!
7:41 PM
Alex,
I know this is a (very) delayed response, but I finally got a chance to read these older posts:
Deepest ach: The burning ache inside my heart that wants to fully express itself so desperately that seems to be me and not me at the same time.
What do I hope to find: I have found it.
What do I hope to be: In Christ, I already am, but I hope to come to a better realization of it. It's an ongoing process.
What do I hope to accomplish: Be able to rid of SELF, and surrender to Him completely. Again, an ongoing process.
Why? Because although I am in constant pain going through it, but it's even more painful not to.
What do I fear? Myself.
Why? Because it has so much power over me.
What frustrtates me? Not being able to explain myself. Not being understood. Not having a command of the English language, or anyl language for that matter.
What gives me hope? People like you.
5:18 PM
Other frustrations: 1)Everything I say always seems to come out all wrong. 2)I always make a fool out of myself in acting without thinking. 3)My passion is always very closely linked to my emotion and I can't control it.
5:27 PM
Magnificent phrase
11:47 AM
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