*Suggested Topic by Bryan*

The suggested topic was:

The possibility of existence without purpose. Is it problematic for us as humans have no pre-ordained purpose in life?

This was an excellent suggested topic by Bryan.   I will go ahead and say out in the open, yes, I believe so.  I think that religion gives most people their purpose.  I mean, let’s be honest, if there weren’t religions that kept people straight, would the law be enough?  Definitely not.  As Marx said, religion is the opium of the people.  I don’t think religion gives everyone their purpose, but you also have to remember that statistically, atheists are more likely to be murderers than those with a chosen religion.

Regardless of whether or not we believe in destiny, we can still believe in a purpose for our life.  Don’t get me wrong, the two sometimes go hand in hand, but human beings have the ability to create purpose for their life, even if they don’t believe there is a pre-ordained calling on your life.  I know from experience, that the worst times of my life have been when I felt that I was stagnant, and unable to make a difference.  However, I don’t know if that is simply my outlook on life, or everyone feels that way?  I think to an extent, everyone feels like they need to make a difference in the world, even if it’s a small one.  Everyone in their life has at least one event where they were the “hero” so to speak, and that always feels really good.  Why does it feel good?  Because we feel like we made a difference.  We feel like we changed a life, or helped someone.  That demonstrates the need for purpose in our life.

I am reminded of the quote from Agent Smith from The Matrix Reloaded:

We are not here because we are free; we are here because we are not free. There is no denying purpose, because as we both know without purpose, we would not exist. It is purpose that created us. Purpose that connects us. Purpose that pulls us, that guides us, that drives us. It is purpose that defines, purpose that binds us.

I know I refer to The Matrix series quite a bit, but it’s a very good reference point for a lot of my statements.  Look at what Smith said, it is purpose that drives us, that connects us, etc…  He even goes to saying that without purpose we would not exist.  Does feeling as we have a purpose responsible for our creation?  Let’s break it down a little.  Think about your own life.  Do you want to get married, have children, and raise them?  If the answer is yes, then you have purpose in your life.  It’s just like Smith said; we would cease to exist without purpose.