Meaning

Many religious claim that, without a belief in a god, life has no meaning.

I was raised in a deeply religious Catholic environment. That included over 15 uncles and aunts on both my mother and father's side. Oh, I have about 50 first cousins as well.  Think about that. Imagine the social influence in support of Catholicism. That said, my mother's favorite brother, Paul, was an atheist, as was his wife.  I never had deep discussions with them regarding their lack of faith, but my aunt Alice (wife of Paul) told me that when we are gone, she believed that we only live on in the minds of those who have experienced us.

Now, think about how many of our family BEFORE our parents who have departed are still in our memories.  Ya, some of us do have recollections of grandparents.  However, what about THEIR parents and grandparents?  My point?  Simple: life is short and in a few generations EVERY person we have impacted and have impacted us in the world is gone.  However, living a life promoting science-based thinking and humanistic values WILL live on in some degree, whether we can see it now or not.  THAT is MY meaning in life, in addition to loving and helping my family and others.

Peace.