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Lorelyen and H:O:R:A:C:E, thank you for your contributions to this topic; very thoughtful responses.
Lorelyen does raise a point which H:O:R:A:C:E has inquired about, and that point is about “does it matter?”
Existentialism, as perceived by Victor Frankl, is all about “man’s search for meaning.”
Most people feel they cannot live without meaning or purpose; in fact, most people who
commit suicide do so because they feel they have lost meaning or purpose in their lives.
Now purpose and meaning does not have to be some lofty ideal or cosmic understanding.
Indeed, many just feel like the purpose of their life is to raise their kids or provide for their family.
Nevertheless, here in these “Spiritual Forums” people talk about “serving God” or some other lofty ideal,
and there are many questions here about seeking truth.
Religious and spiritually oriented folks often wonder where do atheists get their values and standards
for living because they, that is most religious and spiritual folks, attempt to emulate some cosmic
principles or what they perceive to be a spiritual experience, which they might refer to as a “higher calling.”
Can we live without labels, names, or nomenclatures? Does it matter what we call things?
I think to most it does matter, even though the reality beyond the physical may be a knowledge
that surpasses human understanding. Having worked in a hospice with people who were near death;
most found great comfort in believing that there was a greater reality beyond this physical world,
and most wanted to also try an codify that reality.
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