'Shen, Lao, Bing, Si'
This Chinese saying is very succinct in its observation of life and there is nothing with it I disagree with.
Yet, I can't help but wonder whether if life is just that.
Although brought up a Christian and being familiar to the verse of the song 'This world is not my home' that goes "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through...", I cannot truly and fully say that I subscribe to that view.
Yes, it's been stated over and over again that we ought to perceive this life of ours merely as a transient phase in a much longer journey with a much bigger plan...yet...don't these people realize that we've only THIS life to live and the really LONG time we are going to spend here makes it kinda impossible to live a life with such a mindset. It just isn't realistic...
Solely heaven-bound aspirations makes for a very lousy guest on earth.
Anyway, so I've been wondering...assuming you don't possess a religion that gives you a hope for a life eternal, then what?
You live your life for money, power, sex, relationships...you trudge through life without a higher purpose...you become immensely successful having a lovely wife, career, family...then what?
You die. And everything you've cherished, owned, possessed becomes naught. Life without you for everyone else goes on, the world still revolves...nothing's changed. Everyone still has their own life to live.
What a depressing thought that your perceived importance to the world barely counts for a few mere dents in the lives of others! I guess this view that I have differs from person to person. Sure, you might say that your led life was worthwhile because it enabled you to enjoy the beauty of humanity, experiences and all...and I'm not refuting that. Yet, the question still beckons --- then what? So what if you've attained all that and cannot retain it in the period after death?
I guess that's where religion comes in and not just Christianity per se. Religion gives people a reason to live, a seemingly ridiculous notion that what they do now here on earth does actually echo throughout eternity...Most importantly I think, is that religion offers everyone a hope and a purpose, for life is meaningless without purpose --- atheist, agnostic or believer alike.
Therefore, having a religion (any religion) makes sense since it has a universal appeal (purpose) and an eternal effect.
Ok, so I've reached this conclusion.
Then what?
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