purpose? (was: Re: omnipotent (was: Re: Good read so far: In Defense Of Atheism))

On 2008-03-19 16:47:47 -0400, Knuje <knujonmapson@xxxxxxxxxxx> said:
<...>
the rational
purpose for creating the Universe
<...>

Sorry to snip so much, as I found your notes about Pandeism and Panentheism interesting, but, the above phrase caught my eye.

What is it with people and this whole "purpose" thing?

I heard a piece on NPR today (thought of this newsgroup while listening) about God and healing and all that stuff. (Which incidentally had a religious person saying that people who are really seriously sick aren't likely to get better because of prayer (Harvard study and all), but might not be as miserable if they pray.)

A common theme was the assumption that people find faith to understand "why we are here" or "what our greater purpose is" or other stuff like that. Or that whole after life discussion.

I just don't get it. How can someone think they can know any of that? And, more importantly, why does there need to be a purpose? Cells bump into each other and reactions and reactions and it's all lovely or tragic or whatever.

Hmmm...

--
It's All About We! (the column)
http://www.serenebabe.net/

.

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