From the true believer’s perspective, I have a difficult time understanding what the point actually is. Are we just a show for some other larger being that sculpted us from dirt and clay? To me, that’s pretty bleak, but it’s someones else’s bliss (no matter how much I can’t fathom that being a comforting thought). There’s no freedom of choice or will. But as long as one’s good without those silly things, then its all good.

From the reform believer’s perspective, who may not believe in the creation story but still holds a belief for a higher power, I can’t quite comprehend what reason you have for worshiping a being that watches over us but lets bad as well as good things happen? What’s the point of believing in something that merely endures?

Neither theory works for me. Neither aid me to feel better about myself or life in general. Though the former would deeply depress me on a continual basis.

From the naturalistic worldview, its what ever you wish to make of it.

Your destiny is the one you wish to make for yourself. Don’t let it suck.

To summarize her point: we’re born into an imperfect world filled with suffering, only to grow old and watch everyone around you die. Then, die yourself. Hopefully without much pain. Hopefully without the need to depend too much on those around you in those latter days.

Sounds like a pretty bleak world view. But Mom believes in God. Not the religious Judea – or even – Abrahamic version, but an indescribable being of love and kindness who looks over her and those around her. (Close to that of deism, but she actually prays – the kind that’s in one’s head and not kneeling before the bed.) How sweet, I suppose… But I can’t comprehend why said being is not responsible for all this suffering and death? As full of contradictions as that may be, she still persists in her belief. It may be a combination of a fear of loneliness, other meme-conditioning, and a general desire to just believe. But she’s awesome because we have had a few conversations discussing where our ideas fork and she seems to get it for the most part- that is, my world view.

It’s interesting how the atheist can have a positive world view while the theist may focus on negative aspects. It reminds me a bit of how goths are oddly religious, despite the silly critiques disclosing them as “Satanic” or “evil”. Yet, religion (mainly the Abrahamic ones) happens to be very dark.

So how does a god fit into the equation of negatives? Many (über)theists are just pleased as punch to a part of their god’s plans, no matter what. If the cliché “ignorance is bliss” applies here in any form, does an increased amount of ignorance establish an increased rate of bliss? (Which would stand to reason when comparing my mom with an Evangelical, i.e.) If so, then how in the name of the celestial teapot can we explain positive atheism? And I’m not referring to that other definition.

So, what is the point? It’s different for everyone. We all have our purpose: the one(s) we create and maintain for ourselves.

You are an intelligent human being. Your life is valuable for its own sake. You are not second-class in the universe, deriving meaning and purpose from some other mind. You are not inherently evil—you are inherently human, possessing the positive rational potential to help make this a world of morality, peace and joy. Trust yourself. (Dan Barker, Losing Faith in Faith: From Preacher to Atheist)

Don’t get me wrong, I see the sadness and pain too, but I try not to focus on it. I went through a very pessimistic phase in my hormonal teenage years and somehow the phoenix arose to a whole new positive comprehension of everything surrounding me. I suddenly was struck by an important truth: The only way to feel good about oneself is to feel good about life.

What’s the point? Well, what’s the point of being bleak and/or depressed more often than not? Why not be happy?

I’m not really here to debate creationism, though it may seem so. My main goal is to shed light on why evolution rocks all socks.

Creationism directly implies you must accept an entire religious doctrine in addition to a simple theory on the origin of life. Science makes no claims on what your beliefs may or may not be outside the realm of what is proven in a particular instance.

Creationism is not a pleasant thought
It does not make me feel good or happy in the slightest. I find no passion, no honesty, no purpose is such drivel. It assumes that things are as they are and never have changed. How boring! It removes all responsibility from our actions, our free will, as well as nature’s will. It devalues human life and the scientific method (which is everything). If I’m here solely as God placed me and he watches and knows all, what’s the point? Creationism seriously depresses me. It gives no hope for the future, nor a reason to aspire. What creationists refer to as their “free will” is the illusion of free will, much like living in a gated community gives you the illusion of safety. Although it may work at times, a comforting notion will never turn into a truthful one.

First Lesson
I recall my father sitting me down to tell me all about evolution; sadly my teachers never mentioned it (or either “theory”) much. He oversimplified the man-came-from-monkeys spiel a bit, but he was just trying to get his point across. One of his all-time favorite movies is Inherit the Wind, which he believes is a very important movie to see, as do I. Unfortunately, history repeats itself (in that sense).

A Collection of Facts
I didn’t think about evolution much throughout high school and college; I just knew it to be a scientific theory that had been tested and retested. (A scientific theory, by the way, holds more weight than a fact alone – like germ theory – and is not to be confused with the casual use of the term “theory”.)

That is until Bush. I can’t recall the specific moment, but sometime around the address stating creationism should be taught alongside evolution, I began a lengthy cringe. Being somewhat aware of creationism, I had not actually known anyone who claimed to believe in it. I grew up in a reform Jewish community and attended secular public schools. (College – University of Miami – is “private”, but only due to exorbitant costs!) I honestly never heard anyone speaking seriously about creationism until about the Bush era (in my early-mid 20′s). And all of a sudden, as it seemed to me, it was everywhere. I though we already shot this non-theory down in 1926. Oh yeah, they rebranded (to Intelligent Design).

Purpose-Driven Life
Perhaps you can call me the un-creationist. I don’t think I’m quite anti-, for I’m not anti-creationists all together. It’s just the very notion of it that saddens me. Evolution gives human life true purpose. We have come from somewhere and are going somewhere. We have an innate connection with all plant and animal life that envelops us. Inhales and exhales us. We are all connected in a almost a spiritual sort of way, for lack of a better term. It’s the bigger picture that we are all a part, the spectacular journey that guides us.

Our livelihood is aided by the evolution of human traits such as morals. Being a good person solely because of where you think you’ll go when you die, is not morality. That’s just sucking up, like a God’s Pet. Remember how being a teacher’s pet does not (or at least should not) get you all A’s through school, but actually studying, doing well on tests, and positively contributing to discussions will? A true set of morals comes from being faced with a decision, weighing out the possible consequences, and potentially researching for more resources on the topic/situation. Whether one makes a “good” or “bad” decision will help him/her learn, evolve, and grow as to not make the bad decisions again, while continuing with the good ones.

The world is beautiful, but there is also much pain. If a creator created conjoined twins, babies with no limbs, various other mutations, wars, etc is s/he worth praising? It feels wrong to me. If one’s parents did to them what God does to the world, then those parents would be swept up by Child Services immediately.

My life is full of purpose; I have true freedom and true free will. I can aspire to great heights without worrying if its in god’s plans. Or if s/he’ll approve. The beauty of nature and the universe flows through us, a current that never ceases, never spoils. I look out for myself (with the help of my hubby and other close loved ones). I take care of my own body and my own circumstances everyday. The notion of a “purpose-driven life” is currently an Evangelical Christian meme, but should it be?