Can't get over this, need helps

[TruthFaith]

As some of you probably know, I've had a philosophical battle in my head simply put: does life really matter or not.

Any positive message is much needed


Looking at the definition of opinion on Wikipedia seen here:
"An opinion is a person's ideas and thoughts towards something which it is either impossible to verify the truth of, or the truth of which is thought unimportant to the person. It is an assertion about something especially if that something lies in the future and its truth or falsity cannot be directly established e.g. induction. An opinion is not a fact, because opinions are either not falsifiable, or the opinion has not been proven or verified. If it later becomes proven or verified, it is no longer an opinion, but a fact."


1. It makes me realize how much of life is opinionated and you will not pass through life with-out making an opinion. As we are naturely inclined to form judgements, beliefs, values, interpretations, etc. Since they will never be true nor false, why do we as humans try in life because whatever we feel in life is meaningul or beautiful or benevolent and many other things there is no standard rule of universality that gives our belief verification or meaning.


2.For instance, someone may say that abortion is wrong. Though it seems unethical, is there reallly a way to determine if abortion is right or wrong?


3.Another example I have is a "best category" so many organizatioins have competitions like (best picture,oscar competitions, beauty pageants,etcedera. But there is no "true way to evaluate these kinds of things. Also, many people feel that their name is the best name and there is no way to test that out although their name is special since the day they were born.


4. In a larger sense, there is like no true interpretation. For example say you read a book and you think it is well-written, refreshingly candor, and thought provoking; on the other hand- another person thinks it is horrible and tasteless.


I am saying is that there is no quantifiable method to anaylyze and I am wondering what people do when they realize these things in life? Is there truth to judgements, values,etc.? And in what way can we confirm this?

[DaniHansen]

Interesting questions.

I would first submit to you that there are objective truths in life that do not change.

From my standpoint as a Christian, those objective truths include such things as the reality of God, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Bible as the Word of God, the fact that God created everything and all of us, and other such things. These truths do not change, no matter how people feel about them, and what they think.

Then there are physical truths that right now are true, but at some point in time, no longer will be. For example, right now George W. Bush is the President of the United States. That is true. But as of next year, no longer will be so.

And finally, there are subjective feelings/opinions/thoughts that people have, that are also subject to change.

So I think that you're perhaps trying to philosophize something without attempting to break it down into parts properly so you can look at them individually and get your head wrapped around them.

I see that you state that you are a Christian. What does that mean to you? If you're a Christian who has trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you ought to be familiar with at least the most foundational of those unalterable truths, that you can then deduct everything else from quite logically.

For example, if you know that God is Life, and He does not consent to murder, and that He places people in their mothers' womb (per Scriptures found in Psalms 139 and Jeremiah 1, for example), then abortion, per Biblical interpretation, is wrong, because God, as Creator, ought to be in charge of when and how people live and die, instead of people making such decisions for Him.

And so forth.

But we are still all allowed to have personal likes and dislikes and personal tastes, which is the way God has designed us. So I can say I like a certain book, and you can say you didn't like it, and neither one of us would be wrong, because these are just personal preferences, and not objective truths. And we could freely discuss it and express our opinions, without any problems or ill feelings.

You can easily see here that a lot of our problems happen when we try and view objective truth as personal opinions that we think we can change, and on the other hand, try to express our personal preferences and feelings as if they were objective truths.

Maybe lay the main foundation and then worry about the details later? Seems you're not quite seeing the forest for the trees, so to speak. :)

[TruthFaith]

have you heard my whole argument, my whole post?

I do know there is objective truth- (it is raining, he said the time is 3 o'clock e.g.)

but from my understanding, there is no true understanding, no??

that is why I feel sad and need counseling

[jponb]

TrueFaith, we are all unique. None of our minds are exactly alike. We all have a unique fingerprint as well as DNA. As for abortions, yes there are going to be different opinions. Here's mine. It is murder. What is my opinion based on? The Bible says that thou shall not kill. If the seed has begun to grow, it is living. If you stop the growth, you have murdered that seed. Here's my point: we tend to form our opinions by using the things that defines who we are, where we are....etc..etc.. But once we come into the knowledge of Christ, we define things by His Truth. In Ecclesiates King Solomon discovered that life was vanity which is what you are describing (things we do that are in vain). Solomon searched for the meaning or purpose of life. Here's what the wisest man concluded (Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad). Solomon also advised us to Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which He hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. Now what you might be wondering is what comes after the judgement. The answer...everything good, holy....perfect.

[BrckBrln]

2.For instance, someone may say that abortion is wrong. Though it seems unethical, is there reallly a way to determine if abortion is right or wrong?

Yes. The Bible says murder is wrong and that's what abortion is.

3.Another example I have is a "best category" so many organizatioins have competitions like (best picture,oscar competitions, beauty pageants,etcedera. But there is no "true way to evaluate these kinds of things. Also, many people feel that their name is the best name and there is no way to test that out although their name is special since the day they were born.

Nearly all 'best category' stuff is subjective to who's doing it. Like every year there is always the 'best looking woman/man in the universe' but if that were really true then that person would be it every year, you see? Most of it's subjective.

4. In a larger sense, there is like no true interpretation. For example say you read a book and you think it is well-written, refreshingly candor, and thought provoking; on the other hand- another person thinks it is horrible and tasteless.

I've just started reading Vladimir Nabokov and he wrote a famous book called Lolita (which I haven't read yet but hope to soon). I think everybody who's not trying to be difficult will say that it's an objectively beautifully written book but a lot of people hate it because maybe they don't prefer beautiful writing or because of the content of the book. So there's an objective and subjective element to it. At least that's how I see it.

[SFASH]

Lily Tomlin is credited for famously stating that reality is just a collective hunch. And outside of the revelation of God as evidenced in Scripture I believe that is true. If not for the absolute truth that it represents, I, like you, would be forced to live my days eking out a semblance of the meaning to life based upon the limitations of observation and speculation...all relative, and in the end, subjective.

I believe that you are perhaps plaqued with this nagging instinct about the futility of life, the way another individual might be wrestling clinical depression and perhaps you might have to persevere in spite of it, and learn to overcome its oppressive, joy-robbing presence. Not merely try to explain it or understand it, but to defeat it as a debilitating, cynical spirit. If the devil is behind it, you cannot win the argument based on philosophical rules... He's too good at that, He's a liar. (been there)

Many of us are facing similar obstacles to our peace of mind. I will pray, if you agree, that the Lord remove it from you. James 4:7: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

I believe the attempt to define reality outside of God is an absurdity, and I believe Solomon addressed this truth clearly in the book of Ecclesiastes. (cited earlier by jponb).

"Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities: all is vanity." Ecc. 1:2

Having enterd into the Kingdom of God, through Christ, however, you like I have discovered that every moment in life carries eternal significance, therefore every moment in life becomes exceedingly precious.

I have no idea if I am adequately addressing your concerns here, TruthFaith, but scripture, and its absolute authority must be the place to start. Scripture is prophecy fufilled, therefore evidence that demands a verdict. And I am trusting that you have understood and have come to the cross, and can say that you have been born again.:)

[TruthFaith]

But wouldn't the occupations of musicians, photographers,teachers be meaningless if they wanted themself to be the best of their type?

There is like no proof for it.

[BrckBrln]

But wouldn't the occupations of musicians, photographers,teachers be meaningless if they wanted themself to be the best of their type?

There is like no proof for it.

That may be true but that doesn't mean these people shouldn't try and be the best they can be.

[dbrace]

Ill leave you with a excerpt from John 12:25. "He who Loves his life will lose it; And He who hates his life will keep it for all eternity". I think once you figure out what this means, in your mind, then you'll know the answer to you question, and have a new understanding.

[TruthFaith]

I think I know what that mean- don't be in "the physical world" be above in the spritual world, right?

but I just hate those things in life where there is no real answer and it is just up to you and God can't give you guidance because there is a certain taste to life.

That just makes me feel likeI want to be normal lie everyone else and be normal

[jponb]

TrueFaith, in everything you do, give glory to God. A teacher could be your way of giving glory to God by showing the children how a Godly person instructs. Being a musician could give glory to God; by showing the world that you don't have to play filth in order to have success. Only what we do for God will last. Use your gifts for the upbuilding of the Kingdom. Gift used for God= purpose