Can There Be Meaning in a World without God?

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Many people of faith think, and strongly believe, that without an almighty sovereign being over this world life would (and can!) have no meaning: it's just a matter of chance and circumstance with no ultimate end, no goal, nor purpose, no meaning. Bart had that view for years, and feared that leaving the faith would lead to a purposeless, meaningless, chaotic, anarchic existence. As it turns out, that didn't happen. But why? In this episode we explore the possibilities of meaning in a world without God.
Megan asks:
-How did people in ancient cultures derive meaning from life? Was it similar to modern Christian views that the purpose of life was to do what god wants you to?
-Who were the writers who discussed the meaning and purpose of life in the Greek and Roman worlds?
-Do we see these views being passed down to Christians, and do they turn up in scripture?
-What about morals and ethics? Were these derived from religious beliefs?
-How did your born-again experience change how you thought about the world?
-Did your religious faith give your life a different purpose and direction, and did your conversion substantially change your behaviour as well as your outlook?
-Did you worry that you’d lose that when you moved away from faith?
-What about now? Without religious belief, do you feel like you’ve lost that purpose?
-Without a god to tell you what’s right and wrong, or that you should treat others well in order to avoid hell, how do you know what is ethical, and why do you even worry about the morality of your actions?
-Is belief in god necessary to life a fulfilling, ethical life?

[@wemadeitpodcast]

I was muslim for 10 years and deconverted. I wish there was someone similar to Bart in the English speaking Muslim world. All the former Muslims have so much animosity towards the faith and I don't feel that way. I'm not a believer but I still can appreciate the religion from an intellectual and a historical point of view. I also felt the same Bart said, that God wouldn't punish me for seeking the truth and finding it even if it meant leaving the faith. It just doesn't make sense. So I didn't feel bad for leaving Islam.

[@arusirham3761]

Me too. I was a muslim for 25 years and now I am not. I am even still living in a Muslim country.

[@ShesDeafSir]

You might enjoy and appreciate Bill Donahue on KZbin who, like Bart, deconstructs religion, mostly Christianity, but gives new insights to many other religions including Muslim. He helps fill in the gaps between the major religions and helps one see that the written words are to be interpreted spiritually and not literally. This helped me tremendously as a former Christian! Idk if Bill's videos will help you (I hope it does) but he does talk respectfully of the religions outside Christianity that influenced the formation of the world's religions.

[@taswinkarnadi1760]

In Indonesia it’s compulsory to state a religion on your ID

[@taswinkarnadi1760]

@@arusirham3761 betul, bang

[@amateurprojects3341]

The most virulent scoffers/mockers of religion/God tend to be former believers who've 'de-converted' because they feel they were duped and want to gain back credibility they feel they lost. 'Saving face'. It's a childish part of our nature. Glad to hear you're not bitter at once believing in something you no longer do & good luck for the future. I happen to believe in God & Jesus because I think, on balance, the evidence supports their claims & that's been borne out time and again in my life. But each of us must follow our hearts & the facts of this world.

[@0nlyThis]

Ultimately, it is we who give meaning to "God" - as we do to all our concepts.

[@areuaware6842]

They created their god in their image.

[@amateurprojects3341]

A curious notion in the 21st C if it's something that we invent. You'd have thought we'd have 'moved on' by now. Yet apparently well-adjusted, seemingly intelligent people (in all fields) keep talking about this 'God' notion. Strange

[@areuaware6842]

@@amateurprojects3341 , And all the people that don't believe it god tithing to churches. It's funny and sad at the same time.

[@Bronco541]

People have moved on. Besides the many atheists in the world, even believers do not have the same kind of concept of god today as ancient peoples do. It is very very different.

[@iantroggs]

I’ve often wondered why there HAS to be a reason.

[@MrCanis4]

I don't care so much about 'Why' I live, but give more value to 'How' I live.

[@brokenrecord3523]

Because it is so unpleasant to think that there isn't. If a parent loses a child, will "shit happens" feel sufficient?

[@artemisia4718]

@@brokenrecord3523 Dealing with grief is a very personal matter. Megan’s partner (Dr. Josh) has said in a livestream that when one of their little ones passed away, the most sincere and comforting words they heard from a friend was “this is not fair”. Some people don’t need to believe pretty lies, they deal with hard truths head on.

[@russellmiles2861]

​@@brokenrecord3523my sweet middle son died a few years back - I can assure you the doctrine of universal blood attonement was no help. But sure, life is a meaning of itself ...

[@jeffmacdonald9863]

And for this atheist, saying "the Reason is God" just pushes the question up a level.

[@rebekahosborne4710]

Wonderful! Thank you both for all your work! I am not a Christian anymore, and yet I have great meaning in my life. I too cherish this life.

[@Horvat04]

You can have meaning being a serial killer too then. Just for the sake of being an atheist, nothing personal. Wrong or right does not exist for you then only if you being honest to yourself. There is nothing speaking against becoming a serial killer for example, as an atheist.

[@ajar1000]

@MrUndadoggPtownCity I think it's in fact the opposite to be honest. If you are a Christian and a serial killer, all you have to do is accept and believe in Jesus before you die and you're off to heaven. An atheist has no afterlife to look towards. For me at least, it makes me cherish this current life more, and to try to do good things.

[@Horvat04]

@@ajar1000 no who told you that. Maybe you are young, but you did not understand anything. The christian doctrine, jesus from the bible tells you to go and sin no more. Not to continue and have a free ticket to heaven. So there is no christian serial killer, it does not work that way and does not exist. You better read the new testament because you are assuming very wrong, in a childish way of thinking.

[@ajar1000]

@@Horvat04 Jeffrey Dahmer became a devout Christian whilst in prison. Is he not a Christian?

[@Red-Faction]

​​@@Horvat04Would God not forgive a repentant serial killer? The only sin I recall being unforgivable in the Bible is blasphemy. It is true that Christiany compels people not to kill one another, It compels people to not do any harm to one another in fact. But so does secular humanism, a belief system grounded in atheism.

[@DJMarcO138]

I don't know why, but it always feels like a special day when a new episode drops - thanks Bart and Megan!!!

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

It’s called “Tuesday”.

[@davidrobinson4119]

I guess I never have been a Christian, and yet I have grown up, been educated, worked for all of my working years and now I am retired. Why would I have done all that if I had no meaning in my life?

[@tawan20082008]

you guess? Isn't that something you would know for sure?

[@jeffmacdonald9863]

@@tawan20082008 Not really. I've never really understood what Christian apologists mean when they talk about meaning in this context. My take is more along the lines of what Bart says talking about old Hellenistic philosophers, but I feel like Christians talking about this are trying to say something more profound. I also think that most Christians don't actually feel whatever that is.

[@davidrobinson4119]

@@tawan20082008 No, as in my younger years I necer thought much about it. But I tended to look at the Christian religion as mythology, much like the Greek myths that were read to me.

[@amateurprojects3341]

If you are completely fulfilled, then you're all set!

[@AdolfsGirl]

youre lucky you lived in a great world, would you be able to retire working today

[@FaughtyEmit]

The realisation that I probably only have one life is the best generator of life meaning!

[@gridlock1492]

And that life's meaning is...

[@ElkoJohn]

We're all going to die All of us - what a circus That alone should make us love each other But it doesn't (Charles Bukowski)

[@6reynoldsgajsjk]

It’s obviously not

[@MichaelEstrada]

Everyone makes their own meaning in life. In our current society everyone brings their own meaning which goes against someone else's meaning, and goes on and on and on.

[@Kholdaimon]

I have ADHD too and KZbin shorts are the bane of my existence, you start watching dog and cat shorts and you never stop until it is suddenly 2 o'clock at night...

[@MrBobbymacaroni]

Sounds like ancient folks viewed the gods as a celestial lottery and devotion to them akin to buying a lotto ticket...

[@areuaware6842]

Accept all the tickets are losers.

[@krautsky]

I ike Bart's use of contentment instead of "happyness". Happyness connotes to me a shallow temporary, momentary feeling, that easliy can vanish in a hurry through adverse circumstances. Contentment to me means an accepting and feeling alright with your present life, a feeling that can overcome short-term setbacks.

[@pontiuspilate3640]

happy holidays Bart! you as well Megan.

[@susiepittman601]

Thank you so much for sharing this video.

[@jeffmacdonald9863]

A couple of not directly on topic, but related thoughts sparked by Bart's comments on the role of ancient philosophies: 1) He describes the different roles of Greco-Roman pagan religions and philosophies at the time and how Christianity came to play both roles, but I'm curious how that applied to other ancient religions. Especially to Judaism in the same period. We know Jews of the day were definitely absorbing Hellenistic culture and philosophy, but was the Jewish religion still focused just on the appease God for material advantage (or to avoid anger) or was it already taking on the role of "guide to the good life"? 2) I wonder how much Christianity taking on both roles contributed to its popularity and growth?

[@areuaware6842]

Christianity is a bastard religion.

[@kellyclifton5455]

Paul's assertion that he persecuted Christians before his own conversion appears to me to be simple marketing for his message, ala Lee Strobel's The Case for Christ. Something like "I was not only a non-believer, I was EXTREME in my non-belief, doing my best to eradicate such a silly religion until I found MYSELF to be in the wrong, blah blah blah." Nothing but an early display of apologetics.

[@andremignacco6523]

Dr Ehrman thank you so very much for sharing your knowledge (and why not say your life) . My life experience is interestingly enough like yours;became a christian at 17( now 64)and I've been an agnostic for over 20 years and a Latin/Greek/Ancient History/Philosophy college professor.Hope you continue your fantastic spreading of wisdom to all for a very long time . Wish you the very best !

[@Horvat04]

As if jesus was crucified for claiming to be a king of the jews, (political aspect only). Thats not how it works but that is bart ehrman teaching. I guess you did not find the mistake yet.

[@AlWilly12]

​​​@@Horvat04if I recall correctly Jesus was crucified next to other felons. Do you think those were claiming to be the Son of God? Romans didn't need too much of a justification in order to execute and punish people that were causing some kind of disorder...

[@alexandraparadela9548]

Thank you for your channel, I learn so much from it❤

[@toniacollinske2518]

After a long life of struggling to believe, i remember very clearly the moment when i knew unequivocally that everything that is has been created randomly. What a tremendous weight lifted from my shoulders. The meaning, the purpose, is to live. What we perceive as God is simply Life as it constantly strives to maintain and renew itself. We are the result of trillions of atoms gathering and reforming. We, as humans, get to experience awareness of our existence. We all come from the same source. And I'm thankful every day. Great video

[@chillyfinger]

I enjoyed the recent Netflix documentary "Life on this Planet." You get a sense that there is nothing "random" in evolution. It's better to think of it as wonderful chaos, driven by many factors, including (but not exclusively) by "evolution."

[@AdolfsGirl]

evolution is garbage, houses dont build themselves thats insane

[@AdolfsGirl]

​@@chillyfingerwonderful chaos doesn't build bodies

[@DJTheTrainmanWalker]

Answering the title cold... An omniscient omnipotent creator 'god' would make life utterly meaningless. If we do not make meaning ourselves what value would it have?

[@areuaware6842]

Only evil would create children for the sole purpose that they worship him. YHWH is an evil false god.

[@AdolfsGirl]

somebody made us houses don't build themselves.

[@DJTheTrainmanWalker]

@@AdolfsGirl Seems a tad egotistical to imagine the human inclination to manufacture stuff is responsible for an entire universe.

[@AdolfsGirl]

@@DJTheTrainmanWalker seems a tad bit insane to think boobs and bodies made itself.

[@AdolfsGirl]

@@DJTheTrainmanWalker ok darwin worshipper..

[@normative]

I have the same reaction to folks who claim they can’t imagine finding meaning without God as I do to those who say they don’t understand why anyone would refrain from raping, murdering, and thieving absent ubiquitous surveillance and the threat of eternal torture: Then I’m glad you believe, I suppose, but hoo boy are you telling on yourself.

[@lisaboban]

OK. Now I'm truly intimidated by Meghan! She is a mom to five kids. She is an accomplished scholar. She keeps Bart in line on a weekly basis. And today Meghan hits us with MAKING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS! OK. Megan you are officially Superwoman!!!

[@chrisdsouza8685]

Don't get me wrong, I have the greatest respect for Meghan's intellect, application and achievement. I also think she is doing a brilliant job here as a foil for Bart's luminous wisdom. BUT, if her taste in hand made gifts is the same as her taste in spectacle frames, I'm relieved NOT to be on her gift list 😂❤

[@lisaboban]

Also, I keep correcting the spelling of her name, and KZbin keeps changing it to the wrong spelling!

[@Mac_an_Mheiriceanaigh]

lol@@chrisdsouza8685

[@spc1689]

Can I second all of this statement. I have not deconverted, but I have changed my views about the world. I have more peace not worrying about whether or not I am going to burn in a fire FOREVER. Living and impacting my children and family is all I can guarantee. PLus my body is going to decompose, I know that because we buried my son and his sister together this year and the funeral director told me that there was nothing left of my son. He was only 18 weeks. Talk about a kick in the teeth.

[@Will4fun]

Thank you for creating this and posting it.

[@scottschoen3362]

The book I Am is inside Out covers that well, and more. I haven't heard if you received it. Scott

[@welcometonebalia]

Thank you.

[@Philusteen]

The meaning of your life is but a simple sum if two; what it means to others, and what it means to you. - me

[@kjmav10135]

Good Lord, Meghan! How do you find the time to do all of this???

[@thewb8329]

Purpose or meaning does not have to be dictated by a religion or belief in a god or gods. Since those things are as much a human construct as anything else, meaning or purpose is what we decide it to be for ourselves.

[@stephenarmiger8343]

Wonderful conversation! Good to hear the wider perspective!

[@lynnbethechange]

This really cracks me up. Which god? Which set of beliefs? Saying that meaning comes with/from a god presupposes a particular god. This is exactly why I cannot believe in any god.

[@greghall4836]

What's the meaning of life is a totally meaningless question. I've often wondered why so many people are asking it.

[@MrCanis4]

I don't care so much about 'Why' I live, but give more value to 'How' I live.

[@Jasmixd]

I think it's only natural for us humans, the famous pattern seekers. We are wired to look for reasons, so we can predict consequences thereof, explain. Applying this to the concept of life is the logical next step.

[@ChrisSmith-xh9wb]

I wonder if a jellyfish asks this question? More likely it just drifts along, enjoying life to the full and being at peace with the deeper reality that sustains our transient existence.

[@rdklkje13]

I was wondering how on earth Megan manages to have five kids, a career, and all sorts of other activities in her life, wondering if she might have ADHD (which I hadn't heard her say anything about). Thanks for answering this question of mine a few minutes later! And wow for actually figuring out how to get things done 😎

[@diedertspijkerboer]

I thought long and hard about meaning when I let go of the faith I was brought up in. My conclusion was that there is plenty of meaning in life for non-believers, but you can always keep asking: what's the meaning of the thing that gives you meaning. So what's the meaning behind friendship. You can say it feels meaningful, but you can't rationally explain why it's meaningful. You can start by saying it creates a bond, but what's the deeper meaning behind the bonds? My conclusion was that meaning is relative: meaning exists within a certain context. Once you start asking about the meaning of the context, you come up with a blank. Of course, Christians say that God gives life meaning, but you can then ask what's the meaning of creation in the first place? What's the meaning of having a creation, instead of no creation? And so you ultimately end up with the same kind of question where you can't talk about meaning anymore. So, in the end, religion doesn't provide a better answer to what's the ultimate meaning of life than what non-believers come up with.

[@nrnar]

Please study Islam (with an open mind, no prejudices). You'll find the meaning of life in Islam.

[@khomkrity]

@@nrnar what did you find?

[@diedertspijkerboer]

@@nrnar Frankly, your proselytising annoys me. I have given zero indication that I'm open to joining a religion, in fact, the opposite, but still you try. I'm not saying that you're not allowed to do that, I'm a great fan of free speech. I'm just saying that what you do achieves the exact opposite of what you want. And that's actually the beauty of free speech, it has a tendency of showing people as they are. You're not interested in me, you just believe in the perfection of your religion so arrogantly that you want to force it on me as if it's a one size fits all. In fact, I've read a significant part of the Quran and I'm definitely not a fan. I find it dar too black and white. If I would join any religion now, it would be a liberal version of Christianity. And as far as I know, a liberal version of Islam, namely one that doesn't require me to believe in the divine revelation of the Quran, Muhammad riding a flying horse to Jerusalem, etc, doesn't even exist. Also, Islam is very alien to me. I would feel very uncomfortable with all the religious behaviours expected of me. They're simply to different from the tradition I grew up in. Moreover, if there is a God, I would not want to worship one who requires my subjugation, that's just pure evil. You can't go about creating people and then expect them to basically be slaves. To compare: Jews see themselves as partners of God and Christians describe God as a father, those are much healthier relationships. And, worst of all, if I became a Muslim and then decided later that I wanted to leave again, Sharia says I should get killed because of that. There's definitely no religious freedom for Muslims. So, as you can see, I have lots of very objective reasons not to join Islam.

[@katew.9402]

Exactly, I've thought along very similar lines. I grew up a Jehovah's Witness, so their doctrine is about eternal life (for JWs only of course!) on Earth in the "new system", after God has destroyed the current "system" (and the "wicked" people, which is bascially everybody else) in Armageddon. This eternal life is held up as the purpose that one needs to attain. But what is the purpose of eternal life? In their publications, JWs always depict people having picnics with their friends. So this is the purpose of life, apparently: billions and billions of years of daily picnics... I also find that the book of Genesis does not say what the purpose of creation is. God creates the Earth and sees "that it is good". But for what reason, what purpose? He might as well have been doodling and then thinking, "ooh, that came out rather nice".

[@diedertspijkerboer]

@@katew.9402 😂 Your comment about God doodling is hilarious!!!

[@sleepingsealproductions]

I had the same midlife crisis only I bought the red convertible and then got divorced.

[@Rubarb555]

After listening to you enrich us with so much in depth knowledge, I thak you for sharing this important part of your personal journey as well. I wish you both and listeners of this channel joyful holidays among those who indeed matter the most in life: the wonderful people who we love and who love us.

[@tinsolder9929]

Doing well by doing good. A Tom Lehrer lyric.

[@ralphreinert]

"Doing well by doing good." Ah, yes. The Old Dope Peddler. 😈

[@geraldmeehan8942]

As an atheist I find meaning in my mother, siblings,children, grandchildren, friends and work

[@MrCanis4]

hobbies, sports, passions, food, traveling, gardening, volunteering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[@amateurprojects3341]

Good to hear. You sound completely fulfilled. Congrats!

[@geraldmeehan8942]

@@amateurprojects3341 Thank you! Hoping the same for you!

[@AdolfsGirl]

your nuts houses dont build themselves something made and designed us

[@alwilliams5177]

There is a big difference between getting "saved" and a genuine conversion experience as described by William James. Having experienced both, it's kinda like the difference between a $.99 "wish I could afford a Bic" lighter and a supernova.

[@Templetonq]

It's almost as if God is not required to live morally and purposefully. "People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life. I don’t think that’s what we’re really seeking. I think that what we’re seeking is an experience of being alive." - Jospeh Campbell.

[@paulkoza8652]

A very common sense evaluation of the world. Religion is not necessary for morality. It took me many years to figure this out and understand it.

[@justjukka]

I think there's some confusion on the second to last question. We have a book of "Joshua", which made the full journey to English from Yehoshua, but "Jesus" wasn't anglicized from Greek.

[@Bjl1976]

Bart, I have watched and enjoyed several of your debates online most recently one with James White on the accuracy of the new testament texts. I have heard a few people on YT make a claim regarding John 10: 34-38 when they are threatening to stone Jesus for claiming divinity. I have heard said that although our modern bibles read that Jesus says why is it blasphemy that I have said that I am THE son of God, in tge original greek texts he actually says "A" son of God and that it was changed in transaction in order to make him the only son of God. Can you offer any insight into this? As I said Ive only heard that said but do not know that to be true or verified by someone that could give credence to that claim. Thank you.

[@FollowerOfTheLight2782]

Jesus is God. He is the Alpha and Omega Revelation 1, 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord God, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

[@masteronone2079]

Yes. Next question.

[@cupofcoffee4251]

There is no objective meaning. If there was objective meaning we wouldn't be free. There's only the meaning you personally attribute to issues you care about.

[@brokenrecord3523]

like objective meaning?

[@russellmiles2861]

Well more the point: can religious ideology have meaning outside of cultural understanding. For example: there are over 600 commandments in the Hebrew Bible and a few thousand invocations in the NT. Most of these churches ignore, and a few outright oppose. The process by which churches make these decisions is the same as any other matter. They study, consider social attitudes and practices and reflect on what might be ideals. This proposition has the issue arse about - it is God who needs human understanding not the other way around - it always has been thus.

[@hildesamuelsen3346]

Many have ‘mystical’ experiences like OBE, STE and NDE. They correlate much with wisdom in OT, also NT. Without the wisdom in Bible it would be quite hard to be sane after STE. 2 years after I was told to read the Bible, I never done it before. But the secular world is difficult then. I look forward to read more of your books. I think it is a force/field/creator/God(experienced it like unconditional love and ‘wisdom’ that ‘fell down’) human can not grasp or explain in words. Bible is close, especially in original language I suppose, and other text like Thomas, John of the cross and similar.

[@d..c4808]

Would suggest that there's more meaning in a World without God. There is definitely more meanness in a World with God however. Meanwhile the Sun sits rotating at the center of the Solar System receiving little to no credit for being probably the nearest thing we actually have to a God.

[@eurech]

Bart you should interview Francesca Stavrakopoulou who is a Hebrew Bible scholar who has written a book about God's body (''God: An Anatomy''). She explains ancient Israelite religion, how Yahweh had a body, and so much more. I'd love to listen to that conversation.

[@areuaware6842]

Yes, YHWH is a false god.

[@joestar6194]

"One must imagine Sisyphus happy." Albert Camus

[@debfugate4517]

I can't, and I don't get it. But that cracks me up! Love, "still suffering cuz I can't let go"

[@debfugate4517]

PS i do get it but I resist. Glad you posted this. Food for thought.

[@ChrisSmith-xh9wb]

It is good to hear other people's stories, so thankyou to Bart for what he has shared. My own perspective, as someone who came to Christianity as an adult after years of unbelief, is rather different. I neither see, nor feel the need for , any meaning in life. As it says in Ecclesiastes, "everything is meaningless". My life does have purpose, though, and as a biologist I believe I share this purpose with every living thing, every cell, every gene- it is to stare death in the face and say "you are not going to win". For me, the ultimate expression of this is in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Life is a precious gift, and I cherish and make the most of every second that I have been given, giving thanks to God and resting peacefully in the loving arms of the life giver.

[@thismachinekillsmusic2]

its nice to see another fellow Christian Biologist who feels the exact same way about life!

[@Wong-Jack-Man]

“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun” -Ecclesiastes 8:15

[@jimgraham6722]

Yes there is, a life based on enlightenment, respect and wonder for all living things and the natural world, as against concern of self, materialism, heaven, hell and salvation. Studying the principles of Stoicism shows the way to self actualisation and fulfilment. In this regard the wisdom of Aurelius ('The Meditations') and the philosophy of Spinoza ('Theologico-political Treatise' and 'Ethics') both incidently banned by the Catholic Church (alone a good enough reason to read them) are great Stoic texts.

[@TheGreatAgnostic]

While I also recommend Marcus Aurelius, I couldn’t find evidence the Church ever banned the work. Partial evidence from the fact it even survived to the present.

[@chucktaylor4958]

Of course, we are part of a vast universe and honored to exist and explore with every breath we enjoy.

[@AlistairMacPherson]

I can normally download your videos but suddenly you video is blocked because of your music. Please fix so I can liaten.

[@dimbulb23]

Is there meaning in an Eternal Afterlife? What's it for? What's to be accomplished? What does accomplished even mean with nothting finishes? Is it all about harp music? Testing to see if you go Heaven 2.0? What's Heaven 2.0 for? I don't know and I invented it... maybe I'll write a Bible about it?

[@travis1240]

Exactly. Christians claim that God creates "meaning", but not really. They never really answer "why?" - that part hasn't been made up yet. Sure they claim that this life is all a test for sorting the good from the bad in the next life... but why? A perfect, omnipotent god wouldn't need any of it. Mysterious ways? Um... OK... but that doesn't answer "why?". Anyway the point is that finding meaning is still up to you, irrespective of your religion or lack thereof.

[@nobodynowhere7163]

Indeed

[@Steven_Rowe]

It would be very easy to buy Megan a present, I have noticed how she loves glasses so that would be my choice for her. Also love how she pronounces her name in the proper Welsh way.

[@skipinkoreaable]

Her glasses are totally cool, but I suspect you might be enabling an addiction. She really seems to have a lot of pairs.

[@Steven_Rowe]

@skipinkoreaable not an addiction, just an observation. The s shaped pair are interesting.

[@skipinkoreaable]

@@Steven_Rowe You don't think she's addicted to glasses? Maybe not. I haven't been counting but she really does seem to have a lot of them. I think the S ones are cool too. S is for Sumeria.

[@skipinkoreaable]

@@Steven_Rowe Maybe she's got the whole alphabet. A for Aramaic B for Babylon C for Canaanites etc

[@Steven_Rowe]

@@skipinkoreaable great comment I wonder if she has the Arabic alphabet too She may even have some Dame Edna glasses too lol

[@canwelook]

Two people take on similar jobs. One's primarily motivated to earn the money to support his family. The other to help others through his expertise. Two people. Two different meanings. No god necessary.

[@mekosea5591]

Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

[@red.aries1444]

One scientific theorie for the development of life is that it helps to increase the entropie of the whole system. The idea of God and the religions around this idea have caused a lot of confusions, discussions, fightings, wars.... "God" definitely helps to increase entropie on earth...

[@lbamusic]

My life has meaning and purpose precisely because of my recognition of, and thanks to, my Creator God. Everything starts there. Besides my creation, my Creator has sovereignly interceded on my behalf for all of my 82+ years, and has assured me of eternal life with him as my Righteous King. Without all this, my life would still have had some earthly meaning, but nothing comparable to now with the added eternal component beyond this life.

[@Kyeudo]

A thing in infinite supply has no value. Eternity reduces meaning, not increases it.

[@512Riddler]

I think removing the religious part of it what do you think about the effect of stories on people. Do you think that stories play a major role in how we learn, how we communicate or even view parts of our life?

[@ChillAssTurtle]

What are you talking about lol

[@512Riddler]

Esoteric text and stories developed and morphed over time. People who studied these built on the stories and sources they had prior to them. These ideas or stories of early Christians are similar in that they were diverse right from the start and helped to lay a foundation for early Christians. Then the councils started and there was a more concertive effort to arrange the stories and include/exclude books. I’m interested to know what Bart thinks about stories that people create or recount and how they have a profound impact on shaping our understanding of the world. We learned as children through stories that while not real conveyed some morale understanding or teaching. I’m not arguing for or against God or religion I’m interested in how storytelling shapes ourselves.

[@ChillAssTurtle]

@@512Riddler do stories impact stuff? Yeah dude lol are you like 10 yrs old?

[@512Riddler]

You should make a T shirt that says that. Seems to be your tagline.

[@amigochevere5217]

At last I find someone who thinks the same as me, twho decades now I start to think that good and bad was not an invention of religions,

[@ElDavidThomas]

I agree with Dr. Erhman about not needing a god, specifically the christian god, to live a moral and ethical life.

[@Cloudryder]

One word, Peace.

[@malinstella6965]

.... and one world, Peace.

[@kjmav10135]

I disagree. My mainline church gave me a lot of useful meaning. “Love one another.” “Love your enemies.” “community matters.” “Practice humility.” “Listen to people who are different from you.” “Helping the man beaten on the side of the road is more important than running off to your business meeting.” Liberation theology created space for Central and South American people to protest and take their countries back. Martin Luther King Jr and the Civil Rights Movement had deep roots in the Black Church. I am no longer a Christian, but I would never say that my experience as a Christian was worthless, or that Christian theology offers no meaning, hope, or purpose.

[@FUNTZ35]

Dr. Ehrman doesnt say that theology doesnt provide any meaning. But that that meaning CAN be found without it. One can find meaning through theology, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it can’t be found by non-theological means. The community aspect of religion is something that Dr. Ehrman misses in secular society. This also doesn’t mean that community can’t exist outside religious settings.

[@1bengrubb]

Why are you no longer a Christian? Did you not have any prayers answered?

[@kjmav10135]

@@1bengrubb Has nothing to do with prayers. The overall Christian mythology lost its relevance for me. I could no longer recite the Lord’s Prayers or any of the creeds. They lost their relevance. We need to focus on preserving and celebrating earth. Christianity does not emphasise the preservation of the planet. also, The Church is a massively screwed up organization. So, here’s that.

[@1bengrubb]

@@kjmav10135 what is not relevant about the lords prayer? Even if you ignore the mythical but keep the principal every line in the lords prayer is relevant. Even Bart does not believe in the mythology but he believes Jesus is relevant... but it is true the church does not emphasize the preservation of the planet----the people that go their are massively screwed up as it is.

[@MrCanis4]

"Can There Be Meaning in a World without God?". Oo. Yes a lot. I don't see a god at all in my life and I find a lot of meaning.

[@gridlock1492]

And that meaning is...

[@MrCanis4]

@@gridlock1492 What “I” give to it.

[@gridlock1492]

@@MrCanis4 You create your meaning according to...

[@MrCanis4]

@@gridlock1492 Myself

[@MrCanis4]

@@gridlock1492 Myself

[@prasitboonma7549]

I used to be a Christian but not anymore. Absolutely believe there is no such God. Anyway I now am a Buddhist and follow the 5 precepts of Lord Buddha.

[@FollowerOfTheLight2782]

Oh man, did you really give up the truth? So you believe in reincarnation ? The origin of Buddhism Buddhism is the religion founded by Gautama Siddharta (560-480 BC). Buddha belonged to the second highest Hindu caste (warrior caste). He grew up in great wealth. He married at the age of 23. At the age of 29, after the birth of his son Rahula, he began to seek the truth and left his family. He devoted himself to yoga. But this brought him nothing. After that he tried for a few years self-mortification. After this second failure, he tried the meditative path. At the age of 36 he experienced his enlightenment. From then on, he called himself "Buddha" (= "the enlightened one")

[@RichardLewisCaldwell]

The question is backwards. By definition, if the Christian deity exists life has no purpose at all: we're just pawns in a game played by, well, somebody who threatens to torture you forever if you don't worship them, and in fact is torturing some of your dead loved ones right now. That's impossible to worship, assuming said deity can read thoughts. But without a god, we have lots of purpose: first to transcend death, and second to transcend the death of the universe. Almost certainly not possible, but we can't actually know unless we succeed, so the goal is eternal, for as long as life exists but a deity doesn't

[@ChrisSmith-xh9wb]

Your first paragraph is a total misrepresenion of he Christian God that I worship. However, the purpose you speak of in your second paragraph is at the core of Christianity. and is the meaning of Christ's resurrection. Jesus died to save us from condemnation and fill us all with the hope of eternal life.

[@MrAuskiwi101]

We are all without God in reality as they are imaginary so meaning is up to the individual.

[@judithsmith9582]

Im a believer in a Supreme Being aka "Source" but i definitely am not a believer in Religion.

[@danieljohndombek]

Short answer: Yes!

[@lukeouthwaite9999]

People should read Zarathustra's (Zoroastor) gathas before deciding if there is a God or not.

[@christopher6547]

I'm not sure I understood the explanation of how Yeshua in Aramaic became Jesus in English. Sounded kind of circular. Can anyone dumb it down for me?

[@jaxonbasra9056]

Yeshua > Yeshu (colloquial) > Iēsous (Greek) > Iesus (Latin) > Jesus (English) The sound is added to make it into a Greek masculine name. The original sound at the start regularly becomes in English e.g. Ya’aqob > Jacob; Yehoshua > Joshua; Yahweh > Jehovah The Hebrew form Yehoshua is borrowed into English as Joshua, which is a more accurate rendering of Jesus’ name. Translators chose to keep ‘Jesus’ for stylistic reasons.

[@christopher6547]

@@jaxonbasra9056 Excellent explanation, thank you. I get it now.

[@bitofwizdomb7266]

Strive to live with integrity and aspire to live an impeccable virtuous life the best you can , and lead it with love kindness empathy and generosity. You are self responsible and accountable for your choices and actions . Leave behind a positive legacy and be a noble example to follow especially for those you love . That’s what gives me meaning . Be good for the sake of being good . No god necessary. Love

[@mikecaetano]

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Eudaimonia...

[@BruceWSims]

Interesting subject. It brings to mind an analogy of primates enjoying the benefits of electricity but having no idea of how a nuclear power station works. Ergo: Need Humans understand how nuclear energy produces electricity or can we just move on with our lives and invest ourselves in other things? As an observant Muslim I am daily thankful to Allah for determining that my years of searching have brought me to this place in my life......an intimate relationship with that which is greater than myself. However, I will be the first to report that my personal journey would not be for everyone, nor is Islam nor is aspiring to apply spirituality as a motivation for Life. A Purpose.......that it "internal motivation".....can be a function of untold numbers of inspirations and cognitions. The issue has never been "what" one believes, but rather that one Believes and expresses that belief behaviorally by conforming to what they identify as the best way to express that belief. FWIW.

[@petercriscuolo3090]

I too would respond to the title question with a resounding "Yes!" However, I don't agree with the premise that not taking the Bible literally, or that suffering exists, inevitably lead to the conclusion that there is no god at all, or that human ethics are entirely subjective.

[@johncipolletti5611]

The meaning of life for any species is to multiply and survive! For millions of years, we didn't have Christianity and Jesus, and we made it to today.

[@6reynoldsgajsjk]

Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Most people in the ancient world (and some today-especially children in the womb) stayed in survival mode….its basic. Blessed be the poor.

[@KaiHenningsen]

It always seems weird to *me* that people make this much wind around meaning and purpose. It feels completely unreal. Meaning and purpose are, to me, essentially small-scale considerations. Applying them to things like "life" doesn't make sense to me. The meaning of life is a joke with the answer 42.

[@travisdiveley1652]

As far as Christmas, Jeremiah 10 says it ALL! That puts distance between GOD and HIS people! Repent from Pagan Worship and Traditions! If The World Is Pushing IT, STAY FAR FROM IT!!

[@carolablue5293]

Bart decided that a loving God could not allow the terrible suffering that goes on in this world. He is an ethical person who can function without higher authority. That said, there are people who need the fear of God to stay on track.

[@tawan20082008]

@Carol True, but actually many of the ppl you refer to aren't actually afraid of God, but rather they think they can "hack" God by just doing the silly things that that their cults require for them to earn "eternal life in paradise". For Christians, that's "accepting Jesus as son of god, or god, and that he is savior of humankind, and that he died on cross for our sins, and that on 3rd day he was resurected" . In the Christian cult, this is how you can hack your way to eternal life in paradise, and guess what? Christians don't fear their "God", because they most of them think God is their best friend, and especially that Jesus is their closest friend. Usually ppl aren't afraid of their best friends, like how you characterized it

[@carolablue5293]

I imagine that an all-knowing God can see through "hacking" your way to Paradise..@@tawan20082008

[@areuaware6842]

Figure out that this world has chosen the wrong god.

[@user-es2bq2bf1b]

@@tawan20082008 now try doing that withv Islam

[@AdolfsGirl]

something or someone designed this body, houses dont build themselves

[@mechtheist]

We are extremely if not infinitely insignificant to a god like the christian god that created us to worship it apparently. How that could possibly provide any meaning worth having is beyond me.

[@ChrisSmith-xh9wb]

There is nothing in the BIble to suggest that God created us to worship "it". From my perspective, as a Christian, He has freely given me the precious gift of life, which I enjoy to the full, and for that I am eternally grateful. It does not need to have "meaning".

[@mechtheist]

​@@ChrisSmith-xh9wbWow, you're really pretty far gone, nothing about needing to worship? And 'he'? Really? Tell me how is something like that god possibly have a sex? Is your god biological? Is gender NOT based on sex now? "as a Christian"? Can you possibly be more vague? Do you, as someone who watches to Ehrman videos, not realize the vast array of beliefs that fall under that rubric, many utterly contradictory?

[@tyr4489]

what is going on in these replies? copyrighted sugar maple hallucinations? divinely inspired stock trading? does this mean bart and megan have made it?

[@lisaboban]

Yep. The trolls are on to them.

[@manuaiipondraken8376]

With or without God, we will always find meaning to life. Question is, what is the basis for our meaning to life? This is where we parted.

[@ndbaker74]

Once one can abandon the idea that an imaginary diety has any bearing on their life is when one can find what they need in life. Living without Thor, or Ra, or Yahwey is all the same.

[@bitwhys3920]

It's our mortality that empowers us to transcend the gods because we face what they cannot apprehend

[@bitwhys3920]

comprehend. Good thing I'm a hobbyist

[@tawan20082008]

I think the easiest proof that it's very practical and normal to have a meaningful and fulfilled life is to look at large groups of people who are proudly atheist, such as the people of China. The people from China, as opposed to Chinese people who grew up or lived in other countries, often accomplish so much in their lifetimes and they are often very happy and fulfilled lives and travel a lot and learn much more about the world than the rest of the world learns about China. Some people will surely say that communism had something or everything to do with this, BUT the people of China rejected many religions centuries before Karl Marx wrote his communist manifesto that founded this ideology. The people of China rejected Christian missionaries, and although there were a tiny few number of converts, it was always insignificant numbers of people. Basically, a person can take Christianity or Islam or Buddhism and then become a moral and "righteous" person, but the same exact thing could be said about a person taking "kindness" and becoming more "moral and righteous", or a person taking "love" and doing that. Basically, any number of things can inspire or revolutionize a person or change a person.

[@davidball549]

Why does there "need" to be meaning?

[@yetufekci1]

How many pairs of glasses does Megan have?

[@JohnJesus]

Yes

[@EatHoneyBeeHappy]

I love Megan's glasses.

[@andreyrybachek7200]

Yeah, they're gorgeous and quirky

[@Nicole-eu4vx]

They are cute but they mess with my head when I look at them. 😂

[@cemreomerayna463]

Yes they are lovely, and I loved your name too.

[@curtisgrindahl446]

I would recommend a wonderful book. "The Little Book of Atheist Spirituality" by André Comte-Sponville which covers the topic of ethical behavior without reference to god.

[@Lee-io5qg]

Years ago I n in that book where I looked up the definition & etymology of the word 'religion'. The definition probably included a lot of god-talk. The dictionary I used may have been an edition of The New Collegiate (Merriam-Webster???) Dictionary. However, latet in life I looked up the etymology of 'religion'. I was surprised to learn that words like god, beliefs, faith appeared no where in the etymology of 'religion'. The Latin root of the word religion is religare, which means 'to bind' or 'connect'. The etymology of ligament comes from a Latin root ligare - to bind No mention of god, faith or belief. The current definition of religion, however is full of god-talk, which was not there originally. We English speakers misuse words to the point where they take on meanings that were never intended. Religion in the orginal form could refer to reverence. But that could refer to reverence for a person, place or thing. E.G. On Friday nights after work my father religiously bought his 2-3 cases of Pearl Beer depending on how many college and/or professional sporting events he had on tap (pun intended) for the weekend. He rarely saw the end of any the events. Can you guess why? He had to show his reverence by sleeping and stumbling to the bathroom. Lee

[@teiladnam]

Megan's glasses frighten me.

[@jeffmacdonald9863]

For that last question, the reason to interview one of the NT authors other than Paul would be to find out who they were.

[@jeffryphillipsburns]

I suspect that Ehrman considers this a practical (so to speak) navigational problem. How do you find the other authors to interview if you don’t know anything about them?

[@Mac_an_Mheiriceanaigh]

Much more interesting to interview an actual biblical figure, author, witness, etc., than someone who could end up being just a random person.

[@Shytot-1]

Everyone on the planet knows there is a meaning to life because we are all living it, regardless of any gods.

[@leedoss6905]

I would be happy with black cast iron cookware for Christmas to go with the rest of my black cast iron cookware. Not socks or stupid sweaters. Mr coffee must have sold a billion of those coffee makers one year.

[@curiousnerdkitteh]

I'm ADHD and that's why I never even started with Tiktok.

[@lunarlight3131]

i have strong counter arguments that there can't be meaning in a world without God

[@tawhv]

(A) God would not help. His existence will only shift the scope of the question. What purpose does the world have for God? Is there a God beyond God who gives meaning to the world.