• Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
    • Access to private conversations with other members.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Greater purposes

ppp

ppp

Well-Known Member
Is there a greater purpose than personal happiness? What is that purpose? And how is it greater?

This is happiness in the sense of contentedness, or fulfillment.
"Are you happy in life?" is not asking if you are always merry. It is asking if your life is, on balance, a fulfilling one.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Nakosis

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
Joe W said:
Is there a greater purpose than personal happiness? What is that purpose? And how is it greater?
Click to expand...

That's up to you. It is not for anyone else to decide.

For myself, I'd have to say no, not at this point. That may however change.

Some folks seem to feel it is necessary to sacrifice personal happiness for a greater good. What that greater good is? IDK.
Maybe someone who feels that way can explain it.
 
MNoBody

MNoBody

Well-Known Member
The-Wizard-of-Oz-Tin-Man-1280x720.png
 
S

Saint Frankenstein

Gone
Premium Member
Joe W said:
Is there a greater purpose than personal happiness? What is that purpose? And how is it greater?
Click to expand...
I find happiness to be a rather trite purpose to exist. Observing nature leads me to see that happiness cannot be the reason for existence as that's an emotional state that fluctuates. Life is very hard and a struggle. My personal reason is knowledge and growth. I'm sure Odin wasn't happy as he hung from the World Tree, all bloody with a spear in his side and then later having to tear out his eye. But it sure was worth it.
 
Last edited:
U

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
Joe W said:
Is there a greater purpose than personal happiness? What is that purpose? And how is it greater?
Click to expand...

No. But what is wrong with personal happiness? Many people have purposes that grant them personal happiness but as for it being greater or lesser, I don't see purpose that way. Does there need to be a Great-Why?
 
halbhh

halbhh

The wonder and awe of "all things".
Joe W said:
Is there a greater purpose than personal happiness?
Click to expand...
No, not really, but...

Joe W said:
What is that purpose?
Click to expand...

To find/return/be in the greater happiness --

Joe W said:
And how is it greater?
Click to expand...

ah! It's greater because it's more happy, if you like. Better...the way one thing is ok, but another is better. Like that. Say....chocolate ice cream is good, right? Ok, but sex is usually better. Right? But, really great sex is better than just average sex, right? Yes? Ok, now what is the thing that causes the best sex of all? Answer from enough experience: Love. It's the 100% feeling vs the 60% feeling if you like.

Generally people can make an easy mistake: to accept a sorta ok 'good' thing that 'makes them happy', but it turns out not so much. Advertisements can be about getting a person to make that mistake, many ads, such as some auto ads, where an intent is to create a false impression that a certain car will make people like you better, or free your spirit, or make you smile as if you were just 1 year old on a perfect day, or some such falsehood.

It's pretty easy to become more and more lost from what is one's greatest happiness, because those much lesser seeming happinesses take time, energy, investment, and just occupy the space, crowding out.
 
U

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
exchemist said:
Fulfilment.

Happiness is not really a worthwhile goal. It comes and goes and can never be a permanent state.

Fulfilment is what will make you content when the time comes for you to die.
Click to expand...

Can one experience fulfilment in a fluctuate state of happiness and sadness (see things as they are at the moment-up and down) or does fulfilment only present when the final permanent state is achieved? (Mainly-why one and not the other)
 
Trailblazer

Trailblazer

Veteran Member
Joe W said:
Is there a greater purpose than personal happiness? What is that purpose? And how is it greater?
Click to expand...
Great idea for a thread. :)

Yes, I believe there is a greater purpose than personal happiness, to know and love God and serve Him by serving others. God does not need our belief or worship, it is all for our own benefit.

I guess you are asking why it is better? I believe it is better because if God exists and has a Purpose for our lives, a Purpose we cannot fulfill without believing in God and a religion, it is in our best interest to believe in God and the religion that God has revealed and wants us to believe in. That sure makes logical sense to me. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top