I used to believe this. Then I grew up and realized I didn't have to believe in a religion and realized I was forced to believe in something I didn't believe in.
You aren't forced to believe in anything. The basics of humanity is our freewill to make decisions that animals don't have the capability to.
However, think about this:
"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important." - C.S. Lewis
Something to consider, I guess.
"Go beyond the impossible and kick reason to the curb!"
This is our purpose in life.
How can there be a purpose without reason?
Your first paragraph is really vague. I cannot follow your logic because you base your argument on an array of postulates that I have a hard time understanding. What is the correlation between "truth" and "meaning?" What is the correlation between "meaning" and "order?" Why can't you have "order" without "purpose?" What if the universe really is just chaos and we just live in the more entropic corner of it? Where are you going with this reasoning?
Approaching your first paragraph from a different perspective, you confirm what I had said previously in a way. Look at all those terms you used: purpose, order, truth, meaning, law. They are all human constructs. You want to believe in a higher order because that is how you explain your world; it is your worldview. Here I come along and say, "well maybe these things really don't exist," and you retaliate. You say, "No, no, they must exist." I introduce stress, so you hold firmly to your beliefs because that is how you cope. You use purpose as a tool to reduce anxiety.
Abstract thought is actually selectively advantageous. It is what allowed early humans to conceive of physical tools, such as knifes and weapons. These tools are extensions of our bodies, and our ability to improve on these tools far outpaces evolution. This is why we are at the top in this world. If a human without abstract thought were to face off against the wooly mammoth, mammoth would win every time. Introduce some creative thinking, and human makes a bow and arrow. Human shoots mammoth from a distance, mammoth writhes while trying to figure out what hit him. Mammoth collapses from exhaustion and blood loss while human moves in for the kill. Abstract thought is our blessing and our curse. As a side effect, we start thinking about our existences. Why were we put in this harsh world? Is there a reason? Humans plague themselves with issues that they create, and in order to deal with these issues, they make up more things: order, meaning, truth, law. We are very silly creatures.
First, how can there be order in chaos? We can't simply be lucky enough to live in an orderly world. As I said before, if there is ANY order in the universe whatsoever, SOME form of order was required in order to create it. Chaos does not create order. However, order can turn into chaos (just a side note).
Secondly, how can you be sure they are human constructs - purpose, order, truth, meaning, and law? They are terms in our English language of course, yes. And they are given human definitions as well. But the basic concepts of these terms - can you say with absolutely certainty they are simply man made? Let's look at one of them, shall we? How about law? Alright, man has laws and a judicial system. Men are told to abide by these laws to benefit society. However, what about our conscience? A conscience is something no other animal has. We feel good and bad when we do different things. But why? I can see an answer you might reply with: that this "conscience" of morals evolved so that all of society would benefit - things like don't kill or steal. It seems logical. But that doesn't explain at all why we feel bad about things that don't directly harm others. Or how about our moral code? Why does ALL of mankind have the same moral values? Why aren't there flukes? Why aren't there people who have complete disregard for human life? There has never been a single exception to this rule because those who do kill people or steal things are only suppressing their conscience. For example, if someone stole a piece of candy, it was most likely because they wanted it. In their minds that person thought,"well, the ends justifies the means". It was worth it to steal that candy because they could taste its sweet flavor. Yet many times with similar moral values, that feelings turns bittersweet and deep down we know it's wrong. But why?
Also, yes, this is my worldview. It's how I interpret what I see. Two men can look at painting and see completely different abstract ideals hidden in it. It's their interpretation of what they see. I'm trying to look at this from a logical perspective - to put meaning to a seemingly meaningless world. I am not the only one holding to my beliefs here - you are as well. I propose that the world has an ultimate purpose outside of ourselves and you respectfully disagree. But we all have our worldviews. The main question I'm asking here is: is their an ultimate purpose that is outside of mankind's opinions? I am not using purpose as a tool to reduce anxiety; for if it was merely that I would be both delusional and be chasing something that is not real. And if that were the case, there sure has been billions of people with the same disorder as me. Is this just a coincidence or are we all a major mistake?
Thirdly, so are you saying abstract thought about things outside of our physical universe is simply a bad side effect? Can you be sure? Or is this explanation actually a way to cope with anxiety, so man does not have to deal with morals, because morals are what we make it right? We don't want others to judge us - we want to feel like good people. So isn't it only natural that we all at least at some point in our lives reject the notion of there being a higher form of intelligence - that is perfect in all aspects of morals - that we must be accountable to?
