Are We Just Born To Die? If Yes, Why? If Not, We Are Born For What?
67I consider the world to be a theater and us folks to be characters in it. We are born to play our roles, and when we are done, we depart. It might sound simplistic perhaps, but if one were really to think about it, that's precisely what we do. We play our roles, multiple roles of being a son/daughter, husband/wife, grandfather/grandmother. We fulfill our commitments in each of these varied roles (most of us at least) and then we move on to another world/stage perhaps.
Of course, all living beings that are born do die at some point. Death is as much a part of living as living itself. Life and death are intertwined. One leads to another - they cannot be separated. Its cyclical and repeats itself, as it has through the ages. Death need not be looked upon as something undesirable. Death should in fact be viewed as necessary. All living things deteriorate over time and death is but an exit for the soul to exit the body that has become frail and incapable of sustaining life any longer.
Envision a world without death - how sad would such a world be? If frail and weak humans continue to live on and on, can the world be sustainable? How heart wrenching would it be to see your loved ones wither away. Or, if indeed a magic cure has been discovered that enabled humans to stay young forever - would the Earth be able to sustain all the millions of young, restless humans that continue to live on and on as immortals. So, however much one might fear death or wish death away - death is essential. It is essential to the cycle of nature. In death, there is life and in life there is death. That's just the way it is and should be.
Life is an opportunity given. What one makes of that life is upon the specific individual. One human might strive to become a better human being, strive to understand the world around him and the world beyond, might be good and do good to others. Another human might seek to be death to others, might seek to commit acts of terror and kill with impunity and without remorse. We are born with a clean slate - what we write on it is entirely dependent on us, the choices we make!!
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Finding out by asking who? I guess you have to ask yourself and discover the answer yourself. I believe that's the purpose of life - to discover the reason for your existence.
How can one not believe that life does not go on after death. What a waste it would be if life did not continue, It would be all be for not.
I touched on some of these in my hub, "I do not have to defend my faith but to share it." Why am I here? What happens after death? Did I exist before this life?
Keep on hubbing?
I agree eovery. I believe life goes on in another form after death - I don't think death is a full stop. Death is just a transition according to me. Would check out your hub. Thanks for your comments!!
Shil1978, this is one great paradox that faces everyone. I have seen most men who are too scared to talk about death, attend funerals and things like that.
But i see life and death as two sides of the same coin.Whatever has a beginning must get terminated.A time to born and a time to die.
But are we really born to die? I look at death as a passage, a path, a transition, a transformation to a higher realm of existence. i don't see it as a tragedy, punishment or an end in itself but a meaningful exit from the earth to another pedestal.
However, it becomes tragic and painful when we die without leaving a legacy- an indelible touch on humanity.
That answers the question of why we are born. But many people discover when it is late why they are born-what I call the purpose of creation!
We are born to impact humanity from different perspectives-words, write ups, activities, relationships, knowledge, sacrifices for fellow man, alms, etc.
Let every passing day start with this question 'Am I born for What?'
Thank you Shil1978 for this thought provoking hub.
Thank you babarushe for your wonderful perspective on the subject. I see that we think similar :)
We are born for a special purpose each one of us.No one is here for mistake despite how and where he lives
Nice Hub, Shil...Well written and offering interesting observations on life and death...
I'm afraid I must disagree with your commenters and most of your observations. I do not agree with the premise that we are unique, special, or otherwise immune to the forces of nature. We do not have a preordained destiny, outside of the self-contained world we exist and die in.
I do agree that, like the Yin and Yang, there is a proper balance and circuitousness to life, as has been shown through observation and critical analysis. But to add the extra dimension of uniqueness is, in the words of Camus, absurd and egoist.
We are but animated dirt, comprised of the elements around us, and, in the end, we will return to those same basic elements.
I do agree that while we are here, on this Earth, that what we do with our lives is mostly free choice, sometimes with more than a little encouragement from environment , or circumstances beyond our control.
In the end, I guess you have to ask yourself, " Was I a good person..? ..Did I bring more joy than sadness into this world..? ..Did I remain, or at best, did I really strive to be true to myself and others.."..?
For some of us these questions would never occur or have any significance. The fact that I may consider these questions does not make me any more unique or special than those that don't. In this respect, we are all merely that chunk of animated dirt dancing to the perfectly balanced tune of natures law.
That's an interesting perspective Maven. I believe parts of your comment was more in response to some of the other hubbers on this article, as I've not put forward the premise that some of us are unique or special or immune to forces of nature.
Shil...You are correct in that most of my disagreement is with the commenters...the only aspect of your Hub that I might beg to differ would be the idea of a soul...to accept this premise I would have to include all living matter as being endowed with a soul, thus insuring immortality for all living things, both here on this planet, and on the billions of other terrestrial spheres scattered around the Universe....
To not believe so, that all living things have a soul, would place humans as unique, exceptional, and outside the laws of nature...
As much as my heart cries out for this singularity, my rational brain will not let me...
I'm in total agreement with your last paragraph. I might add, that yes, life is about choices, yet sometimes life itself intrudes to make those choices for you. An accident leaving one paralyzed, an intruder killing your spouse, some Islamic extremist setting off a bomb, and other life-altering circumstances beyond our control. We adapt, yes, but it was not always our choice.
Thank you, again, for a provocative and interesting Hub.
"What one makes of that life is upon the specific individual"-I love this phrase of your article.In fact death does not mean the end its a gateway to make you immortal.
Thanks for dropping by Andromida - glad you liked the article. Yes, I too believe, that death is not the end. Its perhaps a progression to a higher level - quite possibly!!
hI Shil
Your statement -Yes, I too believe, that death is not the end. Its perhaps a progression to a higher level - quite possibly!!MAY BE TRUE!!!!AGAIN WE DONT KNOW.But I feel all this is said to console us when our loved one passes away.Who has seen what happens after death????
I lost my father 6 months back .He met with an accident and had to go through a brain surgery.H e was in coma for a month.After such a big loss , all i would think is I AM UNCLUCKY that both my parents are no more while my friends and cousins and so many have them and talk about them.AND THEN INEVITABLY QUESTION COMES UP ...WHY ME???????WHY DID GOD CHOOSE ME TO UNDERGO ALL THIS????
SHWETA
Hi Shweta,
Am sorry to hear about your dad. The question you ask, "why me?" is understandable. I would perhaps have asked the same question if I had gone through a similar experience. When you say, "why did God choose me to undergo all this?" - you are expressing anguish that anyone in your position would express.
However, personally I do not think God makes such everyday decisions as to who dies and who lives. I think of God as the creator of everything around us, but not as someone who sits and decides who lives and who dies at any given moment.
One can for example ask why God took away so many thousands in an instant when the Tsunami struck, or the thousands who die apparently randomly when earthquakes or other natural calamities strike. My thinking on that would be that God does not decide on such things. I think God allows nature to run as it chooses to and doesn't intervene in everyday situations.
So, while the passing away of your father is truly tragic and I really feel for you (knowing how much my own father means to me) - I don't think God had a role to play.
We all have to die some day and unfortunately we can't choose when we die. I think the best way is to live every day fully and completely. Life is too short to regret and wish things were different. Yes, you were dealt a bad, tragic experience but live life from now on without feeling low and sad. Those who have died, I believe, continue to live on in another dimension, perhaps. So, keep faith and be strong!!!
i don't know anything for now because im in high school now but this question is very interesting to me in a way but we are born for a reason but i have another one do we come from heaven and if we die and go to heaven why were we born?
"All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts"
- Shakespeare
So you are dancing with the same questions people have been asking for millenia. The concept of life after death began long before Christianity was in its infancy. A little research on ancient Egypt bears this out.
The problem is not with the answer. It is with the question. What does it mean to ask "why are we here"? No matter which answer you come up with, the end result is comforting to the individual. Fear is the underlying cause.
We search for "why" because it is difficult to bear the burden of living. But all of these concepts live in the world of the ego. Camus was right. Absurd and egoist.
But existentialism is not a philosophy of despair. Rather it is a confirmation of life. In order to live life fully, it is necessary to shed the garments of the ego and just...well...breathe. Laugh. Create.
Remember - the opposite of love is NOT hate. The opposite of love is fear. If you no longer fear the pleasures and pains life brings to you, you can finally accept the joy of just living. There is NO why. No "who". No death. Only life awaits.
Thanks Hobiwan for your take on this question!!
Feline Prophet says:
8 months ago
Why are we born? That's a question that many have sought to answer! The fun is in finding out. :)