In the show, a toy duck and his friends are rejected by a toy company because they don't function in the manner they are supposed to. For example, the toy duck couldn't squeak as we know all rubber ducks should!
After watching the show she asked me what a reject was. I explained to her that the toys in the show were rejects because they had something wrong with them and as a result, the toy company wouldn't want to sell them.
Then I asked her if people could be rejects. She thought for a moment and then said, "No." I pressed her and said, "Why not?" I could tell she was thinking and after a brief pause she said, "Because God made everyone." I responded, "Precisely." I then proceeded to explain to her that because we are all created in the image of God [Gen. 1:27], we have intrinsic value and worth. However, if we are merely products of a great cosmic accident or coincidence, we are nothing more than glorified cosmic burps. Here today, gone tomorrow. And if this is the case, like Lucky Duck and his friends, those people who don't function in a manner society deems useful, can simply be disregarded.
It is my conviction that our experience tells us otherwise and that all right thinking people know better. Many people may claim to believe that life has no ultimate meaning and that we are here simply by chance; however, in most cases, the manner in which they live suggests that they know their life has purpose and worth and they are more than just a "Lucky Duck."
Courage and Godspeed,
Chad
Comments
I speak as someone who has trouble 'squeaking' at the best of times.
Or they just want to be happy... which doesn't mean they're living like there's ultimate purpose.
People have their own ideas of purpose and meaning. That people act on them doesn't somehow show there's really ultimate purpose.
It's nice to hear from you and I hope you are well!
My point here is that those who claim that life has no meaning or that people are not intrinsically valuable do not live in a way that is consistent with what they claim. In other words, they cannot consistently live out their worldview.
Sure, you can claim they live as if life has meaning and as if people are valuable so that they can be happy, but like Frankl and Sartre, they are just deluding themselves. At best they are living a noble lie for self-serving reasons.
Respectfully
If there's no ultimate meaning or purpose, does that mean people can't still have lesser meaning and purpose in their lives? E.g. try to be happy? And if one lives for this lesser meaning and purpose, why must they be inconsistent?
It seems like you're conflating ultimate meaning/purpose with subjective meaning/purpose by accusing those living for the latter as if they're living for the former. It's like saying the Wednesday night intramural basketball players are deluding themselves by trying to win their league because they're not trying to win the NBA Championship. Why can't we just meet up and play some bball?
On another note, it would be interesting if you guys could review the book Doubting Jesus Resurrection by Komarnitsky. What do you think?
Thank you for the comment.
I want to make sure I'm understanding your view correctly. Does the following accurately represent your view?
If God does not exist, life is objectively meaningless; however, people can still create subjective meaning for themselves.
In regard to the book you mentioned, the books that are reviewed here on Truthbomb, for the most part, are sent to us free of charge by the author or publisher. If Kris Komarnitsky would like to send us a copy, we would be more than willing to take a look at it down the road.
Respectfully