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Sermon Illustrations

THE MEANING OF LIFE

Atheist philosopher Bertrand Russell: "Unless you assume a God, the question of life's purpose is meaningless." (Quoted in Warren, The Purpose Driven Life, 17).

Welsh scholar Rheinallt Williams: "There is nothing which arises more spontaneously from man's nature than the question about life's meaning. But if to be shoveled underground, or scattered on its surface, is the end of the journey, then life in the last analysis is a mere passing show without meaning, which no amount of dedication or sacrifice can redeem." (Quoted in Blanchard, Does God Believe in Atheists?, 332-333.)

Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy: "What is life for? To die? To kill myself at once? No, I am afraid. To wait for death till it comes? I fear that even more. Then I must live. But what for? And I could not escape from that circle." (Quoted in Blanchard, Does God Believe in Atheists?, 333.)

Novelist Rebecca West: "I do not believe that any facts exist, or, rather, are accessible to me, which give any assurance that my life has served an eternal purpose." (Quoted in Blanchard, Does God Believe in Atheists?, 333.)

William Provine (The Scientist, 1988): "No moral or ethical laws exist, nor are there absolute guiding principles for human society. The universe cares nothing for us and we have no ultimate meaning in life." (Quoted in Blanchard, Does God Believe in Atheists?, 333.)

Richard Dawkins (described by some as, "increasingly our most militant atheist"), when asked, "What is the purpose of life?", replied: "Well, there is no purpose, and to ask what it is, is a silly question. It has the same status as 'What is the color of jealousy?'" (Quoted in Blanchard, Does God Believe in Atheists?, 333.)

From Glenn Durham's Sermon "How to Live Effectively"

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