Exploring our Values

Big Bang

De-evolution

In our last class we explored the issue of our identity, particularly with respect to whether we have a soul. Today we discussed what our values are and what we value. A value would something like honesty, love, freedom, truth, honour, respect. We most value our family, friends, education and pets.

The Value of Values

Understanding what your values are and what you value will help you understand many of the decisions that you make. It will help you understand who you are, particularly your purpose in life. For example if you value your education you will make at effort to make the most of your time at school and perhaps plan to continue your education after school. If you value pets you will have some at home and you will enjoy looking after them. If you value music you will have an iPod or MP3 player so you can listen to music all the time.

Big Bang and the meaning of life

Most students believe in the big band and evolution; that we evolved from apes. So what then is our purpose if any? Some said they didn’t know what their purpose is, some said it was to live, enjoy life and then die. Some thought their purpose was to find out what their purpose is. Some said it was experience life, to reproduce so humanity could continue and then pass away. To serve my purpose and then die was another response. 

Big Band and depression

Consider that it is predicted that in millions of year life on earth will be no more and ask yourself whether you find this idea depressing. At least half of the students agreed that they found this idea depressing or at least sad. Some argued that by then we would have found a solution or moved to another planet. Another student argued that we will be long gone. Some of us find it depressing because it makes life on earth meaningless if in the end it will all be for nothing.

The need to mean something

Embryo: 'Please don't experiment on me'

I encouraged the students to think about what purpose and meaning their lives might have other than just to exist. One student asked me what I thought my purpose was for life.

My purpose is to image God in every part of my life.

I believe that God made the world and he made humanity in his image to reflect him in the world. God is the Heavenly Father and I am to reflect his fatherhood to my children would be an example of what I’m trying to say.

Life in the context of eternity

My understanding of our purpose goes beyond life on earth. What we do in our lives affects our eternity. Our 80 years on earth is like an introduction to a book. This eternal perspective radically changes your values and what you value and it certainly helps with a sense of purpose and meaning.

Religious Contradiction?

Inter Species Fertalisation???

One student challenged me with this; "since we are to image (reflect) God then why are religious people against embryonic stem cell research and cloning? Religious people say we should play God." I explained what concerns me is this; that l believe life starts at conception. To experiment with human life is morally wrong. We shouldn’t be killing one person to save another. I believe that a mother’s womb should be the safest place in the whole wide world and that every embryo deserves the chance to grow and be born.

Homework

The challenge then is for the students to think about the purpose of their lives.