What, in your opinion, is the meaning of life? Live by the law, have children, help others, make yourself happy, follow God's word... I'd like to know how everyone feels about the subject.

And, do you fear death?

The meaning of life is what you make it out to be. If you believe it's the word of God, it is. If you believe it is to live every day as you want, then it is.

And I don't fear death. Every single person is going to die. Why would I fear an inevitability?

The meaning of life is different for everyone - because its what you decide it to be.

Same goes for death. It means something different for everyone... you can't really debate about it. ^^;;

As cannibalisticcows said, it really is what you decide it to be. I believe it's up to the individual to create their own reality as they continue to grow and learn about themselves. I don't even know if labeling anything as your "purpose" would be accurate. There are so many choices you can make, and you can choose what to do with your life. Nothing is set.

For me personally, my driving goals are learning, experiencing as much as possible, and finding happiness. There are so many things I want to do. I'm just enjoying the journey. And yes, I do fear death, just because I hope it's not taken away from me before I accomplish everything that I'd like to.

Cow, I do believe it's debatable, considering the way you feel about it most likely depends on your religion. If you are Christian and follow the Bible you will certainly not beleive that life is all about number one, making yourself happy and having and doing all the things you want. Instead you'll beleive it's to live your life the way the Bible directs, help others and spread the word. Which is basically why I'm asking. I'm just curious as to what people think and was hoping people would elaborate.

The meaning of life is to reproduce and to create more life. That's my view on it.

That's actually the way I used to feel about it too.

The reason for life for me is, to live. Maybe even go as far as to understand yourself.

And death does not scare me, not in a bit. I know death's not the end, but perhaps it is? And perhaps I am completely wrong about the reason for life? It's really confusing, and half and half. I have a roundabout way of thinking that totally contradicts each sentence before it. xD

And as said before, it's what each and every person claims it to be, it changes from person to person. Others are scared of death, others welcome it, and others are neutral. I don't mind death, I dislike it, yet it's going to happen. I might as well not be afraid of it. You only have to be afraid of the idea of fear, because that's what scares you, the whole idea of it being able to scare you. These ideas of fear can and will be often supported by personal experiences.

Despite being inevitable, I fear death because it's unknown.

My view of life isn't concrete enough for me to really put into words. :s

Originally Posted by Sir D . L O Van Lobsters

The meaning of life is to reproduce and to create more life. That's my view on it.

Oops, I forgot to mention my feelings on death.

I'm more worried about the death of a loved one than my own. I came to the conclusion a few years ago that I've had a good run, and if I were to die, I feel like I would be able to leave this world feeling fulfilled.

To me, my own death isn't anything but my next great adventure. =3

The meaning is probably defined by individual and the culture/religion that they live in. People find and give meaning to their lives all on their loan-some, as they should, but it would be silly to say that were not affected by our surroundings. So its a combo, but we should all hope as free thinking people that we can break away from those cultures to an extent and well...think for ourselves and make our own meanings and goals.

There isn't a human on earth that is completely unafraid of death. It's hardwired into us to preserve ourselves and to fear what we do not understand. Me and myself? I'm not really "afraid", just cautiously curious about death and the afterlife, but regardless I'm going to do my damnedest to stick around for as long as possible.

There are two words I use to describe these aspects of humanity.

Shereshoy - joy, "a lust for life", to do whatever you need to do and live life to its fullest regardless of what others tell you. Because YOU are are not others, its your life and you have so much to live for and look forward to that you dont need to be bothered by the opinions of others.

Aay'han - bittersweet moment of mourning and joy - "remembering and celebration".

I do not fear death, I fear not being remembered.

I don't fear being dead, because once I am it is what it is. I'll either get on with my new state of un-lifeness, or that's it and it's over and I won't be anything. I do, however, fear the moment of death, because I've seen a number of people die and it looks painful.

I used to agree with the keyboardist of Spinal Tap that "have a good time all the time" was the meaning of life, but now I just like to chill out and NOT party 24-7.

I believe that the reason we are here (on earth) is to experience and learn what we can while we are here so that we may take that experience and knowledge with us into the afterlife, and I also believe that we (as individuals) experience not just one, but multiple lives, always learning, experiencing, and growing, so that one day we may be what we are meant to be (unsure of that at this time). This is something that I truly believe and is not just something that I was told and am just spewing back out at you, like the answers to a math quiz. I have found evidence to support my belief as well (ie. people having memories that never happened, people with no experience picking up and playing an instrument they've never even seen, ect, ect, ect.)

and as for my belief on death, I feel that it is a natural part of life and the start of the next great adventure.

Life is just to BE, to try and sense, learn, love, laugh, cry as much as you can. Death... I don't believe in heaven for hell, so I think we just kind of poof. And that doesn't scare me. We only have a limited time here, why prolong any sort of existence? It'll happen as it happens.