Search for Meaning

Question 1

Question

Answer 1

The act of asking questions, e.g. about the meaning of life

Question 2

Questioner

Answer 2

The person who asks questions and seeks the truth

Question 3

Search

Answer 3

The deep human need to find meaning in life

Question 4

Meaning

Answer 4

To find or to have a sense of purpose in life

Question 5

Meaningless

Answer 5

Failing to find purpose of meaning in life

Question 6

Why do we ask questions?

Answer 6

Humans have a profound need to understand what life is all about and to pursue happiness

Question 7

What could be sources of meaning in our lives?

Answer 7

Family
Friends
Religion/Faith
Education
Work 
Sport
Politics
Social life
Voluntary activities
Film
Music
Media

Question 8

Reflection

Answer 8

Taking time to stop and examine something in our experience and to think deeply about it

Question 9

When might we reflect?

Answer 9

Birth of a baby
Death of a loved one
Experienced success
Illness
Failure

Question 10

Who was Donal Walsh?

Answer 10

A teenager from Co. Kerry who struggled with cancer

Question 11

What can Donal Walsh teach us?

Answer 11

He can teach us a lot about finding meaning in life through our religion and our response to awe and wonder to things that happen in our world

Question 12

Humanism

Answer 12

A belief system that rejects religion and makes sense of life through human reason alone

Question 13

Give an example of a humanist

Answer 13

Stephen Fry

Question 14

What is the difference between Humanism and Christianity?

Answer 14

HUMANISM
•No god
•Jesus was a teacher
•Creation came about because of evolution
•Humans are basically good by nature
•Open to abortion, euthanasia etc
•Humans are highly evolved animals
CHRISTIANITY
•One almighty God whom we should worship
•Jesus it the Son of God and the Messiah
•God created the world and everything in it
•Humans have the ability to be good but have a sinful nature
•All life is precious
•Humans are created in the image of God

Question 15

What would be the religious answer to ‘Why are we born?’

Answer 15

Jews, Muslims and Christians believe life is a gift from God

Question 16

What would be the religious answer to ‘What happens when we die?’

Answer 16

Jews, Muslims and Christians believe in life after death

Question 17

What would be the religious answer to ‘What is right and what is wrong?’

Answer 17

Jews, Muslims and Christians have rules for right and good behaviour. The code of behaviour comes from God. It is written in the sacred text of each religion.

Question 18

What would be the non-religious answer to ‘Why are we born?’

Answer 18

Humanists say God s not involved in human life. Human life is born from nature and is to be respected for its own sake

Question 19

What would be the non-religious answer to ‘What happens when we die?’

Answer 19

Humanists say that after death there is nothing. There is no heaven or after life. The world and this life is all that there is. Death is the end

Question 20

What would be the non-religious answer to ‘What is right and what is wrong?’

Answer 20

Humanists have guidelines for right and good behaviour. This code of behaviour does not come from God. It comes from reason and human experience

Question 21

How do we find meaning in life?

Answer 21

A non-religious answer would be through communication, service and understanding and believing we need each other in search for meaning.

Many people believe only a relationship with God provides real purpose and meaning in life