The Meaning of Life?

RE: Copied from a previous blogger's post:

My 8 yr old daughter asked me a few months back; what happens when you die? Not feeling qualified at the moment to answer with authority, I asked her; what do you think?

Here's what she said:

Well, if people you know love you and remember you, then you are in their hearts forever and you would still be alive - sort of.

I felt that was a fine answer. So be it. From the mouth of babes, behold; The Meaning of Life.


OK, that got me.

I feel her intuitive viewpoint is a more understandable, believable, and comforting God-view than I've ever heard.

I've struggled with rigid religious philosophy and this topic myself for years. I never planned on getting the meaning of life from an 8 yr old, but I'm perfectly fine with it.

I don't think all the religions I've been exposed to and even participated in are necessarily wrong, but they are quite specific in their interpretation of heaven and hell don't you think? Have any of them been there?

What is wrong with an eternal life viewpoint from this 8 yr old girl's standpoint?

If God is present in all things, and we were created in God's image, then isn't the preservation of memory, love, works and thoughts in other people (God)? That seems like a perfect God-like design to me. Why would it need to be any more wonderful, complicated or mystical?

If you were willing to define "soul" partly as the permanent impression (memory, love, writings, teachings, etc) that we leave with people (God), situations (God), thoughts (God) and physical creations (God), it does imply "meaning" and eternal life "through God" in a way, doesn't it?

Does this viewpoint have to be met with a combative defensive reaction from a self-appointed religious expert that has better knowledge of heaven and hell than the 8 yr old girl?

Tonight, I will sleep well with the meaning of life. Finally.

Hmmmm.

Rox