“So from my point of view, an individual can indeed find things that are meaningful to them as you have said. But it can only extend to that individual. It is common for people to use the term in a universal way such as…”the meaning of life”, or “what’s the meaning of it all?”. When used in this way, it does imply that there is a universal meaning and yes, purpose.”

I’d be tempted to say that these people are either intellectually lazy or lacking in imagination. If you’re looking for a deep, hidden meaning, it’s up to you to go find one, not to sit around an lament that no one offered them a pre-fabricated set of ‘meanings’ to answer all your questions without asking them to do any work.

Condemning them wouldn’t really be fair, though. All societies create an atmosphere that teaches its members, ‘it all has meaning.’ That meaning is almost always ‘religion’ and here in America, that ‘meaning’ is Jesus. It’s no surprise that people are looking for ‘meaning’ wrapped up in a bow. That’s what society tells us to do.

It’s really a pretty heinous thing. It tells you that ‘meaning’ is out there in a neat little package (Bible) and all one has to do is accept it. The reality, however, is that an individual either deceives themselves into accepting that ‘meaning’ or has to find their own (personal) meaning after coming to the conclusion that Biblical ‘meaning’ doesn’t really add up.

So, clearly, we have a purpose, in this example: to service an alien race. Is that suficient for us to say, then, that we have a “purpose?”

To some of us, the forced choice of eternal service to a being who tourtures all who do not willingly serve it, or else the torture, is not much different than this. The “purpose” here is wanting.

I agree with others that purpose isn’t necessary; particularly, a purpose outside of ourselves.

I know one thing: we are here. Since we are here, making this world and its people better for us and the future generations to have a pleasant, safe, healthy life seems plenty purposeful to me.

It would actually be biological, mate. And yes, I’d assume that science doesn’t mesh well with Hallmark gift cards.

You know you might be right because it is logical after all, but I doubt we’ll ever see that on a “Hallmark” card. It’s rather lacking in the “warm and fuzzy” department.

Either way you look at it, we’re giving meaning to our own lives, the theist just isn’t aware that they’re actually the ones giving their lives meaning, and not some mystical external force.

“significant quality; especially : implication of a hidden or special significance”.
and
“something meant or intended”

So from my point of view, an individual can indeed find things that are meaningful to them as you have said. But it can only extend to that individual. It is common for people to use the term in a universal way such as…”the meaning of life”, or “what’s the meaning of it all?”. When used in this way, it does imply that there is a universal meaning and yes, purpose. Do you see where this is leading? So an atheist can find things of meaning to them. But I was speaking to the “special, hidden, intended” use of the word “meaning”.

If I posted anything offensive to anyone, it was not intentional.

While I rambled a bit in my first response, my reason for replying to you question was because I disagreed that something created without ‘purpose’ could never have ‘meaning.’

Perhaps I would be better able to answer your question if you could explain to me why something that came into being without design (no purpose) could be by definition without meaning?