Humanists are often criticized because we stumble on the question, "what is the purpose of life?" Because we reject the notion of a divine plan we are often left stammering.

I believe that we do have a grand purpose that is based in basic biology. Survival of the species is among our strongest inherent instincts, even more potent than self preservation. Our purpose, in my opinion, is to ensure that we are survived by succeeding generations of homo sapiens.

When we care for our families, our neighbors, our communities, and our planet we are fulfilling our purpose.

Organized religions' philosophies are not really very different than ours except that they advertise a prize of eternal life for the individual. In fact, the root source of religious values is based on the same basic survival instinct. Religious leaders find it easier to control the masses with promises of the reward of eternal life and the threat of damnation.

Doesn't acting in a responsible manner to our peers and our environment for the sake of preservation of our species not only make more sense but isn't it actually a more morally sound argument for "good" behavior?

--Wayne Wilson