--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The one function that most gods seem to…" description: "\"The one function that most gods seem to have in common is to give human existence some ultimate purpose - and, while it is not possible to disprove an ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e3/barbara-smoker-43933_atheism_the-one-function-that-most-gods-seem-to_19531.png" --- # The one function that most gods seem to have in common is… ![“The one function that most gods seem to have in common is to give human existence some ultimate purpose - and, while it is not possible to disprove an ultimate purpose, there does not seem to be any evidence for it. This is not to say, of course, that there is no purpose in life at all: we all…” quote by Barbara Smoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e3/barbara-smoker-43933_atheism_the-one-function-that-most-gods-seem-to_19531.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e3/barbara-smoker-43933_atheism_the-one-function-that-most-gods-seem-to_19531.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e3/barbara-smoker-43933_atheism_the-one-function-that-most-gods-seem-to_19531.png) > “The one function that most gods seem to have in common is to give human existence some ultimate purpose - and, while it is not possible to disprove an ultimate purpose, there does not seem to be any evidence for it. This is not to say, of course, that there is no purpose in life at all: we all make our own purposes as we go through life. And life does not lose its value simply because it it not going to last forever.” [Barbara Smoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-smoker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humans seek ultimate purpose, yet evidence for a cosmic goal is lacking; meaning is self‑created, not dependent on eternity. **In simple terms:** Life's value comes from personal purpose, not infinite duration. Key Takeaway Purpose is self‑made, not divinely assigned. Themes existentialism meaning of life human agency skepticism impermanence Mood contemplative hopeful determined Type philosophical reflective inspirational When to use this quote - grappling with existential doubt - creating personal goals - reflecting on mortality - seeking meaning beyond religion - evaluating life's worth Key Concepts purpose evidence subjectivity mortality Practical Applications - philosophical counseling - motivational writing Questions to Reflect On - What gives your life meaning beyond external validation? - How does recognizing impermanence affect your daily choices? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/) [Courses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Evidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evidence/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Forever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forever/) [Function](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Human existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-existence/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Last forever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-forever/) [Lasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasts/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Loses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loses/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Purpose In Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-in-life/) [Purpose Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-life-231384/) [Purpose of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-of-life/) [Purpose Possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-possible-392722/) [Purposes Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purposes-life-392720/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) [Ultimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultimate/) [Ultimate Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultimate-purpose-392721/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [“Reflect on why you’re here. What is your ultimate purpose in life? What do you want to be, do, and have? What do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vic-johnson/reflect-on-why-you-re-here-what-is-your-ultimate-purpose-in-life-what/) [Vic Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vic-johnson/) > [Awareness is the power that is concealed within the present moment. … The ultimate purpose of human existence, which is to say, your purpose,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/awareness-is-the-power-that-is-concealed-within-the-present-moment/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [The ultimate purpose of life is to show that Jesus is more precious than life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/the-ultimate-purpose-of-life-is-to-show-that-jesus-is-more-precious/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [The ultimate purpose of life is happiness, but happinesscomes easier when pursued indirectly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/the-ultimate-purpose-of-life-is-happiness-but-happinesscomes-easier/) [Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/) > [What is the ultimate purpose of life? It's to give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narayanan-krishnan/what-is-the-ultimate-purpose-of-life-it-s-to-give/) [Narayanan Krishnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narayanan-krishnan/) > [“Pursuing your purpose in life, goals and dreams is important but making room for pleasure and hobbies is also necessary. It’s in those moments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardiana-cohn/pursuing-your-purpose-in-life-goals-and-dreams-is-important-but/) [Ardiana Cohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardiana-cohn/) > [“I am a good person. I like myself the way I am. Many people love and care about me. I have a purpose in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-sales/i-am-a-good-person-i-like-myself-the-way-i-am-many-people-love-and/) [Leila Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-sales/) > [People's purpose in life is always connected to their giftedness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/people-s-purpose-in-life-is-always-connected-to-their-giftedness/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you are searching for your purpose in life then you're never going to be satisfied. This life will never satisfy you. You'll never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-teixeira/if-you-are-searching-for-your-purpose-in-life-then-you-re-never-going/) [Mark Teixeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-teixeira/) > [To desire to be what one can be is purpose in life. There are no exterior forces. There are only interior forces. Who squanders…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-ozick/to-desire-to-be-what-one-can-be-is-purpose-in-life-there-are-no/) [Cynthia Ozick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-ozick/) > [To remain healthy a man must have some goal, some purpose in life that he can respect and be proud to work for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-selye/to-remain-healthy-a-man-must-have-some-goal-some-purpose-in-life-that/) [Hans Selye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-selye/) > [Problems tend to be put into their proper perspective the moment we get off SELF, and on PURPOSE. By choosing your purpose in life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/problems-tend-to-be-put-into-their-proper-perspective-the-moment-we/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [“God created each of us with different traits and characteristics, but regardless of what they may be, know that He made you perfect and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augusta-dejuan-hathaway/god-created-each-of-us-with-different-traits-and-characteristics-but/) [Augusta DeJuan Hathaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augusta-dejuan-hathaway/) > [I used to believe the purpose in life is to find happiness. I don’t believe that anymore. I believe we are all given gifts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-rivers/i-used-to-believe-the-purpose-in-life-is-to-find-happiness-i-don-t/) [Francine Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-rivers/) > [When you find your purpose in life, nurture it and make it grow so that when you look back you will not regret living…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-m/when-you-find-your-purpose-in-life-nurture-it-and-make-it-grow-so/) [Pamela M](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-m/) ## More by Barbara Smoker > [Why am I an atheist? The short answer is that I cannot accept any of the alternatives. I simply don't find them believable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-smoker/why-am-i-an-atheist-the-short-answer-is-that-i-cannot-accept-any-of/) [Barbara Smoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-smoker/) > [To say grace, knowing that people on this globe are starving, indicates a highly selfish acquiescence in the arrogantly supposed favoritism of the almighty.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-smoker/to-say-grace-knowing-that-people-on-this-globe-are-starving-indicates/) [Barbara Smoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-smoker/) > [To imagine that "God moves in mysterious ways" is to put up a smokescreen of mystery behind which fantasy may survive in spite of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-smoker/to-imagine-that-god-moves-in-mysterious-ways-is-to-put-up-a/) [Barbara Smoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-smoker/) > [To imagine that God wants prayers and hymns of praise is to make him out to a sort of oriental potentate; while praying for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-smoker/to-imagine-that-god-wants-prayers-and-hymns-of-praise-is-to-make-him/) [Barbara Smoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-smoker/) > [Empathising with the younger children on whom the same confidence trick was being imposed, I embarked on a crusade around the neighbourhood, telling all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-smoker/empathising-with-the-younger-children-on-whom-the-same-confidence/) [Barbara Smoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-smoker/) > [As for the accusation of intellectual pride, surely the boot is on the other foot. Atheists don't claim to know anything with certainty --…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-smoker/as-for-the-accusation-of-intellectual-pride-surely-the-boot-is-on-the/) [Barbara Smoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-smoker/) > [As for an eternity in heaven - that would be hell!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-smoker/as-for-an-eternity-in-heaven-that-would-be-hell/) [Barbara Smoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-smoker/) > [People who believe in a divine creator, trying to live their lives in obedience to his supposed wishes and in expectation of a supposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-smoker/people-who-believe-in-a-divine-creator-trying-to-live-their-lives-in/) [Barbara Smoker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-smoker/) [Explore all 9 Barbara Smoker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-smoker/) ## More Atheism quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [God speaks through me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/god-speaks-through-me/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You cannot ... transmute some incoherent mixture of words into sense merely by introducing the three-letter word "God" to be its grammatical subject.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-flew/you-cannot-transmute-some-incoherent-mixture-of-words-into-sense/) [Antony Flew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-flew/) > [Many humanists have argued that happiness involves a combination of hedonism and creative moral development; that an exuberant life fuses excellence and enjoyment, meaning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kurtz/many-humanists-have-argued-that-happiness-involves-a-combination-of/) [Paul Kurtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kurtz/) > [If, with all the time at my disposal, with all the wealth of the resources of this vast universe, to do with as I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/if-with-all-the-time-at-my-disposal-with-all-the-wealth-of-the/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [Do you think that was kind? Do you think it was godlike? What would you think of a physician, if a woman came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-h-gardener/do-you-think-that-was-kind-do-you-think-it-was-godlike-what-would-you/) [Helen H. Gardener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-h-gardener/) > [Science can destroy religion by ignoring it as well as by disproving its tenets. No one ever demonstrated, so far as I am aware,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-c-clarke/science-can-destroy-religion-by-ignoring-it-as-well-as-by-disproving/) [Arthur C. Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-c-clarke/) > [Honest investigation is utterly impossible within the pale of any church, for the reason, that if you think the church is right you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/honest-investigation-is-utterly-impossible-within-the-pale-of-any/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) [Browse all 4,769 Atheism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atheism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The one function that most gods seem to have in common is to give human existence some ultimate purpose - and, while it is not possible to disprove an ultimate purpose, there does not seem to be any evidence for it. This is not to say, of course, that there is no purpose in life at all: we all make our own purposes as we go through life. 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