[Phil Free]

Interestingly enough, I tried to "explain" my views on the subject of "whys" and "why nots" in the "what is your religion" thread.

Randall, you're correct, of course, assuming there is no good or evil, God or Satan (or whatever).

I personally exist in such a reality, I don't believe in Good or Evil, but I don't think stopping there and saying everything is pointless is "The Answer."

Of course all that I do is pretty much pointless - I take none of it with me, no fame, no glory, nothing. But I choose not to dwell on the "end", and rather live in the now. Why? Well, "why not?" is no less a valid question.

As for "living in the now" - I accept that there is no "one way", that all ways are the same and lead to the same thing (be it to nothingness in the big black, or for some kind of cosmic purpose that transends mere human experience) but that does not stop me from being "me" (just being!) I react as I wish to react, I think when I want to think, I cry when I want to cry, I sh*t when I have to, I eat when I'm hungry, and sleep when I'm tired.

I go to the movies, I wash my clothes, I debate - I philosophise. All for nothing? Maybe, but I do because doing comes natural to me.

That is being Authentic. Yes, I believe one can be Authentic, but only when they have realized what you have realised, and many before and after you have and will have realised - that all worth and value is subjective.

Subjectivity is really the key - Authenticity IS subjective. When I think of what it means to be Authentic, I always come down to honesty - sincerity. Being true to yourself. You are the vantage point - you know when you are lying to yourself, when you are being inauthentic.

Now what's the point in being Authentic? Again, there is no universal value to authenticity, but I'm not gonna stop being authentic. Again, wanting to be authentic, then being authentic, it's all natural to me.

Who am I to argue with myself?