(This quesion is asked because the journey requires judgement.  If you can't reason, can't understand mechanistic cause and effect, or can't reason through inference, then you will not be able to assess the propositions presented to you.)

(This question is asked, because to be able to make judgements about meaning and existance in the external world, ie the world outside your mind, you must have access to reliable information about that world.)

(This question is asked here becuase it is a critical option that confronts us. Answer "yes" to this and the issue is settled.  The physical universe is all that exists. It arose by itself. It has no designer, no separate cause, no purposed meaning. These is no God, no spirits, only matter and energy.)

(This question is asked because it the other major option that confronts us. We are born into a world where this proposition exists. It means that there is a self-existent infinite being who exists separately from the physical universe, though not necessarily absent from it.)

(This proposition is necessary because if we can't know God, then we can proceed no further down this line of enquiry.   This proposition confronts in the world anyway.)

(This consideraton is necessary because if God has no interest or purpose for us, then we are in little no different position to there being no God.)

(This proposition is neccessary as it would be reasonable to expect that if our response matters, then there would be some way of knowing what response was required.)

This road still has further choices to offer, in terms of different religions for example.  While it is tempting to propose consequences of taking each particular route, I think it is dangerous to speak for others.  It is rarely possible to represent the richness and diversity that may exist in any view . It is even less possible to judge between them or to distill the real essence.  Each should speak for itself.  

I think it is wise that we have a look at all the propositions made about truth, purpose, meaning etc. Well at least the major ones. The minors are usually some variant of one of the majors. However, I mostly want to encourage you to have a look at the claims of Christ. I think the Christian religion as presented in the New Testament of the Bible is superior to all other views for the following reasons:

• It is a religion of grace. God will grant eternal life to all who call on Him and who wish to enter His eternity. There are no strings, no tricks and no need to hold to a precise doctrine to receive His mercy. (Well there is one catch, eternal life is only available under God's rule.)

• It is a religion of history, and to a reasonable extent open to scrutiny, both in terms of its historical context and also in terms of its basic consistency over with 1,500 years and 40 different authors contribution to the bible (1500BC to 100AD approx).

• It meets us where we are. There is nothing, no ritual and no repayment no anything that we need to do first before we can turn to God and seek His mercy and forgiveness.

• It provides all that is needed, all we need to do is surrender ourselves to God.

• It is systematic. It has a structure, self-consistency and an integrity that explains the nature of the world, the nature of our predicament (ie death, disease, sorrow etc) and mechanisms of recovery. Thus it presents "certainty of hope" in contrast to many other religions.

• It values the creation and the good things there are to enjoy and experience. And it treats creation (ie the physical world) as real. No illusion.

• It is not about "being good" or "being good enough" or "not being too bad". Make no mistake here. It is about the grace, mercy and love of God, not what you have done.

• It does not require reversion to cultural attributes of a certain time and place. It is context free in terms of human culture, even though it has a strong cultural heritage.

• It does not require the abandonment of mind. It values learning and understanding. That is not to say it is fully open to scrutiny. God cannot and will not be tested by our science. Neither should we simply accept the faith aspects of our science is if they were proven fact.

• It desires to serve and help most of all the lost, lonely, weak, sinful, abandoned, suffering and humble. It has little time for the self assured, the self righteous and the arrogant, unless they repent and turn to seek God's mercy.

• Its people, like the people of all religions, are not perfect. Some have abused the privilege and trust they shared in its service.

• Finally, if you are willing to give it a go, start by reading the bible for yourself. But don't start at the beginning. Go the New Testament and read the gospels, either Luke or John and then Romans. Finish off the New Testament before reading the old. And find yourself a church. Preferably one that believes the bible. Some don't. Like other religions, you will find a host of different views and practices among the churches. But hold true to the simple teachings of the bible above all else. "He (or she) who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (to eternal life)"