When you talk about a purpose of something, you imply that that something is a tool and therefore has a creator and/or user, and a goal to be achieved. What is the purpose of wind? You can't answer that - it's just wind. What's the purpose of a hammer? To hammer in nails for a job. Also, the hammer has a creator and a user. So by asking what is the purpose of our universe you imply an entity - in the common case, God - and a goal, an ending. But why does there have to be a purpose to our existence? What proof is there at all that our existence has a purpose? Science hasn't shown such a quality to our existence. This statement of purpose comes from the religious side and as such this statement is based on Faith - that is, without any support. Therefore you have to question why religion makes this statement of purpose. One answer could be as simple as "to keep religion in business", meaning that religion asks whether our existence has a purpose in order to justify a supreme entity and by circular reasoning to justify its own existence. "We believe that our existence has a purpose. This purpose is known to (our) God. Hence our religious attitude towards God is justified."

Worse, to have a purpose means to have a goal, an end, something to achieve. Religiion has had a field day determining what that is - ragnarok, nirvana, the ultimate after-armageddon party...

As an Atheist, I believe that our existence doesn't have a purpose - no Supreme Entity manipulating things behind the scenes. We're not participating in some galactic version of "The Sims". No, if our lives have purposes it's because of our own initiatives. And this holds for meaning. Our life's meaning is what we make of it, not because of some Supreme Entity whose messages have to be interepreted by a privileged preacher class, but what we choose. If we decide to spend our lives blogging and playing video games then so be it if we're content and not hurting any one. If what gives our lives meaning is to travel or to have kids then so be it as long as we accept responsibility for our lives.

If anything, Townes is too ivory-tower about religion. Inside academia, religion may be about deep philosophical questions but outside of academia, religion is about power - controlling the flock to maintain and expand it's own existence. Religion is about money. You go to near any poor part of the world and what will you find amidst the starvation - a church or some religious building. Sure, some of them bring food but they are there for presence, to bring "hope" and by bringing "hope" to maintain control and don't forget to give to the passing plate. There aren't many churches that you can attend for free on a consistent basis.

Crap, another rant! Look, you want meaning and purpose - go outside and look up, look down, look at your neighbor. Smile, breathe, laugh, sing. Hug your kids, your dog, your in-laws. Chill out, warm up, grow up, keep the child within. Learn, experiment, sleep. In short, live a life and enjoy it.