Spirituality as an Atheist
Anyone who thinks that Atheists are by definition not spiritual beings really needs to watch this lovely video by A. Hughman. I choked up with emotion because it expresses the way I feel more eloquently than I suppose I ever could. I was also reminded of Carl Sagan when he said:
In some respects, science has far surpassed religion in delivering awe. How is it that hardly any major religion has looked at science and concluded, “This is better than we thought! The Universe is much bigger than our prophets said, grander, more subtle, more elegant. God must be even greater than we dreamed”? Instead they say, “No, no, no! My god is a little god, and I want him to stay that way.”
Anyway, before you enjoy the video, I must express my one reservation, though: chocolate cake absolutely beats apple butter on a biscuit!
Absolutely awesome, awe inspiring, accurate and touching. Just a beautiful monologue very well done.
A. Hughman.
The end, when I read what the author called himself, the whole thing really sunk in.
If only the whole world could understand the point being made in this video, I believe there would be peace.
No religion, no hatred, no one taking the earth for granted.
Peace.
As a Christian, I find myself agreeing with many of the sentiments in this video especially the part about religion choking off spirituality and seeking to bottle the wonder we feel.
Religion- ritual, litany, ceremony- these things are part of who we are as people- as much a romance or feeling insignificant beneath the stars.
For me, the trouble comes when religious authority seeks to control God- only they have the power to access the forgiveness of god, only by taking part in the mysteries or believing the most outrageous bible story.
It is interesting that the speaker uses the metaphor of the man behind the curtain to answer the mystery- and that there is no man.
Forgive me if I get the details of this wrong
In the temple of the Jews there was a cubic space separated off from the main temple by a curtain. Inside this space was a box- the arc of the covenant. The place the Jew’s believed that God ‘lived’ on earth. A place where he manifested himself.
Only the chief priest was allowed to go into this area once a year to ask for the sins of the people to be forgiven. Going into God’s presence was a risky thing and he might die! (I am told they actually tied a rope round his waist so they could pull him out if he died)
When Jesus died on the cross, the narratives say that the curtain was torn from top to bottom. The meaning of this is that God is not to be kept by the priests. He belongs to anyone who seeks him and anyone who seeks him belongs to him.
I agree that plate tectonics fixed up the mountains.
I can see the strong evidence for evolution and I don’t refute it.
Science can answer How questions very well but it struggles with Whys.
It was once explained to me thus: Science and Faith are not opposites. They are opposable- like the thumb and fingers on my hand. Only by using them together can I truly grasp the meaning of life.
I’m not trying to convert you or convince you that I am right. I’m not so arrogant that I know full well I may be wrong. However, I hope I’ve given you some food for thought- just as that video gave me.