By the way, the idea that an atheist is "a person without faith" is fundamentally flawed.
We do indeed have faith.
We have faith in our families.
Faith in our dreams.
Faith in science.
Faith in knowledge.
And faith in humanity.
That is why they call us "humanists." And what better label could you have then one that advertises your humanness?
Personally I cannot think of one.
I love this video too! Have you seen the video "we are stardust"? It's from the symphony of science series. They put parts ofthis speech , and some snipits of others to music, much like the Mr. Rogers vid. It's awesome.
ReplyDeleteThank you once again, Gryphen.
ReplyDeleteftd
And I have faith that you'll give me a thoughtful/funny/apposite post every time I open your site, first thing in the morning. Thanks again for your steadfast and humanist approach to life. You are an antidote to the Christianist hypocrisy America has to watch day in, day out.
ReplyDeleteAs an atheist, I know I am a child of the universe. My body, is nothing more than matter, and with matter being a form of energy, can not be created nor destroyed. When I shuffle off this mortal coil, I know my body will decompose, if I choose to not be cremated, but it will not go to waste. I'll be released back into the universe, my energy will be transferred into the bacteria and bugs that consume me, will fertilize the ground I am placed in, and I'll return to where I came from.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing more comforting than that.
Faith in humanity? Well, no wonder the B ible thumping GOP hates you...put your faith where it belongs, in corporations! Only the CEOs of corporate America know what is true and real and best for the rest of us. People are just pawns. Start a company, pay slave wages, then end their meaningless jobs to pay even less in India or China. But give bonuses to the CEOs because they increased dividends and should be lauded as 'job creators.' Or something. I am Christian, but I too believe in humanity...I do wish the GOP had a lick of it.
ReplyDeleteWe have been told that the historical figures of both Buddha and Jesus said: "the Buddha-head resides within you," and "the kingdom of God is within you," and that is the same to me as we are the stuff stars are made of - we have always been more than we think we are and do not need the anthropomorphic figure of a go/God/goddess to make us feel connected or significant. We are that already.
ReplyDeleteWe just need to learn to be kind to ourselves and others. That is the most difficult lesson to master of all.
Thank you, Gryphen!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I've never me an atheist I didn't like. Conversely, most preaching Christians give me the creeps and an overwhelming need to flee.
ReplyDeletePeople that are surprising and even shocking and think differently to most people around them are always fun and interesting to meet. I've found people are always pleasantly surprised if it somehow becomes apparent they're talking to an intellectual atheist and non conformist. As a woman in my twenties I always enjoy how surprised and refreshed people are to discover how deeply I've thought through these things. People can't help but pre-judge based on appearances and think I'm probably a vacuous young blonde 'WAG' type, always, and I love when they really get to know me and discover how different I am. No religion, no belief in conventions like marriage, someone whose room is filled with non fiction 'nerd' books...
DeleteGryphen----You have a beautiful soul.
ReplyDeleteThat was so beautiful. We have recently lost a beloved dog. When I look up and see the star that twinkles above our house late at night, I know that our sweet goofy dog is sending her love back to us. While I understand nothing about astronomy as a science, somehow I understand Neil DeGrasse Tyson because he is giving us much more than mere facts. We are all part of something infinitely bigger than any of us but we have to look within to even begin to see it.
ReplyDeleteBeaglemom
Gryphen, when you post comments about your atheism, I'm really tempted to reply with the NDT quote about atheism and not being a golf player - I don't need to sit around with other golf players and talk about how I don't play golf. But then I realized that this is actually your way of discussing theology and the mysteries of the universe, and addressing questions of faith and humanity. As you say, these questions don't go away if one doesn't consider the western conception of a deity to exist. Have to say, I love that this blog can swing between a tale of two Trigs and Kierkegaard.
ReplyDeleteGenerally that's because atheists in the early 21st century are still seen as different, the minority, to be pitied for not 'knowing what WE know'. We are the warriors fighting for atheism to be as you describe it sometime in the future. But at present, we are fighting a war against a power much larger ad better equipped than us and unless we discuss it and encourage their dissidents to take action and turn to rationality we shall never make progress. So, we will be silent and satisfied when religion is out of our lives, out of our governments, out of our business for once and for all. When that is achieved, we will be satisfied and silent in our non belief.
DeleteWe also have faith in ourselves. Love yourself and have faith. :-)
ReplyDeleteAmen
ReplyDelete:)
Neil's words has the resonance of a poem.
ReplyDeleteI just love that guy to death. He's on the list of the 3 people to have with me if ever stranded on a deserted island.
We are stardust, we are golden
ReplyDeleteWe are billion-year-old carbon
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the garden
Woodstock Joni Mitchell, 1970
Thanks Gryphen, Neils words always ring true, but it's your words on the definition of "Atheists" I appreciate most.
ReplyDeleteWe just lost a dear friend to suicide, and the church she immersed herself fully in her entire life, refused to allow a mass in church, or have her buried with her family in a Catholic Cemetery. It's a matter that the church leaves to the Parish level on a case by case issue, in her case, the bishop went "old school" but did allow her to receive the last rites.
She had what I would call, the perfect funeral for an atheist/humanist. No priest, no religious icons, no readings of scripture. Just friends and family relaying how she was loved, is loved, and will ever be loved by the people who's lives she touched.
They then went to her home, shared their memories, laughed, wept and comforted her family.
I think they learned the true meaning of humanity/humanism and the power of love despite human's interpretation of what a "kind, loving, and forgiving God" calls "forgiveness". At least I hope so.
Thanks again, Gryphen.
In these sentiments I am in total agreement with you Gryphen.
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much. This needs to be said. Over. And over. And over.
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