Argument against atheism

[Whateverist]

I do feel that the notion or concept of a god could be extremely useful as a focal point for positive beliefs, regardless of the veracity of the claims (and even with full knowledge of their factual inaccuracy). I do feel that there are many things in the natural world that can very easily be leveraged to form a workable worldview, and that the addition of mystery, magic, or the numinous even if it's approached only as a metaphor can re-enforce those positive beliefs, that workable worldview.

It might help to brain storm what we in fact we find mysterious and what we revere.

The stumbling stone thus far has not been belief itself, but the god's that we have manufactured as a focal point for those beliefs. It's not beyond possibility that we may be able to do better. Especially if we retain the approach under the stairs, and behind the curtains, that we are intentionally constructing a myth so as to be useful, not contradictory with reality in our interpretations, and open to revision and change. In short, constructing a useful myth out of truth that is not to be taken dogmatically, but instead as a means of communicating complicated ideas in ways which have been shown to be appealing to us (through the example of types of religions and types of gods that have enjoyed wide support throughout time).

I agree that dogmatic belief is the culprit but I'm not sure how you can generate faith while cynically constructing and promoting known falsehoods. Perhaps the beliefs could be there just as a formative tool for kids but structured as you say so as not to conflict with science but only to generate positive values and habits of mind.

The notion of the connectedness of life has a great vehicle in the concept of energy binding us all, flowing through us all, and ultimately being shared by us all. If all of the superstition and baggage that comes along with the notion of "shared energy, shared life force" could be removed and re-tasked as a poetic description of a thing worthy of worship and reverence, imagine the possibilities. A life affirming faith, for a change. Not just our own but all life, as the source and spring of our own.

A good place to start and lets face it the transition from inorganic to organic is, at least for now, pretty mysterious. The transition between the two as a religious topic was explored a little by Vonnegut in "A Cat's Cradle". Perhaps we should call our new religion "Bokononism" out of respect? Some reverence for the not-wholly-understood processes that support us all shouldn't be too hard to drum up.

You might be able to draw from this little rant that I have a great respect for what we attempted to do with religion and gods (in my optimists view of it all). Similarly it's pretty easy to see why I'm so disappointed with what we actually did with these concepts. I wish we had done a better job, and I think that we probably could do a better job if we were so inclined, and that this sort of exercise could be very useful for us.

Yes and I also acknowledge that it is riskier to put forth something that you assert has positive value than it is to criticize the short comings of such assertions. Bravo. Sometimes I think it is the disappointment we feel as atheists that drives the surly exterior.

But back to your suggestion. Another thing we might tap is the right brain. If you watched the video I posted by Ian McGilchrist you might recall toward the end how he described its contribution as a sacred treasure while the contribution of the left brain should be that of a faithful servant. We might begin by acknowledging that there is in fact within us a capacity to perceive connections and significance greater than that which we wield with our conscious left brain. We can hope to be open to its wisdom. I think we want to be.