I've typed this before but will repeat for those who haven't yet read this:
For me, it's a truce between my skeptical brain and more lofty sentiments, a way to be spiritual and keep it all grounded in the natural universe. It's largely instinctive, I admit. I look at the fantastic universe, from the micro to the macro, and see a machine. I look at human civilization driven not just by higher reasoning but many other factors that came together in our evolution, and I see intent. But I will stop short of making a "what are the odds" argument. It's just a feeling. Maybe I'm deluded. Maybe not.
I will say the natural universe contains greater wonders than a burning bush or parting waters.
I'll never forget stepping out of the New York planetarium one Sunday morning and saying, in a moment where I lost my inhibition and dropped the nicety of not bringing up religion with my Christian sister, "why would anyone waste their time in a church". For me, it was a spiritual experience no less profound than what hopping and singing pew dwellers feel during a service. In fact, moreso since it's all about what's real and requires no faith.
She didn't get it, needless to say.
For me, it's a truce between my skeptical brain and more lofty sentiments, a way to be spiritual and keep it all grounded in the natural universe. It's largely instinctive, I admit. I look at the fantastic universe, from the micro to the macro, and see a machine. I look at human civilization driven not just by higher reasoning but many other factors that came together in our evolution, and I see intent. But I will stop short of making a "what are the odds" argument. It's just a feeling. Maybe I'm deluded. Maybe not.
I will say the natural universe contains greater wonders than a burning bush or parting waters.
I'll never forget stepping out of the New York planetarium one Sunday morning and saying, in a moment where I lost my inhibition and dropped the nicety of not bringing up religion with my Christian sister, "why would anyone waste their time in a church". For me, it was a spiritual experience no less profound than what hopping and singing pew dwellers feel during a service. In fact, moreso since it's all about what's real and requires no faith.
She didn't get it, needless to say.
Atheist Forums Hall of Shame:
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
