That may be the first wall of text which I actually read ceiling to floor. You have a nice spoken quality to your writing that I appreciate.
I too am always flummoxed by the 'supernatural' category for pretty much the same reasons as you.
As for evolution I think the thing to note is that abiogenesis is neither what Darwin's theory nor its modern version is about. There is no reason not to talk of the inorganic chemistry evolving into becoming organic chemistry over time, and it is a perfectly good use of the non-technical sense of "evolve" to speak in that way. But I don't think it is worth mixing the two since the ideas of evolution are observable and testable whereas abiogenesis has been elusive. Intuitively though, if you reject the supernatural categorically, then of course the change must have involved incremental steps and entirely natural conditions.
Unlike you I find the word "faith" useful especially when not attached to enthusiastic wishing. I think it describes any number of human subjective situations. For example, during an episode of depression one can have confidence in the face of hopelessness. Or in applying a creative ability one needs some faith that the result will be of value or at least that the process will be. Of course other words will work, but I personally find that one useful.
Another holdover from religion I find useful, just to really piss you off, is "soul" (albeit sans any connection to an afterlife). I don't think we are born tabula rasa. Put another way, I believe it is possible to live an authentic life or an inauthentic one, but that only makes sense if there is some essential nature at our core. "Soul" is an adequate vessel for that idea.
Okay, the temptation is to meet a word wall with equal force but I think I'll stop there.
I too am always flummoxed by the 'supernatural' category for pretty much the same reasons as you.
As for evolution I think the thing to note is that abiogenesis is neither what Darwin's theory nor its modern version is about. There is no reason not to talk of the inorganic chemistry evolving into becoming organic chemistry over time, and it is a perfectly good use of the non-technical sense of "evolve" to speak in that way. But I don't think it is worth mixing the two since the ideas of evolution are observable and testable whereas abiogenesis has been elusive. Intuitively though, if you reject the supernatural categorically, then of course the change must have involved incremental steps and entirely natural conditions.
Unlike you I find the word "faith" useful especially when not attached to enthusiastic wishing. I think it describes any number of human subjective situations. For example, during an episode of depression one can have confidence in the face of hopelessness. Or in applying a creative ability one needs some faith that the result will be of value or at least that the process will be. Of course other words will work, but I personally find that one useful.
Another holdover from religion I find useful, just to really piss you off, is "soul" (albeit sans any connection to an afterlife). I don't think we are born tabula rasa. Put another way, I believe it is possible to live an authentic life or an inauthentic one, but that only makes sense if there is some essential nature at our core. "Soul" is an adequate vessel for that idea.
Okay, the temptation is to meet a word wall with equal force but I think I'll stop there.
