RE: Hate me, for I deserved to be hated
September 3, 2015 at 10:34 am
(This post was last modified: September 3, 2015 at 10:41 am by Nope.)
I did not know that you couldn't enjoy doing certain rituals and not be an atheist or that it was something that should mark you as deserving of hatred.
I do not believe in gods or an afterlife and yet I have lots of books on different religion, paganism in particular. For some weird reason, I really enjoy reading those books. Part of the reason, I think, is that I became an atheist in my forties so I am trained to enjoy ritual. Paganism isn't evangelical so if I attend the Pagan Pride festival in Raleigh NC on the 19th and 20th, I don't have to worry about stealth evangelism.
I have a theory that many religious practices evolved as a way to deal with stress. For example, if someone's child was hospitalized after a life threatening accident the parent will feel helpless. There isn't anything that they can do. Praying makes them feel useful and helps them feel less powerless. Other religious rituals offer the same comfort. If your loved one passes away, why not make their favorite meal on Halloween or November 3rd and eat it in the cemetery or set them an extra plate at your table if it makes you feel comforted? As long as you aren't demanding that we all respect your rituals as the truth, I don't see the big deal.
Even atheists who have no need for rituals still feel awe and wonder. It is hard not to feel both humbled and amazed when you read about the universe and how small we really are.
I do not believe in gods or an afterlife and yet I have lots of books on different religion, paganism in particular. For some weird reason, I really enjoy reading those books. Part of the reason, I think, is that I became an atheist in my forties so I am trained to enjoy ritual. Paganism isn't evangelical so if I attend the Pagan Pride festival in Raleigh NC on the 19th and 20th, I don't have to worry about stealth evangelism.
I have a theory that many religious practices evolved as a way to deal with stress. For example, if someone's child was hospitalized after a life threatening accident the parent will feel helpless. There isn't anything that they can do. Praying makes them feel useful and helps them feel less powerless. Other religious rituals offer the same comfort. If your loved one passes away, why not make their favorite meal on Halloween or November 3rd and eat it in the cemetery or set them an extra plate at your table if it makes you feel comforted? As long as you aren't demanding that we all respect your rituals as the truth, I don't see the big deal.
Even atheists who have no need for rituals still feel awe and wonder. It is hard not to feel both humbled and amazed when you read about the universe and how small we really are.
