As I was riding through the city streets the other day, basking in the light of the sun after many a rainy day, it happened that I heard the Beatles’ I’ll Follow The Sun on the radio. This led my mind into the labyrinthian subject of religion, and to consider why people worship this god or that goddess. It seems that most people maintain a belief in any given religion because they were brought up in that religion, and since humans are, after all, creatures of habit and comfort, they tend to tune out any real challenges to their belief-system-of-origin by playing the faith card. Other, more enlightened individuals, eventually take a more systematic, skeptical approach to their belief system, but it seems that the majority tends to hang on to something resembling their belief-system-of-origin. Why is this?
As a self-proclaimed agnostic who is leaning ever more towards outright atheism, I just don’t understand the proclivity to worship and devote one’s life to an invisible, unprovable phenomena that has no direct or obvious influence on day-to-day living.
It occurred to me that following the sun, or some manifestation of a “pagan” Sun God as did primitive man, at least makes some logical sense. The sun obviously exists; no one can deny it and you don’t have to rely on faith to prove its existence. Moreover, the sun interacts with day-to-day living in a variety of readily apparent ways. That’s more than can be said for the Judeo-Christian God.
So, while I’m not planning on converting to paganism any time soon and worshiping any sun god or goddess, I think that this line of reasoning fits comfortably with my budding atheism. Disbelief in any supernatural power doesn’t contradict a belief in the control that nature (with the emphasis here on natural occurrences as opposed to anything “supernatural”) has over the course of human affairs.
Obviously, all of this is up for debate and discussion. This is just the way it seems from my vantage point.
Comments?
You make an interesting point. I've never been good at defending religion, and neither are most people who "believe" in things simply because it's what they've always done. But the few true believers I've met have been pretty interesting to talk to, and they can make some good points.
Athiesm is too hopeless for me. It eliminates meaning from life. That's just my opinion, though; I know some very happy athiests.
(if you can't see the fnords they won't eat you)
I love that song :)
"but it seems that the majority tends to hang on to something resembling their belief-system-of-origin. Why is this?"
I don't know, I think it's a combination of a lot of things, mainly faith, or just something to look forward to when you die maybe?
~Peace, Life, and Love~
I am a 55 year-old atheist. I know atheism is not an easy choice to make. We do not receive much encouragement from society. People claim we are immoral; cold-hearted automatons who take the mystery out of life; reject hope; are unpatriotic; are pawns of Satan; eat babies; and a number of other ridiculous things.
Even with the down side, I have never once regretted my atheism. For one thing, it almost certainly right. The world makes a lot more sense when one realizes that no one from the outside influences what goes on here. I am never plagued with the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?". I can go straight to, "What needs to be done to make things better?"
Atheism is empowering. If there is no one from the outside influencing things then we can do it ourselves from within. That is our only real hope so we should begin doing it immediately.
Contrary to what theists say, it adds, not removes, meaning to life. This is the only life you will ever have; it is not some supernaturally-administered entrance exam into eternity in heaven.
You have people that love you and ones that you love. You can affect the world for the better or for the worse. Better is better. You can make your life better and the lives of those you love better. You can do it with reason.
I applaud your choices to this point. I think it shows courage on your part. I would exhort you to use that courage to make your life the best you possibly can. Remember that what is important to virtually all of us is our interpersonal relationships. That is much more important than the stuff you accumulate. Keep those relationships strong and, theist or atheist, you will have lived a great life.
You also have interests in your life. For me, it was science. I think it is a good idea to nurture those interests. Put learning about whatever it is that interests you high on your priority list. Then look for ways to make a living doing something closely associated with those interests. Then you will enjoy what you do for a living.
Next in line, after you have solidified your interpersonal relationships and your own security, look around for ways to make the world a better place. This can be as simple as coaching a kid's soccer team to as complex as setting up a foundation that offers $25,000,000 to anyone who comes up with a viable plan for lowering greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Whatever falls in line with your interests and is doable by you.
If you can do all that then you will have lived a life equal to or better than any saint in any religion.
Or at least that is my thoughts on the subject. Again congratulations on your independence of thought. I have every confidence you will do well.
Warm Regards,
Darwin's Beagle
I tried following the sun one day. It eventually got dark and I was 10 miles west of my home. All in all, I'd say it was pretty much a waste of time.
Hi Tangle,
The Sun is amazing,how it brighten our day gives off light.It is an important part Of our Created world. In fact I know the Creator in fact He is the SON.That Son is the Son Of God, Jesus Christ.In fact God loves us So much that he came to die on a harsh crule cross. He did it to pay for our sin.Sin is say or doing thinking something that does not please God. This Son Died so you can have enternal life in a place called Heaven. I don't want to just talk about how great Jesus I want you to discover for yourself the tue Light.John 9:5,John20:31,John 14:6,John 8:12.
God love you and he wants to be your source of hope and Light.All you must do is A-admit you a siner you have doe rong things like told a whie lie or lost you temper.B-belive that Jesus is the true light,C-recive God fee gife of salvation through His SON Jesus Christ.
"I don't want to just talk about how great Jesus [is]..."
Too late :)
~Peace, Life, and Love~
I'm sorry, but I must be blunt, you've negated a laundry list of steps which are:
Hearing -- Jn. 6:44-45; Ro 10:14, 17
Believing -- Jn. 3:16; 8:24; Acts 16:31; Rom 5:1; Heb 11:6
Repentance -- Lk. 13:1-5; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30; 2 Cor 7:10
Confession of our faith in him -- Mt. 10:32-33; Lk 9:26; Acts 8:36-37; Rom 10:9-10
Being baptized -- Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 8:36; 22:16; 1 Pe 3:21
Being faithful unto death -- Mt 7:21; 10:22; Heb 5:9; 1 John 2:4; Rev. 2:10
You know, I think I see where I went wrong. I was following "the sun" but I should have been following "the son". So I tried that and followed my 3 year old son but he went behind "the couch" because he was following "the cat". I didn't find eternal salvation back there, but I did find the TV remote which had been missing since last Tuesday.
Faith, it seems, is that in which the atheist sees utter fault, as their perception and proclivity to define faith in a very insular, flat contrast overshaddow its intended function. In all honesty, I am not a Christian because of faith at all, but am rather compelled to report what has been witnessed and affected for ages. Faith is not a fashion or phenomenon lacking substance and foundation. I do not believe-that is, have faith-due in part to some joy or self-diluding schism-but rather I believe in God's unquestionable presence because I have read his infaliable word. Say what you will about the proccesses it may have withstood, nothing can revoke its perfect nature. In fact, of the whole of the Old and New Testaments, only about 40 lines of text are questions, none of which are doctrinal, none of which affect the message or interpretation. Those 40 lines of text-about 120 words-are almost exclusively spelling errors, which is quite understandable when one understands the nature in which hand-written copies were made (a head scribe would read aloud the original and others would write the spoken word, ever reviewed by scribes circulating among them to ensure accuracy).
In truth, there are more complete copies of the New Testament (which, by the way, are 99.8% accurate) than of any other "classical" text, which we shall, for argument's sake, say includes most of the Shakespearean library. Also, The New Testament texts have the least time elapsed between the first known copies and the deaths of their writers [i.e.: The earliest known copy of the Gospel of Mark is 45 AD, which is only 15 or so years removed from the death of Christ]. The first known copy of Plato's republic has a good 400 years between itself and its proported creation.
With such a foundry of evidence to its credit, I hither take for its veracity and validity the holy scriptures, and present them in such fashion.
Faith, it seems, is that in which the atheist sees utter fault, as their perception and proclivity to define faith in a very insular, flat contrast overshaddow its intended function.
I do not understand what you're trying to say here about atheists' interpretation of faith. Having acknowledged that I don't entirely understand what you're trying to say I'm now going to proceed to elaborate on my own interpretation of faith.
There is nothing inherently wrong with faith as such. The capacity to have faith in something that is not immediately demonstrable is one of the defining characteristics of humanity. Faith in ideals (and people) can lead individuals to commit incredibly altruistic acts. However, faith can also lead individuals to commit deplorable, horrific acts. The important part about having faith in something is determining whether or not that faith is warranted. For me, faith in the Judeo-Christian God is not warranted.
I believe in God's unquestionable presence because I have read his infaliable word. Say what you will about the proccesses it may have withstood, nothing can revoke its perfect nature.
As to the "infallible word" of the Judeo-Christian God, I would refer you to Darwin Beagle's blog, specifically to his Skeptical Bible Study series. These posts do a most thorough job of examining the fallibility of just one book the purported word of the supposed Almighty Creator of the universe.
In truth, there are more complete copies of the New Testament (which, by the way, are 99.8% accurate)...
Accurate by what criteria? Has God personally informed you that the extant copies of the New Testament are 99.8% accurate as to His actual message to humanity?
...than of any other "classical" text, which we shall, for argument's sake, say includes most of the Shakespearean library. Also, The New Testament texts have the least time elapsed between the first known copies and the deaths of their writers [i.e.: The earliest known copy of the Gospel of Mark is 45 AD, which is only 15 or so years removed from the death of Christ]. The first known copy of Plato's republic has a good 400 years between itself and its proported creation.
Again, I do not understand what you're trying to say here about the validity of the Bible. Can you elaborate on your line of reasoning?
/jkh
"With such a foundry of evidence to its credit"
Like what? It stood the test of time....great, but what else?
~Peace, Life, and Love~
Excellent post, I have definitely thought about following the sun and it seems to be the best option. With the sun as your god and people as your religion how can you go wrong.
- Challenge yourself everyday, if you don't then it is a wasted day.
www.scoutbanana.org
So, I think you're right that most people just follow a religion because that's the religion they were born into. I think people would be wiser to choose their religion according to what they believe, without the influence of family or some book. I was born into a Christian family but I didn't agree with most of the things I learned in Church or at home. Now I am a Pagan and my beliefs are very different from the teachings of Christianity, mostly because I went from being monotheist to polytheist. And when I first realized I was a Pagan I searched for the structure and rules I once had because I didn't want to be completely responsible for my life. But I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn't take responsibility for my own life. I think relying on something without ever questioning what you believe and why is just pathetic. Of course I don't mean to say that all people with more organized religion are bollowing blindly.
"Disbelief in any supernatural power doesn’t contradict a belief in the control that nature."
This is another point I kind of disagree with you on. Because for me there is no separation between natural and "supernatural."
I only speak for myself
Romans 1:18-20
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who supress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it palin to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -- hie eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
Couldn't have said it better myself. God has revealed himself in the complexities of nature, and sometimes the simplicity of nature. He is everywhere, yet not anywhere. He will always be there.
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God gave you a brain. America gave you a vote. Use them together and wisely.