I really am sorry for not writing more recently. Somewhat sorry to you the reader, but more sorry for myself because I love writing way more than you love reading my writing, seriously. I do plan to carve out more time for this soon. I have not waned in my lack of faith….I am still very much an atheist….but life has been getting in the way of life lately.
Interesting issues coming soon…
-my newest baby’s baptism into the Catholic Church
-my telling more family members about my “struggles” with faith
-the possibility that my Christian boss and coworkers may be putting some clues together about my not quite fitting in with them…
-an update on how my Christian wife is handling things
Meanwhile, I really have been having a good time lately. Work is going well and has been recently involving more fun and interesting extracurriculars outside of normal business hours. In fact, my only recent downer has been that a very good friend and atheist has moved many many miles from me…(she sometimes reads this blog, so a good loud “boo” from the choir would be helpful right about now).
Thank you to those of you who were reading regularly and have continued to check in on me. To those of you who quit checking in…well, I’ve got a few words for you but since you won’t see them, I’ll keep them to myself.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
finally...an update of sorts
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Happily Distracted
Yes, I've been a bit quiet here lately. I've been preparing for the arrival of a new addition to my family. My wife gave birth to a beautiful boy today!!!!!!!!!!!!
So...thank you for your patience, I'll resume posting very soon.
So...thank you for your patience, I'll resume posting very soon.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Theism Dead?
Okay, so I have spent a bit more time looking into these Jesus Seminar folks...not so much as an alternative to atheism but out of pure intrigue since they appear to be freethinking intellectual types some of whom have somehow managed to justify continued belief in "God" in some form or fashion. It just seems so odd that I can't help wanting to get my head around where they are coming from.
One of the more known names among the "fellows" of the Westar Institute is retired Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong. He wrote a "call for a new reformation" ten years ago and the link is available below.
In it, he asserts several theses in the spirit of Martin Luther's Protestant "95 Theses", hoping to provoke debate and conversation. Here are a couple:
Theism, as a way of defining God is dead. So most theological God-talk is today meaningless. A new way to speak of God must be found.
Since God can no longer be conceived in theistic terms, it becomes nonsensical to seek to understand Jesus as the incarnation of the theistic deity. So the Christology of the ages is bankrupt.
The view of the cross as the sacrifice for the sins of the world is a barbarian idea based on primitive concepts of God and must be dismissed.
READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE WITH SEVERAL OTHER THESES HERE:
John Shelby Spong: Call for a New Reformation
One of the more known names among the "fellows" of the Westar Institute is retired Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong. He wrote a "call for a new reformation" ten years ago and the link is available below.
In it, he asserts several theses in the spirit of Martin Luther's Protestant "95 Theses", hoping to provoke debate and conversation. Here are a couple:
Theism, as a way of defining God is dead. So most theological God-talk is today meaningless. A new way to speak of God must be found.
Since God can no longer be conceived in theistic terms, it becomes nonsensical to seek to understand Jesus as the incarnation of the theistic deity. So the Christology of the ages is bankrupt.
The view of the cross as the sacrifice for the sins of the world is a barbarian idea based on primitive concepts of God and must be dismissed.
READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE WITH SEVERAL OTHER THESES HERE:
John Shelby Spong: Call for a New Reformation
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Humble Progress
I think that the temptation with any shift of thought is to characterize your new position as being better than any prior position held, and then to reflect on all prior experiences as having some way or other contributed to this ultimately positive “progression”. I seem to have thought that way at least over the last ten years with each step. But of course, I’m not too proud to acknowledge that this may be simply the result of a self-serving and flawed review of the actual data.
Being "right" about the meaning of life and the existence and character of God was not really part of my thought processes while growing up. I was a Christian and attended church, but it was not really a "fundamentalist" denomination...liberal-traditional is probably an appropriate term. My religious affiliations simply didn't occupy much of my brain space in those years and there was not a whole lot of practical day-to-day "fruit" of my Christianity. So, when I went to college, I sort of just dropped it completely initially...not intentionally choosing to be agnostic or atheist, just not practicing my religion.
But within a couple of years, I started sensing that "hunger" or "itch" to nail down what this life is supposed to be all about. Who is God? What is required or desired of me? What about afterlife? What is it that I really believe? How do I make decisions relating to morality? Etc.
I met a man who was a young baptist pastor. We became very close friends and he was very willing to converse with me about all of my ponderings. And of course, he had all the answers. I, not really having been trained to be a critical thinker in this realm, bought everything he was selling....hook, line, sinker. And of course, I was quite convinced that I was now..."right".
With everything I learned, I continued to "grow" and become more and more "right". When I encountered people who disagreed, I was taught to view that as even further confirmation of my rightness.
Then my wife got pregnant and we started looking into the matter of infant baptism. I wanted to believe in it, so lo and behold, all of the arguments for it made sense to me. I became presbyterian. And while all of my old baptist friends and experiences had been immensely helpful, I was now more..."right" and looked on those people and experiences as having been lacking.
Then I ran across some folks who were writing and conversing about infant communion. I wanted to believe in it, so lo and behold, all of the arguments for it made sense to me. I became a version of presbyterian that encouraged paedocommunion. And while all of my regular presbyterian friends and experiences had been helpful, I was now more..."right".
Then I was exposed to some perspectives on the Catholic Church which seemed to warrant consideration. I did not want to be Catholic, but I looked into the arguments, and in spite of my resistance, I was won over by the argument from priestly succession and legitimate authoritative tradition. I became Catholic. And while all of my old Protestant friends and experiences had been immensely helpful, I was now more..."right".
It had all been part of "maturing" and "progressing" because that way of looking back made my shifts seem okay. I was able to rest easy knowing that I was becoming more wise, more right...leaving behind ignorance and misunderstandings.
I suppose all of that posturing was okay. I suppose we do that in other areas besides religion as well.
But I know for sure that I could have sprinkled in way, way more humility with all of my "progressions".
I am certainly trying to do that now, with my shift completely away from supernatural faith. I want to think that my atheism is the result of more maturity and progress of thought, but I have to reserve a bit of skepticism about my progressions in light of my past experiences with "progress".
Being "right" about the meaning of life and the existence and character of God was not really part of my thought processes while growing up. I was a Christian and attended church, but it was not really a "fundamentalist" denomination...liberal-traditional is probably an appropriate term. My religious affiliations simply didn't occupy much of my brain space in those years and there was not a whole lot of practical day-to-day "fruit" of my Christianity. So, when I went to college, I sort of just dropped it completely initially...not intentionally choosing to be agnostic or atheist, just not practicing my religion.
But within a couple of years, I started sensing that "hunger" or "itch" to nail down what this life is supposed to be all about. Who is God? What is required or desired of me? What about afterlife? What is it that I really believe? How do I make decisions relating to morality? Etc.
I met a man who was a young baptist pastor. We became very close friends and he was very willing to converse with me about all of my ponderings. And of course, he had all the answers. I, not really having been trained to be a critical thinker in this realm, bought everything he was selling....hook, line, sinker. And of course, I was quite convinced that I was now..."right".
With everything I learned, I continued to "grow" and become more and more "right". When I encountered people who disagreed, I was taught to view that as even further confirmation of my rightness.
Then my wife got pregnant and we started looking into the matter of infant baptism. I wanted to believe in it, so lo and behold, all of the arguments for it made sense to me. I became presbyterian. And while all of my old baptist friends and experiences had been immensely helpful, I was now more..."right" and looked on those people and experiences as having been lacking.
Then I ran across some folks who were writing and conversing about infant communion. I wanted to believe in it, so lo and behold, all of the arguments for it made sense to me. I became a version of presbyterian that encouraged paedocommunion. And while all of my regular presbyterian friends and experiences had been helpful, I was now more..."right".
Then I was exposed to some perspectives on the Catholic Church which seemed to warrant consideration. I did not want to be Catholic, but I looked into the arguments, and in spite of my resistance, I was won over by the argument from priestly succession and legitimate authoritative tradition. I became Catholic. And while all of my old Protestant friends and experiences had been immensely helpful, I was now more..."right".
It had all been part of "maturing" and "progressing" because that way of looking back made my shifts seem okay. I was able to rest easy knowing that I was becoming more wise, more right...leaving behind ignorance and misunderstandings.
I suppose all of that posturing was okay. I suppose we do that in other areas besides religion as well.
But I know for sure that I could have sprinkled in way, way more humility with all of my "progressions".
I am certainly trying to do that now, with my shift completely away from supernatural faith. I want to think that my atheism is the result of more maturity and progress of thought, but I have to reserve a bit of skepticism about my progressions in light of my past experiences with "progress".
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Looking Back
In a conversation with a family member, I was asked this week regarding my Christian conversion experience: "How do you view that now?"
My response:
I view that experience as an important step for me in becoming a better person. I think the surrounding personal circumstances played a big part, not just the Christianity. While I wouldn't recommend my path to others as the way to get from one point to another, I don't reject those choices and experiences as illegitimate or bad.
I recently encountered an interesting exercise: writing a letter to yourself at a certain point in your past. Apparently, this helps you identify things that you now think about past experiences that might not otherwise occur to you. If I were writing a letter to myself that I could somehow go back and receive in the fall of 1998, I think it would include this note..."In your effort to figure out what life is about, you will encounter Christians who are ready and willing to share interesting thoughts and confident answers from their worldview. Pay attention to their input and familiarize yourself with what the Christian worldview is all about. But, as 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, "Test everything, hold fast to what is good." Don't lock yourself into accepting everything that one worldview presents to you as truth. Keep an open mind. Seek to gain the "benefit" or the "good" from various systems of thought. Be just as willing to lend an ear to the naturalist as the supernaturalist, to the atheist and the theist, to the evolutionist and the creationist. When something seems absurd, try to figure out why some people don't see the absurdity of it at all. Be humble."
My response:
I view that experience as an important step for me in becoming a better person. I think the surrounding personal circumstances played a big part, not just the Christianity. While I wouldn't recommend my path to others as the way to get from one point to another, I don't reject those choices and experiences as illegitimate or bad.
I recently encountered an interesting exercise: writing a letter to yourself at a certain point in your past. Apparently, this helps you identify things that you now think about past experiences that might not otherwise occur to you. If I were writing a letter to myself that I could somehow go back and receive in the fall of 1998, I think it would include this note..."In your effort to figure out what life is about, you will encounter Christians who are ready and willing to share interesting thoughts and confident answers from their worldview. Pay attention to their input and familiarize yourself with what the Christian worldview is all about. But, as 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, "Test everything, hold fast to what is good." Don't lock yourself into accepting everything that one worldview presents to you as truth. Keep an open mind. Seek to gain the "benefit" or the "good" from various systems of thought. Be just as willing to lend an ear to the naturalist as the supernaturalist, to the atheist and the theist, to the evolutionist and the creationist. When something seems absurd, try to figure out why some people don't see the absurdity of it at all. Be humble."
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Global Cooling
Average high in Little Rock on August 19... 92 degrees.
Anticipated high today: 81 degrees.
It really has been nice lately, which is not at all normal for August in Arkansas. Many thanks to the Flying Spaghetti Monster for providing global cooling.
Anticipated high today: 81 degrees.
It really has been nice lately, which is not at all normal for August in Arkansas. Many thanks to the Flying Spaghetti Monster for providing global cooling.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Jesus Seminar
Is anyone familiar with the Westar Institute and their Jesus Seminar? Or are you familiar with Marcus Borg or John Shelby Spong?
I have a family member who is not particularly religious who is wanting me to consider this Jesus Seminar stuff as an alternative to both traditional religion and atheism.
I'm not really tempted at present to spend much time looking into it, but I wondered if any of you have encountered this stuff.
LINKS:
Westar Institute homepage
Jesus Seminar
Spong's bio
Borg's bio
I have a family member who is not particularly religious who is wanting me to consider this Jesus Seminar stuff as an alternative to both traditional religion and atheism.
I'm not really tempted at present to spend much time looking into it, but I wondered if any of you have encountered this stuff.
LINKS:
Westar Institute homepage
Jesus Seminar
Spong's bio
Borg's bio
Really Real Evidence
Several weeks ago, I wrote briefly about the reason that there are more adult Jesus-followers than adult Santa-followers. This morning, in my usual way of having interesting thoughts at random times, it occurred to me that the Santa comparison was worth another brief note.
Some Christians claim to have really real evidence for the existence of their God because of firsthand, experiential knowledge. In other words...nobody-can-deny-it-because-it-is-my-very-own-personal-evidence-so-there...stuff.
So, the next time you have an opportunity, I think it would a very insightful test if you find a 5-year-old who participates in the Santa Claus tradition for Christmas, and ask the child whether there is any evidence for the existence of Santa Claus. Probably you'll get a perplexed look since the child may not have encountered this type of question. So, rephrase to "Have you ever seen Santa Claus on Christmas eve or had any experiences that helped you know that Santa is real?"
Surely the child will perk right up to testify, "Since I was little, it's the same thing every year, I go to bed on Christmas eve after setting out milk and cookies, then during the night I hear jingle bells, then when I wake up in the morning, the milk and cookies are gone and there are presents under the tree."
And I'll bet a gazillion dollars that if you ask the child whether there is any other possible explanation for this scenario, the answer would be a serious look and a simple "no". For this child, his "experiential knowledge" says without a doubt that Santa really is real. But as real as Santa is for the child, we all know that rather than evidence, it is faith, imagination, make-believe which produces the "reality" in the child's head.
And for all of you who know your Bibles...the Christian scriptures even spell it out. The gospel must be accepted with child-like faith. Jesus is reckoned to have said, "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."
Some Christians claim to have really real evidence for the existence of their God because of firsthand, experiential knowledge. In other words...nobody-can-deny-it-because-it-is-my-very-own-personal-evidence-so-there...stuff.
So, the next time you have an opportunity, I think it would a very insightful test if you find a 5-year-old who participates in the Santa Claus tradition for Christmas, and ask the child whether there is any evidence for the existence of Santa Claus. Probably you'll get a perplexed look since the child may not have encountered this type of question. So, rephrase to "Have you ever seen Santa Claus on Christmas eve or had any experiences that helped you know that Santa is real?"
Surely the child will perk right up to testify, "Since I was little, it's the same thing every year, I go to bed on Christmas eve after setting out milk and cookies, then during the night I hear jingle bells, then when I wake up in the morning, the milk and cookies are gone and there are presents under the tree."
And I'll bet a gazillion dollars that if you ask the child whether there is any other possible explanation for this scenario, the answer would be a serious look and a simple "no". For this child, his "experiential knowledge" says without a doubt that Santa really is real. But as real as Santa is for the child, we all know that rather than evidence, it is faith, imagination, make-believe which produces the "reality" in the child's head.
And for all of you who know your Bibles...the Christian scriptures even spell it out. The gospel must be accepted with child-like faith. Jesus is reckoned to have said, "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it."
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Gird up the loins of your mind
The post title here is a reference to the Christian scriptures (1 Peter 1:13). Girding up the loins of your mind is reckoned by simple etymology to have meant “prepare your minds for action,” in other words “don’t be caught off-guard intellectually by a challenge to your present perceptions, thoughts, and beliefs.”
When it becomes public knowledge that I have abandoned Christianity in favour of atheism, some of my former Christian acquaintances will insist that God allowed me to darken my own mind and lose my faith because I persisted in disobeying biblical principles like this one, rather than humbling myself in submission to the Holy Spirit’s efforts to restore me to the fullness of God’s grace. I failed to gird up the loins of my mind…I failed to be resolute in my devotion to the Christian version of truth…I failed to ignore the persistent nagging of logic and reason…I committed the unpardonable sin – I became geniunely willing to hear and consider and respect other points of view.
In spite of the fact that this scripture reference might be used against me by some well-meaning old friends, I actually do not view the verse as absurd. Frankly, the idea of “girding up your mind” makes plenty of sense in any worldview as long as being “prepared” or “ready for action” does not prevent us from being respectful and considerate toward other views. It is perfectly acceptable to believe that we are right (since everyone inevitably believes in their own rightness), but the distinction between the Christian and the atheist with regard to girding up the mind is whether this preparation involves battening down the hatches, ensuring that the intellect will not be tempted to stray. The mind which is actively conditioned for religion is willfully in bondage, whereas the non-religious intellect knows freedom…freedom to listen, to ponder, to engage, to discern…with no fear of the world turning upside down and inside out if a different perspective turns out to be true.
When it becomes public knowledge that I have abandoned Christianity in favour of atheism, some of my former Christian acquaintances will insist that God allowed me to darken my own mind and lose my faith because I persisted in disobeying biblical principles like this one, rather than humbling myself in submission to the Holy Spirit’s efforts to restore me to the fullness of God’s grace. I failed to gird up the loins of my mind…I failed to be resolute in my devotion to the Christian version of truth…I failed to ignore the persistent nagging of logic and reason…I committed the unpardonable sin – I became geniunely willing to hear and consider and respect other points of view.
In spite of the fact that this scripture reference might be used against me by some well-meaning old friends, I actually do not view the verse as absurd. Frankly, the idea of “girding up your mind” makes plenty of sense in any worldview as long as being “prepared” or “ready for action” does not prevent us from being respectful and considerate toward other views. It is perfectly acceptable to believe that we are right (since everyone inevitably believes in their own rightness), but the distinction between the Christian and the atheist with regard to girding up the mind is whether this preparation involves battening down the hatches, ensuring that the intellect will not be tempted to stray. The mind which is actively conditioned for religion is willfully in bondage, whereas the non-religious intellect knows freedom…freedom to listen, to ponder, to engage, to discern…with no fear of the world turning upside down and inside out if a different perspective turns out to be true.
Never having to call "bull"
When you visit Bill Dearmore's blog, you'll never have to concern yourself with calling "bull" on his posts. Here is a brief teaser quote from a recent post at "No Bull":
"Let me make this point clear. Religious people can be intelligent, friendly, kind, mentally and emotionally healthy, and tolerant. They are essentially no different from the irreligious. I know. I was one of them for 42 years."
CLICK HERE TO BROWSE THE REST OF THIS BLOG
Thanks Bill for linking to this site!
"Let me make this point clear. Religious people can be intelligent, friendly, kind, mentally and emotionally healthy, and tolerant. They are essentially no different from the irreligious. I know. I was one of them for 42 years."
CLICK HERE TO BROWSE THE REST OF THIS BLOG
Thanks Bill for linking to this site!
Friday, August 8, 2008
About Mike
My name is Mike. I am an agnostic atheist. I am 29 years old. I live in Arkansas (where I was born and raised) and am married to a Christian wife and we have three young children.
I am new to atheism, having deconverted from Christianity earlier this year.
Up until today, I have only been known on the web as “Non Sicuro Pensatore”…a latin moniker meaning “uncertain thinker.”
I have recently chosen to be less fearful of the injuries that could result from my being honest about not being religious. I don’t intend to go screaming from the mountain-tops about my deconversion, but I do intend to stop pretending to still be a Christian.
Gratitude is certainly owed to my good friend who was the first to “hear my confession” and who has assisted me in seeing that it is more important (and healthy) to be honest than to carry on with internal conflicts over how to be and what to say. And thank you to the many fearless atheist acquaintances online who have also contributed to this realization.
I am not yet spelling out my last name and home address and phone number and mother’s maiden name, etc. But anyone who knows me in real life and happens to stumble into this blog will likely be able to put it together pretty easily.
I am new to atheism, having deconverted from Christianity earlier this year.
Up until today, I have only been known on the web as “Non Sicuro Pensatore”…a latin moniker meaning “uncertain thinker.”
I have recently chosen to be less fearful of the injuries that could result from my being honest about not being religious. I don’t intend to go screaming from the mountain-tops about my deconversion, but I do intend to stop pretending to still be a Christian.
Gratitude is certainly owed to my good friend who was the first to “hear my confession” and who has assisted me in seeing that it is more important (and healthy) to be honest than to carry on with internal conflicts over how to be and what to say. And thank you to the many fearless atheist acquaintances online who have also contributed to this realization.
I am not yet spelling out my last name and home address and phone number and mother’s maiden name, etc. But anyone who knows me in real life and happens to stumble into this blog will likely be able to put it together pretty easily.
Intro to my blog
This blog originally began anonymously in early April 2008 with the purpose of giving me an outlet for free thought, unimpaired by fear that someone I know might arrive here uninvited and read my most recent "dangerous" thoughts and think poorly of me.
I was a Christian. From my infant baptism through my “conversion” experience as a teenager, then onto serious-minded pursuits of authentic Christian living…choosing a Christian wife…having our children baptized…etc. I had made a considerable number of rather significant life choices based on my Christianity…surrounding myself with Christian friends working in a company that only employs Christians…etc.
Needless to say, as I began to seek real honesty with myself about my religious beliefs, I immediately faced a great deal of anxiety about being “caught.” It seemed prudent temporarily to remain anonymous as I explored the truth. I was doubting that I had ever honestly loved God. I knew very well that many of my religious notions felt very deep and genuine at times throughout my life, but I finally allowed myself to realize that I very clearly loved myself more than I loved God. I desired things which He would not desire. I did things He would not intend for me to do. I refrained from doing things He would want me to do. In other words, practically speaking, I was occupying the seat of "boss" in my life and not yielding to my God.
In days past, I had tried to muster up some sort of remorse or regret regarding any desires or activities that conflicted with my Christian faith, but I began to realize that I couldn't convince myself (and no longer wanted to) that I was sorry about such things. Finally, in March of this year, I gave up personally...inwardly, trying to avoid the thoughts which were opposed to my Christian faith.
And then I knew that I was no longer in "right relationship" with God, and I began to doubt that anyone could honestly be in "right relationship" with God. This caused me to wonder whether my whole notion of Christianity...or the general pursuit of reconciliation with an offended but ultimately loving God...was real.
Oddly, rather than this thought process being particularly traumatic or depressing, I felt somewhat uplifted and rather liberated....which was the most scary part I suppose. I have not been torn up or distressed emotionally. I have not been wandering around in any sort of disabled Eeyore-ish melancholy state. I've been quite fine actually. And I've come to accept that I am (if labels must be used) an agnostic atheist. With regard to having certainty or knowledge about gods, I say it is impossible. With regard to my own belief, I say that gods do not exist.
"You" (the audience) started out in very singular fashion, since I only “came out of the closet” with one good friend initially. But over these months, your numbers have grown as I have participated in various online discussions with Arkansas Atheists, Atheist Nexus, De-Conversion, and several great blogs. I still don’t have any intent to make this blog into a powerhouse site with record-setting numbers of visitors, and I certainly don’t set out to recruit visitors, or hand out business cards with this address on it.
But…the good news is that as I have continued to mature in my non-religious thoughts over the last few months, I have become less fearful of being “caught” and more interested to just be myself. So look out world…who knows what I might do next!
Cheers!
Mike
I was a Christian. From my infant baptism through my “conversion” experience as a teenager, then onto serious-minded pursuits of authentic Christian living…choosing a Christian wife…having our children baptized…etc. I had made a considerable number of rather significant life choices based on my Christianity…surrounding myself with Christian friends working in a company that only employs Christians…etc.
Needless to say, as I began to seek real honesty with myself about my religious beliefs, I immediately faced a great deal of anxiety about being “caught.” It seemed prudent temporarily to remain anonymous as I explored the truth. I was doubting that I had ever honestly loved God. I knew very well that many of my religious notions felt very deep and genuine at times throughout my life, but I finally allowed myself to realize that I very clearly loved myself more than I loved God. I desired things which He would not desire. I did things He would not intend for me to do. I refrained from doing things He would want me to do. In other words, practically speaking, I was occupying the seat of "boss" in my life and not yielding to my God.
In days past, I had tried to muster up some sort of remorse or regret regarding any desires or activities that conflicted with my Christian faith, but I began to realize that I couldn't convince myself (and no longer wanted to) that I was sorry about such things. Finally, in March of this year, I gave up personally...inwardly, trying to avoid the thoughts which were opposed to my Christian faith.
And then I knew that I was no longer in "right relationship" with God, and I began to doubt that anyone could honestly be in "right relationship" with God. This caused me to wonder whether my whole notion of Christianity...or the general pursuit of reconciliation with an offended but ultimately loving God...was real.
Oddly, rather than this thought process being particularly traumatic or depressing, I felt somewhat uplifted and rather liberated....which was the most scary part I suppose. I have not been torn up or distressed emotionally. I have not been wandering around in any sort of disabled Eeyore-ish melancholy state. I've been quite fine actually. And I've come to accept that I am (if labels must be used) an agnostic atheist. With regard to having certainty or knowledge about gods, I say it is impossible. With regard to my own belief, I say that gods do not exist.
"You" (the audience) started out in very singular fashion, since I only “came out of the closet” with one good friend initially. But over these months, your numbers have grown as I have participated in various online discussions with Arkansas Atheists, Atheist Nexus, De-Conversion, and several great blogs. I still don’t have any intent to make this blog into a powerhouse site with record-setting numbers of visitors, and I certainly don’t set out to recruit visitors, or hand out business cards with this address on it.
But…the good news is that as I have continued to mature in my non-religious thoughts over the last few months, I have become less fearful of being “caught” and more interested to just be myself. So look out world…who knows what I might do next!
Cheers!
Mike
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Atheism: Myths and Truths
Sam Harris wrote an article for the LA Times a couple of years ago, called "10 Myths...and 10 Truths...About Atheism" which can be found by clicking HERE.
teasing quote...
"Given that we know that atheists are often among the most intelligent and scientifically literate people in any society, it seems important to deflate the myths that prevent them from playing a larger role in our national discourse." - Harris
teasing quote...
"Given that we know that atheists are often among the most intelligent and scientifically literate people in any society, it seems important to deflate the myths that prevent them from playing a larger role in our national discourse." - Harris
Parenting Resources
Via the website of the Arkansas Atheists group (aka Central Arkansas Freethinkers)...www.arkansasatheists.org...
I found a "handbook" for atheist parents called Parenting Beyond Belief, On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion by Dale McGowan.
McGowan has an excellent website (HERE) and active blog (HERE).
Please take a moment to check this out!
Here is a quote from yesterday's blog post titled "The Mix":
"The same weird dichotomy is present in many of the deeply religious folks I know. Many are just plain good in word and deed, and I love having their influence in my kids’ lives. But many others, including some I like so much I could burst, will be in the midst of a perfectly normal conversation, then suddenly spew bile or rank ignorance — often without changing expression — before turning back to the weather or the casserole."
I found a "handbook" for atheist parents called Parenting Beyond Belief, On Raising Ethical, Caring Kids Without Religion by Dale McGowan.
McGowan has an excellent website (HERE) and active blog (HERE).
Please take a moment to check this out!
Here is a quote from yesterday's blog post titled "The Mix":
"The same weird dichotomy is present in many of the deeply religious folks I know. Many are just plain good in word and deed, and I love having their influence in my kids’ lives. But many others, including some I like so much I could burst, will be in the midst of a perfectly normal conversation, then suddenly spew bile or rank ignorance — often without changing expression — before turning back to the weather or the casserole."
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Children
When an atheist and a Christian find themselves married with young children, surely the question comes up regarding what to teach the children. And surely some will be of the opinion that there is no need to fuss about religious issues with the children at a young age, you just wait until their older and explain the differing viewpoints and allow them to choose, right? Well...what if it's not that easy? What if the Christian wife is homeschooling the children and desires to use Christian based curriculum? I am a recent deconvert from Christianity, so a relatively short time ago, I obviously raised no objections to this notion of schooling which heavily involves Christian tenets. Now, I'm in a pickle. According to the curriculum publisher, "Little Saints" includes the Word of God in every lesson.
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