Atheism

I think that both atheism and theism, at least organized theism, are
examples of arrogance. Neither party fully understands the universe, or
can say why it/we exist. The latter make up relatively arbitrary
explanations and force people to believe in them. The former say, I
don't percieve any ????? and therefore it doesn't exist.

That's why I am an ardent agnostic: I'm just a puny little thing in the
universe, trying to understand why. I don't think the answer lies in
some anthropomorphicized idea of a deity(s), but nor do I think that
denying that SOMETHING is going on out there is right either. I worshipk,
or rather, am simply awed by the Mystery.

On Friday 30 September 2005 7:18 am, Christopher Bailey wrote:
> I think that both atheism and theism, at least organized theism, are
> examples of arrogance. Neither party fully understands the universe, or
> can say why it/we exist. The latter make up relatively arbitrary
> explanations and force people to believe in them. The former say, I
> don't percieve any ????? and therefore it doesn't exist.
>
> That's why I am an ardent agnostic: I'm just a puny little thing in the
> universe, trying to understand why. I don't think the answer lies in
> some anthropomorphicized idea of a deity(s), but nor do I think that
> denying that SOMETHING is going on out there is right either. I worshipk,
> or rather, am simply awed by the Mystery.

'serious' answer:

good answer. In truth, I don't know what's going on either. nobody knows.
let's all groove to the mystery.

'non-serious' answer:

well, what's wrong with denying I don't see something? what's wrong with
partially understanding the universe, and making an educated guess about how
the rest of it works. if we're wrong, at least we were bold klingon warriors
in our quest.

the 'real' answer:

i think a 'yes or no' answer to a meaningless question is meaningless.

....anyhow, my true belief is something of the combination of the above
answers. i really don't know what i think on most days, except, i never
believe in god(s).

-A.

--- In metatuning@yahoogroups.com, Aaron Krister Johnson
<aaron@a...> wrote:
>
> 'non-serious' answer:
>
> well, what's wrong with denying I don't see something? what's
wrong with
> partially understanding the universe, and making an educated guess
about how
> the rest of it works.

a. Nothing. b. Depends where you got your education, and what/whose
political agenda it serves.

> the 'real' answer:
>
> i think a 'yes or no' answer to a meaningless question is
meaningless.
>
Nice mantra, I guess. But you mean "Is there a God?" It's a
perfectly good question, especially when millions of people believe
there is. I caught Pat Robertson trying to explain why the deity is
referred to as I AM, and he got it pretty good (sic :-), before he
slipped back into his heinous politics. Oh, well. And I think it's
interesting to hear serious answers as to why or why not someone
thinks there is, or is not. Each answer is unique. And it's VERY
revealing of how solid someone's thinking is, and how willing they
are to listen to another's opinion (which has got be why just about
everyone begs the question, ie BS's around it, or preaches about
something totally irrelevant to it).

What is godhead? What is infinity? They're philosophical
questions, IMO, and I would suggest that ALL philosophical questions
are meaningless, after your reasoning.

But I think the real question, Are there gods? can only be answered
in the affirmative. I've counted (!) hundreds of them (IIRC) just
in the reams and tomes on my shelf. Are they real? As real as
atoms and quanta and black holes and men and women who
work "miracles" with minds and hands every day, IMO. And certainly,
too, many of those men and women (and their conceptual efforts?)
deserve respect and dignity,
whether you agree with them or not. No? Shango? Shiva? F-in'
cool! IMO.

And do you really think Messiaen's genius (for example) occurred
separate from or despite his "belief"? Would _Couleurs de la Cite
Celeste_ be as beautiful if it was called _Winning at Blackjack_, or
something like that? I think not, really, but that's probably just
me.

P