I would concur with everything except that ' atheists worship nothing'. That does not seem to be exactly true. I can only speak for myself but I do try to embrace the cultural beauty and the best of all religions while absolutely not believing in any gods whatsoever. I am an atheist. But if some idiot would come out in my city to burn, say, a Catholic Church I would willingly join my fellow- Catholics and all others in saving it. I do not think that atheists are the ones who worship nothing. Maybe we just worship... humanity and nature?

by Mark Sashine (72 articles, 19 quicklinks, 269 diaries, 4101 comments [131 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 9:40:14 AM

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I once thought that it should be a natural progression, that when a child understands that the tooth fairy, the Easter bunny and Santa Claus were all fictitious constructs, and that one was expected to outgrow them. But it takes a tremendous test of courage and resolve to outgrow the next step, and many people simply can't do it. It means that you have to come to grips with the fact that it's a cold uncaring universe that is simply indifferent whether you live or die, or that there are some rather strange ideas about life after death from people who eat meat everyday. That we are primates, that we exist on one planet in one solar system among millions in one galaxy among billions of other galaxies. It's just too hard for most people, and not all of us are exposed to the sciences of Astronomy, Physics and Anthropology, which I think are essential to taking that next big step. So, all we can do is to promote education and practice compassion and understanding.

by Chuck Garner (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 118 comments) on Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 6:33:46 PM

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Don't look for the 'Big Things'...just pay attention to everyday life. It's all right there. The biggest things are the smallest things. A smile, an attraction, a conversation, or the cashier at the supermarket. Don't seek....just find. And don't try so hard to believe, either. It has been my experience, that whenever I try, it backfires. Keep your mind and heart and eyes open. Or your ears. When you find, or see it.....it will be in the very last place you would have ever expected to find it...the last place you would have ever looked...the last place you would have imagined. And quite possibly, also with the last person you would have imagined. Beliefs can change from day to day....they are not guaranteed. But five minutes with something you can really say you 'know happened'...and it will always stay with you. Trust yourself.....make sure you do not miss God if he's inside, and part of you...or Christ. Last, the window to the soul is through the eyes....you can see it there. The windows are not always open, though.....and not visible and available to all , and at all times. Pay attention to animals, and nature , too. Sacred Music, like a Bach Cantata...and I am ready to die every time....it is one of my most intense and immediate connections to 'God'. (I feel comfortable using these words as a metaphor) Good Night! Katrin

by Katrin R. (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 13 diaries, 657 comments [15 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Thursday, Sep 14, 2006 at 11:39:44 PM

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the above come from substituting the word "God" in Einstein's original quote with the principle of God in the article. Similar quotes can be gotten from doing the same with Newton, Godel, etc, as well as great civil leaders like MLK and Gandhi. The point is, if people want to be naturalists, kudos. If you want to fight irrationality in religion, kudos. But if you want to define the concept of God so that its totally separate from the natural world, you are going up against some very great minds who thought otherwise.

by jujubee (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments) on Friday, Sep 15, 2006 at 11:33:44 PM

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There are also a number of brilliant people throughout history who have not believed in a deity, so your argument carries no weight.

by Felix Winslow (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 2 comments) on Sunday, Sep 17, 2006 at 5:29:54 PM

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