tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8840695227917041221.post8448057634425212278..comments2024-01-31T07:38:40.980-06:00Comments on The Whore of All the Earth: "So what DO you believe?"Leahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08129509609170344883noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8840695227917041221.post-49509998197650333142011-04-13T13:26:50.933-05:002011-04-13T13:26:50.933-05:00Purely one way or the other is a hard place to be....Purely one way or the other is a hard place to be. I have a belief in something. Something greater than ourselves (myself). I like the protocol of ceremonies. I like the repetition. It is what makes us remember. Not sure if I totally grasps what you were trying to convey. I am not an atheist or agnostic, I do believe but not 100% sure in how it works. I know Religions are social constructs meant to have a social order. For others without that religious guidelines, social norms become the way. :-)Steve Julianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10434882024674242926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8840695227917041221.post-90129436593900333642011-04-13T13:26:50.577-05:002011-04-13T13:26:50.577-05:00Isn't it is fact that Mike Rowe is hotter than...Isn't it is fact that Mike Rowe is hotter than Brad Pitt and red high heels go with everything?! That being said, I enjoyed this post. Personally, I think there is a world of difference between personal spirituality and religion. I don't think they are in the same class at all. I know many people of both varieties and in my experience those with religion are far more judgmental than those with spirituality. Keep blogging. :)<br><br>Namaste<br>ReneeFamily of 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/07516545061050126274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8840695227917041221.post-60330200218845933632010-09-10T18:01:35.845-05:002010-09-10T18:01:35.845-05:00That is a beautiful thought, Steve. Thanks for sha...That is a beautiful thought, Steve. Thanks for sharing it.Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08129509609170344883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8840695227917041221.post-72967661652316007582010-09-09T17:20:12.723-05:002010-09-09T17:20:12.723-05:00Perhaps what is really happening to you is a deep...Perhaps what is really happening to you is a deep disbelief in religion with a deep desire for God. I just have to say that the god so many faiths preach, and I was raised baptist,<br />is a god (small g on purpose) of condemnation and guilt. <br />The true God is everything you seek. Love..joy..beauty...compassion...adventure.<br /><br />Just a thot... :-)Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02181191841802006082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8840695227917041221.post-52295925117271884132010-08-25T21:05:31.733-05:002010-08-25T21:05:31.733-05:00Kat, comments are always welcome, even if they'...Kat, comments are always welcome, even if they're late. :-)<br /><br />I've been meeting more "skeptical but spiritual" and even religious individuals over the last several weeks. It's an interesting niche within atheism. We're out there. Blogging is a great way to find each other and build community.Leahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08129509609170344883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8840695227917041221.post-86253737359960916822010-08-25T20:48:38.738-05:002010-08-25T20:48:38.738-05:00I know I am a little late in commenting on this, b...I know I am a little late in commenting on this, but I just had to give you my thoughts. As I read your essay, I had to wipe away a tear or two. I understand 100 percent where you are coming from when it comes to lacking belief but still enjoying a personal spirituality. After getting to know other atheists over the past few years, I was beginning to think I was the only one who felt anything like that! I experience that same internal alchemy from being emersed in nature, and I too love the stories and rituals of all religions, and I experience that same alchemy from both religious stories and purely secular ones (I can say with all sincerity that the "Harry Potter" series gives me more comfort and enlightenment than any religion ever did or possibly could). I grew up in a multi-religious family, so I was exposed to a variety of ideas and beliefs, and for the most part, was allowed to decide for myself. I observe the 8 "Wheel of the Year" holidays of Paganism as a way of honoring the natural processes that support all life (google "Wheel of the Year" if you are unsure what I am talking about). Those holidays have indeed been observed in some form or another in many places around the world for thousands of years, and I think it is because the legends and theory surrounding them don't require a literal belief in a deity, but rather a reverence and respect for existence itself, particularly living things.<br /><br />It's kind of a silly title, but there is a book called "Grimiore for the Apprentice Wizard" by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart that I think you would very much appreciate. The kind of magick and wizardry he talks about is not particular of any religion, and is not the kooky new-age "light a green candle and you'll get money" sort of magick. It is more about gaining a new kind of mindset, a perpetual curiosity, and becoming grounded and centered within yourself so that you can see the world around you for all it's possibilities. <br /><br />Much love to you!Katrinahttp://kats-brain.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8840695227917041221.post-38604564782328067602010-04-06T19:58:54.740-05:002010-04-06T19:58:54.740-05:00"Stories are wonderful. I think every culture..."Stories are wonderful. I think every culture's stories have something of value to offer.<br />But we need to know when a story is just a story."<br /><br />Amen, sister! Amen!<br /><br />This is what the New Atheists are looking for right now, as could be seen in Harris' TED talk. And he seems to be suggesting we could certainly find a 'middle way'. It may turn out to be a scientific story filled with field studies instead of metaphors, but the great thing is that it just might work!<br /><br />symbol, ritual, community, story -- the building blocks of meaning. They invest into the viewer/practitioner/member/listener paths to understanding. And we can study and evaluate the worth of each. <br /><br />There are some really great books out there on this sort of thing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8840695227917041221.post-77756752240938603812010-04-04T17:27:06.979-05:002010-04-04T17:27:06.979-05:00I am like this- a former-Mormon now-atheist who is...I am like this- a former-Mormon now-atheist who is spoken to in some deep place by religious symbolism and ritual. I love Karen Armstrong's work. I tried going to a United Church of Christ congregation for awhile, but it felt disingenuous due to my lack of belief. Looking for ways to be spiritual without belief.leisurelyvikinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16041697282005473619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8840695227917041221.post-63402827709641566022010-04-04T13:46:43.035-05:002010-04-04T13:46:43.035-05:00A wise man once said that whoever seeks will find....A wise man once said that whoever seeks will find.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8840695227917041221.post-40527682195119556552010-04-03T23:21:07.811-05:002010-04-03T23:21:07.811-05:00Isn't it is fact that Mike Rowe is hotter than...Isn't it is fact that Mike Rowe is hotter than Brad Pitt and red high heels go with everything?! That being said, I enjoyed this post. Personally, I think there is a world of difference between personal spirituality and religion. I don't think they are in the same class at all. I know many people of both varieties and in my experience those with religion are far more judgmental than those with spirituality. Keep blogging. :)<br /><br />Namaste<br />ReneeReneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07516545061050126274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8840695227917041221.post-21373293886356245592010-04-03T09:51:49.391-05:002010-04-03T09:51:49.391-05:00Purely one way or the other is a hard place to be....Purely one way or the other is a hard place to be. I have a belief in something. Something greater than ourselves (myself). I like the protocol of ceremonies. I like the repetition. It is what makes us remember. Not sure if I totally grasps what you were trying to convey. I am not an atheist or agnostic, I do believe but not 100% sure in how it works. I know Religions are social constructs meant to have a social order. For others without that religious guidelines, social norms become the way. :-)Ojibwe Confessionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10434882024674242926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8840695227917041221.post-72918755720034821412010-04-02T10:56:43.765-05:002010-04-02T10:56:43.765-05:00Interesting essay. It's very different from t...Interesting essay. It's very different from the experience of those of us who grew up without religion at all. Anything "spiritual" is a closed book to me, and I've never felt I was missing anything.Infidel753https://www.blogger.com/profile/10965786814334886696noreply@blogger.com