Really, why should it bother people that one guy doesn't believe in the exact same things as they do? And since this is a response to Mick's post, I guess I'll go over some of the things he talked about.
One: Beauty without God. Atheists know of beauty. If we want proof of beauty without a Christian life, then we only need to look at history. Across the world, there have been many who did not believe in God, but were in awe at the wonders of the world. You don't need God to appreciate a lightning storm, or to be struck speechless at the sight of a whale migration. If you do have God, you are just saying to yourself that this is one of his wonders. But just because Mick looks to a scientific explanation as opposed to faith doesn't mean that he can't appreciate the beauty of a flower, even if he knows that it's beauty is fading, or be any less captivated by someone's loving touch, even though he knows that it's just a chemical reaction that makes him feel that way.
Two: Why did I turn to God?
People have their own reason to believe or not to believe. Some were raised a good Christian, but they saw things they didn't agree with in the bible and decided they wouldn't have any part in it. Others just happened to pick up the book and saw some life changing things. We all have our own reason to believe. An inner calling, a need for something greater, the question that needs answering. For me, it was because I just did believe. It was like truth, truth I had to pour my whole heart into being. We don't believe because we are looking for proof. Belief isn't about proof, or about science. It can be. But faith is about believing in something without needing to see it or feel it to know that it's there.
And if someone doesn't get that, don't get in their face saying that they're wrong. They are another person too, and we can't force anyone to take on our beliefs. I respect Mick's decision to not be a religious man, and he respects my decision to be a religious woman. And that's all that matters.
As a side note, I'd like to add that my belief doesn't mean that I'll bend science to suit myself. To those of you who stand steadfast that evolution is bull, what if it's how God does his thing? What if he didn't just say "let there be light", but he said, let there be a mixture of hot fluids on the face of the earth, and mixing it one way suddenly creates life? Or something along those lines. The Primordial soup theory might not be just a theory.
Sure, I believe in the majestic power of God. That doesn't mean that I don't respect the natural powers of this world any less. Science and religion are not two opposites, and I'm here to prove it.
And as an added note:
An instant gut reaction to that is, frankly, that I don't want to fit into their perception of the world. Their perception on the world includes eternal torture for nonbelievers, as well as being spied on constantly by a higher intelligence that knows when you're wanking. Their perception of reality can get stuffed, I want no part of it.
Careful Mick. If you keep up with that, you'll go blind. :D
People often forget that humans create and express beauty constantly. It's a matter of becoming aware of the beauty in nature AND the beauty intrinsic to us as full participants in the notion of nature.
ReplyDelete(The same goes for the notion of purpose. Religious people often ask non-believers how they find purpose in life without belief in the supernatural. The answer is that WE create and maintain purpose every moment of every second of every day, even when we don't realize it.)
Yeah, as far as meanings for life go, we're better off just making it up as we go. The point of living is to find a point for your life, surely.
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