I am enlightened!

[Steve Schlicht]

In keeping with the current trend regarding finish-line exclamations establishing the respective personal worldview of particular users here at IIDB, I would just like to add my voice in the wilderness of hope over despair, awe over nihilism and love over bitter anger!

I think that I have become a strong atheist!

There is still no evidence presented to my human perception that God exists or what a God would even consist of or whether one would exist beyond my human perception and even beyond the current universe of all things in perpetual flux.

In fact, I have found that the more I realize that I have one life, one opportunity in this one reality...the better person I have become!

Free from the claustrophobic and caustic stories of extraterrestrial heroes and monsters dwelling in realms of gold and flame, where clouds and smoke compete for my thoughts...I am now enlightened!

It is my hope that we all can meet on this same path of value and virtue and leave our old limited concepts, mental toys and fairy tales behind us as we grow into mature human beings concerned for the common goodness found in the simplicity of blood and breath...and the warm touch of true caring.

Peace!

Steve

[Jehanne]

It is my hope that we all can meet on this same path of value and virtue and leave our old limited concepts, mental toys and fairy tales behind us as we grow into mature human beings concerned for the common goodness found in the simplicity of blood and breath...and the warm touch of true caring.

For me, atheism is choosing to live in the real world. I believe that Reality exists and that Reality has an existence that is independent of what people believe or disbelief about it. Therefore, we, as human beings have two choices with respect to Reality: 1) Accept it and live your life the best that you can, or, 2) Deny it and have it impose itself upon you. I choose the former.

[Steve Schlicht]

Me too, Jehanne!

That is what is so enlightening.

But, more than that, many times people are convinced of concepts and claims (mostly supernatural/paranormal/imaginary) that blatantly conflict with reality in plain view at the most inopportune times.

In my view, the religious adherent and the mystic can actually miss out on the true beauty of our direct present consciousness by ascribing to metaphor/myth/superfluous notions in an attempt to derive meaning for that which already is what it is.

Simply put, many often add too much noise to the simplicity of the signal.

Steve

[seebs]

You know, you remind me a lot in some ways of some practitioners of Zen I've talked to. I think you make a very significant point.

It reminds me also of a Christian group who supposedly showed up for a protest of some sort with signs saying something like "We also believe in life BEFORE death."

Too many people, I think, ignore the world and the life in it. It is a sad thing, and on this, I am fully in agreement with you.

[blkgayatheist]

"It reminds me also of a Christian group who supposedly showed up for a protest of some sort with signs saying something like "We also believe in life BEFORE death."

now thats good, never heard that

[TheBear]

In keeping with the current trend regarding finish-line exclamations establishing the respective personal worldview of particular users here at IIDB, I would just like to add my voice in the wilderness of hope over despair, awe over nihilism and love over bitter anger!

I think that I have become a strong atheist!

There is still no evidence presented to my human perception that God exists or what a God would even consist of or whether one would exist beyond my human perception and even beyond the current universe of all things in perpetual flux.

In fact, I have found that the more I realize that I have one life, one opportunity in this one reality...the better person I have become!

Free from the claustrophobic and caustic stories of extraterrestrial heroes and monsters dwelling in realms of gold and flame, where clouds and smoke compete for my thoughts...I am now enlightened!

It is my hope that we all can meet on this same path of value and virtue and leave our old limited concepts, mental toys and fairy tales behind us as we grow into mature human beings concerned for the common goodness found in the simplicity of blood and breath...and the warm touch of true caring.

Peace!

SteveThat's awesome!! :thumbs:

[Howard]

Welcome to the world of eternal nothingness. Use condoms, don’t eat all the donuts and be nice to the theists. They’re a bit daft but lots of fun to play with.

[TheBear]

You know, you remind me a lot in some ways of some practitioners of Zen I've talked to. I think you make a very significant point.

It reminds me also of a Christian group who supposedly showed up for a protest of some sort with signs saying something like "We also believe in life BEFORE death."

Too many people, I think, ignore the world and the life in it. It is a sad thing, and on this, I am fully in agreement with you.And all this reminds me of a Zen story....



A soldier came to Hakuin and asked "Is there really a paradise and a hell?"

"Who are you?" inquired Hakuin.

"I am a samurai," the warrior replied.

"You, a samurai!" exclaimed Hakuin. "What kind of ruler would have you as his guard? Your face looks like that of a beggar!"

The soldier became so angry that he began to draw his sword, but Hakuin continued. "So you have a sword! Your weapon is probably as dull as your head!"

As the soldier drew his sword Hakuin remarked "Here open the gates of hell!"

At these words, the samurai, perceiving the discipline of the master, sheathed his sword and bowed.

"Here open the gates of paradise," said Hakuin."


Clever. ;)

[seebs]

I love that koan. I think a lot of Christians are afraid of koans, and they miss out on a lot of very good material as a result.

[Steve Schlicht]

In my view, awareness is found through the way of actually being in the world, a way of attending to and knowing the ordinary specialness of the awesome universe in plain view.

There are assorted metaphors that can be inserted into this simple statement, however, most of them may only serve to enshroud the beauty of it in unnecessary distraction and confusion and conflict.

It is good to meet you, seebs, on common ground.

:wave:

[The Other Michael]

There's more truth in a koala than your average koan.

Oh no, did I write a koan? :eek:

cheers,
Michael

[Jobar]

Be here now.

Like me.

;)

[Steve Schlicht]

I think I will, thanks John.

:notworthy:

[excreationist]

There is still no evidence presented to my human perception that God exists or what a God would even consist of or whether one would exist beyond my human perception and even beyond the current universe of all things in perpetual flux.
According to kabbalah that's because we are initially completely separate from the spiritual realm and so can't perceive God's existence. They say the answer is learning about kabbalah and using faith and desperate prayer.

[seebs]

In my view, awareness is found through the way of actually being in the world, a way of attending to and knowing the ordinary specialness of the awesome universe in plain view.

I don't think I could ever deny this.

There are assorted metaphors that can be inserted into this simple statement, however, most of them may only serve to enshroud the beauty of it in unnecessary distraction and confusion and conflict.

This, I think, may or may not always be true. Of course, there's room for dispute over whether some things are "metaphors" or "more of the world".

Still... I see a lot of religious folks who use their beliefs as a shield against the world. If there is a God, who made this, then I'd guess God finds it rather offensive when people say "Well, the world totally sucks, but if you promise not to light me on fire I won't blame you for it."

It is good to meet you, seebs, on common ground.

I think there's a huge amount of common ground in human experience that people tend to ignore because they're too busy arguing. Look at politics; people are often too busy blaming one group or another for their taxes to just sit around and say "gosh, you know, I don't like taxes either." :p

[tapley54]

In fact, I have found that the more I realize that I have one life, one opportunity in this one reality...the better person I have become!

It is harder to do "bad" things if there isn't an imaginary all-powerful somebody to wipe the slate clean for you. Not to mention it makes you a more productive member of society if you don't rely on the supernatural to solve your problems.

No matter how many times I explain this to my Xtian wife, she just does NOT understand where my moral standard comes from, and constantly questions my ability to judge right from wrong.

[Steve Schlicht]

It is harder to do "bad" things if there isn't an imaginary all-powerful somebody to wipe the slate clean for you. Not to mention it makes you a more productive member of society if you don't rely on the supernatural to solve your problems.

No matter how many times I explain this to my Xtian wife, she just does NOT understand where my moral standard comes from, and constantly questions my ability to judge right from wrong.

In my view, it is more virtuous to behave well and do the right thing when there is no one looking, than to assume that you are being watched and judged by some other being who may or may not flay you for eternity for any lapses in choice.

Even if a God speaks to you (as you would understand being spoken to as a human) and tells you what the "moral standard" is you would fail the true test of virtue and merely be a sycophant, IMO.

Our real value comes from our individual ability to choose to act or not act in a virtuous way...no Gods required.

Steve