tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26054979209019318662024-03-20T11:10:14.908-04:00Secular ContentmentWelcome to a blog that examines and promotes the secular worldview. This site is uncritical of religious faith. It comments on religious ideas and their profound influence on human behavior.
Ideas here may affiliate, alienate, anger or comfort you. Look deep within yourself whenever possible, and explore your gifts of creativity and logic.
On your wondrous journey through reality, may you discover truths that are uniquely yours, and may you find contentment.
Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-65954467179657417532023-07-23T15:05:00.002-04:002023-07-23T15:32:29.521-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #38761d;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><em></em></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em>VISION - and ACTION</em></span></span></b></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #3d85c6;"><em></em></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><em> I envision a world </em><em>free from oppression and injustice, </em><em>where all may realize their full human rights. </em></span></span></span></span></span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><em><br /></em></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div><em style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> May each of us attempt to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity. </em></div><div><em style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></em></div><div><em style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> May we strive for empirical truth, human development, and a more just and peaceful world.</em></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #3d85c6;"><em> </em></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #3d85c6;"><em> Will Walsh 2023</em></span></span></span><br />
<em><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "verdana";"></span></em><br /></div>Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-64104336085488117342023-07-21T00:22:00.004-04:002023-07-23T15:34:24.231-04:00<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>OUR BELIEFS MAKE PERFECT SENSE (satire)</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We believers populate our fantasies with gods, sagas,
supernatural creatures, miracles, cataclysms, and transformations. We embrace
mystery, fear, myth, supernatural and canonical law as truth. We are guided by
superstition, belief in demons and other mythical vengeful beings, an
afterlife, a holy spirit world of holy ghosts, angels, and divine creators. We
embrace the supernatural and paranormal, and reject science. We believe in an
intelligently-designed, god-centered universe, not a merely secular, deterministic
one.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Our resources for truth, health, contentment, and peace are
evangelists, imams, priests, rabbis, gurus, and our worship of imaginary
spirits in churches, mosques, and temples. We seek the counsel and blessings of
only these “spiritual" people because they claim access to supernatural
beings, states and realms. We profess to them our obedience to their dogmatic
shoulds and oughts. Dogma continually reminds us that males have privileged
status and are superior to any woman. Our religious leaders caution us not to
think critically or independently, or to look within, because our newfound evidence-based
truths and insights would reduce our dependence on them.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Our religious faith can forgive us for all sins and
wrongdoing, no matter how inhuman. We are no longer legally or morally
responsible for the consequences of our past actions. We are guaranteed a place
in an imaginary, perfect heaven or paradise, because our immortal souls have
been “saved.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Our morality has no evolutionary basis, but evolved from our
specific belief system. We believe that the roots of our moral, ethical, and
altruistic behavior are theological, not biological. We believe our simple,
conscious choices are god-given “free will.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Our gods created only peace, harmony, and love. Although our
religions promote myth, patriarchy, terrorism, and genocide, they are
"religions of love." Bad spirits, not our gods or human actions, created disaster, sin, chaos, violent
conflict, drought, and disease.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We believe we are on our one true god’s path in life. We
pray, knowing our prayers will be answered through divine intervention. We're
true, committed believers, programmed by dogma. In conversations with our gods,
we receive divine guidance.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Our deeply-held beliefs are the perfect foundation of our
worldviews, values, and political stances. We have no need to question our
beliefs. Scripture explains all events, conditions, and circumstances beyond
our rational understanding.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We need no factual validity or empirical evidence to prove a
hypothesis, make a moral or legal determination, or support any argument.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It all makes perfect sense.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">—The Faithful, 2023</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br />Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-76568854990632887622023-07-20T20:05:00.002-04:002023-07-23T15:30:44.906-04:00<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_590bbfdf959071d70526637">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><strong>2023 National Day of Reason</strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">To people of all faiths: Happy 2023 National Day of Reason!</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br />Enlightenment values inspired the founding of our country as an alternative to theocracy. The Enlightenment championed reason and the empirical sciences as the means to achieve freedom, prosperity, happiness, and knowledge. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Our current trend of secularization is evidenced by increasing numbers of "nones". Former believers are choosing to ignore myth and supernatural concepts. They are rejecting patriarchal, incoherent, c<span class="text_exposed_show">ontradictory, and illogical dogma and beliefs. They are opting instead for debate, open questioning, reason, science, fact, and what can be clearly proven by evidence.</span></span><br />
</span><div class="text_exposed_show">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Prayer is the action of fervently or strongly wishing or hoping for an event, condition or circumstance, or of beseeching an imaginary entity. After prayer today, examine the possible contradictions or unverified "truths" within your faith. </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> </span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Reason is a concept all humankind can support. Happy 2023 National Day of Reason, everyone!</span><br />
<br />
</span><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">--Will Walsh<span>
</span><span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">©2023 - 2024</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman";">
</span></span> </div>
</div>
Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-83979170271505656942023-07-19T17:18:00.003-04:002023-07-23T15:47:55.860-04:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>WELCOME</b><o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #134f5c;"><em>
</em></span><br />
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We too have
grown beyond <o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
The dark
oppression of Sharia;<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
The plethora
of impossible Hindu devas;<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
The
Christian myths of salvation, virgin birth, resurrection, and miracle;<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
The
countless obscure gods in arcane pantheons.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #134f5c;"><em>
</em></span><br />
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Many of us
have never truly believed in a deity,<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
Nor
outlandish concepts of judgment, heaven, and hell,<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
Nor
incoherent dogma,<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
Nor coercion
through fear and shame,<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
Nor
pointless theater of ritual and ceremony,<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
Nor
hypocrisy of clerics and believers,<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
Nor
admonishments against looking within,<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
Nor themes
and policies of male dominance,<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
Nor inferior
status of women, minorities, and other faiths. <o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #134f5c;"><em>
</em></span><br />
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We too eased
away from fear-based faith and the supernatural. <o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
We found the
freedom to define our deepest values and truths.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
We evolved
our own unique and relevant philosophies of life.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
We found
self-respect through virtue and ethics. <o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
We found joy
and fulfillment through pursuit of the greater good.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
We found new
awareness, reality, and enlightenment.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #134f5c;"><em>
</em></span><br />
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">May you
continue to assert your independence.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
May you
continue to seek personal truth and growth.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
May you
continue to gain wisdom, tolerance, and understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
May you
continue to expand circles of compassion and awareness.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
May you
continue to coexist with people of all faiths and no faith.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">
May you
continue to express your character through good actions.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #134f5c;"><em>
</em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;">We embrace
you – with validation, honor, and love.<o:p></o:p></span></em></span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #134f5c;"><em>
</em></span><br />
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">–Will Walsh
©2023 - 2024</span><o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-39402628052706533892023-07-18T00:50:00.005-04:002023-07-23T15:29:38.337-04:00<div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b>A FEW QUOTATIONS</b></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">True religion is real living: living with all one's soul. With all one's goodness and righteousness. –Albert Einstein</span></div><div><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The essence of humanity's spiritual dilemma is that we evolved
genetically to accept one truth and discovered another. Is there a way to erase
the dilemma, to resolve the contradictions between the transcendentalist and
the empiricist world views?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>–Edward O.
Wilson<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">True character arises from a deeper well than religion.
–Edward O. Wilson</span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Religion is something left over from the infancy of our
intelligence; it will fade away as we adopt reason and science as our
guidelines. –Bertrand <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Russell (1872 -
1970)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="body1"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My atheism, like that of
Spinoza, is true piety towards the universe and denies only gods fashioned by
men in their own image, to be servants of their human interests. –George Santayana (1863 – 1952)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="body1"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Absolute faith corrupts as
absolutely as absolute power. –Eric Hoffer</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="body1"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="body1"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The world is my
country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion. –Thomas
Paine</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="body1"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My own mind is my own church. I do not believe in the creed
professed by the Jewish church, by the Roman church, by the Greek church, by
the Turkish church, by the Protestant church, nor by any church that I know of.
All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish,
appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit. Thomas
Paine, in <i>The Age of Reason</i><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">A person may be qualified to do greater good to humankind and
become more beneficial to the world, by morality without faith than by faith
without morality. –Joseph Addison<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I want nothing to do with any religion concerned with keeping
the masses satisfied to live in hunger, filth, and ignorance. I want nothing to
do with any order, religious or otherwise, which does not teach people that
they are capable of becoming happier and more civilized on this earth, capable
of becoming true man, master of his
fate and captain of his soul. –Jawharlal Nehru (From Edgar Snow, <i>Journey to the Beginning</i> [1958]) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><o:p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit
atrocities. –Voltaire<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Twenty times in the course of my late reading, have I been upon
the point of breaking out: This would be the best of all possible worlds, if
there were no religion in it. –John Adams <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><span>Not only is science corrosive to religion; religion is corrosive to science. It teaches people to be satisfied with trivial, supernatural non-expla-</span></span></span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><span>nations and blinds them to the wonderful real explanations that we have within our grasp. Religion teaches them to accept authority, revelation and faith instead of always insisting on evi<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif">dence. -</span></span></span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Richard Dawkins on militant atheism (transcript), TED talk, 2007 </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When religion grows in
age, faith turns into dogma, and experience is replaced by book knowledge,
virtue by adherence to rules, devotion by ritual, meditation by metaphysical
speculation. The time is then ripe for a rediscovery of truth and a fresh
attempt to give it expression in life. –Lama Govinda<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I would believe only in a God that knows how to dance.
-Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span class="reference-text"></span></span></span></span></div>Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-82435152177131910282023-07-17T23:41:00.002-04:002023-07-23T15:51:17.223-04:00<br />
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<span face=""segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em><strong>An Open Letter to God</strong></em></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em> Dear God:</em></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span face=""segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em> There are over ten million people fleeing violent conflict today. These refugees are dying of malnutrition, disease, injury, and execution by armed groups. Such tragedy and suffering have characterized human history. We’re told you are benevolent, omniscient, and omnipotent. We’re taught to have faith that you, God, can heal our human condition and reverse tragic human suffering. What is your rationale for creating and perpetuating this Hell on<span class="text_exposed_show"> earth for refugees and other victims of violence? </span></em></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em> </em></span></span></span></span><br />
<span face=""segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em>In their quest for power, gang leaders, bullies, political strongmen/ tyrants, Alt-right adherents, and warlords abuse, pre-empt, exploit, belittle, eliminate, and “disappear” others. Preachers, priests, imams, religious extremists, and rabbis speak in your name, God, but sometimes encourage hate and intolerance. They infuse religion with politics, often urging followers toward sectarian strife and violence.</em></span></span></span></span><br />
<span face=""segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em> </em></span></span></span></span><br />
<span face=""segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em>We’re told you are benevolent. What, then, have been your actions to reduce torture, corruption, extrajudicial killings, gun violence, disappearances, theft, human trafficking, and arson in our world? If you can prevent human suffering and choose not to, are you truly benevolent? If you choose to prevent or rid the world of evil and suffering but cannot, are you truly omnipotent? If widespread suffering indicates that your reasoning is flawed, are you truly omniscient? </em></span></span></span></span><br />
<span face=""segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em> </em></span></span></span></span><br />
<span face=""segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em>If you were omniscient, would you not understand the very root causes of violent conflict? If you’ve overlooked these causes, God, could you truly be omniscient? If you understand these causes but choose to ignore them or not resolve the ensuing conflict, could you truly be benevolent? And if you choose not to (or cannot) peacefully resolve disputes, are you genuinely benevolent or omnipotent? It appears you’ve created tyranny, wars, and mass displacement you cannot manage. </em></span></span></span></span><br />
<span face=""segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em> </em></span></span></span></span><br />
<span face=""segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em>Jews, Muslims, and Christians tell me you are the God of love and mercy. Why, then, does human conflict exist under your all-encompassing benevolence? Can you moderate the egos of men? Can you help Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and nonbelievers rise above xenophobic fear, revenge, hate, and violence? Are you willing and able to help us coexist in compassion and mutual tolerance?</em></span></span></span></span><br />
<span face=""segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em> </em></span></span></span></span><br />
<span face=""segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em>I'm frequently told you have a plan, God. Can you reveal your plan for management of humanity? Can you help us live in harmony? </em></span></span></span></span><br />
<span face=""segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em> </em></span></span></span></span><br />
<span face=""segoe ui symbol" , "sans-serif"" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI Historic"; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .25pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: bevel; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #990000;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><em>Sincerely, Will Walsh</em></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-58632655236970212852023-07-16T11:41:00.002-04:002023-07-23T15:52:35.329-04:00<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span> <span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">NONES</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">We are millions of religiously-unaffiliated “nones,” comprising both believers and nonbelievers. We surf the tsunami of secularization. We’ve become skeptical, ambivalent, or indifferent toward religion because we’ve woken up.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">We find paternalistic church, mosque and temple dogma to be repressive and exploitive (if not irrelevant) in today’s world. We can be moral and ethical without the dictates and unfilled promises of religion. We tolerate all peaceful faiths, and no fait<span class="text_exposed_show">h. We live in harmony with friends, neighbors, and loved ones of diverse views. Not needing the social inclusion of a religious community, we don’t fear social alienation, rejection, or abandonment.</span></span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Many of us find belief in the supernatural to be irrational and delusional, if not pathological. Many also feel that deities, miracles, superpowers, and myths are vestigial relics of folk tales and primitive belief systems. We cannot find evidence for spirits, salvation, faith healing, or eternal damnation. It is our right and obligation to seek valid, evidence-based truths through science. Not believing in a “final reward,” our hope is that we’ve made the world a better place today. Our views may either anger, or comfort you.</span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">Look deep within yourself whenever possible, and explore your gifts of creativity and logic. On your wondrous journey through secular and religious realms, discover truths that are uniquely yours. Lead an ethical life of personal fulfillment that aspires to the greater good of humanity: a more just and peaceful world. </span><br />
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">–Will
Walsh © 2023 - 2024</span></span></div>
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Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-14023332168445904872023-07-15T15:44:00.002-04:002023-07-23T15:53:09.277-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #274e13; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em>ENLIGHTENMENT</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #385623; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Believe in reason, </span></i></span><br />
<span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #385623; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">in development of the mind, </span></i></span><br />
<span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #385623; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">in accumulation of intellectual wealth, </span></i></span><br />
<span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #385623; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">and in freedom from superstitious fear.
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<span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #385623; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></i></span><br />
<span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #385623; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Affirm your ability and responsibility to lead an ethical life </span></i></span><br />
<span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #385623; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">of personal
fulfillment that aspires to the greater good of humanity. </span></i></span><br />
<span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #385623; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></i></span><br />
<span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #385623; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Let the world be your
nation. </span></i></span><br />
<span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #385623; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Let all humankind be your family. </span></i></span><br />
<span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #385623; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">Let truth, justice, nonviolence, and doing
good be your religion.</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #385623; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #385623; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;">--Will Walsh <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>© 2023 - 2024</span></i></span></span></div>
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Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-59475282634169011292023-07-14T14:41:00.002-04:002023-07-23T15:53:56.609-04:00
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em>FREEDOM</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><em></em></span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em>People
are discovering their own truths, and losing faith in patriarchal mythologies.
</em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><em></em></span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em>They are rejecting the credibility and validity of clerics, shamans, faith
healers, gurus, mystics, and spiritual leaders who claim a connection with the
supernatural. They are rejecting hypocrisy and old assumptions, and seeking
evidence-based truth. They no longer require a “faith” to be moral,
compassionate, tolerant of beliefs, or logical; to love humanity, or have peace
of mind. </em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><em></em></span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em>Are you programmed to need religious faith and social acceptance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></em></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></em></span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Or are you a realistic, independent thinker,
truly enlightened and free?<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em><br /></em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><em><br /></em></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><em>Will Walsh </em></span></span><i>©</i><em>2023 - 2024</em></span></div>
Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-75135918994566788342023-07-13T21:21:00.002-04:002023-07-23T15:55:23.464-04:00<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_548e447d4bb7f4c21035098">
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #990000;"><em>Ah, the incoherence of religion.</em></span><br />
<span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #990000;"><em> </em></span><br />
<span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #990000;"><em>Question: Which is true?<br /> Dogs do go to heaven.<br /> Dogs don't go to heaven.</em></span><br />
<span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #990000;"><em></em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #990000;"><em> Answer: <br /> Just love them for all you're worth, while you can.<br /> Just love them for all they're worth, while you can.</em></span><br />
<span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #990000;"><em></em></span><br />
<span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #990000;"><em>-Will Walsh, 2023</em></span></span></div>
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Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-42187861810168014792023-07-12T14:45:00.002-04:002023-07-23T15:58:04.444-04:00<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Two World Voices<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Mine is the one true
path.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>I’m a true believer,
programmed by faith. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>I’m committed to my
Lord and my religion. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>My faith promotes
myth, patriarchy, terrorism, and genocide. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>I can love and
support those approved by my faith community.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>I have no
responsibility for my previous sins – they are forgiven.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>Do I fear social
rejection? Yes – thus I seek and welcome attention.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>I‘ve found social
acceptance and the promise of another life. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>I feel free.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Mine is the one true
path.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>I’m a freethinker,
atheist, agnostic, apatheist, apostate, or infidel. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>I’m committed to
evidence-based truth.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>My nonfaith promotes
reason, wisdom, tolerance, and understanding. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>I can love and
support all of humanity.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>I alone am responsible for my actions, and must help or heal those whom I’ve hurt.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>Do I fear social
rejection? No – I seek and welcome solitude.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>I’ve found
transcendence and fulfillment in this, my only life.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span>I am free.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #385723; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 128;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">--Will Walsh <em><span style="color: #38761d;">©</span></em>2023 - 2024</span></span></span></div>
Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-36290588194149292342023-07-11T11:14:00.002-04:002023-07-23T16:00:05.903-04:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div align="center"><span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><em>REALITY</em></span></span></div>
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<span><span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #38761d;"><em>Look deeply within yourself whenever possible, and discover
truths that are uniquely yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></em></span></span><span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #38761d;"><em> Explore
your gifts of both reason and creativity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> Allow yourself to discover, celebrate, and promote reality and the logic
of evidence. Challenge cultural assumptions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Develop your capacities for meditation and adaptive (healthy) coping. </span></em></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><em style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Explore your ability to be moral and ethical without spirituality, mysticism, religion, or worship. </span>Discover your compassion, and those quiet, effective actions which contribute both to your well-being and a better world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">On your wondrous journey through reality, find health and contentment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><em><br /></em></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><em>Without expectation of reward, promote
virtue, development of individual capacities, and social harmony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Promote stable relationships and free societies
which encourage the sharing of resources, opportunity, power, and influence, so
that people may grow toward their potential.</em></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #38761d;"><em><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></em></span></span></span><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #38761d;"><em>Will Walsh, </em></span></span><span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #38761d;"><em>June, 2023</em></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-89651717210850221202023-07-10T17:00:00.001-04:002023-07-23T13:21:36.232-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="color: #993300;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">SPIRIT, HEART, and SOUL</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="color: #993300;"><span>I am
free. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="color: #993300;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">Free
of superstition, belief in the supernatural, mythical vengeful beings, an
afterlife, ghosts, divine creator, angels or spirits.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="color: #993300;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">All
is natural, thus I reject the very concept of supernatural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have no spirit, spirituality, heart or soul in the nonmaterial
sense. I cannot be saved, but I am far from lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I embrace determinism as the driver of all
processes in the universe, I consider the concept of free will delusional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brain receives, stores and organizes sense data; neurochemical processes initiate my feelings, thoughts and actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="color: #993300;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">My
joy and sadness come from my secular mind, not an inner "spirit", "heart" or
"soul".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These terms are mythical,
archaic, and misleading vestiges of organized religion. (The terms are also useful
for romantic song lyrics, poetry and scripture.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My religious friends use these terms to reinforce
acceptance, approval or inclusion in their religious community; to ingratiate
themselves with peers, or possibly to mask their own doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> If friends are aware of my nonbelief, they un</span>selfishly
(or judgementally) assure me, "We will pray for you,"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> and I simply thank them. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="color: #993300;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;">I reject
the credibility and validity of clerics, shamans, faith healers, gurus, mystics
and spiritual leaders who claim a connection with the supernatural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not a believer, nor motivated by "spirit",
"heart" or "soul". Love does not flow from my heart: my feelings, thoughts and actions originate in my brain. Although absent of spirit, heart and soul, I
possess compassion, tolerance of beliefs, contentment, love of humanity, and peace of mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will forever seek evidence-based truth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="color: #993300;"><span>I am enlightened, and free!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="color: #993300;"><span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="color: #993300;"><span>Will Walsh © 2023 - 2024</span></span> </span> </span></div>
<br />Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-84072811042509849622023-07-09T21:44:00.001-04:002023-07-23T13:24:22.141-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #215868;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span>NATURE EVOLVES MAN; </span></span></span><span style="color: #215868;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span>MAN EVOLVES MYTH</span></span></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #215868;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium;">I am
fascinated by the continuum of beliefs and nonbeliefs, and respect all
worldviews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Religions and communities of
faith have tended to benefit humankind by rewarding and reinforcing virtuous
and ethical behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, our value
of human life, and sense of ethics, has a biological (not theological)
basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Virtue is not guided by a supreme
being, mythical figure, or supernatural entity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #215868; font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="color: #215868; font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></b><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span>Good (moral, ethical, and altruistic)
behavior has evolved as part of the evolutionary process which perpetuates the
species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The responsibility for our
lives and the kind of world in which we live is ours and ours alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #215868;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #215868;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium;">I affirm our ability and responsibility to
lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of
humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will confront unjust power
structures and challenge oppressive policies.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I act to advance human rights and
social justice in our world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I envision
a world free from oppression and injustice, where all can realize their full
human rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I value and strive for
empirical truth and human achievement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #215868; font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span>I am an atheist and humanist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My worldview and philosophy of life is secular, and free of supernatural and mystical elements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe in determinism (all effects have natural causes), and empiricism (evidence-based truth). Thus I do not believe in a creator, intelligent design or free will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reject notions of a theistic God and associated beliefs in an afterlife, a cosmic destiny, a supernatural origin of the universe, an immortal soul, the revealed nature of the Bible and the Q'uran, and a religious requirement for morality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #215868;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span><span style="font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium; mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #215868;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Will Walsh </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #215868;"><span>© </span></span><span style="color: #215868;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">2023 - 2024</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #215868;"> </span></span></div>
Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-17538581327453632352023-07-08T03:15:00.002-04:002023-07-23T16:01:28.054-04:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><strong style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: medium;">TH</span></strong><strong style="color: #660000;"><span style="font-size: medium;">ERE IS ONLY YOUR WAY - FOR NOW</span></strong></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><span><span style="color: #660000;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><span><span style="color: #660000;">Religion
loses relevance as secular society evolves - so why waste time and creative
energy criticizing it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I live in
Florida, in a peaceful neighborhood of Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Christians and
atheists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Although within the </span>"bible belt", we are a blend of harmonious, tolerant neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of us feel marginalized, angry,
militant, or the need to defend our faith/nonfaith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Krishnamurti said, "The constant
assertion of belief is an indication of fear."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I submit that the constant asssertion of
nonbelief is also an indication of fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium;">As
a Marine and atheist for 24 years, I personally benefited from the empathy and
compassion I received from chaplains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The anxiety of wounded troops was also significantly alleviated by the
calming, comforting presence of clergy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><span><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium;">As
a hospice patient/family counselor (LCSW) for 13 years, I worked with clergy
who validated and supported the faith and beliefs of dying patients.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was of immense comfort to patients, and respectful
of their diverse values and cultures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Indeed, clergy support was an essential aspect of pain management.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hospice staff (along the entire belief
continuum) respected and supported the religious beliefs of dying patients and
their families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif" style="color: #660000;"></span></span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><span><span style="color: #660000;">In my 82 years, I've
watched church attendance dwindle, and churches, mosques and temples sold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm not smug, nor do I gloat about this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It simply means that people are discovering
their own truths, and losing faith in their old mythologies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm a fascinated observer of the process.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><span><span style="color: #660000;"></span></span></span></span> </span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Raleway; font-size: medium;">Will Walsh © 2023 - 2024</span></span></div>
Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-7957009228253590472023-07-07T16:18:00.001-04:002023-07-23T16:02:56.486-04:00<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">TO EACH MUSLIM YOUTH<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I challenge you – not your faith. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You’re a devout believer seeking meaning and acceptance. You
will be promised great rewards for terrorizing or taking the lives of others. You
will be promised rewards, and told that depriving an infidel of life is true expression of
your Islamic faith. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">History would regard your violent act as misguided, committed
by a naïve, impressionable person out of touch with reality. If terrorism is
righteous and unselfish, why is it condemned by Muslims and the family of
nations? Jihadi leaders would strap explosives to you, but not themselves. Dying
for your religious beliefs, while irreparably harming innocent others, would
serve only the personal political aims of tyrants.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There is no glory in terrorizing and killing others. Reward,
fulfillment and contentment come only in this life, through actions of benevolence and
compassion. Islam will permit you to enter Jannah by simply living a peaceful,
moral life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Do you choose a selfish act that causes deaths, suffering
and misery? Or do you choose a lifetime of actions which benefit humankind? </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><span style="color: #351c75;">Will Walsh </span></span><span style="color: #351c75;">©</span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><span style="color: #351c75;">2023 - 2024</span></span></span></div></span>
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<em><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: "trebuchet ms"; font-size: large;"></span></em><br />
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<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em></em></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><o:p></o:p></em></span></span></span></span><br />Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-83050529110874825192023-07-06T14:00:00.001-04:002023-07-23T13:35:33.495-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="mso-effects-reflection-align: bottomleft; mso-effects-reflection-angdirection: 5400000; mso-effects-reflection-angfadedirection: 5400000; mso-effects-reflection-anglekx: 0; mso-effects-reflection-angleky: 0; mso-effects-reflection-dpidistance: 0pt; mso-effects-reflection-dpiradius: .5pt; mso-effects-reflection-pctalphaend: .9%; mso-effects-reflection-pctalphastart: 60.0%; mso-effects-reflection-pctendpos: 58.0%; mso-effects-reflection-pctstartpos: 0%; mso-effects-reflection-pctsx: 100.0%; mso-effects-reflection-pctsy: -100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">HIGHER POWER THOUGHTS<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One must simply believe in something "larger than one’s self,"
according to twelve-step program believers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the term
"larger" implies size or quantity, while the term "higher" implies an elevation
or direction. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> "</span>Higher" is then combined
with "power" to form a yet more ambiguous, incomprehensible term open to
thousands of interpretations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">For example, the book Alcoholics Anonymous contains a chapter entitled "We
Agnostics."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It variously describes a
higher power as (all caps are AA’s): Creator; God; Power; Supreme Being; He; Him;
Himself; Creative Intelligence; Spirit of the Universe; Realm of Spirit;
All-Powerful; Guiding and Creative Intelligence; Great Reality; Presence of
God; Presence of Infinite Power and Love; Maker. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believers are "Spearheads of God’s ever
advancing Creation", in whose lives the "Presence of God" is the most important
"fact".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">AA in one passage dismisses science (any "God of Reason"),
but later states, "On the Broad Highway, we walk the Bridge of Reason towards the
desired shore of faith."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It concludes
with, "He has come to all who have honestly sought Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we drew near to Him He disclosed Himself
to us!"</span></span></div>
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<span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The higher power concept implies that I must be submissive or
humble before a deity or supernatural entity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The <u>kind</u> of object is not as important as the requirement that I
see myself as <u>lower than something</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>I am composed of atomic particles composed of yet smaller subatomic
particles composed of yet-undiscovered subatomic particles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On a continuum, the mass of objects ranges
from zero (in a hypothetical microcosm), through infinite (in the macrocosmos
of the universe).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where do humans fall
on this continuum?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surrounded by the vastness of space, we and our egos are but
minute specks on the minute speck of planet earth on the minute speck of
the Milky Way Galaxy, within the minute speck that is the sea of infinite numbers of
galaxies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If I’m standing on my head,
would my higher power become my lower power?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If space surrounds me, in what direction is "above?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only entity that could be above me would be
the product of humankind’s fertile imagination.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #274e13;">
</span><br />
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The higher power concept is used as subtle, shame-based coercion
into a state of submission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the control of a mythical, typically
male, anthropomorphic "spiritual" entity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
Ostensibly t</span>o compensate for our ignorance, God creates and guides all. The holy spirit idea conveniently explains the
unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> "</span>Worship" is the vestigial
remnant of ritual intended to appease imaginary forces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #274e13;">
</span><br />
</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Humility needs no higher power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My morality and virtue need no higher power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How could I be somehow "lower" than a vague
concept, and why must I submit myself to it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I need only be rational, ethical, compassionate, and charitable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span face=""Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"" style="mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #C55A11; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Will Walsh 2023</span></span></span></div>
Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-19314005468373679822023-07-05T23:00:00.003-04:002023-07-23T16:10:37.626-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><b>THEISTIC TERMS WITH SECULAR INTERPRETATIONS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><b>(My interpretations are simplistic and subjective.)</b><br /><br /> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen; font-size: medium;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Blessed</b>: Privileged.<br /><br /><b>Blessed with</b>: Endowed; manifested with; fate has enabled with. <br /><br /><b>Coincidences</b>: Are precisely those. Events (all are predetermined) can and do occur simultaneously.<br /><br /><b>Creator</b>: Nonbelievers typically spell creator with a lower case "c", and define their creator as nature. <br /><br /><b> Creation by divine creator (supreme being)</b>: Myth. There is no universal agreement upon a theory of origin of the universe. Most cosmologists simply ignore creationist ideas, and espouse either a Big Bang or Steady State theory. <br /><br /><b> Creation science</b>: Based on Christian or other religious myth, not science. <br /><br /><b> Divine guidance</b>: A special communication of knowledge, or influence on the minds of human beings, attributed by clerics to a supernatural agency.</span><br />
<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #0b5394;">Divine providence and divine intervention: Only the good consequences of coincidence and predetermination. <br /><br /><b>Evangelicalism</b>: Proclaims that accepting Jesus Christ as one's personal savior (being “saved”) absolves a person of all previous wrongdoing. Evangelical networks are (to me) analogous to multilevel marketing: they exploit Christian beliefs, and provide rewards for recruitment. Appears to be a form of social programming which values outward declarations of faith over scientific, logical, and free thought, or acts of humanity. Evangelicalism is losing adherents, and has been declining as a religious faith in the 2000s. Article: </span><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0310/p09s01-coop.html"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="color: #0b5394;">http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0310/p09s01-coop.html</span></a><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"> <br /><br /><b>Free will</b>: According to people with a deterministic perspective, free will is an illusion; a fallacy, because all is predetermined. So it would follow that humans never act “freely”. From Britannica: Arguments for free will are based on the subjective experience of freedom, on sentiments of guilt, on revealed religion, and on the universal supposition of responsibility for personal actions that underlies the concepts of law, reward, punishment, and incentive. (Free Will. [2013]. Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica.) An analogous problem obtains regarding God's omniscience: if God, being omniscient, has foreknowledge of every choice that humans make, how can humans choose other than what God knows they will choose? (Moral Responsibility, Problem of. [2013]. Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica.) A nonbeliever’s possible response to the statement “God gave me free will” might be: If God is the prime mover—the first cause of all things and events in the universe, including human actions, how can humans do other than what God has caused them to do? How then can humans be morally responsible for their actions?<br /><br /><b> God</b>: There is no universally accepted definition of this term. This blog finds "Nature" and "God" to be synonymous terms in describing our beautiful and profoundly mysterious universe. The Christian anthropomorphic god was created by man in the image of man.<br /><br /><b> God's will, or Karma</b>: Nature, determinism, cause-effect, coincidence, predetermination, or fate. <br /><br /><b>Heaven</b>: Ideal and imaginary perfect place, with equivalents in many religions. Fear-based reward for good behavior (or bad behavior which has been forgiven); alternative to Hell. It may be attained if a person is “saved,” or if forgiveness is granted by clergy performing last rites (regardless of crimes committed in life). The idea of life simply ending at death is too fearful for many to contemplate. Heaven is a convenient avoidance concept - avoidance of responsibility for all wrongdoing, and avoidance of thoughts of decomposition of one's mind and body. We are simply born, transmit our DNA, and die.<br /><br /><b> Hell</b>: In most religious traditions, the opposite of heaven.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Higher power</b>: Usually an imaginary, anthropomorphic entity (see God). To satisfy others who insist I must select a higher power, I respond that my higher power is a truth, obtained through clear, unrestricted and logical thought. (Of course, I am aware that there is no absolute truth, only varying degrees of ambiguity, perception and understanding. And an individual’s truth will differ from truth as perceived by others.) <br /><br /><b>Holy spirit</b>: Imaginary presence of the “spirit” of God, or Christ. No evidence for holy spirit exists, nor does faith require there to be.<br /><br /><b>Holy trinity</b>: Father, son, and holy ghost (or holy spirit). Is God God, or is God Jesus? Who or what is the holy spirit or the holy ghost? Why is God sometimes referred to as Lord God, and Jesus is referrred to as Lord Jesus? These inconsistencies and incongruencies seem incoherent to the nonbeliever. <br /><br /><b>Immaculate conception</b>: Myth of virgin birth. <br /><br /><b> Intelligent design theory</b>: "Intelligent design is not a testable theory in any sense, and as such it is not accepted by the scientific community." –Kenneth Miller, PhD., Brown University faculty.<br /><br /><b>Miracle</b>: Either a myth arising from the embellished retelling of an ordinary event, or an actual natural event misinterpreted and stressed for moral effect or to support belief in divine power (the supernatural).<br /><br /><b>Mother of God</b>: Mary, as recited in the Catholic Rosary.<br /><br /><b>Omnipotence and Omniscience</b>: Epicurus (330 BC) opined: Either God can prevent evil and chooses not to (and therefore is not good) or chooses to prevent it and cannot (and therefore is not all-powerful.) David Hume, in Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion (1779) wrote, "If God cannot rid the world of evil and suffering, he is not all-powerful; if he could, but he won't, then he isn't all-good; if he is powerful and good but not all-wise, then, even though he is trying his best, there are bound to be disasters." Averroes (1126-1198) also examined an omnipotence paradox: "Could (God) create a stone so heavy that even he could not lift it? If he could lift the rock, then it seems that he would not have been omnipotent to begin with, in that he would have been incapable of creating a heavy enough stone. If he could not lift the stone, then he would never have been omnipotent to begin with, or would have ceased to be omnipotent upon his creation of the stone." (Omnipotence paradox. [2013, June 9]. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 07:04, July 6, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Omnipotence_paradox&oldid=559126790 )<br /><br /><b>Prayer</b>: The action of fervently or strongly wishing or hoping for an event, condition or circumstance, or of beseeching an imaginary entity.<br /><br /><b>Preordained</b>: Fate (the logical consequences of predetermined events). </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><b>Prophecy</b>: Knowledge of the future, usually attributed to a divine source.</span></span></span><br />
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</span><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Salvation (being “saved”)</b>: Required before entry into heaven. Forgiveness of all “sins” and wrongdoing, no matter how inhuman. Implies a fear of death. I believe individual humans must take legal and moral responsibility for the consequences of all their actions in the past, present and future.<br /><br /><b>Sin</b>: Acts which are in conflict with written or implied religious teachings.<br /><br /><b>Spirit</b>: No evidence for spirit exists. <br /><br /><b> Spiritual and spirituality</b>: Misused terms of convenience, at times used indiscriminately, to explain gods, ghosts, unexplainable or apparently supernatural/paranormal mysteries, or used as metaphor for profound thought. False concepts, because the supernatural cannot exist. "Spiritual" people claim access to supernatural beings, states or realms. The "holy spirit" or "holy ghost" is a Christian mythical construct. <br /><br /><b>Truth</b>: There are countless differing opinions on what constitutes truth - how to define and identify it; the roles that faith-based and empirically-based knowledge play, and whether truth is subjective, objective, relative, or absolute. For most secularists, God and heaven are nonexistent; the universe is deterministic, infinite, eternal, harmonious, and systematic. Truth-seeking must oppose flawed, illogical, erroneous, delusional, or fallacious thinking. There is value in the very act of searching for truths that may ever remain elusive. The search alone may reveal the incoherence and hypocrisy of traditional belief systems. Contemplation, introspection, critical thinking, and valid, empirical research are essential processes in the evolution of evidence-based truth. The truth one discovers is his or hers alone; it need only be supported by evidence one deems sufficient. One who continues to value and seek truth is continually rewarded with new wisdom. As one's deepest truths are found, one must live them.<br /><br /><b> Worship</b>: 1. Culturally-defined rituals, obeisance to a mythical being, and/or beliefs in the supernatural. 2. (Britannica): Broadly defined, the response to the appearance of that which is accepted as holy - that is, to a sacred, transcendent power or being. Characteristic modes of response to the holy include cultic acts of all kinds: ritual drama, prayers of many sorts, ecstatic speech, veneration of various persons and objects, sermons, silent meditation, and sacred music and song. Also included in worship are acts of private response: spoken or unspoken prayers, silence, the assumption of particular postures, ritual acts and gestures, and individual acts of veneration of persons or objects. (worship. [2013]. Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Ultimate Reference Suite. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica)<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Will Walsh <span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #0b5394;">© 2023 - 2024</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Oxygen;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #2f5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #2F5597; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">July 5, 2023</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Guide to Goodness</b> is coming!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">You’ve outgrown rigid, myth-based, paternalistic, and judgmental religious dogma. In your holistic development, you seek paths of health and growth which serve you well in all aspects of your life.<br /><br /><b>Guide to Goodness</b> describes how to acquire and use the most universally-desired and admired character attributes. It describes virtues, values, ethics, and real-world competencies which can support you in doing the right things, in the right ways, for the right reasons.<br /><br /><b>Guide to Goodness</b> can help you identify and strengthen your best qualities. It can assist you in developing a sense of mastery and acting in your best interests. You can more effectively manage stress. You can make sound, informed decisions. You can form more stable personal and working relationships and develop the capacities of others.<br /><br /><b>Guide to Goodness</b> is a progressive new resource for surviving, thriving, and finding fulfillment in today’s secularizing world.<br /><br />In 2023, <b>Guide to Goodness</b> will be offered in Kindle Books.<br /><br /><br />May you flourish with</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"> intuition<br /> awareness<br /> insight<br /> wisdom<br /> health<br /> and contentment. . .<br /> Will</span>
</div>Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2605497920901931866.post-61168290396013812832023-07-05T22:30:00.001-04:002023-07-23T14:41:46.736-04:00<p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">July 5, 2023</span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">You’ve outgrown rigid, myth-based, paternalistic, and judgmental religious dogma. In your holistic development, you seek paths of health and growth which serve you well in all aspects of your life.<br /><br /><b> Guide to Goodness</b> is my forthcoming companion and mentor for integration of the most universally desired and admired character attributes. It describes virtues, values, ethics, and real-world competencies which can support you in doing the right things, in the right ways, for the right reasons. <br /><br /><b> Guide to Goodness</b> can help you identify and strengthen your best qualities. It can assist you in developing a sense of mastery and acting in your best interests. You can more effectively manage stress. You can make sound, informed decisions. You can form more stable personal and working relationships and develop the capacities of others.<br /><br /><b> Guide to Goodness</b> is a progressive new resource for surviving, thriving, and finding fulfillment in today’s secularizing world. <br /><br /> In 2023, <b>Guide to Goodness</b> will be offered in Kindle Books.</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">May you flourish with</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"> intuition</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> awareness</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> insight</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> wisdom</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> health</span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> and contentment. . .</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Will </span><br /><br /></div>Will Walshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08011293090348695692noreply@blogger.com0