This was an interesting read. I like to describe myself as religious but not spiritual because I believe in the importance of community organized around shared values, but I don’t believe the mythologies of religion to be literal history. Regrettably I fall in the statistic that describes religion as not being important in my life. It has been in the past and I hope it will be in the future but for now, I can’t afford to take the time off to do it.
If you don’t have faith and don’t believe the stories – then in what way are you “religious” that I, an atheist who does things like volunteer in the community and have loving relationships, am not?
I love this question! I too am an atheist. I consider myself religious because I participate in a religious community. I am devoted (religious) to their mission to serve the poor in our community, perform rituals that bind us together and affirm our values, and serve each other when in need. It is the consistent, scheduled, and ritualistic devotion to this community and its values that identifies me as religious. Maybe under this definition, you’re religious too!
This was an interesting read. I like to describe myself as religious but not spiritual because I believe in the importance of community organized around shared values, but I don’t believe the mythologies of religion to be literal history. Regrettably I fall in the statistic that describes religion as not being important in my life. It has been in the past and I hope it will be in the future but for now, I can’t afford to take the time off to do it.
Good. You are taking the first steps.
Now train yourself to value evidence over faith and your positive growth will continue.
Read my post again. I don’t have faith.
If you don’t have faith and don’t believe the stories – then in what way are you “religious” that I, an atheist who does things like volunteer in the community and have loving relationships, am not?
I love this question! I too am an atheist. I consider myself religious because I participate in a religious community. I am devoted (religious) to their mission to serve the poor in our community, perform rituals that bind us together and affirm our values, and serve each other when in need. It is the consistent, scheduled, and ritualistic devotion to this community and its values that identifies me as religious. Maybe under this definition, you’re religious too!
Don’t you think it’s weird and culty to pretend shit that isn’t real as some kind of necessary social facade?
Like if we all gathered to talk about the Teapot around Saturn and its father Dexter, would that be just as okay?
Especially when people really do believe this nonsense. Even if you don’t.
Gather and talk about great movies. It will be much more satisfying and may actually encourage moral development.