An atheist’s creed

March 7, 2008 in Thinking | 9 comments

PZ Myers has posted a beautiful and eloquent piece, entitled “An atheist’s creed”.

An atheist’s creed

I believe in time,
matter, and energy,
which make up the whole of the world.

I believe in reason, evidence and the human mind,
the only tools we have;
they are the product of natural forces
in a majestic but impersonal universe,
grander and richer than we can imagine,
a source of endless opportunities for discovery.

I believe in the power of doubt;
I do not seek out reassurances,
but embrace the question,
and strive to challenge my own beliefs.

I accept human mortality.

We have but one life,
brief and full of struggle,
leavened with love and community,
learning and exploration,
beauty and the creation of
new life, new art, and new ideas.

I rejoice in this life that I have,
and in the grandeur of a world that preceded me,
and an earth that will abide without me.

9 comments

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March 8, 2008 at 4:22 pm

meatbrain

Thanks for those links, socket. The last one was especially powerful.

March 8, 2008 at 5:57 pm

socketplug

Glad you enjoyed them. I have lots more. ;)

March 8, 2008 at 7:55 pm

socketplug

Here’s another interrrrrresting video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=N9hy7oOhHxk

March 8, 2008 at 8:52 pm

socketplug

I just stumbled on this video… pretty funny (gotta love Scientology):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsikz0n1uDE

March 9, 2008 at 9:56 pm

billy Joe

Have you read the God Delusion? People who are skeptical of religion might like it. God freaks on the other hand, will probably went their pants at the prospect of considering viewpoints contrary to their own and do a cut-and-runner in the other direction.

The author, Richard Dawkins, points out, among other things, the absurdity of ‘intelligent design’: namely, if the world is too complex to be the result of evolution, then who designed God himself, a cloud being that is more complex than anything we can fathom and who can supposedly read our thoughts? The concept of intelligent design literally undermines their own religious case. Not that logic stops most religious fanatics (including American Talibangelists) anyway, but it’s worth pointing out their illogic next time they blather on about intelligent design or that the bible is the ‘word of God’.

March 11, 2008 at 8:48 am

socketplug

Billy Joe,

I have the book God Delusion, I just haven’t read it yet. Though I have read a bunch of the other “atheist” books making the rounds recently, including, Breaking the Spell, God is Not Great, and, the one I liked the most, The End Of Faith.

I’ve heard it said that people who disagree with evolution (such as intelligent design proponents) don’t understand evolution. Having read and watched many arguments for and against I would have to agree, in general, with that assertion. But then again I don’t have the baggage of having to believe in a great dictator in the sky judging our every action and, even worse, our every thought.

An aside: Another suggestion for this blog, would be to have a list of recent comments, since this comment is attached to a thread half buried by more recent posts.

March 11, 2008 at 9:07 am

meatbrain

Heard and noted, socketplug. First priority is to get the blog upgraded to the latest WordPress, then the bells and whistles start going in. Thanks.

March 11, 2008 at 9:10 pm

billy Joe

Socketplug,

Good suggestion regarding the blog and I’ll check out the books you mention. God Delusion is sort of a relentless, logical assault on religion in general. It’s a good read and it will probably turn an agnostic person into an atheist. It had that effect on me, anyway.