Day 16: Aren't we all Agnostic?

I once told my mother, "We are a planet of Agnostics."  I wanted to convey that at the heart of the matter, knowledge evades us.  We can feel certain about something and sell our selves to the cause, but do we really KNOW?  

I came across Leslie Hazleton about three years ago when her book popped up on my radar.  I was looking for Agnostic stories and I found her book, Agnostic, A Spirited  Manifesto.  

The Journey of the AGNOSTIC: A SPIRITED MANIFESTO by Lesley Hazleton. Leslie Hazleton - The Doubt Essential to Faith 

Lesley originally hails from England but became a U.S. Citizen.  I figured that still gives her credence to be a part of my "across the pond" week of Authentic Lent.   

I like Lesley's approach to life.  She values words and their meanings which excites me.  I am always frustrated that I am fluent in the only language that butchers the story of the inner human existence.  Her Ted talks have been invigorating and I will add a couple at the end of my post.  

It's encouragement from voices like Lesley's that give me hope that I don't have to have my "Atheist" label tattooed on me or embroidered on a hoodie for everyone to see.  She is comfortable with the Agnostic label and then goes further to uncover her story beyond the labels.  She still understands people's need for faith and has spent a lot of energy and time to understand the world of faith and the people who embrace it.   

I am not personally convinced that being Agnostic is a just stop on the way to being Atheist.  I am in good company with a lot of Atheists who still add Agnostic in to their identity.  It's somewhat humbling and freeing at the same time to let go of the need to know everything and even know anything.  To leave room for doubt in any moment, choice or feeling is wisdom in action.  At least that is what makes sense to me.  But what do I know?  

Lesley Hazleton: The doubt essential to faith

The Real Meaning of Soul - Lesley Hazleton

Day 16: 2022 -  "God Hates us ALL ... A message worth risky graffiti?

Day 16: 2023  -  "The Show must go on"  (This post contains the story of "The Emperor's New Clothes".   How brave of me would it be for us to put myself in the shoes of that child again.) 

Day 15: Not all atheists are scientists... some are artists

My husband I and were first introduced to Stephen Fry during the years we were engrossed in the TV drama "Bones".  I was unaware of the magnitude of this man's resume when he showed up on American television as a psychiatrist.  His British wit that I would eventually come to appreciate so much was evident even in his character. 

Bones Booth and Gordon Gordon S2E13 Clowns

His compassion for humanity also shined through his character Dr. Gordon Gordon Wyatt.   It makes me wonder just how much Booth's "shrink" was fashioned after the actor that played him.  

Bones S04EP21 Sweets and Gordon talking 

The spectrum of atheist voices can appear to be filled with university professors, astrophysicists, and Post-Christian activists.  Stephen Fry is none of these.  His awareness of his non-belief in a super being happened at a young age.  He was enamoured by the beauty and pageantry that the Anglican church had to offer, but couldn't embrace the "God" that the rituals were wrapped around.  

The Best of Stephen Fry on Religion

His love for literature is his energy and what gives him such a unique, well rounded and informed voice in so many discussions with academics.  His love for story has seeped into so many of his ventures:  acting, writing, directing... from theatre to television and film.  

His love for mythology brought me back to my grade five interest in his book Mythos.  He captured the stories with such passion and wove them all into a tale that has the reader engrossed in the journey. 

Retracing the stories of the Greek Gods in MYTHOS by Stephen Fry

Last night, I found myself deep in a conversation with Stephen Fry and Jordan Peterson.  I am not the biggest fan of Jordan Peterson, but when he gets into conversations with atheists, I find those interchanges engaging.  

An Atheist in the Realm of Myth : Stephen Fry Ep 169

Stephen Fry doesn't hold back his convictions and discoveries.  It is a skill I hope to learn one day.  I am tired of my closet.  

Day 15: 2022 - "Marguerite Porete and a Love worth burning for" 

Day 15: 2023 - "Travelling with my words: Maybe a "holy" experience." 

Day 14: Seeing the world through the eyes of Sir David Attenborough

"There isn’t a more distinguishable voice for our planet than Sir David Attenborough. Over the years, he’s taken us on countless journeys to some of Earth’s wildest places and inspired entire generations to take care of the place we all call home. " WWF Australia

"It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living." DA

I haven't followed this British broadcaster and biologist much over the years, but I did watch the conversation he had with the late great Queen Elizabeth 2 in her garden and I found them both down to earth as they walked around looking at trees and laughing at the shady location of a sundial.

The Queen's Green Planet

The Queen laughs with Sir David Attenborough about a sundial

"An understanding of the natural world is a source of not only great curiosity, but great fulfilment." DA

I found their interchange very light hearted and casual. It wasn't the standard visit laced with royal protocol. It was like they were friends going for a walk like friends do. It gave me a sense that she was indeed human, and he had access to that humanity in that moment.

"It's surely our responsibility to do everything within our power to create a planet that provides a home not just for us, but for all life on Earth." DA

Sir David Attenborough's love for the planet and everything on it that draws breath and exudes life is inspiring. He has spent over nine decades loving this earth and doing what he can to see that it stays beautiful.

The truth is: the natural world is changing. And we are totally dependent on that world. It provides our food, water and air. It is the most precious thing we have and we need to defend it.” DA

How does a man like Attenborough process the world around him? What does he accredit the beauty? Who is responsible for this planet and all it's life and wonders? After decades of life roaming the globe... what does Sir David Attenborough see?

“The whole of life is coming to terms with yourself and the natural world. Why are you here? How do you fit in? What’s it all about?” DA

Sir David Attenborough on God

Nature doesn't need one answer.  There are many stories that try answer the ultimate question.  Why are we here?  But like Attenborough say in the video... "Which one do you choose?"  I appreciate his agnostic approach to the question.  Maybe it doesn't need an explanation or a conclusion.  It is and may be the ultimate answer isn't available to humans and doesn't need to be.  

“People must feel that the natural world is important and valuable and beautiful and wonderful and an amazement and a pleasure.” DA

Day 14: 2022 - "Revisiting Robert Ingersoll and the Agnostic Message"

Day 14: 2023 - "Haunted by the music of Hildegarde" 

Day 13: Today I need to laugh... so here's Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais on Noah's Ark

I've seen this Ricky Gervais video where he tells the story of Noah and the Ark quite a few times now, and he still can make me laugh so hard I end up crying.  

Ricky Gervais is kind of a Court Jester to Christianity.  Court Jester's of their time were the ones who had the freedom to speak truth to the King.  Maybe the King was laughing so hard that the truth tasted better and he didn't kill the court jester for being honest.   

For most of us that have deconverted, we understand more than most how silly some of the stories were that we believed so heartily in.  It's voices like Ricky's that give us the freedom to laugh at those stories. 

Ricky Gervais: The Unbeliever's Interview

What I like about Ricky is that exposes the foolishness of the Christian belief system.  Not all of Christianity is foolishness, but there is a good amount of it that is, and Ricky has no qualms about casting some humour and honest reflection to a system that can use some humility.  

Ricky's comedy is only surpassed by his wisdom... here is a bit of that.  

“It’s a strange myth that atheists have nothing to live for. It’s the opposite. We have nothing to die for. We have everything to live for.”

“As an atheist, I see nothing “wrong” in believing in a God. I don’t think there is a God, but belief in him does no harm. If it helps you in any way, then that’s fine with me. It’s when belief starts infringing on other people’s rights when it worries me. I would never deny your right to believe in a God. I would just rather you didn’t kill people who believe in a different God, say. Or stone someone to death because your rulebook says their sexuality is immoral. It’s strange that anyone who believes that an all-powerful all-knowing, omniscient power responsible for everything that happens, would also want to judge and punish people for what they are.”

“The existence of God is not subjective. He either exists or he doesn’t. It’s not a matter of opinion. You can have your own opinions. But you can’t have your own facts.”

“Do unto others…’ is a good rule of thumb. I live by that. Forgiveness is probably the greatest virtue there is. But that’s exactly what it is - a virtue. Not just a Christian virtue. No one owns being good. I’m good. I just don’t believe I’ll be rewarded for it in heaven. My reward is here and now. It’s knowing that I try to do the right thing. That I lived a good life. And that’s where spirituality really lost its way. When it became a stick to beat people with. ‘Do this or you’ll burn in hell.’ You won’t burn in hell. But be nice anyway.”

― Ricky Gervais

Day 13: 2022 - "The Great 'I don't know'"

Day 13: 2023 - Confusing the Actor for the Character

Day 12: The Voices of 150 Renowned Academics... Speaking about God

50 Renowned Academics Speaking About God: Part 1

Another 50 Renowned Academics Speaking About God: Part 2

A Further 50 Renowned Academics Speaking About God: Part 3

Today, instead of bringing one secular voice to my blog post, I am bringing a hundred and fifty.  

I was listening to these videos last night while I was working on my 2000 pc puzzle.  They are short snippets with each academic, but a collage of voices from across a spectrum of disciplines... the sciences, philosophy, mathematics, history, anthropology, medicine, and psychology, just to name a few! 

I might do something more with these videos... like harvest some quotes, because there were good ones. 

One of my biggest struggles is communicating my thoughts in a way that makes sense to someone else.  But maybe that's not my responsibility.  I want to be a good voice for my experience, but that story will always go through the filter of another person's experience.  

I am encouraged as I listen to these very smart and educated people talk about something so simple as  "belief in God" or in their case... lack of.  For most of them, it's not hard to sum up their perspective.  It might take them hours to lecture on topics of physics if that is their specialty, but it only takes a few minutes to say something like... "No... I don't believe it."  

Maybe I don't need a thesis to state what really needs to be said.  Most just go on with their study of the stars or microbes.  "God" for the most part, is an afterthought, not required for day to day activity and life change.  

Starting Week Three of Authentic Lent, I think I will finally go across the pond for some inspiration.  

Day 12: 2022 - "Longing to be a bird" 

Day 12: 2023 - "Climbing a different kind of flagpole" 

Day 11: A Christian and an Atheist walk into a Conversation

I first was introduced to Sean McDowell when I found a video of him  role playing an atheist for a group of students at a private Christian school.  I didn't know who Sean was at first, but the idea that a Christian would want to attempt to step into the shoes of an atheist intrigued me, so I watched it.  

A Christian Role-Plays an Atheist to a Group of Christians (then reveals who he is) 

After watching the video, I realized that Sean was the son of well known Christian apologist and author Josh McDowell.  Sean is also a Christian apologist that teaches at a Biola University (A Christian University).  

I wasn't that impressed initially, because Sean got real technical really fast, and I was wondering if that really emulated a conversation between an Atheist and a Christian.  Who really goes to the multiverse and string theory in their first interaction with Christians.  It seemed staged to me, and not that authentic.  

Later, I saw Drew from the Genetically Modified Skeptic Youtube Channel do a reaction video and it confirmed that there were some great issues with Sean's portrayal of atheism.  

Christian Apologist impersonates Atheist and Atheist responds. 

I've enjoyed some of Drew's videos over the last couple of years.  He is a former Christian turned Atheist and is not as abrasive as some of the other online Atheist voices I was trying to avoid at the time.  He reminded me of a fellow traveller on a journey... like me.  

Sean McDowell saw Drew's reaction video and reached out to Drew.  He invited Drew on to his channel to have a conversation.  This was huge for me, because I didn't know it was possible to have these two camps put down their armour and just talk.   Debates are common, but seldom life changing for either side.  Conversations are a rarity, and after listening to Drew and Sean, I gained hope that it could be a real possibility for me.  I needed to learn some skills in case I was ever invited into that space.  

Breaking Down Walls : A Christian and an Atheist in Conversation.

Live Q&A with Drew, The Genetically Modified Skeptic

I found myself actually appreciating Sean for his attempt to connect and even appreciated his role-playing.  It takes a lot to want to crawl into someone else's shoes and learn what that might be and feel like.  Even through he goes at it through a Christian lens, he is making an effort to... 

A - Humanize Atheists.  This is a message all Christians need to hear and understand.  Atheists are human just like them.  That is our common ground. 

B - Treat Atheists with respect, compassion and ask that others do the same.  It is what I find so helpful about his role-playing, (though a little off of reality as it may be.) At least he is bringing the conversation into his circles and giving the Christian youth something to think about.  

C - Find Common Ground.  I still see Sean as having a strong Christian Agenda to make the rest of the world Christian.  He believes it's true.  But he is walking towards a common ground and not demonizing the perceived enemy of Christians.  I think he is trying to follow Love in this.  

All these conversations were downloaded two years ago.  I found a new role play that Sean posted last year and thought I would watch it to see if he had learned something in his interaction with Drew.  I was amazed at the change.  

Dr Sean McDowell: The Atheist Encounter

This time, he prepped the audience as he usually does at these events.  I thought that a better approach instead of initially portraying an atheist without the audience's knowledge.  

I admired the questions that the kids asked and they seemed heart felt.  I tried imagining myself in their shoes what kind of questions I might ask.   It helped me see a bit of who I used to be and how I once looked at life.  

Sean's responses this time seemed more down to earth and less analytical and out of a textbook.  I found myself agreeing with his responses, and this time, he actually came close to portraying an atheist with some authenticity.  

I look forward to Drew doing a reaction to that video.  I would hope that he also found an improvement.  

I don't know the best way to have these conversations, that is why I soak them in when I can find them.  I really don't want to hurt people in the process of my conversation, but wish I could do what Sean and Drew did.  It's a dream.  

Day 11: 2022 - "The Invisible Gardener and my struggle with Authenticity"

Day 11: 2023 -  "Exist or Not Exist: Why are we still asking the question?"

Day 10: Dave Warnock is "Dying out Loud"... as an Atheist

 

“I am more interested in the quality of my life than the quantity of my days.” DW

Dave Warnock: Dying out Loud

Dave Warnock: Childish Things

Dave Warnock on "Humanize Me"

Dave Warnock on "The Graceful Atheist" 

Today, Let's talk about death.  That's right.  The most awkward, uncomfortable, avoidable subject on the planet.  Death.  It's inevitable for everyone, yet so taboo as a topic of conversation.  That has to stop... and it's voices like Dave Warnock's that bring a different perspective to the conversation around death.  It's why his voice matters to me.  

I was introduced to Dave on the "Humanize Me" podcast, and have since enjoyed listening to his story and conversations around the subject of  life and death.  Dave mentions occasionally that he's not afraid of death, but afraid of not living while he still has breath to offer the universe.  Dave has A.L.S..  It's the same disease got its nickname from baseball player Lou Gehrig. It gave the Sue Rodriguez the fight of her life up here in Canada, to have the legal right to have help to end her life.  And in 2017, A.L.S. took the life of one of the most inspirational members of my extended family... a woman by the name of Suzie Lane.  

Dave is evidence that there are "atheists in foxholes."  His is a valuable voice among the atheist and humanist activists.  He adds so much to the conversation that "THIS life matters".  While he has the energy, he uses it wisely and strives to make every day count.  We can learn from Dave.  As a person who has tasted so much pain and loss in her own family, every day has to matter to me.  I don't know how much time my loved ones have left and I don't know how much time I have left.  I need to spend more time in the space making ever day count.  Oh, how I wish I could spend every day there.  

Day 10: 2022 - "Learning from Robert Ingersoll" 

Day 10: 2023 - "Hold On, Pain Ends" 

Day 9: When who I am would be the death of me... in some parts of the world?

There Are 13 Countries Where Atheism Is Punishable by Death

Atheists living in 13 countries risk being condemned to death, just for their beliefs (or non-belief) according to a new, comprehensive report from the International Humanist and Ethical Union out on Tuesday. All 13 countries identified by the study are Muslim majority.

The countries that impose these penalties are Afghanistan, Iran, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. With the exception of Pakistan, those countries all allow for capital punishment against apostasy, i.e., the renunciation of a particular religion. Pakistan, meanwhile, imposes the death penalty for blasphemy, which can obviously include disbelief in God. 

(article taken from "The Atlantic") 

Next year marks the 500th anniversary of the Anabaptists. I have had it in my hopeful itinerary to find a place to honour them next January because people died doing what I was free to do in Canada.  Even though my adult baptism in 1996 is no longer a rite that I find necessary for life, I still want to honour the people who made it possible for me to be baptized as an adult (almost three decades after my Lutheran infant baptism), without being burned at the stake.  

Now as an Agnostic Atheist, my honour need to go in a different direction.  I am grateful to live in Canada where being a vocal Atheist doesn't mean my death, because in thirteen countries around the world, it would.  Today I want to highlight one Atheist from one of those thirteen countries.... Ex-Muslim Armin Navabi is an author, podcastor and Youtuber who was born in Iran, but now lives in Canada.  

I first discovered Armin Navabi through a Youtube Channel "The Atheist Experience". I find some strange joy watching Atheists having conversations with theists about all kinds of subjects.  I guess because it is a dream of mine to figure out how to have constructive  conversations across the divide of belief and non-belief.  

Armin is a former Muslim.  I am not that familiar with the deep parts of Islam, so I was inspired to dig a little deeper into Armin's story.  

Armin Navabi: The Poison Pill of Islam: Part 1

Armin Navabi: The Poison Pill of Islam: Part 2

There is a reason my heart tugs to the country of Iran and it all is because of a beautiful Iranian-Canadian former co-worker of mine.    That is a country she can never return to because of who she is and the voice she has given to oppose the regime of the country that she remembers as "beautiful".  I have to agree about the beauty part.  My husband turned me on to some female Iranian Youtubers who make food and show off the beauty of the countryside homes and landscape.  

I am glad for my friend that she has found a home in Canada and a better freedom for her and her family that she would not have had in Iran.  But her heart is still there with the homeland she longs to see changed one day.  

I can't understand what is so threatening about not believing in something.  There is a world of things not to believe in and a world of people not believing in them.  So why does my not believing in this one little thing make it such a big deal.  Maybe because in some people's worlds, that one "little"thing... isn't so little.  It is everything.  Maybe my not believing in "it" and being okay means that "it" may not be that big of a deal as a whole.  I can understand then that unbelief may come across as threatening.  I hope humanity evolves past this and sooner than later.  

Day 9: 2022 - Seeing the people behind the words

Day 9: 2023 - Why I stopped asking "Why" 

Day 8: "Your Better God"

Do you mind if I take a break today from people?   I have a lineup of influences that I have over a month to share, and I will get back to them.  But today, I have to leave at 6:00 am on a road trip with my hubby and I have a headache.  

I do want to share with you a poem I wrote early this morning.  I was battling emotions I couldn't quantify.  A thought came to me... "You have a better God".  I don't have to do the math anymore to figure out how the Beautiful Christians in my life can have such a strong faith in a character that the Bible portrays as an egotistical tyrant.  I figured it out this morning and wrote a poem called "Your Better God".  (this links to my poetry blog) 

This is my supposition.  I could be out to lunch.  But thankfully, I can get away with it in the form of poetic ramblings.  

 Day 8: 2022 - "When are you going to quit playing the game, Charlie Brown?"

Day 8: 2023. - "Camped at the Crossroads" 

Day 7: At least the son of a president can be an atheist.

Free Thought Matters : Ron Reagan Interview on FFRF (Freedom from Religion Foundation) 

I was listening to Ron Reagan yesterday share his story and he mentioned that the New York Times asked him if he wanted to run for office.  He said no, but after they persisted, he said something like this and it shut them up.  

"I'm an atheist, I'd never get voted in." 

It was the same idea that Bill Maher discussed with President Barack Obama, and Obama didn't deny it.  The common saying is that "There are no atheists in fox holes."  But maybe in reality, that is where they are... but where they aren't is in the Oval Office.  

I'm not American, so I can't really testify how damaging this is for me, but I can agree it's damaging for my neighbours, especially this year with the up and coming election.  

I like Ron's story.  I envy him in a way.  He didn't wait decades to deconstruct a religion passed down from his parents, he figured out while he was still a young boy that it wasn't real for him.  He was spared so much, and I think he understands that.  Maybe that is why he just is who he is.  He's not trying to repair his past.  So many Post-Christians that have spend years in church and now have to come to terms with how they spent their time and money. It's not that easy to forgive yourself for that. 

Ron didn't have to do that. He understands the plight of those who have and has supported Atheist organizations with the intent to further the separation of church and state.  His country is having a different kind of war within it's own boundaries and he is on the front lines to help move reason ahead of theology in the matters of state.  

Today's Day 7 readings from AFL are both tugging at my heart today.  Jean Meslier was one of the greatest voices of my 2022 AFL journey.  He let his words speak after he died.  He never did come out of his closet until his body was in a grave.  He words lived on after he did, to encourage many more than just me.  

Bertrand Russell was a favourite of mine from 2023, but my heart was struggling a little more.  In 2022, I was just discovering my place in the atheistic ideal, by 2023, I knew I was well rooted.  I struggled more understanding that this place I dwelled was not welcome in my world, tolerated maybe, but not welcome.  

Now it is 2024 and I am back in Authentic Lent wondering how I can be authentic in more than just a blog.  It's why I want to share all the people, their stories and their voices this season.  I admire them and in my dreams wish I could help them more.  I can't do much in my physical world, but I can write and hope, like Jean Meslier, that one day my words will reach people but I may never know.  

 Day 7: 2022 -"Finding Life after Death in Jean Meslier

Day 7: 2023 -"I already have lost too much."  

Day 6: I wish I had Kate Cohen's courage to out myself as an Atheist

 

“It’s that simple. Ask yourself: Do I think there’s a supernatural being in charge of the universe? If you answer “no,” you’re an atheist. That’s it⁠—you’re done. No suing, signing, marching, debating, or tweeting required. You don’t have to do anything with that information. But if you do choose to share it, you may find you know far more atheists than you thought.” Kate Cohen

If I had to put one female on the top of the list of the most influential atheists for me, it would be Kate Cohen.  Her book "We of Little Faith" was in one word... HOPE!  Hope that outing myself one day, to more than my blog, my online communities and the occasional drop in a frustrated conversation, just might be achievable for me.  

I think I am scared of people.  What other explanation do I have that keeps me from being honest?  I must be scared of them.  The other option is low self-esteem.  Maybe I still don't feel like my perspective matters as a whole.  Maybe in my own world it does, but when I step out of my space into someone else's space, I am a lot more cautious.  It's not because I think people's opinion is more valid than mine.  I can see through a lot of bullshit now, but that doesn't mean I am good at calling it out.   Kate thinks if I can... I "should".  Now I just have to figure out if I can... then doing it might actually be possible.  

I think I am extra scared of old people.  My general response to old people (80+) is that if they have spent their whole life embracing one religious viewpoint, what right do I have to rock the boat now when they are so close to death?  Maybe they need their fantasies to breathe.  I can't offer my mom a community outside of her faith, so my only option is to support her in her faith.  And right now that means, not muddying up the water with my thoughts.  

I think if my lifelong Mennonite Great Uncle Don.  He was 99 when he died.  I almost outed myself to him on a few occasions, because he actually asked my opinion and wanted to know what I thought. Most don't ask me.  I didn't want to burst his bubble either, so I learned how to do a lot of redirecting.  But in the end, the one thing I passed on to him was that love was more important than anything else.  That was the foundation.  I couldn't honestly agree with him that I thought that was "God"... but I emphasized the word love and he was good with that.  

Kate asked a question in her book that still troubles me.  "Can you be a real friend of someone with whom you won't be honest?" That doesn't seem like a "yes" or "no" question for me... at least it doesn't right now.  

I will leave you with two Kate Cohen interviews I found very inspiring.  One with Seth Andrews on "The Thinking Atheist" and one with Alan Alda on "Clear and Vivid".  As hard as her advice is to take, her voice is one that needs to be heard.  

Kate Cohen on "The Thinking Atheist" Podcast 

Kate Cohen on "Clear and Vivid" Podcast 

Day 6: 2022 -  "The Wounded Dove"

Day 6, :2023 - "Philosophy and Puzzles"

Day 5: Hanging with my Ancestors: The Real Stars

It's Sunday morning and I overnighted at my Mom's farm.  I'm a town dweller, and my only real opportunity to catch the magnificence of the night sky is at the farm.  I told my Mom that when I'm at my home, I can see the stars, but when I am at her home, I can see the galaxy.  

This Lent Season has me on a journey through all the influences and voices that have inspired and educated me in the last few years of my deconversion.  Those voices have brought some sense to the strange experiences I had no words for.  I will continue to share those influences and even discover new voices as I journey through Lent.  Today, I want to share the strongest voice, the greatest influence in my journey away from the mythology of my past.  It's the stars (and the occasional planet that I can't identify in the vast cosmic ocean of the galaxy). 

I don't know all their names, I am somewhat familiar with a few of the groupings of stars that show themselves in my Northern Hemisphere home.  Today, I want to learn some names.  

One of the more common groupings, is the Big Dipper.  I have seen these stars off and on for the last fifty five years of my life.  I never knew their names until this morning. 

Alkaid, Mizar, Alioth, Megrez, Phecda, Dubhe and Merak all make up the asterism "The Big Dipper".  My ignorance of cosmology had me thinking that the Big Dipper was a constellation, but it is actually called an asterism.  The constellation is Ursa Major which includes the Big Dipper.  Don't get me started on how confusing that was for me.  But I will leave it up to a cosmologist to explain that one.  

The seven names of the stars of the Big Dipper are of Arabic origin.  I find that fascinating.  The cosmos has no political boundaries.  I like that.  

Another factoid that amazes me is just how far away the stars are from my vantage point on earth.  The data suggests that they are about 80 light years away.  That means the light shining off those stars takes 80 years to get to me.  I am seeing light that existed and started it's journey towards me decades before I was born.   Wow!

Let's do some math and see how that looks in actual distance.  So one light year is about 6 trillion miles.  So those stars are 480,000,000,000,000 (480 quadrillion) miles from me.  Now that is for my American neighbours.  Let's make that number a bit bigger by translating it into kilometres - 768 quadrillion km.   Compare that to the circumference of the earth which is 40,075 km.  That is equivalent 19,164,067,373 trips around the equator of the earth to reach the stars of the Big Dipper.  

I just shared that bit of information with my mother and told her that it's very humbling to understand how insignificant humans are when we look at the massiveness of the cosmos.  We are not the centre of the universe.  She had a smile on her face.  She understands that we live in a very big universe.  I am grateful for that.  Religion has narrowed a lot of people's view down to the ground they walk on.  I am thankful that my mom can see past her world to the magnificence of the cosmos beyond.  

I tried to capture with my Iphone 14 some of the magnificence I saw this morning around 6:00 am Alberta time.  They were okay images,  but didn't do the real thing justice.  I would recommend anyone to find a dark place away from city lights and experience the beauty that the night sky has to offer.  It just might humble you, too.  

Day 5: 2022 - "Finding Courage in Jean Meslier" 

Day 5: 2023 - "No one ever asked me... other than Darwin."  

Day 4: "Openly Secular" with John De Lancie

 

John De Lancie:  Openly Secular 

"Mostly what I was struck with, the whole notion of being religious, was that I felt manipulated.  And I don't know why I picked that up at eight years old.   But I did."  JDL

This video clip of John De Lancie has been a big inspiration for me for a few years now.  I admired him because of his confidence in himself which was something I lacked and still lack for the most part.  Being authentic matters to him.  Being authentic matters to me, I just struggle with expressing it like JDL.  

The first time I was aware of John De Lancie was when he played a character by the name of Eugene on Days of our Lives.  When he resurfaced on my radar during his time on Star Trek: The Next Generation, I was even more amazed at his confident acting ability.  I figure it takes a secular actor to pull off an omnipotent character like Q with a comedic ironic twist.  

One of my favourite scenes from the show, is a scene where he takes Picard back into Earth's past, three and half billion years.  I figure only someone "openly secular" can pull off this scene.  

Earth 3.5 Billion Years ago (Star Trek TNG final Season 7)

Most creationists would have a hard time imagining humanity emerging from a "goo" pit, (dirt maybe, but not "goo") but it's humbling to imagine it.  I think it is strangely honourable to imagine that some molecules in me can be traced back to the Big Bang.  That goes back farther than the "goo" pit.  That little tidbit is what connects me to the cosmos and how I can confidently say that I don't feel alone in the Universe without a "God" expression in my life.  I am part of a bigger whole.  How can I feel alone?  

John De Lancie ends this clip with a goal and a hope.  It sums up what I hope to do in my world, and hope to see done in return.  

"As somebody who is secular, I will fight for the person who's religious to be religious.  But I would like the people who are religious to fight for me to be secular." JDL

Day 4: 2022 - "May God die in all of us one day."

Day 4: 2023 - "In the valley is where you will find the Poet." 

Day 3; Abraham Piper: Inspiration doesn't need a lot of time.

 What I replace Christianity with:  Abraham Piper 

"I don't have to be anything" AP

I think these words from Abraham Piper are the sweetest breath of fresh air for me.  I have indicated before that I struggle with a label to define who I am, so I currently am okay with what I'm not... until I figure out who I am.  AP is okay with not having to be labeled anything.  I like that.  

Is god necessary for morality? : Abraham Piper

What I appreciate about AP's videos is they are short and too the point.  He doesn't waste words.  Sometimes all one needs is a swift kick in the pants.  AP provides that.  He takes common misunderstandings and in one minute deflates them.  I would hope they don't reach deaf ears.  

You can leave Christianity without taking it seriously : Abraham Piper

My biggest struggle with my departure from Christianity has been my people and their responses or my imagined responses.  I want to believe that it's not my responsibility to convince anyone that I am okay the way I am processing life.  Maybe I have bought into the lie that I am on trial now.  Maybe I'm not.  Thank you AP.  

Almost nobody believes in a literal hell. : Abraham Piper

"Their core humanity won't allow them"  AP

I am thankful for that.  I am thankful that my people are human at their core.  It's why I haven't got the hell speech from the people that know I've left Christianity.  What AP says makes sense.  There are a lot of things that doctrine and dogma say, but the humans have something doctrine and dogma don't have... compassion and a heart.  

I would invite you, if you need something quick and thought provoking to check out Abraham Piper's Youtube Channel.  It doesn't take a lot of words to activate one's thinking muscle.  He's real good at getting a brain to think.  

A creator God and A.I. : Abraham Piper

Day 3: 2022 - The Gift from Prometheus

Day 3: 2023 - The Honoured Rocks

Day 2: Neil DeGrasse Tyson teaches me about the Cosmos

Neil Degrasse Tyson: Atheism is taking over

 If this Lent Season had me sharing about forty-five self proclaimed atheists influencers, I wonder how narrow my perspective would be.  So I will open up this season of Authentic Lent by highlighting an amazing scientist who doesn't willingly claim "Atheist" as his identity.    Listen to the following Youtube video of an interview with Neil Degrasse Tyson where he talks about "Why he doesn't believe in God."  

Neil Degrasse Tyson on Why he doesn't believe in God: Which God? There's 18,000. (Part 4) 

I am enamoured by what I have listened to so far by Neil Degrasse Tyson.  He is a new discovery for me, but he's been around for a long time.  He is an Astro-Physicist  He is a lover of the cosmos.  He knows things I wish I had access to.  He understands the stars, where as I can only gaze up at them with my eyes and wonder.  He has glanced at galaxies close up, where as I have never looked through a telescope in my life.  

With such an extensive understanding of the Universe, I can understand why "God" isn't something he sees through his telescope.  He doesn't need to reduce the amazing vastness of the cosmos to an ancient mythology.  It's so much more magnificent for him. 

What drives me to learn more is that I've learned that the stars are my ancestors.  I want to learn more about them and my place in the cosmos.   

“The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of star stuff” Carl Sagan

I've said before that believing in science requires as much a stretch for me as believing in a creator.  I personally don't have access to the evidence that would convince me to enough certainty.  It makes sense that the universe is a whole lot older than the Bible says it is.  I am okay to understand most of the Bible as mythology and all of it man written.  I would vote for the scientist before I'd vote for the theologian, but I still would be voting on faith, and not knowledge.  I'm not saying the knowledge is not accessible to humanity, I just haven't ventured far enough away from my ant hill to discover it first hand.  

This is why Neil Degrasse Tyson is a great voice to listen to.  The evidence mattered to him, so he went after it.  He did the digging required to discover what really is out in the Cosmos.  He climbed out of his ant hill and went in search of ... dare I say it... truth.  

* * * 

This early morning I had a dream.  My mother and I were at a funeral in a big Lutheran church.  We were cuddling up in a pew in a quilt to keep warm.  (must have been cold).  There was a little girl who sang a song I have become very fond of, but I would never expect to hear it in a Lutheran funeral service.  The song was written by Tim Minchin.   I felt for a moment in that church service a little less like an outsider because of Tim's song.  I even found myself singing along with it.  I will end this post with the song and Day 2 blog posts which I found timely and encouraging this morning. 

The Aeroplane: Tim Minchin and Asmara Feik

 (Stay tuned to hear about more about Tim Minchin later during 2024's Authentic Lent journey)

Day 2: 2022 - "Just longing for a place to fly

Day 2: 2023 - "Not everyone calls this "God" 

Day 1: Authentic Lent 2024 - From VaLENTine's Day to my Birthday

Today... Is it Valentines Day, the day of Love or Ash Wednesday,  the beginning of a season of grief known as Lent?  Love or Lent? It's both.  VaLENTines Day!  

This will be my third year of my Authentic Lent blog.  For the first two years I joined Pete Rollins and the "Atheism for Lent" course and spent the forty-five days of Lent hearing the voices the past  (for the most part).  Voices that are long gone, but that offered the people of their time a different take on life than had been offered through the conventional religious channels of the day.  Voices like Frederich Nietsche, Jean Meslier, Marguerite Porete and Robert Ingersoll.  Scattered through out my thoughts of the "Atheism for Lent" reading assignments are my own journey notes, not always about the AFL homework subjects.  I spent the forty five days of Lent just purging my soul of its contents.  

This year, Lent ends on Good Friday again, and on my 56th  birthday.  I decided to forgo Peter Rollins "Atheism for Lent" course and do somewhat of my own "Atheism for Lent".  This time, I want to bring to my blog,  the voices of today.  The great thinkers that still share the Earth's atmosphere with me:  Philosophers, Scientists, Authors, Podcasters and Youtubers that have been guides for me along the journey.  

Most of the voices that I will share here in the next month and a half are well known to the deconversion community.  Our little band of apostates have been encouraged by so many of these pilgrims that have gone before us.  We all feel less alone because of them.  So during Lent this year, I want to share the wisdom and insight I have gathered from each of them with the hope to pass along some of that gold to others who have found themselves outside of their Christian communities.  We don't have to be alone.  We are not alone.  

I am not as organized as Pete Rollins is, so I have no schedule.  But each day, I'll see what inspires me and who crosses my path.  I also want to go back to the archives and read each corresponding day from the last two years.  I will add links to those entries at the end of each post.  

I invite you to journey along with me during this season of Lent.  Like I said... we don't have to be alone... we are not alone.  

Day 1: 2022 -The Dance of the Dark and the Light

Day 1: 2023 - "Exist or Dwell"