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. 

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 he 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 needs 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"