Day 27: Introducing Secular Bible Club week

This week I want to dedicate to the Secular Bible Club.  That's right... there are people who still like that book long after it ceased to be "holy" for them.  I owe a lot to this club.  I owe a better understanding of a collection of ancient writings that seem to have transformed the world.  It's why an atheist scholar by the name of Bart Erhman still does what he does.  He finds value in helping others understand a library of books that has impacted our culture and our world.  Josh Bowen gets excited by digging in the ancient dust as well.  Brandon from Mindshift is almost through the Old Testament in his Secular Bible Study Series.  His insights have been enlightening but have given me spiritual indigestion.  Really! I thought Yahweh was supposed to be a good god?  Not anymore.    One of my favourite perspectives as of late have been the mythicists:  Richard Carrier and David Fitzgerald.   The offer a different view than Bart Ehrman does (who embraces a real historic Jesus).  After listening to them, it's hard to write off their understanding of a mythical Jesus as easy as Bart Ehrman seems to do.  

I have to be honest.  The only thing that has kept me interested in the contents of the Bible, have been these men.  That's right... last week was Courageous Women's Week... this week will be Insanely Smart Men's Week.  I'm not saying that there aren't women who have dived into the Bible and found it lacking.  One of the first people who introduced me to a lacking bible was Rachel Held Evans.  As of late  in the last few years and even the last few weeks, these men have helped me to be informed as to what the Bible could mean even for those who who have left Christianity.   

I still have no interest in reading the Bible in my own personal space.  There may be a lot of reasons for that, or there may be no reasons.  Right now, I just don't want to.  I have books galore by people that are a lot closer to my timeline in the cosmos that I want to read.  

I will do what I can to be honest and "authentic" this week about who these men were to me and who they are now.  My journey of appreciation changes and I still want to express my gratitude for the place they all had helping me along the way.  They took me farther than any pastor or Christian apologist ever did.  

Day 27: 2023 - "The Beginning of Spring" 

Day 27: 2022 - "Had I only known" 

Day 26: The Carnivore Atheist

Day 26: 2022 - "Only one thought today"

Today's Day 26 readings are going to be the inspiration for today's post.  

Two years ago, on Day 26, I must not have been in a writing mood.  I had "only one thought" to share... "One man's meat is another man's poison."  I went searching for the origin for that quote and found this.  

Whether the Roman poet and philosopher Titus Lucretius Carus (known as Lucretius) coined the expression in the first century BC, or merely repeated it, his is the oldest known reference: "quod ali cibus est aliis fuat acre venenum" (what is food for one man may be bitter poison to others).

Had I more energy that day, I might have dived into it a little more.  Now that I am a carnivore, it means something different to me.  

Day 26: 2023 - "The Death of my need to be right about "God" "

Then I followed it up by last year's Day 26 revisit to 2022's Day 31 post on chocolate preferences. .  (which will show up again in five days... sorry about that).  

I have been a carnivore since last November.  The carnivore "diet" is an animal based eating regimen.  It is ketogenic, but more restricted in it's intake than the standard keto diet.  My husband and I have found amazing results and benefits by just eating meat and eggs.  I will put some Youtube links at the end for anyone wanting more information on the benefits of Carnivore. I do want to see if there is a correlation between my food choice and my life journey. 

Back to "one man's meat is another man's poison."  When I chewed on that thought a little more, I wanted to agree with the conclusion that not every human functions on the same fuel.  Now I am wondering if there is only one functionally good fuel for the human body, but we have adapted to be able to survive on different kinds of fuel.  That is my experience with carnivore, and may apply to human philosophy as well.  Maybe as a species there is only one natural way to explain our existence on Planet Earth and in the Cosmos, but we have adapted to survive and even thrive with a multitude of understandings.  

Most Christians have adopted the ideology that there is only "one way" for all humans to understand their existence.  They have the answer and it has become their mission on this planet to convince everyone else that it's the "truth".  There are so many flaws with this assumption, but most of them don't bother the average Christian.  

Back to my food.  I eat meat and it works for me.  Maybe the human body evolved to function best on meat.  It makes sense.  There are other animals that function best on a meat diet.   So does it make sense for me to say that everyone needs meat to live?  Nope... because I lived for a half a century not eating only meat.  There are people not eating meat that are still surviving.  Who am I to say that they it doesn't work for them.  Maybe, I believe now that meat is the only natural original fuel for humans, but humans have adapted to intake other sources of fuel.  That is the secret to our sustainability as a species... we can adapt.  

I've adapted past my need for the Christian narrative.  I no longer need the fuel of Christianity to survive.  Maybe, like carnivore, I have actually returned to what in natural.  Maybe Christianity and all religious expressions are the adapting, not the other way around.  But this is my blog, my opinion, and my assumption.  I don't need to enforce it with anyone else.  It works for me, I've either adapted to eating meat and being secular or returned to my natural state.  

I have noticed a trend though.  Aside from me, I don't know any Carnivore Atheists, but I have been exposed to Atheist Vegans and Carnivore Theists.  I wonder if there is a correlation.  I feel like an odd duck again.  But it works for me.  So I will be happy with my odd duck status.  

Here are some Carnivore references for anyone interested in what it's all about.  

"Nothing tastes as good as being healthy feels." Mikhaila Peterson

Mikhaila Peterson Reports after 5 YEARS on Carnivore Diet  

"Here's a question... Why is everyone fat and stupid?... There's something wrong with the way we're eating. " Jordan Peterson

"Eat until you're comfortable stuffed." Dr Ken Berry

CARNIVORE Diet (Beginner's Guide) All You Need to Get Started - 2024

"Food is supposed to be Fuel,

 not Entertainment."  

Ruby Neumann

Day 25: The Difficult Conversation

Sarah Haider 

It's the end of Women's week.  That doesn't mean the rest of Authentic Lent will be void of women's voices.  They will just be intermingled.  Today, I want to share a special voice I discovered this month.  Sarah Haider is an Ex-Muslim Atheist.  Born in Pakistan and raised in the U.S. as a Muslim, Sarah has a perspective I wanted to share here.  Her story matters.  

Sarah Haider: Ex-Muslim

Authentic Lent is a discovery for me, first and foremost.  I want to be exposed to a variety of voices that can educate and inform me on my journey.  I realize that I personally don't have access to so much of the world's experiences and can't hope to imagine what life is like outside of my Canadian bubble, because being Canadian is all I've known.  

I have so many questions.  What was it like to grow up as a girl in Pakistan?  What was it like to be a woman in a Muslim family?  How is Sarah's relationship with her family now that she is out as an atheist?  What courage did she have to find to do what she does, say what she says and be the person that she is?  It is why I have included here in this line up of courageous women.  

Sarah has made her voice known on the internet,  so a quick google search with bring up a lot of options to hear her thoughts, but I found one interview that I will share here.  It is entitled "This is a Difficult Conversation."  

Ex-Muslim: This is a Difficult Conversation | Sarah Haider

I am not that polished at having "The Difficult Conversation" in my own circles.  I say things that are better left unsaid, and I don't say things that need to be said.  I am a people pleaser and that is an easy default for me.  I don't want to hurt people; I don't want to alienate people from my life; I want to get along; I want to love and be loved.  So my struggle continues and that is why I blog.  I can at least get my thoughts out in a medium that won't be scrutinized by my people.  Blogs can easily be avoided and for the most part are in my case. Face to face confrontations... not so much.  

Day 25: 2022 - " Nietzsche Speaks"

Day 25: 2023 - "Crazy Beliefs"

 

Day 24: Can church be home for an atheist?

Gretta Vosper: The Atheist Minister March 2016

Church was never the all encompassing idea of a community for me.  There may have been semblances of community that came out of some of my church experiences, but even those experiences were over shadowed by the structure, doctrine, obligations and shame.  

It's been over fifteen years since I have been committed to a church organization.  I only miss some of the people, I don't miss the rest.  

But Gretta Vosper intrigues me.  Church is about community for her.  Her story is incredible and she is Canadian.  I have been looking for Atheist voices from my country.  I have had to settle for going south or across the pond.  Gretta is the pastor of the West Hill United Church in Toronto.   To understand more of her story, her are a few links... 

Gretta Vosper: Faith without God August 2015

The Thinking Atheist Podcast 237: Gretta Vosper - Atheist Minister Under Fire September 2015

Freethought matters: Atheist Minister Gretta Vosper (October 2022) 

* * *

One thing that impresses me about churches is when they move away from a belief statement to a statement of core values.  I am still confused as to how a church body can summarize a group of people's beliefs in a statement when beliefs are very personal.  But core values... it makes sense that a community can find common ground in values.  I will end this post with the Value statement provided by Gretta's church "West Hill United". I find it encouraging and a great model for other communities if they ever want to veer away from belief statements.  

VisionWorks 2021 

VisionWorks is an evolving document that articulates West Hill’s core values. We use it to inspire, affirm, and guide us as individuals in community.

 Grounded in life 

Life: connections - With a deep sense of awe and wonder, we acknowledge life, in all its diversity and complexity, as an interconnected web of relationships beyond our full comprehension. 

Life: experience -  We recognize our place within this web of life: we are each affected by natural forces and human choices, and, in turn, have an impact on the natural world and the human community, helping or harming by our actions and inactions. 

Life as source -  From these realities we draw our sense of identity and belonging, and form our views on humanity, meaning, and morality. While we are aware of our limited perspectives and fallibility, we are also eager to discover, understand, and experience life. 

Guided by love 

Love in action: choice -  In light of our interconnectedness in life, we choose love as our highest value and guide. We take love to mean actions that embody justice, compassion, honesty, openness, integrity, courage, kindness, forgiveness…for self, others, and the planet. 

Love in action: advocacy -  Our choice of love leads us to acknowledge the worth of all beings, and therefore their right to be treated with dignity and respect. 

We seek to increase our awareness of the places of hurt in the world and our sense of responsibility for the consequences of our actions and inactions. 

We strive to promote justice, resist injustice, and bring about reconciliation.

Love in action: decisions - As we encounter ethical complexity, cultural diversity, and conflicting worldviews, we acknowledge inevitable uncertainty, seek a comprehensive understanding, and support one another in making choices in line with our values. 

Day 24: 2022 - "How not to speak"

Day 24: 2023 - "Sharing my thoughts without Sartre today." 

Day 23: Is there room for ritual in a Post-Christian life?

“For small creatures such as we, the vastness [of the universe] is made bearable only through love,” Carl Sagan

I was introduced to Sasha Sagan two years ago and she was the first Sagan to come into my life.  The name "Carl Sagan" had come across my cranium, but I never had listened to him, or learned what he had to teach.  Sasha's father impacted his generation and to grow up in that influence is something Sasha finds a treasure.  She loves talking about her Dad and I find that so heart warming.  

Gaining perspective and wonder in "FOR SMALL CREATURES SUCH AS WE" by Sasha Sagan

Sasha's book introduced me to the positive side of ritual.   Having grown up in a very ritual laced denomination, I was tired of ritual.  I saw it as impersonal and inauthentic.  Sasha had a different take on ritual.  I found her thoughts refreshing and enlightening.  Maybe there is room for ritual, authentic ritual, in a Post-Christian or Post-religious life.  Maybe ritual has more to do with humanity than religion.  Sasha Sagan would think so. 

Here are three amazing interviews Sasha has on three of my favourite podcasts.  Let her words inspire you as they have inspired me.  

Sasha Sagan on Humanize Me Podcast

Sasha Sagan on Graceful Atheist Podcast

Sasha Sagan on The Thinking Atheist Podcast

* * * 

It is interesting that this week... "Woman's Week" that today's AFL reflections both highlighted Emma Goldman.  She is another woman who had a voice in a time when woman's voices weren't encouraged.  It's women like Emma that inspire me.  I only wish I had half her courage.  

Day 23: 2022 - "Emma Goldman: The Philosophy of Atheism" 

Day 23: 2023 - "Who is Jesus, really?" 

Day 22: Changing the Face of Atheism with Mandisa Thomas

I didn't start this week thinking it would be Women's Week, but I am three days in and I still feel like highlighting incredible women, so I figure on today, Hump Day, I will officially make this "Women's Week".  Today, half way through Authentic Lent, I want to introduce Mandisa Thomas.  

Mandisa Thomas : Black Nonbeliever

For so long, the face of atheism has been predominantly male and predominantly caucasian.  Not to take away from the amazing voices that have been and are male and caucasian, but there has to be more voices out there that add to the beautiful mix of what is humanity.  Mandisa Thomas is such a voice, but she is so much more than a voice.  After spending a few hours listening and watching her interact with others, I find her a strong, compassionate, aware, knowledgeable. brave and beautiful presence in the atheist conversation.  

In 2011, Mandisa started the organization "Black Nonbelievers" .  She understood that there was a need to add a new "face" to atheism.  One that could widen and deepen the conversation to include everyone, especially a community of people that have been stereotyped as religious by birth and by culture. 

Mandisa Thomas: Race, Representation, Black Nonbelievers

It is courage like Mandisa's that I admire so much.  There are a lot of other videos and conversations on Youtube if you want to hear more from Mandisa. She is not silent.  I am so glad for that.  The world needs more voices like hers.  

Day 22: 2022 - "The Preacher and the Slave" 

Day 22: 2023 - "Equality or Respect?" 

Day 21: To come out or to be outed?... now that is a good question

On May 20, 2013 in Moore, Oklahoma, Rebecca Vitsum  lost her house to an F5 tornado.    She escaped with her young son, only to return to a house that no longer existed.  Standing amid the rubble, one would wonder what went through her mind.  News reporter Wolf Blitzer was around in the aftermath and found his way to have a brief interview with Rebecca.  It would make sense if Blitzer had just given Rebecca a chance to share her thoughts on the disaster, but he made a big assumption that would change Rebecca's life.  

Blitzer asks atheist if she thanks God

Rebecca was outed on national television.  She would admit later  that she had kept the fact of her atheism pretty quiet.  But like most people, the desire to be authentic and honest tugs at the heart and the truth comes out.  

Rebecca Vitsum: I'm actually an atheist 

After listening to Rebecca's story, I ask myself if I would have had the courage to be honest.  I have become good at avoiding situations, without the need to outright lie.  Sometimes one gets to make those decisions in a quick moment, like Rebecca.  There is no time to analyze whether it's wise or not to be honest.  There is just a quick reaction to the moment.  

In my circles, some know and some don't.  Some know some and some know more.  It's been a gradual unravelling of my story in bits and pieces.  I have regretted telling some people, and I have longed to be honest with others.  I don't know if there is a right or wrong way to out myself as an atheist (or an agnostic atheist... a label I am more comfortable with... but takes more explanation).

Brandon from Mindshift does a video about seven tips on coming out as an atheist.  As a Post-Christian himself, his wisdom is good to listen to.  He understands the gravity of being honest about one's journey. 

How to come out as an Atheist: 7 essential tips (Mindshift)  

Aside from my blogs, I am still in somewhat of a closet with only a few people aware of segments of my journey. Here are three things that stand out for me about the outing process... based on some recent experience.  

1. It's not a good idea put the news in a letter, email or text.  If you can't have a face to face conversation with the person... how close are they to you? Do they need to know in that moment or is it something that can wait?  At least if in person isn't possible... do something visual online so they can hear your voice and see your face to know that there is still a human on the other end of the conversation.  

2. It's not always the best option to hand out books or share Youtube videos that helped you.  Just because they helped you, doesn't mean they will have the same impact on someone else.  It's your story that matters.  Maybe the books can come later if they are appropriate.  But do what you can to make it real for you.  Your story will matter to those who love you.  

3. Times of loss, death and grief are not the times to out yourself.  It may require silence, redirecting the conversation to a later date... but try your hardest not to have that discussion when the other person is in pain.  Chances are real good that they don't want to know the whole truth in that moment?  

I think over all, the best understanding that I have is that each person's journey is unique and unto their own to have.  There is no manual for this for everyone to follow.  But there is one thing to understand... we are not alone. 

 Day 21: 2022 - "The Living Flowers" 

Day 21: 2023 - "The Void can't be imagined, it must be experienced"