This comes pretty close to my perspective. I was raised Catholic but found my beliefs changing in adulthood, in particular after reading Joseph Campbell's "The Power of Myth." I appreciate the lessons learned without needing to follow the same religious path.
I used to be an “evangelical agnostic,” so to speak (*I* don’t know how the universe works, AND YOU DON’T EITHER!) but quantum mechanics and complexity (chaos) theory taught me that the universe is sooooo much weirder than I can ever understand, and certainly harder than I can explain. Now I’m more of a “reform agnostic” — if you feel happier with your belief system, good on ya, mate! I won’t argue. Just keep out of my face with it, okay? I am a member of a local church (United Church of Christ denomination) because they do good work in the community, and because some people need to believe in a god to get through a life that is nasty, brutish, and short. Our pastor knows I’m agnostic and she’s fine with it. I’m also the webmaster and a senior member of the tech team. So from an orthodox agnostic’s POV, I’m probably not a very good agnostic. 😁
On liking the Bible: You're understandably disturbed by Leviticus and the crazy restrictions it seems to place on people's personal lives, especially women's, but please give a listen to the broad idea of social organization, even more in Deuteronomy, of a tax-funded safely net for widows, orphans, and migrants, government (through the Levite priesthood) as service to rather than rule over the people, and all the occasions for forgiveness of debts: then go back to the older prophets, especially Amos, crying for social justice. It doesn't make me need God, but it's still inspiring.
Wonderfully written. Thanks for sharing.
Really enjoyed this…it’s what I feel and believe, and I will probably write more about it for myself as I delve more into history. Thank you.
This comes pretty close to my perspective. I was raised Catholic but found my beliefs changing in adulthood, in particular after reading Joseph Campbell's "The Power of Myth." I appreciate the lessons learned without needing to follow the same religious path.
I used to be an “evangelical agnostic,” so to speak (*I* don’t know how the universe works, AND YOU DON’T EITHER!) but quantum mechanics and complexity (chaos) theory taught me that the universe is sooooo much weirder than I can ever understand, and certainly harder than I can explain. Now I’m more of a “reform agnostic” — if you feel happier with your belief system, good on ya, mate! I won’t argue. Just keep out of my face with it, okay? I am a member of a local church (United Church of Christ denomination) because they do good work in the community, and because some people need to believe in a god to get through a life that is nasty, brutish, and short. Our pastor knows I’m agnostic and she’s fine with it. I’m also the webmaster and a senior member of the tech team. So from an orthodox agnostic’s POV, I’m probably not a very good agnostic. 😁
On liking the Bible: You're understandably disturbed by Leviticus and the crazy restrictions it seems to place on people's personal lives, especially women's, but please give a listen to the broad idea of social organization, even more in Deuteronomy, of a tax-funded safely net for widows, orphans, and migrants, government (through the Levite priesthood) as service to rather than rule over the people, and all the occasions for forgiveness of debts: then go back to the older prophets, especially Amos, crying for social justice. It doesn't make me need God, but it's still inspiring.
"Religion is regarded by the common man as true,
by the educated man as false,
and by our Rulers as opportunity."
Lucius Annaeus Seneca
His words have held up well after almost 2000 years.
Occasionally the Stoics give us crystal clear revelations.