Interesting Wired column. As a humanist, the author likens the devotion to Apple/ Mac products and the Steve Jobs keynotes as a form of emotive worship.

Speaking of good radio John Humphrey’s conducted three fascinating interviews with a Christian, a Jew and a Muslim in an attempt to get them to convert him. Fascinating listening.

Beyond Belief on BBC Radio 4. Shame it doesn’t come as a podcast.

At a time when I’m looking closely at my own beliefs this struck me as both true but immensely sad.

apple, belief, faith, religion

Just discovered this excellent podcast where two friends (one a Christian and the other an atheist) talk around issues relating to in Christian faith, god, morality and atheism.

faith, belief, god, meaning, atheism, christianity, morality

The past few weeks have forced into sharp relief my thinking around belief, faith, atheism and agnosticism. When I’m asked about my beliefs the short answer is to say I’m an atheist because I don’t believe in a divine power.

However, when I say I am an atheist it is with the small caveat that ultimately I can never really know one hundred per cent whether the universe is Godless, but in reality I do believe and have a very strong faith in the notion that man created God and not vice versa. This view does not leave me wanting (much). I am happy and comfortable. It provides me with meaning. On the other hand the idea of God and much of what organised religions espouse makes me deeply uncomfortable.

My faith, such as it is, is in a world without God. This, however, does not mean that I am a champion of reason and cold scientific empiricism alone. Witness my recent decision to send my son to a Christian (Catholic) faith school. Why would I do this given my atheism? Although I do not have belief in a God or a creator, I do have a very strong belief in the moral and ethical values that religion has given us. If the Godless world of reason were able to provide such a strong moral framework indelibly interwoven into our society and culture then I would have no need to turn to a faith school to provide it. But a Godless culture is one in which these moral values need to be taught, applied and lived by a myriad separate entities (family, school, government, individuals) all of which do not necessarily interact well with each other. A Godless society tends to place the self, the individual at the centre. And while I think there are positive aspects to this position I feel just as strongly that we as individuals need to recognise our place in the world among everyone else. How we recognise and relate to others feeds into how we see ourselves. Being an individual and a member of a community are equally important and alas I have little faith in a Godless society to provide that context. One positive thing I think religion has given us is a strong sense of morality and community. While I am unable to believe in the underlying tenets of Christianity I have very a strong faith in Christian values.

I am reminded of a line from a film where an injured man is helped by a nun. The man is very grateful and wonders why she has helped him since he is not a believer. The nun replies: “We’re not here for those who believe, we’re here for those who don’t.”

Am I hypocrite? Perhaps. I feel that I am simply trying to find what is best and makes most sense in the world and use it to not only be a better person myself but give my son a good place from which to start his journey in this world.

To be continued. . .

faith, belief, god, meaning, atheism, agnosticism

I’m going to do an evening class next year and my choices are between Painting, Creative Writing or Philosophy (and maybe History). Still not sure but I’m edging towards Philosophy.

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