TheBanyanTree: Atheists

[Roger Pye]

Of all the definitions which one can find for atheism the one I 
particularly like (from Dictionary.com) is one which says in part 
'Atheism is a ferocious system, that leaves nothing above us to excite 
awe, nor around us to awaken tenderness. --R. Hall'

And so it is. Now if I were to talk to your son the engineer I would ask 
him to describe to me how a quartz clock works and if he got the answer 
right (not many people do) I would lead him along a path which clearly 
demonstrates a) that our workings are in essence not a lot different and 
b) that belief in something which lies outside our immediate selves 
enables us to use or be of use to it - rather than disbelief which 
enables nothing at all and, indeed, takes away from us.

Also I have to question, in this instance, whether the person(s) who 
drew up the sign is aware of what solstice means, ie:

> either of the two times a year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator:

and then by association:

> celestial:
> adjective - pertaining to the spiritual or invisible heaven; heavenly; divine: celestial bliss;
> 
> noun - an inhabitant of heaven.



roger


Jim Miller wrote:
> Dwellers,
> 
> **Warning** if you are the least bit sensitive or easily offended by opinion
> that may conflict with your own, you should probably close this email and
> delete it now.
> 
> My oldest son has chosen to identify himself as an Atheist. This is not the
> idiot child. He is intellectually superior to both his mother and myself,
> with an extremely high IQ. He began collage at 14. He has an engineer's
> minds and exceptional reasoning skills. He is well spoken and writes with an
> equal skill. There is much more that I would like to say about him, but that
> would be self-indulgent and of no practical value. His has always been an
> independent, if not somewhat rebellious, nature.
> 
> This whole thought process was stimulated by recent national controversy
> over an atheist sign placed next to a nativity scene in the Capitol rotunda
> here in Washington State. The sign reads: 
> 
> 'At this season of THE WINTER SOLSTICE may reason prevail. There are no
> gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural
> world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and
> enslaves minds.'
> 
> Now, I don't care whether they put the sign there or not. I could care less
> that the sign suggests that anyone not aligned with is without reason, and
> possibly endures a hardened heart and enslaved mind. I do believe that there
> is strong argument to the contrary. Yet what they choose to believe about me
> and others or not is of no avail and has even less influence.
> 
> B