tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post653068059465057887..comments2024-02-29T02:54:19.767-05:00Comments on Babbling Books: Life, The Universe, and SpiritualityBrian Josephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-59516063662878363832015-02-15T14:41:26.226-05:002015-02-15T14:41:26.226-05:00Hi Lainy - This post has indeed garnered a lot of ...Hi Lainy - This post has indeed garnered a lot of responses. It is a topic that interests many. <br /><br />Thanks again.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-53381975571868421642015-02-15T13:10:59.791-05:002015-02-15T13:10:59.791-05:00I think it is great how many people have gotten in...I think it is great how many people have gotten involved and put forth their views on this. Again, great post Brian.<br /><br />Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.netSo many books, so little timehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07564778178609301461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-17784165425079656522015-02-09T20:42:53.183-05:002015-02-09T20:42:53.183-05:00Hi Gary - Thanks for the good word.
I like your ...Hi Gary - Thanks for the good word. <br /><br />I like your description of your agnosticism and your atheism. When I think about it I am not all that far off from that myself. Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-28753624225069305062015-02-09T15:04:53.626-05:002015-02-09T15:04:53.626-05:00As per the other comments this is a wonderful post...As per the other comments this is a wonderful post. I've always described myself as logically an agnostic but emotionally an atheist, but that's merely a glib response , that doesn't cover the curiosity & questing that trying to understand the world & my place in it. My shorthand answer is a way of stating that I don't know, arguments for all sides exist & can be compelling.@parridhlanternhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12793548943992250238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-26474785850389868152015-02-07T14:36:08.226-05:002015-02-07T14:36:08.226-05:00Hi Naida - I am so glad that you are back to blogg...Hi Naida - I am so glad that you are back to blogging. I will be heading over to your site shortly. I have really missed your commentary also.<br /><br />Like yourself many people who believe in God seem to be finding their own personal set of beliefs through thinking and reason. It is indeed so very interesting.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-39146927432024765882015-02-07T14:29:42.271-05:002015-02-07T14:29:42.271-05:00Hi Tracy - I inadvertently hit publish on a rough ...Hi Tracy - I inadvertently hit publish on a rough draft of an upcoming post. I think that some of the automated readers sent it out. That post will likely be next.<br /><br />I did lump in spirituality in with religion for this post. I know that a lot of people who consider themselves spiritual do not consider themselves religious. This is one of the many angles that does make, as you allude to, this topic so very interesting.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-29161976343264875582015-02-07T12:06:55.660-05:002015-02-07T12:06:55.660-05:00Hi Brian. Wonderfully articulate and thought provo...Hi Brian. Wonderfully articulate and thought provoking post.<br /><br />You say it perfectly "those who stand on opposite sides of the fence have a lot to learn from one another".<br />Having grown up in a Catholic household and having gone to Catholic school from kinder through 12th grade, I know first hand how fanatical some can be. It's scary really. Catholic school during the 80's was tough to say the least as during that time teachers and nuns screaming at students and even using rulers for punishment was considered perfectly okay.<br /><br />As I grew up and started to form my own opinions and questioned what I had been told, I saw that things are not so black and white, not so cut and dry. The parables and stories don't have to be taken so literally. I do believe in God but I now know that He is not there to punish sinners and condemn them to Hell for the slightest misstep. <br /><br />Well, I hope you are well! I've missed your blog. I'm back to blogging again, but taking it easier than I was before.<br />Enjoy your weekend.<br /> The Bookwormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10217390642323530030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-48158851765103172722015-02-07T11:45:36.179-05:002015-02-07T11:45:36.179-05:00Great post even if it wasn't what I was expect...Great post even if it wasn't what I was expecting, according to my blog roll it was something by Susan Brownmiller.<br /><br />Anyway, fascinating stuff. The manner of spirituality has always intrigued me largely thanks to the man who taught RE at school. A wonderful teacher who encouraged us to learn through debate, it was his lessons that first got me thinking about the differences between those who considered religious and those who viewed themselves as spiritual.Felicity Grace Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17852843882007267665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-26382400765725946342015-02-04T21:27:00.464-05:002015-02-04T21:27:00.464-05:00Hi Delia - As I alluded to it is difficult for mer...Hi Delia - As I alluded to it is difficult for mer to understand how anyone could take the Bible literally. It really contains so many contradictions plus there is some really terrible morality, especially in the old testament. <br /><br /><br />Though I still think that in general, atheists are tolerant, as of late there have appeared a new brand of militant and angry atheists. Richard Dawkins seems to embody that.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-50184526095764629992015-02-04T13:46:49.811-05:002015-02-04T13:46:49.811-05:00That's an interesting topic. I think the best ...That's an interesting topic. I think the best we can do is to keep an open mind. I have met religious people who took the Bible ad literam - they were the most intolerant when it came to other people's beliefs, while the atheists held a more tolerant view. Like you said, being in awe of the world around you and trying to see the beauty of the world as it is and learning all the time - I feel the same. <br />No matter what our beliefs are, the real problems appear when we can't accept a different point of view.Delia (Postcards from Asia)http://www.wrongspelling.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-44311405986837333682015-02-03T20:45:24.767-05:002015-02-03T20:45:24.767-05:00Hi Violet. Thanks for the good word.
Indeed I le...Hi Violet. Thanks for the good word. <br /><br />Indeed I left out the Kindness and compassionate definition of spirituality here for reasons of clarity.<br /><br />I do agree that is a big part of what it is all about.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-144289077418558982015-02-03T20:43:15.827-05:002015-02-03T20:43:15.827-05:00Hi Lindsay - Thanks for the good word. I really lo...Hi Lindsay - Thanks for the good word. I really love to think about this sort of stuff. I am often examining my own thoughts.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-65643515505631585062015-02-03T20:40:40.677-05:002015-02-03T20:40:40.677-05:00Hi Maria - thanks for such an insightful comment....Hi Maria - thanks for such an insightful comment. <br /><br /><br />As we both know there is a lot of demonization going on out there :) Lately on the secular side it seems that folks as if folks like Bill maher and Richard Dawkins are leading the way.<br /><br /><br />As I think that you know, I prefer the approach of the late Carl Sagan and now David Witherspoon, who embody an atheism that is willing to talk to dissenting views.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-90472217352989961872015-02-03T18:54:00.886-05:002015-02-03T18:54:00.886-05:00Your beautifully articulate post shows that you...Your beautifully articulate post shows that you've thought a lot about this. I think we all need to be accepting of the variety of ways of seeing and being in the world, as long as those ways of seeing and being don't harm other people. Sadly, a lot of psychopaths hide behind 'religion' and give it a bad name. <br /><br />I grew up as an atheist and gravitated to Zen Buddhism. I think that cultivating kindness and compassion is the most important 'spiritual work' we can do. If everyone practiced that, what a wonderful world it would be. :)Violethttp://still-life-with-books.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-58583816750796885752015-02-03T14:17:14.968-05:002015-02-03T14:17:14.968-05:00Brian such a thoughtful and thought-provoking post...Brian such a thoughtful and thought-provoking post as I said on twitter. It has made me look at my own thoughts on this area and I'm really glad that you tackled this here and tackled it so intelligently. Thank you for a great post. Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08731930823596505781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-37027206165161150472015-02-03T10:06:05.063-05:002015-02-03T10:06:05.063-05:00Brian, this is an extremely interesting post,espec...Brian, this is an extremely interesting post,especially because you've detailed your own views on the subject at hand.<br /><br />You're right in saying that many people see their lives in stages or periods of development. I think that, for many people who are raised in religious households, the first stage is one of simply accepting and going along with their parents' religious beliefs. The same thing holds true for those raised in agnostic or atheistic environments. However, the time comes when a child begins to question and analyze what s/he has been taught. Obviously, other influences come in through the school environment. Going to college is especially eye-opening!<br /><br />I, too, have gone through stages in my worldview. Although I do basically hold to Christian doctrines, I have investigated and will continue to investigate other religions and spiritual doctrines. I, too, was raised Catholic, but right now I'm more of a non-denominational Christian. I've also taken a look at New Age literature from time to time. I do try to avoid the more "way-out" stuff, though. But I do consider certain aspects of it, such as meditation and visualization, to be valuable.<br /><br />I especially like the following part of your post:<br /><br />"My fellow secularists are very quick to point out how war, murder, rape, torture, etc. have been perpetuated in the name of religion throughout history. They have, but we often forget that at other times, particularly during the French Revolution and under Communist regimes, folks who claimed to be adherents of a rational worldview carried on all sorts of oppression with just as much ferocity and barbarity as the religious fanatics. I still believe that, generally, the path to a better world leads down the path of secular humanism, but as the above illustrates, it is not so simple." <br /><br />Well stated! The above mirrors my views exactly! It really amuses me at times (and at others, it gets me a bit upset) how people of one religious or political stance just LOVE to demonize "the other side"! Heck, Jesus Himself said the following to the men who were ready to stone the adulterous woman: "Let him who is without sin throw the first stone." And, one by one, they dropped their stones and walked away, embarrassed....<br /><br />It's just too easy to point fingers at others, while refusing to acknowledge one's own faults or weaknesses. Some religious people constantly attack those who are not, while those of a more skeptic bent do the same to them. Republicans attack Democrats and vice versa. Yet, NO ONE, no matter what their religious or political beliefs are, is infallible or flawless. So I'm very glad that you, unlike other secularists, are more open-minded and objective. Richard Dawkins could learn a thing or two from you! Lol.<br /><br />Thank you for such an insightful and thought-provoking post!! : ) Maria Beharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13635809880830316283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-24902122218351706422015-02-02T05:33:25.830-05:002015-02-02T05:33:25.830-05:00Hi Sharon - I do appreciate your good thoughts, be...Hi Sharon - I do appreciate your good thoughts, be they in the form of prayers towards me. Thank you.<br /><br />As to existence having no meaning if there is no God, I disagree. I think first and foremost existence has meaning through our positive actions and thoughts. Love, empathy, dignity, courage are ways that we humans give existence meaning.<br /><br /><br />Second I do believe that that humanity becoming aware of the Universe. Learning about existence, and our place in the Universe, shedding light into the darkness is another noble reason for our existence.<br /><br />Take care.<br /><br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-67884539798587957712015-02-01T22:27:31.458-05:002015-02-01T22:27:31.458-05:00Hi Brian. Very interesting and thought provoking ...Hi Brian. Very interesting and thought provoking blog post. <br /><br /> Can truth be known? Pontius Pilate asked Jesus, "What is truth?"<br />And Romans 2:15 says that the truth is written on the minds and hearts of all men.<br /><br />There is a truth and it can be known. Believing in God in the context of the Christian religion is not a matter of choosing or deciding or "this is what works for me".<br /><br />It either is true or it is not true. <br /><br />If it's not true then nothing really matters. You live, you die. <br /><br /> If it is true then everything matters because you live, you die and in the words of Hamlet:<br /><br />"To sleep, perchance to dream. Ay, there's the rub."<br /><br />The universe is too orderly to be a big accident. <br /><br />I appreciate your fair and honest approach in your search for truth and I pray that you discover it. <br /><br />Take care and God bless you.Sharon Wilfonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17466621290140789056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-10813340942110442112015-01-31T08:06:10.716-05:002015-01-31T08:06:10.716-05:00Thanks Lainy.
I do actually get judgmental and an...Thanks Lainy.<br /><br />I do actually get judgmental and angry, but only when I see people try to use religion to take away the rights of others or two oppress.<br /><br />Other then that it is just the exchange of ideas.<br /><br />Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-61795876718578554832015-01-31T06:22:20.838-05:002015-01-31T06:22:20.838-05:00I think its a great post, open, honest and non jud...I think its a great post, open, honest and non judgmental. I often find people cannot discuss religion without getting angry, aggressive or just downright rude.<br /><br />My views have slightly changed over the years, when I was younger it was black and white with no room for discussion. As an adult I have realized and been educated that there is grey areas and not to judge, which admittedly, we often do.<br /><br />I am amazed by how many religions are out there and how much is done in the name of religion, both good and bad.<br /><br />Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.netSo many books, so little timehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07564778178609301461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-56539941439559833332015-01-30T20:39:35.169-05:002015-01-30T20:39:35.169-05:00Hi James - Thanks for the good word.
I am burstin...Hi James - Thanks for the good word.<br /><br />I am bursting with that Aristotelian desire to know!Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-49169226589337319992015-01-30T11:50:23.917-05:002015-01-30T11:50:23.917-05:00This is a fascinating overview of your views on th...This is a fascinating overview of your views on the "big picture". I admire your thoughtfulness and willingness to both explore these issues and share your views.<br />I personally value the exploration of our world in the sense of Aristotle's "desire to know" that he claimed was part of each human's nature. To the extent that exploration leads me to consider views different than my own I find myself enriched by the experience. <br />Thanks, Brian, for your commentary.<br />(Brian, the commentary listed under Robbie Nickel was posted in error - she is my sister and I do not know how that happened).Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00561320676355168336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-68296715583097813362015-01-29T20:39:52.780-05:002015-01-29T20:39:52.780-05:00Hi HKatz - Indeed many followers of ideologies hav...Hi HKatz - Indeed many followers of ideologies have taken their beliefs to fanatical levels. <br /><br />The incivility and shouting matches on social media are on controversial issues are out of control.It is getting no one anywhere.I completely agree that these folks are not interested in learning or dialog.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-8097201895887830902015-01-29T20:35:35.838-05:002015-01-29T20:35:35.838-05:00Thanks Suko.
I think that your description of my...Thanks Suko. <br /><br />I think that your description of my beliefs is right on the money.<br /><br />I definitely agree that the mysterious of the Universe are so difficult to wrap ones head around. I tend not to see much reason for supernatural answers. <br /><br />I also blogged about that here:<br /><br />http://briansbabblingbooks.blogspot.com/2012/11/astounded-by-reality.html<br /><br />Not just have religious people been persecuted but on occasion as I pointed out, it has been skeptics doing the persecuting. <br /><br />I think that we both agree that the entire religion verses skeptic thing is complicated.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4043273283783489008.post-34700883281706167492015-01-29T20:27:04.173-05:002015-01-29T20:27:04.173-05:00Hi Caroline - Thanks for the good word.
I did re...Hi Caroline - Thanks for the good word. <br /><br />I did restrict my definition of Spirituality rarely narrowly for the purposes of this post.<br /><br /> Some people define it as positive human emotions, a sense of community and personal well being and strength. From that point of view I am spiritual. <br /><br />I also love delving into the metaphors found in religious beliefs and texts.Brian Josephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15139559400312336791noreply@blogger.com