A coherent worldview devoid of G-d can answer all of the questions Jim Ley is into.
By
Cobra Baghdad
on March 08, 2007
Where did I come from?
My mother's womb.
Why am I here?
I am the logical extension of what happens when two people have sex, the next step in a race's genetic quest to survive.
Where am I going?
To do things to continue the existance of my species in a positive manner as my genetic code informs me.
How do I come to terms with death?
I am unconcerned with death, I will strive to better my species and it's world and future until I am no longer capable of it.
How do I make sense of suffering?
There are a finite amount of resources and an infinite desire and need for them. If I can reduce suffering, I can improve the lot of my species.
How can I possibly believe in Justice?
Justice is not the natural state of things, it is however, better for my species that I attempt to create and spread it.
What can I know?
There is no secret in nature that cannot be solved by the human mind. I may not learn everything in my lifetime, but if I can add to that pool of human knowledge I have served my species, and can pass proudly.
What should I believe?
That which my combination of senses and reason inform me. The human mind is a rich well of logic and reason and the senses can percieve the world to sort out details.
What Must I do?
Serve as a positive influence on my species and my world.
For the record, not all of these answers reflect my personal beliefs, but I do believe that they are reasonable beliefs that would lead to the betterment of humanity, and exclude G-d, living an entirely reason-centric, yet still ethical, life.
Agreed
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Discussion (13)
Cobra, why do you always replace the "o" in "God" with a hyphen?
Because I'm Jewish.
It is a sin to destroy any reference to the divine one's name. The three letter word which would be created if I type the "o" is one of the names of the divine being. If I write or type the divine one's name, and then the server upon which the name was written goes down, I will have inadvertantly committed that sin. I feel that "G-d" is much clearer than if I wrote "la shem" (the name) in all those instances.
Claims inspired by this comment
Practicing Jews write "G-d" when referring to the divine being.Interesting. I didn't know that. Thanks for explaining.
No worries, dude. I figured someone would ask eventually, most forums the question comes up.
Cobra: Thank you very much! I have a deep respect for clear thinkers and even more respect for those that help me understand what they are thinking.
Jim, no worries, I think the basis of those questions is interesting. I don't think your worldview has to answer all of them. But I think that religion neither increases nor decreases the moral credibility of the person who belongs to it. I also belong to a religion wherein it is important to be able to discuss such issues from either side of the fence. You'll notice I'm often on different sides of the fence with different claims.
Cobra: I noticed the tag is: secular humanism. Is that the label that is commonly applied to those questions and answers?
Secular Humanism is a humanistic non religious worldview. My answers to those questions reflected a secular humanist worldview.
Cobra Baghdad is a saint.
O, while I always appreciate compliments, what makes you say this?
Cobra, you've said a lot of great things today.
Thanks, Brian
If you're starting from first principles, then I can't see where the desire to better your species and reduce suffering comes from? Why would you care about your species? I can understand caring about yourself, and those that affect you (your hapiness, your health, your wealth), but I think you answered his questions about where morality comes from with an assumed moral code.