In recognition of Earth Day, we consider humanity’s role in the destruction and, hopefully, the preservation of life.
We frequently regard humankind as being in perpetual conflict with nature. And while no other animals have transformed the earth so profoundly, humans are also life’s best hope.
Only humans can transform life so that sentience, experience, and cognition will continue to flourish even when the home of its origination becomes uninhabitable.
Pursuing this quixotic endeavor may become humanity’s highest purpose.
It is entirely possible to be a Naturalistic Humanist and to believe in God, but it does involve giving our concept of God an update.
Throughout human history, as societies changed, people have adjusted their understanding of God. But the God that most westerners worship presently, was envisioned centuries ago – long before social science, and neuroscience radically changed our understanding of why we behave as we do and what we need to support the fullest expression of our human potential.
If God is omniscient then it’s reasonable to assume that God also has this knowledge. Therefore, the better we understand ourselves the better we can appreciate how God understands us.
It is entirely possible to be a Naturalistic Humanist and to believe in God, but it does involve giving our concept of God an update.
Throughout human history, as societies changed, people have adjusted their understanding of God. But the God that most westerners worship presently, was envisioned centuries ago – long before social science, and neuroscience radically changed our understanding of why we behave as we do and what we need to support the fullest expression of our human potential.
If God is omniscient then it’s reasonable to assume that God also has this knowledge. Therefore, the better we understand ourselves the better we can appreciate how God understands us.
In just a few days millions of Christians all over the world will celebrate the most important holy days of the Christian liturgical year – Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday. The paschal triduum celebrates the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus’s ordeal is based on the belief that humankind is profoundly sinful – so sinful that we could never satisfy our debt to God, so by suffering and dying Jesus redeemed us. And how do we know we are redeemed? We are assured that we are redeemed by the fact of Jesus’s resurrection.
Setting skeptic considerations aside, the impact this Eastertime narrative has on our society is seriously damaging. Not only does it get human nature completely wrong, it also assumes that the law of cause and effect, applicable to everything else, does not apply to humans.
The terrible consequences of these erroneous ideas are everywhere. From the mean-spirited begrudging way we treat marginalized people to the excessive wealth and power we allow others to take.
In this two-part Easter Special we will discuss alternatives to believing in free will and sin. We’ll play our traditional Jesus vs. The Easter Bunny Debate, and we’ll be taking your calls as well.
The most powerful impact of letting go of our anger, resentment, and indignation, is the way it frees us from having to carry around feelings that are toxic. But forgiving isn’t easy, and it can be especially difficult to forgive ourselves.
Join Elaine, Arnell, and the Naturalistic Support community as we examine the many ways that Naturalistic Humanism can help us forgive.
The most powerful impact of letting go of our anger, resentment, and indignation, is the way it frees us from having to carry around feelings that are toxic. But forgiving isn’t easy, and it can be especially difficult to forgive ourselves.
Join Elaine, Arnell, and the Naturalistic Support community as we examine the many ways that Naturalistic Humanism can help us forgive.
We can easily overlook the many acts of kindness happening all around us, but compassion is fundamental to our human experience. Acts of kindness are psychologically and physically beneficial to those acting kindly as well as to the recipien
There are many faith-based leaders and followers who are inspired by texts, teachings, and traditions, from their respective faiths to support a progressive agenda. These include Jim Wallis, founder of the progressive nonprofit organization, Sojourners and Rev Dr. William Barber, co-chair of Poor People’s Campaign.
But despite decades of hard work and commitment, these movements have gained little ground. In fact, much of the progress that had been achieved has since been rolled back.
From the vantage point of Naturalistic Humanism, a big piece of the problem is that the arguments progressive faith-based organizations make are insufficient to overcome the dominance of misanthropic and judgmental thinking.
This is where Naturalistic Humanism can make a crucial difference.
Becoming the widely diverse, multi-cultural society we aspire to be has never before attempted on such a scale. It requires all of us to learn new ways of thinking and behaving. And in such a dynamic and ever-changing environment even the best intentioned among us may inadvertently act or speak in a way that offends.
How do we respond?
And how do we respond to those who are opposed to and feel threatened by our inexorable journey to diversification?
Hatred and fear of others is a virus controlling the minds it infects. But is it helpful to call out and shame people engaging in hateful speech or behavior?
Is there a more effective way to liberate our brothers and sisters and redirect them toward being kinder, more inclusive, and more curious?
