Welcome to the Real World (read: welcome to the author's world). I find this a great article, really great, I love a lot of it. Yet I can't help tearing it down as I love pointing out to atheists/materialists (same thing really - what you see is what you get. Most atheist adhere to the materialist belief system that matter is the only reality.) how they are viewing the world atheistically/materialistically, not truthfully. It's just another belief system which has been sold to the West, I found it a boring and meaningless one for 23 years of my life and am glad my filters were loosened and this whole new world opened up. I'm not writing this to disrespect the author, but to illustrate how the atheist/materialist belief system filters reality just as ridigly as any other religious belief system.
I'm not writing this to convert, I live and let live. But I'm merely illustrating the limits of belief systems. If any new readers show up here, I hate defining myself (imposing limits) but I guess I'd have to call myself a model-agnostic, a model agnostic continuously re-examines their belief system - abbreviated BS, using 'catmas' which are temporary flexible opinions - the opposite of dogmas. And only have one goal through this: truth. Or what comes closest to it in this world, as the map is not the territory, the menu is not the meal, the model one creates to interpret reality is not reality itself. No comforting beliefs for me thanks, I'll take the complicated route. Ok, let's open up this can of worms. I already regret it lol. (the title is a pun on Dawkins' the God delusion)
I live in the real world. It is a glorious natural world, a world of matter and energy. It is void of magic, monsters, or gods.
Void of magic(k)? Sounds like a rigid dogmatic atheist/materialist filter of reality to me. Though hey, everybody's belief system filters a lot of interesting stuff out of their reality. Atheism/Materialism is no different, just a belief system with its own dogmatic filters. If you believe there is no magic you will not see any magic.
Just because Magick isn't the simplest subject to explore doesn't make it an excuse to ignore it. Obviously it's not easy to discover so don't get me wrong, I completely understand people who don't know about it and/or laugh at it because they didn't come across the information to have the necessary assocations to understand it - as with so many topics this day and age, when I look back at my childhood there were ample opportunities but hey, if you don't know any better as a kid thanks to 'education' and the media selling atheism/materialism as truth? The authorities do not share pearls with the swine, or much of anything else for that matter, and belief systems just happen to be the superior method of divide & conquer.
But when you write an article discarding magic, you know you'd better have explored it first, a simple wiki search on magic will be a great catalyst to enlighten you :p (granted, google's first page doesn't, as the magick we're taling about is spelled with a k at the end mostly). Seeing is believing? Nope, humans are much better at believing than seeing. Because vision gets filtered in the brain. Also, most magick is hidden in plain sight. Which kinda makes it tragically funny.
And yet, I regularly experience feelings of awe, interconnectedness, and transcendence, which some people mistakenly refer to as "spirituality."
Spirituality, a dirty word for most atheists. Though hey, I can't blame them, this is what wikipedia has to say about it "Spirituality, in a narrow sense, concerns itself with matters of the spirit, a concept closely tied to religious belief and faith, a transcendent reality, and one or more deities." Ewww that's about the opposite of how I'd define it except for the transcendent reality. So uhm: "awe, interconnectedness, and transcendence" sounds exactly like spirituality to me. But hey, to each his/her own definition of a word, his/her version and view of reality. Whatever ;) That's what I love about exploring belief systems, new views and associations.
I have to say, "awe, interconnectedness, and transcendence" sound nothing like atheist principles (well they seemingly are according to the author, lovely described and written btw - I could rewrite an ode to this article too if it wasn't for the reality-filtering which I don't appreciate too much), Most or Sombunall (Some but not all) atheists I know (and I'm just speaking from experience, not what atheism (no gods here) stands for but how it's applied in society (nothing special/weird here)) are hedonists who don't care too much or at all about anything that isn't shiny or "valuable" or explosion-less.
Some people say religion is a major factor that allowed the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as Christians VS Muslims, however people don't tend to mention the atheist indifference of death in war in a meaningless universe a lot. "Kill 'em all, get it over with" without the "let god sort 'em out" is something I've heard often about the middle east from atheists.
Also, most atheists parents were atheists, there is no examination, just taking what's being handed down, just as in religion. Sure some outgrow religion, and then choose another belief system like atheism or agnosticism, but make no mistake, they are choosing another belief system if they are not examining but merely shifting perception filters.
There are no reset buttons or second chances here.
Wow, you can keep that aspect of your version of reality, I can initiate a second chance at will. For example by using the magic(k) of words in the form of a question ;p
Some of us raise children, and many contribute to society in myriad ways.
Adding to the hive and feeding sheep with unhealthy product-food counts I guess. We have so much meaningful contribution in our society... Like charity, you know that succesful money laundering scheme ;p. I kid, let's not get over-cynical, but still damn. Getting formed in school for mostly meaningless careers to "contribute to society" hardly is worthwhile.
We recognize that our time is limited and strive to make our mark while we can.
Making a mark in western society, is that asking the boss for a promotion, putting new rims on your car or uploading naughty pics on the interwebs? Or exceptionally maybe being a vehicle for manufactured over-produced sounds mistakingly called music? Appearing in a 'reality' show? I dunno. I don't see many people making their mark.
But we have no use for delusions here.
Then why take loads and loads of assumptions and theories for truth? Those are delusions. Turn on your tv, and see if atheists have no use for delusions.
for we understand that suffering is part of existence. That is not to say that we do not experience grief and that we never seek comfort. We do. We find consolation in each other and through our daily routines.
Holy crap, all hail to the daily routines! Somebody pass the sledge hammers to annihilate the 'comfort' zones which stagnate so many peoples and society's development in general right now.
We have no use for the mythical creatures our distant ancestors created. These gods, angels, and demons once served a purpose. No more.
Yawn, nevermind all the archetypal imagery in about everything you see in the media. Granted, this isn't mainstream knowledge, that's no excuse, consensus reality is the laughing stock of the evolved human for a reason.
Life in the real world has improved immeasurably as science and reason have rendered mysticism and superstition obsolete.
Mysticism is not the same as superstition, but is a science of the mind, you do an experiment and results follow.
Science and cold reason have depleted the planet, given us dumbass repetitive jobs behind a computer, helped start continuous wars thanks to the military industrial complex which pay for more 'science', and science itself isn't truth. Just look at this 2005 article stating "50%+ of science journal articles have false conclusions." Let's not forget, scientists have belief systems that filter too, scientists can be bought, scientists can be ignorant, can have hidden agendas and add anything you can come up with here. Science is not truth. Science is a method, that gets abused frequently.
We recognize that groveling before imaginary beings is no substitute for action and provides only a false comfort.
This would be religion/superstition, not mysticism.
To be sure, pockets of darkness remain where superstition and ignorance is widespread.
The Atheist/Materialist belief system qualifies as superstition and ignorance both. I think a lot of aspects of the western 'civilisation' can be seen as a pocket of darkness. I'd like to repeat as others have said that Civilisation is not a fixed state, it is an evolving process of which little has been witnessed in the last decades (please don't talk to me about how your cellphone is so much better now, thanks.)
Many people have yet to step into our world and remain trapped in delusion. Some cannot imagine any other existence, and others are simply misinformed or afraid. They are not bad people, and we should be able to empathize with their plight. After all, many of us were once in their shoes. Their presence reminds us of how fortunate we are to live in the real world, but it should also prompt us to extend a hand in friendship and invite them to join us in the real world. There is plenty of room here.
Convert lovely heathens, we forgive your ignorance, if you would only see the light. Join us, we are compassionate. We have the only truth. You are wrong, we are right, etc.
Hope you didn't take this too seriously, obviously I rate atheism higher than religious belief systems, yet I value agnosticism (which basically comes down to "I don't know & I don't really care") higher. My view for a better world is evolving beyond belief systems. I guess the name for that is Model Agnosticism, where we don't take assumptions for truth but keep examining. (A catma is not equal to truth, it is an experimental opinion given a trial time until more information on the subject is encountered). Like Jacque Fresco said (very paraphrased) "When I was young I went to meetings of liberals, socialists, fascists, anarchists, capitalists, even eastern systems, I couldn't understand why they all chose one model and stuck to it, in technology when you build something, after that you try to go beyond it." Ideas are toys: explore everything, 'believe' nothing to understand the most of this reality.
I'm not writing this to convert, I live and let live. But I'm merely illustrating the limits of belief systems. If any new readers show up here, I hate defining myself (imposing limits) but I guess I'd have to call myself a model-agnostic, a model agnostic continuously re-examines their belief system - abbreviated BS, using 'catmas' which are temporary flexible opinions - the opposite of dogmas. And only have one goal through this: truth. Or what comes closest to it in this world, as the map is not the territory, the menu is not the meal, the model one creates to interpret reality is not reality itself. No comforting beliefs for me thanks, I'll take the complicated route. Ok, let's open up this can of worms. I already regret it lol. (the title is a pun on Dawkins' the God delusion)
I live in the real world. It is a glorious natural world, a world of matter and energy. It is void of magic, monsters, or gods.
Void of magic(k)? Sounds like a rigid dogmatic atheist/materialist filter of reality to me. Though hey, everybody's belief system filters a lot of interesting stuff out of their reality. Atheism/Materialism is no different, just a belief system with its own dogmatic filters. If you believe there is no magic you will not see any magic.
Just because Magick isn't the simplest subject to explore doesn't make it an excuse to ignore it. Obviously it's not easy to discover so don't get me wrong, I completely understand people who don't know about it and/or laugh at it because they didn't come across the information to have the necessary assocations to understand it - as with so many topics this day and age, when I look back at my childhood there were ample opportunities but hey, if you don't know any better as a kid thanks to 'education' and the media selling atheism/materialism as truth? The authorities do not share pearls with the swine, or much of anything else for that matter, and belief systems just happen to be the superior method of divide & conquer.
But when you write an article discarding magic, you know you'd better have explored it first, a simple wiki search on magic will be a great catalyst to enlighten you :p (granted, google's first page doesn't, as the magick we're taling about is spelled with a k at the end mostly). Seeing is believing? Nope, humans are much better at believing than seeing. Because vision gets filtered in the brain. Also, most magick is hidden in plain sight. Which kinda makes it tragically funny.
And yet, I regularly experience feelings of awe, interconnectedness, and transcendence, which some people mistakenly refer to as "spirituality."
Spirituality, a dirty word for most atheists. Though hey, I can't blame them, this is what wikipedia has to say about it "Spirituality, in a narrow sense, concerns itself with matters of the spirit, a concept closely tied to religious belief and faith, a transcendent reality, and one or more deities." Ewww that's about the opposite of how I'd define it except for the transcendent reality. So uhm: "awe, interconnectedness, and transcendence" sounds exactly like spirituality to me. But hey, to each his/her own definition of a word, his/her version and view of reality. Whatever ;) That's what I love about exploring belief systems, new views and associations.
I have to say, "awe, interconnectedness, and transcendence" sound nothing like atheist principles (well they seemingly are according to the author, lovely described and written btw - I could rewrite an ode to this article too if it wasn't for the reality-filtering which I don't appreciate too much), Most or Sombunall (Some but not all) atheists I know (and I'm just speaking from experience, not what atheism (no gods here) stands for but how it's applied in society (nothing special/weird here)) are hedonists who don't care too much or at all about anything that isn't shiny or "valuable" or explosion-less.
Some people say religion is a major factor that allowed the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as Christians VS Muslims, however people don't tend to mention the atheist indifference of death in war in a meaningless universe a lot. "Kill 'em all, get it over with" without the "let god sort 'em out" is something I've heard often about the middle east from atheists.
Also, most atheists parents were atheists, there is no examination, just taking what's being handed down, just as in religion. Sure some outgrow religion, and then choose another belief system like atheism or agnosticism, but make no mistake, they are choosing another belief system if they are not examining but merely shifting perception filters.
There are no reset buttons or second chances here.
Wow, you can keep that aspect of your version of reality, I can initiate a second chance at will. For example by using the magic(k) of words in the form of a question ;p
Some of us raise children, and many contribute to society in myriad ways.
Adding to the hive and feeding sheep with unhealthy product-food counts I guess. We have so much meaningful contribution in our society... Like charity, you know that succesful money laundering scheme ;p. I kid, let's not get over-cynical, but still damn. Getting formed in school for mostly meaningless careers to "contribute to society" hardly is worthwhile.
We recognize that our time is limited and strive to make our mark while we can.
Making a mark in western society, is that asking the boss for a promotion, putting new rims on your car or uploading naughty pics on the interwebs? Or exceptionally maybe being a vehicle for manufactured over-produced sounds mistakingly called music? Appearing in a 'reality' show? I dunno. I don't see many people making their mark.
But we have no use for delusions here.
Then why take loads and loads of assumptions and theories for truth? Those are delusions. Turn on your tv, and see if atheists have no use for delusions.
for we understand that suffering is part of existence. That is not to say that we do not experience grief and that we never seek comfort. We do. We find consolation in each other and through our daily routines.
Holy crap, all hail to the daily routines! Somebody pass the sledge hammers to annihilate the 'comfort' zones which stagnate so many peoples and society's development in general right now.
We have no use for the mythical creatures our distant ancestors created. These gods, angels, and demons once served a purpose. No more.
Yawn, nevermind all the archetypal imagery in about everything you see in the media. Granted, this isn't mainstream knowledge, that's no excuse, consensus reality is the laughing stock of the evolved human for a reason.
Life in the real world has improved immeasurably as science and reason have rendered mysticism and superstition obsolete.
Mysticism is not the same as superstition, but is a science of the mind, you do an experiment and results follow.
Science and cold reason have depleted the planet, given us dumbass repetitive jobs behind a computer, helped start continuous wars thanks to the military industrial complex which pay for more 'science', and science itself isn't truth. Just look at this 2005 article stating "50%+ of science journal articles have false conclusions." Let's not forget, scientists have belief systems that filter too, scientists can be bought, scientists can be ignorant, can have hidden agendas and add anything you can come up with here. Science is not truth. Science is a method, that gets abused frequently.
We recognize that groveling before imaginary beings is no substitute for action and provides only a false comfort.
This would be religion/superstition, not mysticism.
To be sure, pockets of darkness remain where superstition and ignorance is widespread.
The Atheist/Materialist belief system qualifies as superstition and ignorance both. I think a lot of aspects of the western 'civilisation' can be seen as a pocket of darkness. I'd like to repeat as others have said that Civilisation is not a fixed state, it is an evolving process of which little has been witnessed in the last decades (please don't talk to me about how your cellphone is so much better now, thanks.)
Many people have yet to step into our world and remain trapped in delusion. Some cannot imagine any other existence, and others are simply misinformed or afraid. They are not bad people, and we should be able to empathize with their plight. After all, many of us were once in their shoes. Their presence reminds us of how fortunate we are to live in the real world, but it should also prompt us to extend a hand in friendship and invite them to join us in the real world. There is plenty of room here.
Convert lovely heathens, we forgive your ignorance, if you would only see the light. Join us, we are compassionate. We have the only truth. You are wrong, we are right, etc.
Hope you didn't take this too seriously, obviously I rate atheism higher than religious belief systems, yet I value agnosticism (which basically comes down to "I don't know & I don't really care") higher. My view for a better world is evolving beyond belief systems. I guess the name for that is Model Agnosticism, where we don't take assumptions for truth but keep examining. (A catma is not equal to truth, it is an experimental opinion given a trial time until more information on the subject is encountered). Like Jacque Fresco said (very paraphrased) "When I was young I went to meetings of liberals, socialists, fascists, anarchists, capitalists, even eastern systems, I couldn't understand why they all chose one model and stuck to it, in technology when you build something, after that you try to go beyond it." Ideas are toys: explore everything, 'believe' nothing to understand the most of this reality.
