Religion has created the morals we live by. How would we create morals if they were not inspired by God.

 

Dictionary definition: Morals are values based on beliefs about the correct and acceptable way to behave. Moral values are concerned with whether behavior is right or acceptable.

There is no reason that we need a supernatural being to give us morality. Even the moral values in the bible or any other ancient manuscript, were created by humans. Yes, the bible and other religious books, were written by humans, even if the writers are believed to be inspired by their “god”.  There is a document called: “The Statement of Principles of Humanism” . It doesn’t mean that I agree with its contents word for word but I like to hold it up as an example that we don’t need religion to formulate “morals” we can live with. These morals must also be able to adapt to take the changes in society into account.

Religious morals tend to be written in stone. You can find an example of non-religious morals, which would be adaptable when changed circumstances demand it, at:
www.secularhumanism.org/index.php/12

I am not the person to question your beliefs as I am a firm believer that each individual should have the right to believe in what makes life the best for them. Your beliefs appear to be very important to you, so much so you appear to need others to agree with you. I have very different beliefs than yours and I am content with them and have no feelings that I must have others believe in them also. This leaves me time to pursue what gives me pleasure and satisfaction. That does not mean that I do and say bad or unkind things. After one of my episodes of being close to death, I made a promise to myself that I would never deliberately hurt anyone by word or deed. I don't discuss religion with anyone as I believe l everyone has the right to develop whatever thoughts or believes that feel right for them. Each person must find their own way to live their lives by what they learn on their journey of life. So, I don't get into any discussions about religion.

It may surprise you that I agree that “each individual should have the right to believe in what makes life the best for them” (as long as their beliefs do not try to force their rules on the rest of us. Strict separation between Church and State in other words). I disagree, however, that my “beliefs appear very important to” me, because  I am not stating my “beliefs”. I am stating what we know about facts in the light of modern science, and rejecting unproven speculation about the supernatural, which is so diverse around the world that it indicates that they are to be fantasies, dreamed up by people who are desperately “finding” answers where there are none yet. That is the concept which is important to me, not “beliefs”. I will accept any scientifically proven supernatural explanation if they come about. I also do not “need others to agree with” me! If one has unproven beliefs which make one happy and able to cope with life, I would not want to take that away from anyone. They are the equivalent of placebos in medicine (they really do work. Google David Suzuki’s Nature of Things on the CBC) and can therefor be very worthwhile.
I have stated several times that my purpose is to reach out to those people who have lost their beliefs and do not dare to come out of the closet because of the societal environment they live in. There are many of them. (see a previous Blog).
It is curious that  “believers” think that I am trying to convert them, just like the many religious people who try to convert others. I am NOT! Believe what you want. If the thought of an afterlife in heaven makes you happy, by all means believe! If you spend your money on an astrologer to guide your life’s decisions, it is no concern of mine. But if you have concluded that the supernatural does not exists (until proven in un-partial repeatable scientific research, then it is not “super” anymore but just “natural”) and you feel uncomfortable in today’s society, this website and blog might help to make one feel one is not alone. I have found that there are many people like that. That’s my goal.
Let me also explain what I mean with “discussion” of the subject. In my page on “Life after Death” I reasoned that science has proven without a doubt that awareness stops when the brain dies. If you can quote one reliable repeatable scientific research (not wild theories or speculations about mysterious black matter or hallucinations for example) that there is awareness after the brain dies, let me know. If you can proof that the position of the stars, when you were born, decides your personality and spells out your future, tell me.
However I don’t want to discuss what you want to “believe” or not, after all one can believe anything that one can think of or that other people have dreamed up. I hope you see the difference in what I mean by “discussing". It is impossible to change the mind of a firm believer and I will not try that but I only hope to help those who question and doubt the beliefs they grew up in.

FOOTNOTE:  I want to rectify some misconceptions. I am not against religion. I just concluded, by much reading, studying and researching that religion and astrology developed together and started because the sun, moon and meteors affected much of the happenings on earth and allowed predictions of the future, such as seasons and tides. Those heavenly bodies were considered Gods and so were strong leaders. Many happenings were considered to be supernatural. My contention is that all supernatural beliefs such as religion, astrology, faith healing, alien abductions, near death experiences and so on and on, should only be taken seriously if they can be proven through rigid non-partial repeatable scientific research so they lose the “super” part of the "supernatural".

In spite of what I admit has happened in our society under church leadership,  I have had experiences which tell me absolutely that God is who He says he is, and that the devil is very real.  The Bible has proved itself out with me, particularly in bad experiences with religions calling themselves Christian (eg. charismatic experiences which I don't care to repeat).  In those situations, I actually met up with the demonic at times, but then there was the counter experience of God being exactly who and what He said He was.  People rarely actually have experiences which tell them these things are real, but it happened.  I won't go into the details, but it's not just faith with me now.  I've been there.  It's no longer a matter of a closed or open mind - just like I know my car runs on gas.  I could try diesel, but it wouldn't make sense for me.
When it's like that, it's no longer a matter of discussing various religious theories.  It can be as plain as knowing that my car runs on gas.  My car does it every time I fill up, and the Bible was like that for me. Things happened, there was a very real devil and a very real God of the Bible.  So ---  my contribution would be limited to the Bible view of our world and what we are all about.  Whether our world is changed by it is our choice, and mostly churches haven't followed it closely enough for us to feel  that our spiritual, intellectual and emotional needs are met.  So my friends and family are seeking other avenues.
Take care, I value our chats.

The above letter shows that my “musings” will never convert a true believer and that is not my intention anyway. I like to use this letter to show you that very sincere people regard dreams and hallucinations as “real” supernatural happenings and not as manifestations of the electric and chemical processes in the brain. We know now that the brain can produce the same chemicals as those we find in hallucinatory drugs without having taken any. To this person “It’s no longer a matter of a closed or open mind”. Just like the “Near Death” experiences, these occurrences are very real to the person. They will not accept a scientific explanation for their episode(s).

I also like to point out that this person, although very disappointed with organized religion, accepts that the bible is the only “correct” ancient book, disregarding the many other religious texts. If one was born and brought up in a different environment and religion the bible would not be relevant but another ancient scripture would be. The fact that one is born in an area and at a time where the bible is relevant is purely the luck of the draw. I one was born in Greece a few thousand years ago the dreams and hallucinations would have been about Zues and Hades, in today’s Asia these would be about Budha or Shakyamuni.

Logical thinking would immediately conclude that, since these “supernatural” episodes are reflecting only the religion one is brought up in and does not reflect the other religions in the past or present, they are not “real”. Until the “supernatural” in all its forms: religion, astrology, prophesies, faith healing etc. etc. are scientifically tested, one should not accept any “supernatural” explanations or let them dictate how one should live ones life.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!! This year December has
5 Mondays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. This happens
once every 823 years. This is called money bags. So share
it and money will arrive in 4 days. Based on Chinese
Feng Shui. The one who does not share, will be without
money. Share within 11 minutes of reading
Can’t hurt so I just did it. JUST FOR FUN

www.facebook.com/pages/laugh-N-laugh/46638965006930

This is a great example of a coincidence that makes people believe that there might be some truth in this kind of superstition “CREEPY BUT TOTALLY COOL”. I hate to spoil the fun of whoever thinks it COOL but a quick check of the calendar shows that this doesn’t happen in December but in August 2014. This isn’t even a coincidence.
I just like to use this as an example that many superstitions or predictions seem to be of value if coincidentally they seem to be working. Many people believe in luck or bad luck, in predictions and superstitions because, once in a while, they seem to be correct or close to it. This happens as well when people “believe“ in many other situations.  Faith-healing , Alternative Medicine, and Prayer,  are some examples. When it works, it is credited when it doesn’t, it is not dis-credited.  Many alternate medicines work because of the Placebo effect (Google David Suzuki’s CBC documentary on this subject). My Doctor used to say, if you take medicine to cure a virus infection (a cold) you will be cured in 14 days, If you don’t take any, it will take at least 2 weeks.  If the placebo makes you feel better fine! Use it.  It can be very dangerous though if you believe that you don’t need traditional proven medical attention and substitute “alternatives” instead.  When parents decide that prayer will cure their child and withhold medical attention or withhold permission for blood transfusions and the child dies, it is murder, not god’s will. When people act on a psychic’s advise and things go wrong, the psychic should be held responsible.
Let’s keep an open mind because, although we know a lot more than in the past, there are things we don’t know (yet). Anyone who claims to have special powers and practices this on people, whether its physical or mental, should obtain a license. They must go through a strict impartial scientific exam which, without doubt, shows their “gifts” or ‘theories” are genuine. Social Media is full of people who claim physical or mental healing powers. Any one who hangs out a shingle, claiming special powers, must prove it.  If they can’t, they should be prosecuted for fraud. Power of prayer can be tested (has already been done, look it up). Alternative medicine and supplements must be tested in the same manner as regular medicine (if they were, they would not be called “alternative” anymore).
I do not rule out that there is a lot we don’t know yet, but wild theories, guesses and wishful thinking should nor be part of our lives. Have a theory? Do the researching and testing to an acceptable standard. Individual testimonies and opinions just  won’t do.
Let’s not give the fraudsters, no matter how well-meaning they are, a chance to mislead and fleece gullible victims.

I enjoyed reading your website, I am an unbeliever like you. I believe in what can be proven through the scientific method or what makes the most sense to me. I basically do not talk about what I believe with friends or family because they would think I was "evil". I am a Paramedic with a limited science background, but I read and learn as much as I can about evolution, biology, physics and astronomy because it seems to give me peace to think of how big and old this universe that we live really is. It is actually a beautiful thing to think about how nature has influenced who we are. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I do not use Facebook or social media anymore, but I will pass along your website to people that I feel will benefit from it. By the way, my son is 11 and he is very intelligent. He was just asking me if I believe in God. I never discussed religion with him and I want him to make his own decisions. We do not go to church so the rest of my family is always pushing religion on him. When he asked I told him that I do not believe in God, I believe in things that can be proven and actually make sense. He told me that he had been thinking about it, and he does not see how God could have created everything like the Bible says. He had actually been researching evolution on the internet on his own. 

I am very proud of him, and now I will keep my family from pushing religion on him. It goes to show that even an 11 year old can figure it out if they are not brainwashed by having religion pushed on them. 

Thanks for your comments. I removed your name for obvious reasons. You are exactly the kind of person I want to reach. I don’t want to try to convert  anyone person to become a non-believer.  That would be a hopeless task anyway. I want to help people to start thinking about the doubts they have or to let them know they are not alone.

You are right to be very proud of your son and I am proud of you for supporting him. I was about the same age when I started to question the teachings of the church my family belonged to. I did not dare to admit it to my family or friends for a long time, (except to my children when they asked questions). I started researching and writing about it but never showed it to anyone until quit recently. It feels good to have finally “come out of the closet”.  Now I find that there are many more of my friends and acquaintances who have been struggling with the same questions than I suspected.

Thanks for helping to pass on the message. I hope that after reading my website, people will feel encouraged to research the websites and literature so they become familiar with the arguments about believing, or not, in any form of the supernatural, such as religion, astrology, faith healing, alien invasions etc., etc. and find, as I did, that there is not a shred of scientific evidence for the supernatural. Wishful thinking and wild theories to allay the fear of the unknown, just doesn’t cut it. I am writing a page about “Fear, the Strongest Motivator” for the next website page. It should be ready soon. Look for it.

Here is my somewhat feeble attempt to answer your recent blogs about religion, life, and astrology.  For a more learned Doctor's (Neurosurgeon) point of view take the time to read. "Proof of Heaven" by Dr. Eben Alexander.   I know it probably won't change your mind but he does make some good points about consciousness and unconsciousness, spirituality and reality, dark matter and energy vs. what we see

Happy to get your letter, yes I read "Proof of Heaven" by Dr Alexander. However that is not considered SCIENTIFIC proof but an opinion of some one who wants to believe (wishful thinking ). Just google " near death experiences" and read ALL the information on this subject and look carefully at the value of the different "experiments" and then decide which ones make scientific sense. Neuroscience experiments have now determined that all awareness and "spiritual" experiences are a function of electrical/chemical activity in the brain and when the brain stops completely (and that means COMPLETELY) awareness stops as well. (I mentioned this in my piece on "life after death" including altzheimers as well as the answer to the "energy cannot be destroyed" hypothesis used by some to "explain" an afterlife). I try not to have an opinion (but find a conclusion instead), since we all give more weight to opinions which strengthen our believes, so I search through all material I can lay my hands on, now greatly simplified because of the internet, and look for scientific explanations. So far there is no scientific proof of any form of the supernatural whether it is religion or astrology.

I really appreciate your email because, if I had not read the book , I would have done so and objectively judged the content. I am always ready to change my mind but it will have to be based on genuine science experiments which are repeatable and verifiable and not on opinion and speculation.( Example: creationism vs evolution)