tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037030002547566426.post8327143994322459061..comments2008-05-12T08:38:48.164-04:00Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15451752884081337668noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037030002547566426.post-69457291242777528252008-05-12T08:38:00.000-04:002008-05-12T08:38:00.000-04:00Thanks, Chris!Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15451752884081337668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037030002547566426.post-87833148115265274782008-05-11T23:02:00.000-04:002008-05-11T23:02:00.000-04:00I just saw you won the contest! Congrats!!Christopher Barzakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05317256912942472481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037030002547566426.post-78937231086221387152008-05-09T09:06:00.000-04:002008-05-09T09:06:00.000-04:00Thanks, Deb. And the numbers are growing in poll after poll. Of the sixteen percent who self-identified as not belonging to a religious affiliation, according to a University of Akron poll run for the 2004 election, a full eleven percent said they were atheist or secular. That's a significant step and could mean the start of a real movement for better recognition of what it means to be secular.<BR/><BR/>Coming from an artistic background, I believe it's about more than science, though clearly that's a cornerstone of naturalism. Arts and humanities also must play a foundational role in the appreciation of the beauty and wonder of the natural world and the secular life.Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15451752884081337668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037030002547566426.post-86513712379616968272008-05-09T08:53:00.000-04:002008-05-09T08:53:00.000-04:00For the most part I agree with your reasoning. My problem is that I can't help but think science will ultimately find the greater meaning in the universe, just maybe not in my lifetime. In the meantime, "praise be to Big Science". However, my personal beliefs aside, thanks for raising the issue of Atheism. It is an issue that needs to come out of the closet. Far too many people have the wrong idea and think that atheists are amoral. I ,for one, am majorly over the fact that in America one must be a Christian to stand a chance in politics. So much for separation of church and state. But who knows, maybe there is a movement afoot, the outing of the atheists. Who knows maybe soon we'll be hearing comments like "I have a friend who is an atheist..." all over the place. Soon it will become apparent that 10% of the population are atheists. Who knows maybe some day reason will prevail. <BR/> I'm voting for you! Sincerely, Another UnitarianDebra Weaverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00805188724349679279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037030002547566426.post-37761029044600771672008-05-08T22:56:00.000-04:002008-05-08T22:56:00.000-04:00Thanks, Lucy!Tylerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15451752884081337668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037030002547566426.post-44767474025582944262008-05-08T20:53:00.000-04:002008-05-08T20:53:00.000-04:00"It’s harder to accept that there is no meaning to our existence on this planet in the universe than to share with our neighbors and work together toward the betterment of our communities and our world." This is THE meaning, and any church worth attending would say the same. All of these religious observances have their roots in naturalism anyway--not in the fantastical. I agree with all of what you've said--living things are interconnected (this is how I ended up with the Unitarians). I think your essay is thoughtful and respectful. I'm going to vote for you right now.Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12414588542878811510noreply@blogger.com