Awesome post Sue! "Cosmic netting" hahaha you're talking about quantum field theory
aren't physics fascinating - to think the only thing containing all the energy in an atom (and its particles) and keeping it from bursting is a 'netting' of empty space - a vacuum - is astounding. Nothingness and somethingness- the two real powers in physics hahaha.
I'm personally fascinated with the higgs bosun, string theory, quantum theory and mechanics, parallel universes, all of that stuff is right up my alley hahaha. My passion for these things, really is my religion, because they
can explain our existence... and
truly knowing how we came to exist - I find a spirituality in that, which honestly, mainstream religions can only replicate and attempt to provide. Just being real, there's no logic in "oh christ was born to a virgin mom one night and visited by 3 kings and grew up and performed miracles" ... but there's un-ending logic in "we exist because of evolutionary processes"...
should spirituality only be based on unquantifiable things, - gut feelings - really? - my mind frame on religion vs. science is they are two attempts at explaining the same things... except one involves observation, the other involves storytelling.
Your daughter and I sound similar - I may not have faith, but that doesn't mean I'm 'missing out on spirituality' as my mom thinks. Just because I'm not christian like her, doesn't mean I have no spiritual connection with our world.... That annoys me a lot when she's like "you just don't believe in something bigger than you" ... yes I do, physics!!! I just find my spirituality in what I
can potentially learn and understand and explain.. (and you really can explain all the processes that led to us - although many will disagree with that statement)
Lmao I'm glad you approve Sue - that was a strikingly unpopular post of mine it would seem, but thats to be expected when you broach the topic of religion vs. science just about anywhere. I suppose thats a big part of my distaste for religion -
that religious people really have a distaste for me, although they leave it unspoken most of the time. Atheists really do experience a lot of discrimination for our beliefs, an ignored civil rights struggle of our age, because the vast majority of people are religious and see atheists as well... judgy ass holes trying to force religion into extinction. And we do want religion gone for good. But lets get one thing straight, atheists
aren't going door to door trying to convert you,
aren't putting up huge flashy signs saying "Christ is Lord - Rapture is coming! Repent!" and atheists aren't killing for their beliefs. Atheists spread their beliefs through information, not indoctrination from birth or violence, but through intelligent debate, and questioning the 'norm'.
Now when faith overrides intelligent debate - it can be very frustrating for atheists, leading to harsh words about religions. But while harsh,
maybe, JUST maybe they're something to consider, instead of going "LA LA LA LA LA Not Listening LA LA LALALA" in fact many religious people I've debated with have told me things verging on "You atheists shouldn't even talk about religion" - which is basically saying, we should have no freedom of speech out of decency to people that want to stick their head in the sand...! Well, I disagree. It's like people that say 'no talking about politics with me.' OH OKAY - your political decisions with huge real world ramifications are based solely on keeping a narrow view point?? Excuse me... There's so much more to politics than your life's scope on it - politics are supposed to benefit other people not just you, so why not Listen to other people?? I KNOW there's so much more to life than religion can explain or even attempt to explain, now science, it
can (over time) explain anything in life, it can in my life and if it can for me it really can for anyone, - it truly could replace the 'norm' we are used to. I used to be religious, but then I kept an open mind and changed, and I'm happier for that. Just because you have a spiritual experience, like you ask for a sign then it 'suddenly rains' doesn't mean there's intelligent design - maybe its just raining >.< just saying lol.
It's not that I don't want people to be happy, if religion is truly the ONLY thing that can comfort you and you need to hold onto it, then ok. I understand you. But give me the decency of understanding me in return - I'm not a atheist demon coming for your spiritual connection with your god. I'm just playing the unfortunate role of someone forced to fight for their beliefs by a majority of people who disagree with me and who facilitate a massive system of negative propaganda against us. I mean honestly, even where I live (even in Colorado!! Yep, theres some nutball evangelist extremists here) if I go out to eat, and mention to a waiter that I'm an atheist (or for that matter, that I'm bi, I grow weed, I'm Liberal, etc.) - my bbq sandwich
may just find its way into some spit because my waiter's congregation believes atheists are 'the AntiChrist's (surely Obama
) servants' ... that's what we're up against; some religious groups have so much vitriol and inherent stupidity that they really hate anyone that isn't like them, without caring at all why we aren't like them.
I've been told I'm not an atheist I just "hate god" ... no, I hate that you would say something so arrogant to me and dismiss me with such disdain as a result of your religious indoctrination. I don't ever cross the line from common courtesy to outright disdain just because people disagree with me - you may find it interesting to learn, I actually have religious friends and am very close to my devout cousins. But I can only be close to them because they aren't judgy of me; other cousins/aunts/uncles of mine are very hateful, they stopped talking to my whole immediate family when my parents let me stop going to church at a young age... frankly, f--- them and their obnoxious, stupid beliefs. They're so elitist and judgy... So much for the acceptance that Jesus supposedly taught. Growing up knowing part of my family considered me an evil child - then coming out bi - on top of everything else in my life, has really left a bad taste in my mouth from religion. Now are all religious people bad? no.. of course not. But the religion system
does encourage misinformation that oftimes leads to some very discriminatory practices, and I think the world would be much better off without it, people can find a new safety net like I did, and a much sturdier one...
though I know it will take time... lots... I mean religions are a major part of human roots and culture, ones that should be appreciated for their values but - kept in mind that they are not LITERALLY TRUE. It's like with Ancient Greek Mythology, I adore those stories, and I can actually appreciate the true morals of them
because of not taking them literally. It's the same for Christianity or Islam, if you believe 4 horsemen are coming for us, or that infidels ought to be treated as subhumans, its a lot harder to focus on the GOOD in those religions, like Jesus teaching love and forgiveness, or the Qoran teaching self reliance.. we need to recognize them for what they are, an important part of our history that reveals a lot about human nature, and teaches some very resounding morals... nothing more literal.
Excuse my rant - but you want no censors, you got them haha.. (might as well continue my unpopular streak and get that rant out of the way
lord knows it was brewing inside me but kept getting pressed down. It's good to let that out.
also that will provide some insight to my past for any who care to get to know me lol) ...
hmm maybe I should just blog my rants.... they are off topic after all.... well... for now its gonna chill right here, like it or not lol (just cus its here in my journal doesn't mean you have to read it
- its pretty easy to tell when I'm on topic vs off topic)
Edit: Hmm, Sue I didn't focus on the beginning of your post - because as you know I'm 100% there with you
LOS growing really warms the soul doesn't it? Honestly, that's the sort of spirituality I was talking about. From connected-ness with nature - not science. I went into depth about my religious background because well - it constantly bothers me. My mom is always talking about this thing at church and this sermon and how I'd really love it if I just went with her, and while I'm glad it warms her, I hate that she's always trying to pull me back into it - yet god forbid I bring up atheism - that is like talking about you-know-who. >.< I have to be subtle with her and say - "This astronomy show is so cool mom! Look at this - they call it the higgs bosun particle - it can potentially create something from nothing if we prove it exists! Making it the 'God Particle!' that really makes the physics of life possible! isn't that incredible!?" ... most of the time though she catches on and matter of factly states something like, "God isn't a particle!" and just gets this horrible knowing grin, simple as that, all over >.< ughhhhhhhhhh LOL. It's like - all science is almost off limits to talk about with her now, because of religion, and that sucks. I suppose I have a lifelong built up resentment for the mainstream monotheistic religions out there. Buddhism/Taoism I feel entirely different about - they have more a mindset like I do, than other religions.
I'm absolutely elated that you enjoyed my little Rico style update enough to look more into LOS! (That after all was kinda the point hahahaha - or was that not subtle? 
I'm so glad you're interested in LOS and I hope I can help you implement it one way or another!
that really is what it comes down to; religion is easy, thinking is hard, and change is scary. 
I wouldn't have it any other way. Thanks for bringing such positivity as always Rado - it takes a rare breed imo to say what you said haha.
