Though it seems paradoxical after I poked the bear last night, I believe 100% in agnostic.com's core principles:
The following are core principles * we agree with:
Be open-minded and be willing to alter your beliefs with new evidence.
Strive to understand what is most likely to be true, not to believe what you wish to be true.
The scientific method is the most reliable way of understanding the natural world.
Every person has the right to control of their body.
A god is not necessary to be a good person or to live a full and meaningful life.
Be mindful of the consequences of all your actions and recognize that you must take responsibility for them.
Treat others as you would want them to treat you, and can reasonably expect them to want to be treated. Think about their perspective.
We have the responsibility to consider others, including future generations.
There is no one right way to live.
Leave the world a better place than you found it.
Open minded is good. A much easier concept than a practice. But it is a good goal to ascribe to.
Understanding what "is" rather than what it is you want to be true is good too. My understanding is that there are some truths we humans are about as capable of understanding as an ant is capable of understanding quantum theory
The scientific method is indeed one reliable method of understanding the natural world... it is slow, it is prone to mistakes and it should not be relied on without benefit of intuition. To do so makes it but yet another religion.
Yes everyone has a right to control their bodies. Most in this world do not have the freedom to do so as that right is relatively cultural specific (and diarrhea is but one of many exceptions that violate that precept).
It is true "A god is not necessary to be a good person or to live a full and meaningful life." It is also true that the absence of a God does not, per force, guarantee that a person will be good, or live a meaningful or full life.
Mindfulness, consequences and responsibility are serious precepts that most cannot embrace because they cannot control their emotions and choose to tilt at windmills rather than fight the good fight with the right foe for the right reasons.
"Treat others as you would want them to treat you, and can reasonably expect them to want to be treated. Think about their perspective." is a great idea that one can easily disprove with any research sample by giving them the opportunity to show how they want to be treated by how they will treat you. (Refer to last night's bear poking..)
" We have the responsibility to consider others, including future generations. " Without a doubt
"There is no one right way to live." I disagree. Love is the right way to live.
" Leave the world a better place than you found it." Even if it requires your blood OR your life.
Welcome to Agnostics and nice to see a poetry quoting American who doesn't only wear a blasted baseball cap.
Good on ya Mate...
-Joe
@GnosticLove like the over use of baseball caps I abhor the use of "mate". My frequently desired response, given here for illustrative not literal purpose is, if I had the energy and inclination to physicality, I would say -
"Until now I've never met you before in my life, you do not look like mate material for me, your pronouncement of the word 'mate' has all the sincerity of the archbishop proclaiming no knowledge of pedophilia in the Catholic Church!"
However, knowing that you have just been to my profile and been waylaid/misled by the choice view of Australians by those of Indian culture I can understand your use of the four letter word. The reality can be gleaned from another link in the profile.
Hello.
@GnosticLove That last word was claimed as the shortest poem ever written in the world by a man called Spike Milligan of Goon fame.
He dedicated the poem to the lonely.
I believe that he was not correct. The shortest poem was mine. Written and dedicated to the billions believing that there is a God:
@FrayedBear As a practicioner of Occham's Razor I do cede the 2019 Prize for parsimony in poetry you My Friend.
You would only be one up'd by a vowel or consonant from a h.
I realized
my slip too late
I presumed you friendly
hence the use of 'Mate"
I know now if
I chat with thee
To refer to you as a descendant
from a penal colony
Sired by a
guard perhaps
When your mother
nuzzled in his lap
In sincerity I concur with you.
You are not friend material at all.
Must have been another bear 'cos I do not remember being poked.