What do you believe happens to me when I die?

I call myself an agnostic humanist. I choose these words very intentionally. Agnostic just means there are a lot of things that I don't claim to know for certain. Humanist describes what is at the core of my perspective or worldview. I specifically avoid saying "atheist" because I'd rather be defined by what I do believe in rather than what I don't.

I'll describe it as briefly as I can:
(Agnostic) I haven't seen enough evidence to convince me there is any such thing as "supernatural" (though I believe that "natural" is much bigger than we usually think) so I don't make any claims as to the existence of a deity.
(Humanist) I think that human life is the most valuable thing we have and should be the basis of morality.

Recently I was asked what I believe will happen to me after I die. I jokingly replied, "well I hope my wishes are followed for my body to be donated to science!" To which they replied, "no, I mean what do you believe happens to your soul?"

Since I don't believe in anything supernatural, then I don't believe in things like souls or an afterlife. I believe that this life is all that we have and we need to make the most of it for ourselves and everyone we come in contact with.

However, if there is a higher power that decides our eternal fate (either of their own accord, or they've decided there are eternal consequences for those who don't "choose" them), and they are good, then I believe I'll be ok because I've been trying to do right by their creation. C. S. Lewis seems to agree with me (Tash/Aslan). But if that higher power would damn me to eternal torment because I was not convinced and therefore did not "choose" or worship them, regardless of how I lived my life, then I would not consider them good and worthy of worship, and I think we should all be concerned.

So that brings me to some questions for you:
Considering my position (unconvinced; I don't hate God, I just haven't experienced "him"), what does your God say I deserve when I die? Do you agree? Do you still find them worthy of worship?

Personal Responsibility

The world would be a better place if we all took more personal responsibility. Am I right?

The funny thing about personal responsibility is that it is *personal*. That means no one can decide yours for you, and you can't decide anyone else's.

Furthermore, it is unique to each person. Oh sure, there are basic principles that will apply to everyone, but your purpose in life will be different than mine, and that's how it should be.

I have a thing I like to say: Take responsibility and give credit. We like to switch those, but that usually results in selfishness and oppression. Unless someone reports to you for whatever reason, it is not our place to give out responsibility.

I struggle with this one, and I bet you do too. I challenge you to pay attention and be mindful of how often you give responsibility and take credit. I challenge you to intentionally switch those.

Why I am a humanist

Here is why I am a humanist:

Any time one's morality is based on a religion, then the deity of that faith system is the highest priority in determining right and wrong. If something "hurts" or offends the deity, then it is wrong, even if it hurts no people. If something uplifts or glorifies the deity, then it is right, even if it hurts people.

In humanism humanity is the priority. We also value animal and plant life, and even the "life" of the planet and universe, but humanity is the focus. If it hurts people, it's wrong.

Furthermore, religious morality (sometimes subconsciously or unintentionally) gives priority to people who value or align with the deity. Humanism gives priority to humans who value humans. No label (race, gender, religion, orientation, etc) changes that value.

I don't have a problem with your religion. I have a problem when any religion becomes a weapon against other humans.

The power of privilege

priv·i·lege

/ˈpriv(ə)lij/

noun
a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group.

How do you react when the topic of privilege comes up? Why is that?

It's very easy for most of us to quickly make a list of the hurdles and disadvantages that stand between us and our ideal life, but what happens when we acknowledge our privilege? I can think of two very significant things right away.

Gratitude.

For many of us, if we're honest with ourselves about our "progress", it probably has less to do with how far we've come and more to do with where we started. If we're honest with ourselves, it doesn't matter how much we've earned, we've probably been given more. This should result in a healthy dose of gratitude, and a better outlook on life in general.

Compassion.

Once we learn to focus on what we have instead of what we lack, it becomes a lot easier to see what others lack. When we have identified the advantages we have that we didn't earn, we become less likely to subconsciously attribute someone else's hardship to lack of effort.

When we see how much we have we're so much more likely to give to those who don't, no matter how much we really have.