Thursday, June 27, 2019

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?

Saturday, June 1, 2019

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.