Hi Ani, this question resonates so much with me. Something I've been thinking about a lot over the last few years. I grew up atheist but now I'm realizing how many important values, practices, and connections essential for our collective wellbeing are woven into religion. We are losing those values, practices, and connections as more people are throwing away religion, yet there are few secular ways of keeping them alive.
I'm currently putting together a talk on what ancient wisdom and modern science is telling us about human wellbeing. I think we do need a new kind of religion that bridges the two worlds. I completely agree with you that the core of it requires human connection across diversity. I also love that you see all religions as a similar thing! I made an illustrated blog post about this that you might like: https://www.jessicafan.ca/blog/2019/9/30/what-is-truth-what-is-vessel
I would love to talk more about these ideas if you're open to it. I happen to know several friends who know you too so I feel we're meant to connect :)
Hello Jess! Thank you so so much for your thoughtful message!
That is so awesome that you’re putting together that talk about ancient wisdom and modern science! Where are you planning to do that talk? Sounds very interesting! I would love to hear it!
And you know what’s so fascinating to me, lately? Is that not even universal truths can be forced upon people, if they don’t feel like it!
I feel like what religions do, more than anything, is to get their members to “agree” to believe in one thing or another.
And I feel like we would be way more relaxed about religions if we saw them as a specific bundle of agreements than fighting to have the absolute true of life and the universe.
If there’s one thing I would love for all religions to agree upon is: Let’s be kind to each other, man! Let’s just take care of each other and the earth. And by each other, I mean every living creature on earth and beyond, not just every member of our group.
Yes I am! I would love to be friends! And thanks for reading my post!
I like your point about having a bundle of agreements vs. forcing absolute truth. It's partly why I was drawn to Buddhism - they emphasized trying things out for yourself, and not believing blindly. I feel that when people believe blindly, they easily forget the reason why the belief was developed in the first place. I've been thinking about how to make agreements with friends so that we can deepen our connection and community resilience, like committing to being there for each other when we need support, to make time for each other, to see each other regularly, to help each others' families. Sometimes these agreements are implicit but it helps to make them explicit.
The talk is part of the Learning Night Toronto group. It's actually today at 1pm EST (sorry for the short notice!). I'll DM you the link in case you're able to make it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughtful writing and images. Please share more!
Hi Ani, this question resonates so much with me. Something I've been thinking about a lot over the last few years. I grew up atheist but now I'm realizing how many important values, practices, and connections essential for our collective wellbeing are woven into religion. We are losing those values, practices, and connections as more people are throwing away religion, yet there are few secular ways of keeping them alive.
I'm currently putting together a talk on what ancient wisdom and modern science is telling us about human wellbeing. I think we do need a new kind of religion that bridges the two worlds. I completely agree with you that the core of it requires human connection across diversity. I also love that you see all religions as a similar thing! I made an illustrated blog post about this that you might like: https://www.jessicafan.ca/blog/2019/9/30/what-is-truth-what-is-vessel
I would love to talk more about these ideas if you're open to it. I happen to know several friends who know you too so I feel we're meant to connect :)
Cheers,
Jess
Hello Jess! Thank you so so much for your thoughtful message!
That is so awesome that you’re putting together that talk about ancient wisdom and modern science! Where are you planning to do that talk? Sounds very interesting! I would love to hear it!
And you know what’s so fascinating to me, lately? Is that not even universal truths can be forced upon people, if they don’t feel like it!
I feel like what religions do, more than anything, is to get their members to “agree” to believe in one thing or another.
And I feel like we would be way more relaxed about religions if we saw them as a specific bundle of agreements than fighting to have the absolute true of life and the universe.
If there’s one thing I would love for all religions to agree upon is: Let’s be kind to each other, man! Let’s just take care of each other and the earth. And by each other, I mean every living creature on earth and beyond, not just every member of our group.
I adored your post!
Hey! Aren’t you Jimmy’s friend?
Yes!!! Let’s be friends!!
Yes I am! I would love to be friends! And thanks for reading my post!
I like your point about having a bundle of agreements vs. forcing absolute truth. It's partly why I was drawn to Buddhism - they emphasized trying things out for yourself, and not believing blindly. I feel that when people believe blindly, they easily forget the reason why the belief was developed in the first place. I've been thinking about how to make agreements with friends so that we can deepen our connection and community resilience, like committing to being there for each other when we need support, to make time for each other, to see each other regularly, to help each others' families. Sometimes these agreements are implicit but it helps to make them explicit.
The talk is part of the Learning Night Toronto group. It's actually today at 1pm EST (sorry for the short notice!). I'll DM you the link in case you're able to make it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughtful writing and images. Please share more!