Upon reading this question for the first time I found it entirely absurd. The practical definition of atheism is the void of a God in ones life. The lack of belief that constrains to the teachings and reading of religious texts. Then I began to debate what religion was and the ideals present to us in the bible (as that is my religious experience from influence). One of the quotes that I recall the most is that "You shall have no other Gods before me", and goes on to account that our god is prone to jealousy. Upon many religious figures interpretation of this quote, they state that it is not always the act of worshiping a foreigner's god. It can be the act of worshiping singers, play writes, philosophical ideals. To which I know of no one that does not cross this line of worship. For we are a society that "worships everything and values nothing". Who is to say that we do not promote others in our lives to a God like state. I know I view Amy Winehouse as an image of poetic brilliance, who is to say that she is not my God.
So where is the line drawn when it comes to our passions and where it delves into worship? I believe it comes down to how much that understanding influences our principle beliefs. How much of our morals are shaped from their contribution? I came to an understanding that no matter what your religious conviction is we are prone to either create or focus on a god that we believe follows those convictions. We as a society want to find our path in life and the existence of worship is a profound part of it. We need things that shape our morals that aren't just social constructs presented to us by the public. Astrophysicist worship what they see in the stars, scientist worship the principles that shape our surroundings, philosophers worship the ideals that construct our reality, etc. We are beings that must worship some construct as an ultimate understanding, and without it we are lost.
Snippet lyrics Foreigner's God (Hozier):
Screaming the name Of a foreigner's God The purest expression of grief
Wondering who I'll copy Muster in some tender charm
...
All that I've been taught And every word I've got Is foreign to me
Comments