Probably a Different Perspective

[Nick_A]

Hi All

I've come to believe that neither science and the essence of religion nor the essence of religion and atheism are mutually exclusive. In fact they are complimentary.

I know this seems odd so I'd like to post a quote from Simone Weil to illustrate what I believe to be the unification of atheism and the essence of religion. I'd like to learn if you are open to this possibility or just find it ridiculous.

Religion in so far as it is a source of consolation is a hindrance to true faith; and in this sense atheism is a purification. I have to be an atheist with that part of myself which is not made for God. Among those in whom the supernatural part of themselves has not been awakened, the atheists are right and the believers wrong.
- Simone Weil, Faiths of Meditation; Contemplation of the divine
the Simone Weil Reader, edited by George A. Panichas (David McKay Co. NY 1977) p 417

[OldGit]

Why do I smell joss-sticks, hear chanting and see sandals and robes?  

[Whitney]

Nick, welcome to HAF.

Please read the rules about the 50 post policy.  If a discussion about your OP starts I will be moving it to the religion section.

[Tank]

Hi Nick

Welcome to HAF. Do tell us a little about yourself.

Regards
Chris

[Nick_A]

Nick, welcome to HAF.

Please read the rules about the 50 post policy.  If a discussion about your OP starts I will be moving it to the religion section.

Hi Whitney

I wanted to see what people are like here when presented with the unusual. Simone is about as unusual as you'll learn of. Who else could have been a brilliant Marxist admired by Trotsky and become an intellectual influence on Pope Paul V1.  If blanket denial is too great, there is no use continuing.

Chris, I'm just a regular guy with artistic and spiritual influences but with the mind of a chess player. I've become more aware that there is a need for the exchange of depth of ideas. Their absence is one of the reasons that people are driven towards materialism to fill the void in the heart the absence has caused. So I look around to see where it is possible.

[Tank]

Nick, welcome to HAF.

Please read the rules about the 50 post policy.  If a discussion about your OP starts I will be moving it to the religion section.

Hi Whitney

I wanted to see what people are like here when presented with the unusual. Simone is about as unusual as you'll learn of. Who else could have been a brilliant Marxist admired by Trotsky and become an intellectual influence on Pope Paul V1.  If blanket denial is too great, there is no use continuing.

Chris, I'm just a regular guy with artistic and spiritual influences but with the mind of a chess player. I've become more aware that there is a need for the exchange of depth of ideas. Their absence is one of the reasons that people are driven towards materialism to fill the void in the heart the absence has caused. So I look around to see where it is possible.

Nick

I look forward to reading your thoughts. Thing is we have a 50 post 'get to know you rule' here. It appears to do what its supposed to. So if you fancy sticking around get to your 50 and then we'll get down to the serious stuff.

[leedan]

Hello Nick_A and welcome,
Sounds a bit convoluted to me but i'm willing to give it some thought.

[Nick_A]

Hello Nick_A and welcome,
Sounds a bit convoluted to me but i'm willing to give it some thought.

I know it seems odd at first glance. But from the point of view of a person who believes that humanity lives in imagination described by Plato in his famous cave analogy, then it makes perfect sense. Both atheism and secularized religion are under the influence of imagination normal for cave life. Neither have opened their supernatural part necessary to experience and appreciate man's relationship to higher consciousness.

Of course the atheist would say "prove it" and the believer believing in a personal God will think it blasphemy. But Suppose Simone is right? How does a person seeking the truth of the human condition come to reconciile this since both sides will consider him nuts?

[non prophet]

i say that it's all just different perspective on the way you live your life and im new and im glad that the long time members haven't shot you down for being different like some other forums i've been to that support atheism

[Tank]

i say that it's all just different perspective on the way you live your life and im new and im glad that the long time members haven't shot you down for being different like some other forums i've been to that support atheism

Difference is what makes the world go around!

[Nick_A]

i say that it's all just different perspective on the way you live your life and im new and im glad that the long time members haven't shot you down for being different like some other forums i've been to that support atheism

I would expect to be shot down. Whenever people hold strong opinions they will shoot down what threatens them. That is why I admire those like Simone Weil. She was considered the greatest pain in the ass in the University where she studied. She probably was. But instead of being open to these strange people that have an overwhelming need for truth, people condemn them for not fitting in since they threaten our established norms.

The Director of Career Placement, Ecole Normale Supérieure wrote of Simone:

We shall send the Red Virgin as far away as possible so that we shall never hear of her again

The Police Commissioner of Le Puy to the Prefect in a 1932 report to the Prefect wrote of Simone:

In the interest of public security it would be advisable that this person be distanced from Le Puy, where she has never ceased to preach revolt.

Yet Malcolm Muggeridge described Simone as:

In my opinion, the most luminous intelligence of the twentieth century

Existentialist philosopher Albert Camus in a letter to Weil's mother in 1951 wrote:

Simone Weil, I still know this now, is the only great mind of our times and I hope that those who realize this have enough modesty to not try to appropriate her overwhelming witnessing.

For my part, I would be satisfied if one could say that in my place, with the humble means at my disposal, I served to make known and disseminate her work whose full impact we have yet to measure.

I ask myself who I have the greatest respect for; those that condemn those like Simone or those that realize these are special people we can learn from if we are open to learning beyond being conditioned.

Well for me, I'll take Simone over the deiers in whatever form regardless of how intense their righteous indignation becomes.

[OldGit]

Why do I smell joss-sticks, hear chanting and see sandals and robes? 

Looking at that again, it was a cheap shot as well as unwelcoming.  I apologise.

[Asmodean]

Why do I smell joss-sticks, hear chanting and see sandals and robes?  

MY line! Now where was that rant emoticon?!

[Whitney]

MY line! Now where was that rant emoticon?!

SMF 2.0 was officially released this past week...after I get it installed I will look for where I load the smilies and restore our old ones.

[The Magic Pudding]

SMF 2.0 was officially released this past week...after I get it installed I will look for where I load the smilies and restore our old ones.

I've seen a spaghetti monster smilie on a neighbouring forum and I'm feeling covetous.