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After re-watching Richard Dawkin's series “The enemies of reason”, I was reminded
that although there are many negatives in religion, there are a few things that they
and the new agers still hold the pattens on that may actually be useful to humanity. As
you saw in my little tour of my alter, I enjoy my alter, rituals and feng shui. Many purists
would say “You aren't a real skeptic if you indulge in that.” Well yes I am, however
I use these not in a dogmatic way but in a helpful way. I coined his phrase in discussion
with my Girlfriend last week, which I called useful mysticism. My kitchen god is no different
from pretending that Santa is real, and if it reminds me to keep my kitchen clean I may
have to get a bathroom god after Chinese new year to remind me to keep my toilet clean.
Thanks to a mix of paradolia which is seeing patterns that aren't there and our own mirror
neurons which produce empathy, we are capable of feeling life or a presence when it is not,
especially on inanimate
objects. If I can trick my mind to think that the kitchen god is actually a presences and
will punish me if I don't keep my kitchen clean then all the better. The mind readily
accepts and is open to illusion thanks to our limited perceptions and mental processes.
I find it interesting that along with so many scientists, illusionists are some of the top
skeptics. Just because I go see an illusionist, it doesn't mean I believe that person has
any magical powers, the same is true with my kitchen god. My alter is a reminder of
things that are important to myself and what I hold dear. I light candles and meditate
and do yoga in front of it in an attempt to be reminded that I should focus on what is
truly important in life and relax.
There are actually many atheists out there who still attend worship service specifically
in non-judgmental and liberal churches for this very reason. There are beautiful interiors
and rituals that allow that person to take their mind our of the real world for a period
of time, which is very therapeutic at times. Alternative medical practitioners give pampering
attention, and advice and they allow us to be in a non-jaded and relaxed safe place,
which is good for the brain on occasion. My Girlfriend and I went to a Greek fest on the
north side of town and they were celebrating their Greek orthodox church. The spokesperson
proudly proclaimed that when the Russian czar decided to pick a religion for his country
he sent ambassadors around and picked the Greek orthodox church because it was the most
beautiful. I was blown away that being pretty was the reason anyone would pick a religion,
however on a certain level I can understand. Beauty is their idea of god and they want
to be closer to god. Churches weren't even constructed til the 4th century and the Christian
community was more of a communist co-op who were supposed to help the poor and needy as
opposed to making rich buildings. Dr Robert Price Suggested in place of churches, we build
lyceums, which in ancient Greece were places of learning and art as well as a gymnasium
and library. It was a place to come and discuss philosophy, science or art, and it was beautifully
designed. It was a cathedral to learning that took one out of the mundane and inspired one
to learn. They also acted as public meeting houses, much like the British pubs used to
be. I do not know how the funds for this sort of project would be raised considering all
the other things needing our help, however the idea would take away one more thing that
religion can hold a patent on. Churches also hold a patent on 2 other areas.
That is the collection plate and group singing. It is found that religious people give more,
and that is actually the only area where they statistically claim to surpass us. A lot of
this however is caused by the fact that church hits them with constant reminders of giving
and making it very easy to give and uncomfortable not to give. Sadly a lot of this giving goes
to not actually help those in need, but to frivolous decorations at best and televangelists
at worst. Group singing is pretty much the only thing
I miss at church, in fact I know a few people who still go to church because it is the only
place where singing is not only allowed but almost mandatory. If you watch my video amazing
truth, it shows that I haven't been to church in 8 years as my voice has sadly feel out
of practice. Many Christians think that god is filling them during their praise in song,
but studies have found that singing in unison has an emotional effect on anyone regardless
of the song, and it creates a feeling of community and togetherness. For some reason singing
anywhere else is looked down on or considered annoying because our Ipods have set a very
high standard of what is considered good singing. Karaoke is the only place that singing is
ok in our society and its never together. Who knows maybe rock band will be the new
church for many people. We had a great time singing along to the Beatles together, at
our center for inquiry on new years. Maybe “Just as I am” will be replaced by I am
the walrus for group singing. Sounds like a great ritual to start to me!
Dawkins also discussed in his video medicine and pseudo-science, and found a few positive
things about it. In the case magic like crystals there is the fun in getting new things, most
of the pseudo-science books I've found have beautiful pictures and seem full of hope.
I use feng shui because it helps me declutter and people say it helps make the room look
nice which is good as I have no fashion sense. It also makes me more aware of things in my
house I need to take care of. Even if its not real, the effects I put into are useful
mysticism. A little illusion is good for the soul and the placebo effect helps
However overspending, reduced skepticism, blind belief and getting ripped off are not.
If your skepticism becomes compromised by not scientifically backed treatments or beliefs
back off so you can think without the emotion involved. In alternative medicine, if you
can't back up the treatment with scientific methods such as double blind testing, replace
it with a massage. Something tried and true to be highly beneficial for you if done by
a licensed practitioner, and you get pampered to your hearts content.