8.0.8.3 A Natural Way

Version 1.2 June 2018                                   (Previous Version)

We embrace the mystery of existence and the uncertainty that it entails.  Existence itself is a mystery to us all.  No religion or science explains our existence.  If god made us, who made god?

We can be entirely rational, scientific and sensibly skeptical and still accept the validity of mystical experiences.  We can feel a sense of unity with “the All�, lose our egos in love or a connection to others, be awed by the majesty, complexity and beauty of the universe, feel connected to life, humanity, our loved ones and our community, all without invoking supernatural explanations.

Our natural tendency to feel overwhelmed by the immensity of life, the universe and everything can be addressed, in a natural way, by:

●  understanding our origins as told to us by science and history, and how we fit into the world;

●  recognising the progress humanity has undeniably made in science and social justice (at the same time acknowledging that there is a lot more to be done),

●  acknowledging that our choices are as valid, if not more so, as those of any others;

●  recognising spiritual experiences that also provide comfort; and

●  recharging ourselves in communion with friends, lovers, family and our communities.

Some people define religion as requiring a belief in the supernatural – because historically that is what most religious beliefs have required.  There is no reason why our most fundamental explanations of life should include beliefs in the supernatural or transcendental beings or things. 

This Reasonable Global Way is “naturalistic�: it doesn’t include any belief in supernatural beings or things such as gods or spirits, though it does involve what can be called a supernatural principle, as explained in subsection 8.0.8.5.

This collection of beliefs and practices is emotionally and spiritually satisfying, believable in a way that the traditional dogmatic religious beliefs are not, providing more useful and simply delightful details, a richer tapestry, greater mysteries and an awesome wonder.