Comments on: The Contributions of Freethinkers: Zora Neale Hurston http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/07/the-contributions-of-freethinkers-vii.html NIGHTTIME IS FOR DREAMING. DAYLIGHT IS FOR ACTION. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:09:52 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Danikajaye http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/07/the-contributions-of-freethinkers-vii.html#comment-48720 Danikajaye Wed, 22 Jul 2009 02:12:20 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1080#comment-48720 One of my favourite - I suppose "religion themed"- songs at the moment is "Laughing With" by Regina Spektor. I love the melody and her voice but when I first listened to it I had mixed feeling because I wasn't sure what she was getting at in terms of her thoughts on religion. I've settled on thinking the lyrics are more observational. I would be interested to hear people opinions. You can see the lyrics here http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858775560/ One of my favourite - I suppose "religion themed"- songs at the moment is "Laughing With" by Regina Spektor. I love the melody and her voice but when I first listened to it I had mixed feeling because I wasn't sure what she was getting at in terms of her thoughts on religion. I've settled on thinking the lyrics are more observational. I would be interested to hear people opinions. You can see the lyrics here http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858775560/

]]> By: Ebonmuse http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/07/the-contributions-of-freethinkers-vii.html#comment-48650 Ebonmuse Sat, 18 Jul 2009 13:56:47 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1080#comment-48650 <blockquote>I suggest the song "When I'm Gone," which is achingly sad because he ended up committing suicide at such a young age. But it beautifully expresses how this life should be lived to the fullest, since it's the only one we've got.</blockquote> I know this song! The Unitarian Universalist church that my fiancee and I attend on occasion plays it at the end of every service. I've always loved it, and now I know who wrote it. Thanks, Ingrid!

I suggest the song "When I'm Gone," which is achingly sad because he ended up committing suicide at such a young age. But it beautifully expresses how this life should be lived to the fullest, since it's the only one we've got.

I know this song! The Unitarian Universalist church that my fiancee and I attend on occasion plays it at the end of every service. I've always loved it, and now I know who wrote it. Thanks, Ingrid!

]]> By: terrence http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/07/the-contributions-of-freethinkers-vii.html#comment-48635 terrence Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:36:56 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1080#comment-48635 Richard, look on the right of this page to Greta Christins's Blog and see "Comforting Thoughts About Death that Have Nothing to do With God"- it's GREAT, Richard, look on the right of this page to Greta Christins's Blog and see "Comforting Thoughts About Death that Have Nothing to do With God"- it's GREAT,

]]> By: Herb http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/07/the-contributions-of-freethinkers-vii.html#comment-48626 Herb Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:58:12 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1080#comment-48626 "When I'm Gone" by Phil Ochs ought to be like the atheist national anthem. It's just perfect. "When I'm Gone" by Phil Ochs ought to be like the atheist national anthem. It's just perfect.

]]> By: Richard http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/07/the-contributions-of-freethinkers-vii.html#comment-48623 Richard Fri, 17 Jul 2009 04:11:58 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1080#comment-48623 This quote reminds me of Ebon's incredible essay on bands of iron and the history of life from a few months ago. I'm an atheist but I'm also quite a spiritual person - by which I mean I have a lot of faith, but it's faith in people and in the universe - and I've struggled to reconcile those two things, but when I read words like these I really feel like I can do it. I wonder if anyone knows of any other writers who have articulated this sort of... atheist spiritual meaningfulness... wow, I'm really tripping over my words here... I mean, can anyone suggest any pieces of writing that describe all the beautiful ways there are to overcome fear of death without resorting to religion? I'd really appreciate it. This quote reminds me of Ebon's incredible essay on bands of iron and the history of life from a few months ago. I'm an atheist but I'm also quite a spiritual person - by which I mean I have a lot of faith, but it's faith in people and in the universe - and I've struggled to reconcile those two things, but when I read words like these I really feel like I can do it.

I wonder if anyone knows of any other writers who have articulated this sort of... atheist spiritual meaningfulness... wow, I'm really tripping over my words here... I mean, can anyone suggest any pieces of writing that describe all the beautiful ways there are to overcome fear of death without resorting to religion? I'd really appreciate it.

]]> By: Leum http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/07/the-contributions-of-freethinkers-vii.html#comment-48622 Leum Fri, 17 Jul 2009 02:23:50 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1080#comment-48622 Ingrid, I've always felt the truly tragic song was "Cross My Heart." Just thinking of "So I'm gonna give all that I've got to give. Cross my heart, and I hope to live" brings tears to my eyes. Ingrid, I've always felt the truly tragic song was "Cross My Heart." Just thinking of "So I'm gonna give all that I've got to give. Cross my heart, and I hope to live" brings tears to my eyes.

]]> By: Nurse Ingrid http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/07/the-contributions-of-freethinkers-vii.html#comment-48618 Nurse Ingrid Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:12:20 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1080#comment-48618 I am a huge Zora Neale fan, so this post is wonderful to see. She was a complex and sometimes frustrating person but always brilliant and endlessly fascinating. I wish she could have lived to see the recognition that she now has. Can you tell I wrote papers about her in college? And I second terrence -- you need to check out Phil Ochs, Ebon, stat. (listen to your elders, sonny boy!) I suggest the song "When I'm Gone," which is achingly sad because he ended up committing suicide at such a young age. But it beautifully expresses how this life should be lived to the fullest, since it's the only one we've got. Then cheer yourself up with "Love me, I'm a Liberal," which is freaking hilarious. (and was equally hilariously updated for the 90s by Mojo Nixon and Jello Biafra.) I am a huge Zora Neale fan, so this post is wonderful to see. She was a complex and sometimes frustrating person but always brilliant and endlessly fascinating. I wish she could have lived to see the recognition that she now has. Can you tell I wrote papers about her in college?

And I second terrence -- you need to check out Phil Ochs, Ebon, stat. (listen to your elders, sonny boy!)

I suggest the song "When I'm Gone," which is achingly sad because he ended up committing suicide at such a young age. But it beautifully expresses how this life should be lived to the fullest, since it's the only one we've got.

Then cheer yourself up with "Love me, I'm a Liberal," which is freaking hilarious. (and was equally hilariously updated for the 90s by Mojo Nixon and Jello Biafra.)

]]> By: terrence http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/07/the-contributions-of-freethinkers-vii.html#comment-48617 terrence Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:58:53 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1080#comment-48617 THIS is why DA is one of the best sites ever- it points us (me) to people I never heard of. Typing this at the library, now it's off to the card catalog to see if they have any Hurston....thanks Ebon, you whippersnapper. Never heard of Phil Ochs, indeed. THIS is why DA is one of the best sites ever- it points us (me) to people I never heard of. Typing this at the library, now it's off to the card catalog to see if they have any Hurston....thanks Ebon, you whippersnapper. Never heard of Phil Ochs, indeed.

]]> By: Scotlyn http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/07/the-contributions-of-freethinkers-vii.html#comment-48612 Scotlyn Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:11:53 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1080#comment-48612 Thanks for this post. I loved "Their Eyes Were Watching God," but read it a great many years ago and have forgotten much - this reminds me that Ms Hurston is worth going back to re-discover. Lovely quote. Her writing is superb - "million-formed and never motionless flame..." Makes my hair stand on end! Thanks for this post. I loved "Their Eyes Were Watching God," but read it a great many years ago and have forgotten much - this reminds me that Ms Hurston is worth going back to re-discover. Lovely quote. Her writing is superb - "million-formed and never motionless flame..." Makes my hair stand on end!

]]> By: Ebonmuse http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/07/the-contributions-of-freethinkers-vii.html#comment-48608 Ebonmuse Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:48:05 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1080#comment-48608 I haven't heard of Phil Ochs, but there are plenty of freethinkers worth discussing. :) I haven't heard of Phil Ochs, but there are plenty of freethinkers worth discussing. :)

]]> By: Scott http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/07/the-contributions-of-freethinkers-vii.html#comment-48607 Scott Thu, 16 Jul 2009 09:30:41 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1080#comment-48607 Wow, truly an amazing quote. Wow, truly an amazing quote.

]]> By: Leum http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/07/the-contributions-of-freethinkers-vii.html#comment-48605 Leum Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:34:50 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1080#comment-48605 Ebonmuse: if you're open to suggestions for this series, may I recommend singer/songwriter/political commentator Phil Ochs? Ebonmuse: if you're open to suggestions for this series, may I recommend singer/songwriter/political commentator Phil Ochs?

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