Comments on: The Lesson of Autumn Leaves: A Humanist Sermon http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/the-lesson-of-autumn-leaves.html NIGHTTIME IS FOR DREAMING. DAYLIGHT IS FOR ACTION. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:52:04 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: XPK http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/the-lesson-of-autumn-leaves.html#comment-52040 XPK Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:22:33 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1198#comment-52040 "Well said! I would add that, the more you look into the metaphor, the more it works. Many of us go on to add to the great churn of life, feeding and nourishing the next batch on our way out; and many others are swept away into the gutters; and more still are ignored and left where they lie on sidewalks, trod underfoot as the world goes about its business. Perhaps a bit more somber, but this too is a perspective; and yet it is the way of the world, and if we would see it changed, then we have work to do. A beautiful sermon, worthy of our finest meeting halls - far worthier than the hollow comforts of our primitive superstitions. Keep up the good work!" @D - Wow...this is almost the exact same metaphor (i.e. parable) Jesus uses himself in the Bible about sowing seed on the ground: some falls on the rough ground, some is eaten by birds, some choked by thorns, but some finds good soil and takes root and flourishes. In fact, I guarantee we could take your comment and put it on a religious blog comment board and you would be getting "Hallelujiah, sister" and "Amen" all over the place. Perhaps this is simply because the metaphor applies to just about any message in the world (education, advertising, etc). I think a lot about how insignificant we really are as human beings. If I wasn't here, someone else would be married to my wife, owning my cats, living in my house, doing my job, thinking my thoughts, commenting on this blog, and trying to deal with my parents. I have a feeling many people do not think this way because they find it insanely depressing (as I do also at times). But, as stated earlier that IS the reality of the world. The movie "It's A Wonderful Life" does a wonderful job of making life without YOU a horribly dark and depressing place. Well, what if we told the story of "It's a Wonderful Life" with the main character as Al Capone? Would he at the end of the movie be telling Clarence, "I want to live again"? "Well said! I would add that, the more you look into the metaphor, the more it works. Many of us go on to add to the great churn of life, feeding and nourishing the next batch on our way out; and many others are swept away into the gutters; and more still are ignored and left where they lie on sidewalks, trod underfoot as the world goes about its business. Perhaps a bit more somber, but this too is a perspective; and yet it is the way of the world, and if we would see it changed, then we have work to do.
A beautiful sermon, worthy of our finest meeting halls - far worthier than the hollow comforts of our primitive superstitions. Keep up the good work!"

@D - Wow...this is almost the exact same metaphor (i.e. parable) Jesus uses himself in the Bible about sowing seed on the ground: some falls on the rough ground, some is eaten by birds, some choked by thorns, but some finds good soil and takes root and flourishes. In fact, I guarantee we could take your comment and put it on a religious blog comment board and you would be getting "Hallelujiah, sister" and "Amen" all over the place. Perhaps this is simply because the metaphor applies to just about any message in the world (education, advertising, etc).

I think a lot about how insignificant we really are as human beings. If I wasn't here, someone else would be married to my wife, owning my cats, living in my house, doing my job, thinking my thoughts, commenting on this blog, and trying to deal with my parents. I have a feeling many people do not think this way because they find it insanely depressing (as I do also at times). But, as stated earlier that IS the reality of the world.

The movie "It's A Wonderful Life" does a wonderful job of making life without YOU a horribly dark and depressing place. Well, what if we told the story of "It's a Wonderful Life" with the main character as Al Capone? Would he at the end of the movie be telling Clarence, "I want to live again"?

]]> By: You Made Me Say It! » Blog Archive » Humanist Symposium #46 http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/the-lesson-of-autumn-leaves.html#comment-52037 You Made Me Say It! » Blog Archive » Humanist Symposium #46 Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:25:12 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1198#comment-52037 [...] Atheism The lesson of Autumn Leaves: A Humanist Sermon Either way, what the Earth’s major monotheisms teach us to desire is permanence: a world [...] [...] Atheism The lesson of Autumn Leaves: A Humanist Sermon Either way, what the Earth’s major monotheisms teach us to desire is permanence: a world [...]

]]> By: Scotlyn http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/the-lesson-of-autumn-leaves.html#comment-52022 Scotlyn Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:37:12 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1198#comment-52022 Hurray for flux. As an ex-Christian, the concept of eternity also gives me the shivers - especially as it seems to preclude the concept of inhabiting a society of people of different ages and experiences - elders and children. Perpetual anything would have to be a torture in the long run - after awhile everyone would be about the same age, and have lived about the same experiences. Ugh! A very well expressed and thoughtful musing - thanks. Hurray for flux. As an ex-Christian, the concept of eternity also gives me the shivers - especially as it seems to preclude the concept of inhabiting a society of people of different ages and experiences - elders and children. Perpetual anything would have to be a torture in the long run - after awhile everyone would be about the same age, and have lived about the same experiences. Ugh!

A very well expressed and thoughtful musing - thanks.

]]> By: the chaplain http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/the-lesson-of-autumn-leaves.html#comment-51998 the chaplain Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:11:04 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1198#comment-51998 Thanks for a nice piece. I agree that religious believers who hold doctrines of special creation and eternal life actually are the arrogant, narcissistic ones, not us. Thanks for a nice piece. I agree that religious believers who hold doctrines of special creation and eternal life actually are the arrogant, narcissistic ones, not us.

]]> By: PeterW http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/the-lesson-of-autumn-leaves.html#comment-51992 PeterW Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:24:30 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1198#comment-51992 Thanks D, I have to start bookmarking may favorite articles since my brain lacks the capacity to remember them accurately. Is that part of our perfect design? Thanks D,
I have to start bookmarking may favorite articles since my brain lacks the capacity to remember them accurately. Is that part of our perfect design?

]]> By: Steve Bowen http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/the-lesson-of-autumn-leaves.html#comment-51991 Steve Bowen Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:39:01 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1198#comment-51991 The idea of an eternal after life, and certainly a <i>heavenly</i> immortality, is not that evident in the bible. It seems to be a later, post Paulian, idea. Robert Wright in his excellent book <a href="http://www.evolutionofgod.net/excerpts_chapter13/" rel="nofollow"> The Evolution of God</a> suggests it developed in response to the non-appearance of the Kingdom of Heaven during or shortly following Jesus' (supposed) lifetime. The idea of an eternal after life, and certainly a heavenly immortality, is not that evident in the bible. It seems to be a later, post Paulian, idea. Robert Wright in his excellent book The Evolution of God suggests it developed in response to the non-appearance of the Kingdom of Heaven during or shortly following Jesus' (supposed) lifetime.

]]> By: John http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/the-lesson-of-autumn-leaves.html#comment-51989 John Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:00:06 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1198#comment-51989 On some level I wonder if the various creators of the bible really created it as a tongue in cheek piece of fiction like the Easter Bunny, Coyote, etc. to create a social identity and/or mores, or to give answers to their children incessant questions or escapist fantasy. Or maybe a way to justify a collective greed reaping a reward realized by war or the like. Also the possibility exists one wishes as by example societal permission for the poetic to be allowed in a dreary life. However, I doubt that they were that noble. On some level I wonder if the various creators of the bible really created it as a tongue in cheek piece of fiction like the Easter Bunny, Coyote, etc. to create a social identity and/or mores, or to give answers to their children incessant questions or escapist fantasy. Or maybe a way to justify a collective greed reaping a reward realized by war or the like. Also the possibility exists one wishes as by example societal permission for the poetic to be allowed in a dreary life. However, I doubt that they were that noble.

]]> By: Caiphen http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/the-lesson-of-autumn-leaves.html#comment-51987 Caiphen Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:57:07 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1198#comment-51987 One thing I know being an ex christian. I appreciate life far more now than what I did then. I spend more time with my family and appreciate every moment. To think, our ancestors fought for our existence and gave us life. What more reason do we need to love life and be in awe of the universe that we come from? There is none. Life is short and the universe is beautiful, so this weekend forget about that dumb assignment or that room you have to paint. Go out with your loved ones and behold the majesty. One thing I know being an ex christian. I appreciate life far more now than what I did then. I spend more time with my family and appreciate every moment.

To think, our ancestors fought for our existence and gave us life. What more reason do we need to love life and be in awe of the universe that we come from? There is none.

Life is short and the universe is beautiful, so this weekend forget about that dumb assignment or that room you have to paint. Go out with your loved ones and behold the majesty.

]]> By: D http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/the-lesson-of-autumn-leaves.html#comment-51986 D Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:42:52 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1198#comment-51986 <b>@ MikeK (#5):</b> Thanks for the correction! I waited to get home before responding, because I wanted to check my source. It's really funny, I had this mental photograph in my head of the quote appearing at the top left of an even page, but I found it in the book and it's actually at the bottom right of an odd page (and yeah, it's Heraclitus - I <i>totally</i> misremembered). Also, you merely corrected me, so I don't think you were being pedantic. Just <i>right</i>. Ain't a thing wrong with that! @ MikeK (#5): Thanks for the correction! I waited to get home before responding, because I wanted to check my source. It's really funny, I had this mental photograph in my head of the quote appearing at the top left of an even page, but I found it in the book and it's actually at the bottom right of an odd page (and yeah, it's Heraclitus - I totally misremembered).

Also, you merely corrected me, so I don't think you were being pedantic. Just right. Ain't a thing wrong with that!

]]> By: Libby http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/the-lesson-of-autumn-leaves.html#comment-51985 Libby Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:25:35 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1198#comment-51985 @MikeK In the second paragraph from the last, I believe you mean "omniscient." Nitpicking, I know... But this really reminds me of a Christian I was talking to the other day. She just couldn't get her head around the idea of living without a promise of eternity. I remember, when I was christian, almost being afraid of the idea of eternity. I find the reality of "flux" far more beautiful. @MikeK

In the second paragraph from the last, I believe you mean "omniscient."

Nitpicking, I know...

But this really reminds me of a Christian I was talking to the other day. She just couldn't get her head around the idea of living without a promise of eternity. I remember, when I was christian, almost being afraid of the idea of eternity. I find the reality of "flux" far more beautiful.

]]> By: Mathew Wilder http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/the-lesson-of-autumn-leaves.html#comment-51982 Mathew Wilder Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:40:16 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1198#comment-51982 Thank you MikeK! I don't think you're being pedantic at all. Thank you MikeK! I don't think you're being pedantic at all.

]]> By: Karen http://www.daylightatheism.org/2009/11/the-lesson-of-autumn-leaves.html#comment-51974 Karen Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:46:37 +0000 http://www.daylightatheism.org/?p=1198#comment-51974 A lovely meditation and a great way to start a weekend of gratitude. Thanks so much for this and for all your writing. A wonderful holiday to you and to Miss Cherrypie! A lovely meditation and a great way to start a weekend of gratitude. Thanks so much for this and for all your writing. A wonderful holiday to you and to Miss Cherrypie!

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