BASIC TENETS OF AN ATHEIST:

 

³I don't believe in God, Gods, Godlets or any sort of higher power beyond the universe itself, which seems quite high and powerful enough to me. I don't believe in life after death, channeled chat rooms with the dead, reincarnation, telekinesis or any miracles but the miracle of life and consciousness, which again strike me as miracles in nearly obscene abundance. I believe that the universe abides by the laws of physics, some of which are known, others of which will surely be discovered, but even if they aren't, that will simply be a result, Š. of our brains having evolved for life on this one little planet and thus being inevitably limited.²

-- Excerpts from "Confessions of a Lonely Atheist" by Natalie Angier

 

MORALITY FROM THE LAW OF PHYSICS/NATURE:

  1. First Law of Thermodynamics: Energy is neither created nor destroyed.
    1. Reincarnation?  No life or death, just a change in form.
    2. Tolerance? Love/hate, Good/evil itıs all the same ­ but contextual.
  2. Second Law of Thermodynamics: Entropy = disorder/randomness increases
    1. Original sin ­ have forgiveness for yourself and others, itıs all a hard, unrelenting uphill battle
  3. Newtonıs third law: For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction
    1. Be conscientious, take responsibility for your actions; they have consequences
    2. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

           

"religious naturalism," a profound appreciation of the genuine workings of nature, conjoined with a commitment to preserving that natural world in all its staggering, interdependent splendor.

 

 "The Sacred Depths of Nature," Ursula Goodenough, a cell biologist

 

³The stewardship of environment is a domain on the near side of metaphysics where all reflective persons can surely find common ground. For what, in the final analysis, is morality but the command of conscience seasoned by a rational examination of consequences? And what, is a fundamental precept but one that serves all generations? An enduring environmental ethic will aim to preserve not only the health and freedom of our species, but access to the world in which the human spirit was born.²

--- E. O. Wilson, The Diversity of Life.

³Maybe we skeptics, rather than being immoral, are instead part of humanity's exploration of a more encompassing morality?²

Paul Grobstein
Professor of Biology
Bryn Mawr College

http://serendipstudio.org/sci_cult/bridges/angier.html

http://www.brynmawr.edu/biology/franklin/franklin.htm