Yeah, okay, so after a bit of "soul searching" (not really soul, but whatever) I've come up with the idea to write down be ideas and beliefs.

Soul:
While "Atheist" for quite some time, I have decided (through much philosophy) that humans must have some sort of "essence" that pushes us forward. I will call it an essence, becasuse that is the name I think fits, not soul, not spirt, but essence.
This essence is beyond instinct, and it is this that seperates us from what animals are. While sure, I do belive that animals can exibit and feel "human" emotions, I think those are more wrought by nature than by "essence".

God:
As for a God of any sort, a creator......no. Definatly not in the Judeo-Christian image at least. I've heard of other forms that could be taken, but really don't buy into the "Nature's God" or "Creator" or any other form of the divine being.

I don't belive that humans are their own masters really either. The universe is without a master of any kind, it exists to do that, exists. The universe is a state of being.

Jesus:
Why bring up Jesus when I said I don't belive in God? Cause I do think Jesus was a great man, captial fellow, first class person. I view him the same way many would veiw Ganhdi or Desmond Tutu. I belive that his teachings of love and compassion, of helping many should be heeded by people of all faith.

Ideals:
Pretty simple, Peace, love, aiding on another. Purpose of life? To expand knowlage of everything, to learn and then teach. Rather idealistic? Sure, why not though?

After Death:
Not sure at all about this. What would happen to the essence after you die? Would it be re-born? Go to a "Happyland"? Or just die with your body? No clue.

But yeah, thats it, just thought I would share that with you all. If you have any ideas for classification, or somthing that I just might be more interested in learning about, place it here. If you have questions about what I think, place them here as well.

Do you believe that this essence is a biological phenomenon? That is, do you believe that the human essence can be reduced to the sum of an individual's neurological activity?

To tell you the truth, I'm not sure. It could be biological, or it could be supernatural.

That's something worth pondering then--your belief about the nature of the "essence" is partially contingent upon your beliefs on the structure of reality.

For example, if you end up believing that the essence is supernatural, then you must admit that reality is structured in such a way to allow for the supernatural.

On the other hand, if it is purely biological, then how exactly is it different from the essence of a dolphin, other than our level of intelligence?

Not that you have to answer those questions now..

I'm just saying that one's beliefs about human essence can say a lot about one's entire belief system.

Indeed, I see your point clearly. I shall report more as I philosophize more about it ;)


Edit:
Thinking about it, I would say that the essence is natural. What seperates us is that we have a more devolped and evolved sense of purpose to our essence than do animals.

And through the help of StevieMardid's quiz, I think I found a name, or rather orginazation that would "cater", to my ideals:

Unitarian Universalism

What puzzles me is why people who believe there is no God never really bother too much in trying to find out by reading His Word. I'm not saying you are one of those people, but you might be. I don't know.

I have a question SEVERAL annoying questions :rolleyes:

What do you live for (as in why do you continue on)?

What do you strive for (what do you try to accomplish, and to what avail is it)? Isn't it all useless in a way?

Do you even view things as good and evil? Is there a punishment for doing evil? Is there a reward for doing good? Why do you believe this?

Heh, you don't have to answer all of those.

I read alot of relgious texts, because I would like to find one that "draws me in". Unfortunatly, none do that. Intellectual starch blocker prehaps? :rolleyes:

Well, I like it when people ask me questions, so I will answer them:

I make my own goals. Truth be told, I don't have a total reason as to why I'm here yet. I'm in the process of finding it, and that takes time. Right now, well, right now alot of things are just going well. I live to better my understanding of life, to help better the life my family, of the one I love, the people who can use an helping hand. I try to expand my knowledge of all things, then share (no, not teach, share) it with others, thus (hopefully) bettering their lives.

What I strive for is above, but is it useless? I don't think so. We are what we make ourseleves, and if we have any positive effect on someone's life here, I think we are doing well. I can say that I live both for the "here and now" and for the future. I understand that what I make for myself here will affect my life, and plan accordingly to how I think it would be best to go.

Yes I do. I think the nearest thing to a "universal way" to judgeing morals is a "self test". Really, I could do a whole topic on Kant here, but I won't.
As for punishment, it comes in the form of "social karma". Not any sort of supernatural judgement force, but just that in life, your actions affect what happen to you. While you can be "sucessful" by having underhand actions, you are probably not going to be "happy". The reward for a good life will be being "happy" with what you've done. Contentment.

Feel free to comment on any/all. But remember, a few months from now, my views might have shifted a bit.

Life tends to be a journey (at least for me) that doesn't have a clear end, but it is the actually road[s] that you take that make it what it is.