Being sick this week has given me the opportunity to really sit down and think about my perspective on life. I have really felt liberated this week, because for the first time ever I have informed my friends and loved ones on my outlook, when it comes to what most call "God." Below is a Facebook note that I wrote this week on my beliefs. I hope you enjoy.
"Recently I got into an argument with an individual who misinterpreted my views of "God." I was angry at this individual, but there is a part of me that blamed myself, because I have always been quite ambiguous when it comes to my spiritual outlook on life. I have recently updated my "religious beliefs" section here on Facebook so that people may better understand my perspective. Below it is explained.
I believe in nature and humans which are a part of nature as well. I don't worship anyone or anything. I don't pray to anyone or anything. Dichotomizing nature with some supernatural force is anti-human and falls in line with a number of Eurocentric thinkers (such as Descartes). The universe can be both a nurturing and harmful place, this we know. When we die, I do believe that we just die and there is nothing wrong with that. But our deeds both good and bad live on through future generations. The concept of forgiveness is pointless. We should focus on mistakes made and seek to fix them rather than forgive.
As far as the origins of the universe, I feel that both science and religion have failed to answer that question with absolute certainty. It is really an impossible question to answer, at least for now it is. Too often we make the mistake of viewing time as something linear. We should be more concerned with the problems that we are dealing with today (racism,sexism,poverty,etc.), where those problems began, and how to solve those problems. I see the potential in nature (both the good and the bad) and hold in reverence the will of nature . I see a unity in nature that is divine, but not in a spooky sense. It doesn't need to be prayed to, but it does need to honored, preserved, and examined carefully.
I am not an atheist per say. My problems with atheism is that it is still Eurocentric in it's outlook of life (from my perspective of course). For instance there are atheists who make the claim that we are more advanced now than ever before. I feel like this may be true in terms of white people (or maybe not so). However I cannot say life as a whole is better now than ever before for African people and other Indigenous people prior to European contact. My ancestors didn't go around the planet spreading destruction in the name of God, Science, or anything else. White people did that (and are doing that). That perspective is a white cultural projection of their history and world view on to others. That is racist at it's very core. Prior to colonization life in Africa was actually pretty good from the evidence that we have discovered. Not perfect, but still pretty good. There are things western scientists are discovering now that have been known for hundreds and thousands of years by the indigenous people of this planet. I don't look at time in a flat linear fashion like most atheists. I also reject the notion that once science proves it that it is factual. Science is capable of errors and personal/cultural biases. To say such a thing you are really no different than the Christian who says the Bible is the 100% truth. Science in the wrong hands has been proven to be as deadly as Religion over time. This we also know to be true. I also have an intuitive and emotional side. Belief is a part of life. We all believe and base our beliefs on the reality that we perceive through our senses. Feeling can be a way of knowing. And just because me and/or my ancestors "feel" to know does not mean that we do not use reason or logic.
I hope this better explains my views. Peace."
Jahari
"Recently I got into an argument with an individual who misinterpreted my views of "God." I was angry at this individual, but there is a part of me that blamed myself, because I have always been quite ambiguous when it comes to my spiritual outlook on life. I have recently updated my "religious beliefs" section here on Facebook so that people may better understand my perspective. Below it is explained.
I believe in nature and humans which are a part of nature as well. I don't worship anyone or anything. I don't pray to anyone or anything. Dichotomizing nature with some supernatural force is anti-human and falls in line with a number of Eurocentric thinkers (such as Descartes). The universe can be both a nurturing and harmful place, this we know. When we die, I do believe that we just die and there is nothing wrong with that. But our deeds both good and bad live on through future generations. The concept of forgiveness is pointless. We should focus on mistakes made and seek to fix them rather than forgive.
As far as the origins of the universe, I feel that both science and religion have failed to answer that question with absolute certainty. It is really an impossible question to answer, at least for now it is. Too often we make the mistake of viewing time as something linear. We should be more concerned with the problems that we are dealing with today (racism,sexism,poverty,etc.), where those problems began, and how to solve those problems. I see the potential in nature (both the good and the bad) and hold in reverence the will of nature . I see a unity in nature that is divine, but not in a spooky sense. It doesn't need to be prayed to, but it does need to honored, preserved, and examined carefully.
I am not an atheist per say. My problems with atheism is that it is still Eurocentric in it's outlook of life (from my perspective of course). For instance there are atheists who make the claim that we are more advanced now than ever before. I feel like this may be true in terms of white people (or maybe not so). However I cannot say life as a whole is better now than ever before for African people and other Indigenous people prior to European contact. My ancestors didn't go around the planet spreading destruction in the name of God, Science, or anything else. White people did that (and are doing that). That perspective is a white cultural projection of their history and world view on to others. That is racist at it's very core. Prior to colonization life in Africa was actually pretty good from the evidence that we have discovered. Not perfect, but still pretty good. There are things western scientists are discovering now that have been known for hundreds and thousands of years by the indigenous people of this planet. I don't look at time in a flat linear fashion like most atheists. I also reject the notion that once science proves it that it is factual. Science is capable of errors and personal/cultural biases. To say such a thing you are really no different than the Christian who says the Bible is the 100% truth. Science in the wrong hands has been proven to be as deadly as Religion over time. This we also know to be true. I also have an intuitive and emotional side. Belief is a part of life. We all believe and base our beliefs on the reality that we perceive through our senses. Feeling can be a way of knowing. And just because me and/or my ancestors "feel" to know does not mean that we do not use reason or logic.
I hope this better explains my views. Peace."
Jahari