On Living Virtuously

By Webmdave ~ 

As a Christian, living virtuously meant living in a manner that pleased God. Pleasing god (or living virtuously) was explained as:

• Praying for forgiveness for sins 
• Accepting Christ as Savior 
• Frequently reading the Bible 
• Memorizing Bible verses
• Being baptized (subject to church rules) 
• Attending church services 
• Partaking of the Lord’s Supper 
• Tithing 
• Resisting temptations to lie, steal, smoke, drink, party, have lustful thoughts, have sex (outside of marriage) masturbate, etc. 
• Boldly sharing the Gospel of Salvation with unbelievers

The list of virtuous values and expectations grew over time. Once the initial foundational values were safely under the belt, “more virtues'' were introduced. Newer introductions included (among others) harsh condemnation of “worldly” music, homosexuality and abortion

Eventually the list of values grew ponderous, and these ideals were not just personal for us Christians. These virtues were used to condemn and disrespect from the pulpit the lives of non-Christians who ignore various so-called Christian virtues. Of course, for us Christians, acceptance of the teachings of “the church” held the promise of unending bliss in heaven. Conversely, rejection of certain popular doctrines received threats of God's punishment now and perhaps with hellfire. For today's Christian, religious practice is mostly about keeping your head full of approved religious opinions and their associated pious feelings. It's about praying without ceasing. It's about mental gymnastics. It's about supernatural fantasies. It's about childish pretending.  

In contrast, Stoic Virtues, which predates Christianity by several hundred years, promoted just four virtues:

1. Wisdom (prudence) 
2. Justice (honesty) 
3. Courage (fortitude) 
4. Discipline (temperance, self-control, moderation)

Stoic virtues placed less emphasis on feeling pious or religious, focusing instead on actually living virtuously and maturely with the rest of society. In short, it was about trying to be a good and noble person, not in order to avoid a threatened punishment or promised reward after death, but to have a good flow of life right now and help make the world better by having lived well.

"The happiness and unhappiness of the rational, social animal depends not on what he feels but on what he does; just as his virtue and vice consist not in feeling but in doing." — Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book IX, 16

When I enlisted in the United States Air Force, I was taught these Three Core Values:

• Integrity First 
• Service Before Self, and 
• Excellence In All We Do 

Not unlike the Stoic virtues, these Core values have practical expression only when interacting with others. Integrity, Service and Excellence have little application to someone all alone on some deserted island.

Christian beliefs and ethics are failing worldwide because they are built on an invisible foundation of rewards and punishmentsAlso, to have Integrity includes the Stoic virtues of justice and courage. It takes courage and a sense of justice to live with unswerving integrity. Likewise, service includes discipline, and excellence requires wisdom. Although I didn’t realize it when I enlisted, it seems obvious now that Stoic principles significantly underpinned my military basic training, and from there the rest of my life. 

Christian beliefs and ethics are failing worldwide because they are built on an invisible foundation of myth and superstition with promised rewards and threatened punishments. The reason for following Christian teachings is more about obtaining Hellfire insurance or earning Heavenly rewards than about living an exceptional life. When the masses of humanity were ignorant or less informed, these ridiculous threats and promises held considerable sway. These days people are better informed and many are seeking something more solid on which to base their lives. Something noble and honorable. Something un-miraculous and real. Something that actually contributes in a measurable way in making life more satisfying.

Some, like me, are finding principles and concepts in Stoic and other Western Philosophies useful and beneficial. Others are finding encouragement from Eastern Thought. As I continue to build my life outside of Christianity, I intend to keep one piece of wisdom front and center. Authentic virtuous living is about much more than being raised to obey a bunch of self-serving religious mandates.

"Being raised right doesn’t mean you don’t drink, party or smoke. Being raised right is how you treat people, your manners and respect. – Anonymous"

I can fix ignorance; I can't fix stupid!

By Bob O ~

I'm an atheist and a 52-year veteran of public education. I need not tell anyone the problems associated with having to "duck" the "Which church do you belong to?" with my students and their parents. Once told by a parent that they would rather have a queer for their sons' teacher than an atheist! Spent HOURS going to the restroom right when prayers were performed: before assemblies, sports banquets, "Christmas Programs", awards assemblies, etc... Told everyone that I had a bladder problem. And "yes" it was a copout to many of you, but the old adage (yes, it's religious) accept what you can't change, change that which you can and accept the strength to know the difference! No need arguing that which you will never change.

Enough of that. What I'd like to impart is my simple family chemistry. My wife is a Baptist - raised in a Baptist Orphanage (whole stories there) and is a believer. She did not know my religious preference until our relationship advanced to the "next stage" We had a secular, government wedding at the courthouse and then I did it again in the Baptist Church. raising our children with the idea that they will make their own decisions when the time was right for them. Keeping with that premise, when the holidays came around the inclination is to evangelize your beliefs - even us atheists. Not so with us. I only discussed religion with my children when the questions were brought up by them. Being honest and straight forward BUT non-judgmental.

Our family celebrated an abundance of Christmases when they were young – from one based on the Quakers (I graduated from a Quaker College, BA; in France for advanced degrees); a Greek Orthodox Christmas; a Catholic Christmas; Seventh Day Adventist – the twins had a friend that invited us to their church; we celebrated Hanukkah, twice – the kids insisted on this, they enjoyed the many days of gifts. The use of the menorah, Yule log, and Christmas trees were prevalent each season. Celebrated in December sometimes and January at others. With each new celebration we were diligent about going to the appropriate church or synagogue and respectfully participating in all the festivities.

I've been criticized by many of my more enlightened friends who claim we confused the kids. If my kids wanted to be Catholic, I wanted them to be the best Catholics in the world - Muslims, the best Muslims, Atheists - the best Atheists. It should be THEIR decision not ours. Even got the blessing (????) from my Baptist wife. The grandkids enjoy coming to Lolli and Pop's for Christmas, because it's always different. And they're encouraged to ask questions.

Our oldest is headed for the Naval Academy where he will be required to take an oath that will reference the Christian religion. He will take it with the knowledge that his will be based on his personal commitment to his honesty and integrity - he and I have discussed his decision because he felt uncomfortable being insincere (reference the serenity prayer above). He knows that many that are believers will take the oath and will not fulfill those pledges.

I think that on occasion we atheists fall into the trap that religion sets for their followers – we judge. That should not happen! The vast majority of them (religious people) will not change and trying never works. I have my serenity prayer version that I live by, and it helps me cope. "I can fix ignorance, given the chance; I can't fix stupid!"

Old Seventh

By David Andrew Dugle ~

In an era long before televangelism and megachurches, before the Age of Muscular American Fundamentalism, my grandfather made sure that all of his grandchildren had a Christian upbringing. Every Sunday he drove us all the way across the county to his church, Seventh Presbyterian.

Seventh was built of Ohio’s bedrock in 1849. Not as big as some, it was however equipped with a powerful pipe organ and magnificent stained-glass windows, especially the rose window, enormous and multi-hued, above the main entrance. Its grandeur was awesome, in the fullest sense of the word.

The first time I went there I was only a few months old, being baptized. After adding a couple drops of water (Poof! Instant Presbyterian!) I was taken to Seventh’s stately services weekly. Stately? Our church didn’t try to be entertaining as such. In fact, our services were relentlessly bland – there were no snakes, no speaking in tongues, no miracle healings, not even an incense censure. But we did have music.

Long before Jesus Christ Superstar, Seventh’s music was all traditional hymns, performed by choir and organ. I loved the way the bass notes of our organ rattled the high windowed walls and the bones of my skull. Our choir wasn’t as impressive as a throaty gospel group, but still, along with that stained glass light show, our music moved me deeply. Riding those piped harmonies, I tried to float closer to God and Jesus. I desperately wanted to be good and do what God wanted. I liked the idea of the Prince of Peace healing the sick and helping the poor. I very much desired to be holy. I prayed with all my might.

Even so, questions grew in my mind with each year, especially at Easter services. Why does Jesus’s dying save us? What was Jesus sacrificing, really? And what’s with all the bunnies and colored eggs? It simply confused me; understanding wasn’t to be found nestled next the confections in the ersatz green hay of an Easter basket. Seventh’s answer was simply, “Have faith. Don’t question.” Perhaps I asked too much. Indeed, I did find much balm and beauty in the Testaments, but when wrestling the weightier theological conundrums, especially after attending my first funeral and realizing there is an end to this life, I found little to grip, no way to pin and defeat them. Still, I was attracted to Jesus’s compassion and non-violence. Even though I didn’t understand those well-exercised apologies for the crucifixion given at Sunday School, Jesus himself always appealed to me, and that was enough.

Why does Jesus’s dying save us? What was Jesus sacrificing, really?

Have faith. Don’t question. And that was the way that Jesus came to me in the Atomic Age, when satellites first orbited an Earth that was billions of years old. You see, my family, even my pious grandfather, never did insist on a literal Genesis. In fact, we often visited the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum right after church. Reason was always there in our lives. Still, I never doubted that Jesus was real, but some Bible stories were not.

As we grew through the 60s, my grandfather started to have health problems. Without his shepherding; we stopped attending Seventh and our family’s faith faded. In my teen years flower power soon saturated the culture and my thinking. Seventh Presbyterian’s dogma was left behind; the psychedelic chords of acid rock replaced my grandfather’s hymns.

I can’t go back now. I couldn’t go back even if I wanted to. Sadly, Seventh Presbyterian suffered a disastrous fire at the start of 1971. The elegant mahogany pews are all ash. The thunderous organ that shook my soul, those lovingly crafted windows that illuminated the faithful for so many years, are all gone. Only my regard for a human Jesus, for his message of compassion and peace, remains.