I have nothing to add, but I just wanted to thank you for writing that. I would describe the feelings you evoked in me as “almost religious” except that I had never felt anything like that when I was religious—I worshipped a small god, who operated at a much more provincial scale than the whole universe.
This is bigger, and more impressive, and makes my former religion feel remarkably tiny and cramped.
You’re welcome. And thank you for some positive feedback, because I felt a little self conscious in writing it. I’m not one for the numinous, the transcendent, etc. I tend to snicker at such things. “Wow gee whiz”. But thinking about evolution recently, and seeing the pattern, it really did look amazing to me.
It just goes to show that your don’t have to suspend the laws of nature to be amazed, you just have to pay attention to them.
As Hitchens says, the actual universe is much more amazing than a burning bush.
If you like this kind of thing, and particularly if you’re a recovering Christian, I’ve got another for you. Christians think that a Son had to die for you to live. Almost right.
A Sun had to die for you to live.
That’s a lot more amazing to me, much more grand and beautiful than a human sacrifice in the desert. That’s the kind of thing that makes me feel grateful to be alive.
I have nothing to add, but I just wanted to thank you for writing that. I would describe the feelings you evoked in me as “almost religious” except that I had never felt anything like that when I was religious—I worshipped a small god, who operated at a much more provincial scale than the whole universe.
This is bigger, and more impressive, and makes my former religion feel remarkably tiny and cramped.
You’re welcome. And thank you for some positive feedback, because I felt a little self conscious in writing it. I’m not one for the numinous, the transcendent, etc. I tend to snicker at such things. “Wow gee whiz”. But thinking about evolution recently, and seeing the pattern, it really did look amazing to me.
It just goes to show that your don’t have to suspend the laws of nature to be amazed, you just have to pay attention to them.
As Hitchens says, the actual universe is much more amazing than a burning bush.
If you like this kind of thing, and particularly if you’re a recovering Christian, I’ve got another for you. Christians think that a Son had to die for you to live. Almost right.
A Sun had to die for you to live.
That’s a lot more amazing to me, much more grand and beautiful than a human sacrifice in the desert. That’s the kind of thing that makes me feel grateful to be alive.