In our culture mortality isn't talked about. It is something to be avoided until the end and then it's too late. The atheist has it easy. A person who believes there might be something more than just chemistry has a bit more to ponder.
For example, most people have the notion that a force greater than we can know may have created everything. They can't explain what existed before creation - so they don't try.
These same people believe that human beings have a special essence. It's often described as the spirit of man. Human beings, in our culture anyway, are one step above other animals. Most religions create a pecking order where men are the leaders, women are the the followers, and both are superior to other life forms.
Atheists, those who don't believe in a superior intelligence or original creator, have a more difficult argument to support their superiority over animals and other life forms. Those that believe there might be a spirit within human beings have found a possible explanation for the overall scheme of life. They are generally content with the notion of a human spirit, the superiority of man over beast, and the fact that all life forms have a duration. They except that death is in the future of every birth.
Makes sense to me.
For example, most people have the notion that a force greater than we can know may have created everything. They can't explain what existed before creation - so they don't try.
These same people believe that human beings have a special essence. It's often described as the spirit of man. Human beings, in our culture anyway, are one step above other animals. Most religions create a pecking order where men are the leaders, women are the the followers, and both are superior to other life forms.
Atheists, those who don't believe in a superior intelligence or original creator, have a more difficult argument to support their superiority over animals and other life forms. Those that believe there might be a spirit within human beings have found a possible explanation for the overall scheme of life. They are generally content with the notion of a human spirit, the superiority of man over beast, and the fact that all life forms have a duration. They except that death is in the future of every birth.
Makes sense to me.
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