Yeah yeah I’m late. I didn’t quite make Day 1 so I’m posting my first entry for Videoblogging Week 2007 on Day 2. I got a little carried away and it took me longer than I anticipated to piece this one together. At least we’re not competing this time. I’ll get you back someday, Veronica. *shakes fist*
Anyhoo, if you’re unfamiliar, Videoblogging Week is seven days of nonstop online video where vloggers old and new are encouraged to post one video per day for 7 days straight. Sound daunting? Just pick up your cell phone and talk for 30 seconds. Any video will do. This is a great opportunity to push yourself into something new – the amazing, exciting, ever-growing and always interesting vlogosphere!
Videoblogging Week 2007 is Atheism week on the Mickipedia Show. Day 1/2: Atheism as unifying force for humanity. The music in the video is “Wake Up God!” By Al Stravinsky. Download it for free. You can also buy Al’s new album here.
Keep track of Videoblogging Week 2007 on Technorati and
Mefeedia.
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You make too much sense for your own good Micki Krimmel!
I’m agreeing with everything you’re saying. At the same time I think I like the sound of being a real life Jedi. I hear that it’s big in Australia these days.
And oh, worshiping Bacchus is kinda fun too.
Good on ya. Happy Videoblogging Week 07 Micki!
Miki,
In light of Atheism week, you should read the following article from Salon – http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2007/04/02/elaine_pagels/
Hello Mickipedia,
I’m an atheist. Some kinds of religious groups provide social services for their members. In the U.S., mormons, in Iraq the Shi’i, In Lebannon the Shi’i as well. Atheist don’t have centralized means of providing such services. One might refer to Communism as an atheist social service provider, but the atheist in communism is not the central reason for communist activity, though important to the Marxist never the less.
In the U.S. atheists can’t meet religious challenges because of the unorganized nature of atheists themselves. One can find a lot of atheist congregated in academic settings, but they don’t ritually meet, or beyond philosphical inquiry discuss atheism.
What organizations there are for atheist are social clubs with no degree of unity about what is to be done. Whereas religious groups function exactly on the principle of what is to be done. That is they provide answers to difficult questions to which atheist know full well there are either no answers or the answers provided are poppycock. Still the group united by dogma is potent especially so if the religion has state power like in Iran.
Reaction?
Doyle
Thank ZOD you’re attacking this head on… I look forward to every day this week. Love you! C.
Lovely Micki, really lovely.
I love the heartfelt delivery, the editing , the Sam Harris moment (reminded me of the Indiana Jones “I love you ” on the eyelids move) the tune, the whole thing.
I believe that Truth is big enough that it can encompass everything, religion, science, spirituality all at once. But I view the whole thing over time as a conversation and developmental journey which includes coming to and moving from things.
Would love a link to a place to buy the song.
heather
Ah yes, Heather. Thanks for reminding me. The music is by Al Stravinsky. Here he is on Podsafe Music Network and you can purchase the album here.
Right on Micki! I was waiting the whole time for you to mention Sam, and then you did, and my heart went pitter-patter
It’s great to see more people becoming vocal about these issues.
Good entry! I agree with you as well.
As for getting me back, why don’t you just some to SF for a Guitar Hero 2 party? We’ll let the Xbox 360 decide
Sounds like John Lennon’s song, Imagine.
I am an Atheist, but I do think there is a need for some for religion. It takes away the fear of death, but also means that you never need to really learn anything about how the world works. How about that? You can throw away your science books and just come up with the same old answer again and again, God made it. How easy huh?
Keep up the blogging, only 5 more to go!
Hi Micki,
I actually love you right now.
LOVE!
–Steve
Really enjoyed the videoblog – it was extremely well-presented and edited. Thanks for playing my song and for the link to the album on Cdbaby, however “Wake up God” isn’t on the album; it can be downloaded (for free!) from http://www.soundclick.com/alstravinsky.
Thanks again and take care.
Al
Hey Al! Thanks for stopping by. LOVE LOVE LOVE the song. I’ll update the post with a link!
I kinda think of myself as agnostic. I definitely believe there’s something out there, but it’s more like the Force — some kind of energy binding us all together. I mean, I feel connected to you right now, so that must mean something, right?
Yumm
sac-religious…
I do have one question though… you mention there is still plenty of room for spirituality in atheism, but does that, by default, make a person more agnostic?
I guess I’m asking… what’s the difference between Atheism and being agnostic, if I (being agnostic) don’t believe there is some white dude with a beard who is the creator of all? I don’t believe in organized religion – but I do believe in… something.
I think Steve said it better.
Thanks for the courage to present Atheism which is derided and constantly under attack.
Personally I’ve not decided if forces of nature do not relate to a sentient force. But religion would be the opposite concept of that being should the being exist. I find it interesting that two of the most rational and formative minds of our culture, Aristotle and Einstein, viewed that there is a ultimate force or Being.
San Nakji said “I am an Atheist, but I do think there is a need for some for religion. It takes away the fear of death…”
I disagree completely. Theists seem to be much more afraid of death than non-theists, at least in my experience.
I love Sam Harris too! … except more …. back off!
Great vlog, I just caught wind of it.
Hi Micki,
First off, well said. I was very impressed with you’re insight into this situation and the open honesty of your delivery was inspiring.
However, the information you presented (however elegantly) is nothing new. It has been stated and re-stated repeatedly. So I have a related topic that I would like to hear your thoughts on.
It seems obvious to me that logic and reason lead us in many ways away from spiritual belief. Although religious organizations and in fact the beliefs themselves do a lot of good in the world it is also true they do great harm.
I personally believe that a good person is a good person despite their spiritual orientation. Someone who feeds the poor will
continue to do so regardless of the reward or punishment promised them by religious dogma.
So my question is: Why do people still believe?
It seems to me any reasonable intelligent person will find great difficulty in accepting the ludicrous statements made by most modern belief systems. The simple application of common sense and self honesty can dismantle the foundation of these beliefs almost effortlessly. Combine this with the dishonesty and obvious manipulations of many high standing “Holy Men” and the whole thing seems like a really bad idea. What is it about so many people that prevents them from accepting the truth? Why do they insist on
intentionally deluding themselves. Is it part of human nature? And if so, how can we evolve beyond it?
I agree that these beliefs are the greatest threat to our modern society and would like to take an active roll, not so much in abolishing but more “disarming” these harmful institutions. After all the belief in a loving god hurts no one, but when people begin discriminating, hating, or killing others
in the name of that god we all suffer the consequences. So why do people still believe? I welcome your or any one’s ideas or opinions on this subject.
Terence
“So what if the guy threw his shoe at me?”