The overview — where this project came from, what it’s reaching for, and why “Humanitarian/Naturalist Religion” is the working name.
I am deep into a project that I am calling “The New Religion.” I’m not in love with the title — meanwhile looking for something else. Could be “A Modern Philosophy,” something like that. The former shows some of the profound necessity reflected in a lot of the ideas. Like a religion — but not exclusively about social morality, so pretty different there. It may be political, but I’m aiming at a primarily grassroots method of development and sharing. Not based on governments, or corporations for that matter (the new nations). Anyhow.
For the social side of things, I am seeing it as being a religion of awe and gratitude. Awe and wonder and gratitude. Fundamentally. I am pretty fortunate myself, but I think a perspective of awe and gratitude at the nature of existence — and our fate to be in it — is pretty much universal. Just look at the vast unlikelihood of your very existence: you are a blip on the cosmic radar screen, and a blink of the eye in cosmic time. And you get to be here for your entire life: awesome!
And the other part overlaps, about nature. Nature is a beautiful and complex singular concept, expressing all of life on earth. Few would disagree that humanity is the crown jewel on this diverse global habitat, our lively natural planet. (We are a rather self-congratulatory bunch, no?) Yet there are lots and lots of exotic plant and animal “jewels” — fewer and fewer though, as things progress.
But that is the next piece of emotional outlook that goes along with awe and gratitude: sadness, at the imminent apocalypse, and responsibility. With climate change, and the near-complete extraction of resources, and who knows what else the entire human race is or is soon to be responsible for — I don’t think apocalypse is an exaggerated concept. In the Bible it is called Revelations. We and the generations to follow are living through what could easily be called “Revelations time.”
On the positive side, technology is growing and changing even faster than culture can keep up. Ray Kurzweil’s concept of the singularity is apt. Apropos. We are reaching the growth-edge of abundance and convenience, as well as destruction. It is a good time to be alive. It is almost undeniably the most vital time of change for the human race — and adaptation, or everyone’s demise.
A lot of this has to do with humanity’s relationship with this host of ours simply called Nature. Religion has always been about how humans get along with and support other humans. But from what I know, they have overlooked Nature — animals and biomes and the environment. So I am calling on the imagination, novelty, and commitment of fellow humans to welcome the newHumanitarian/Naturalist Religion (HNR). And it is still one where awe and gratitude are vital.
Okay — that’s enough for now. That’s the overview.