Do you believe in the existence of atheists?

Nemo · Jan 20, 2010

"Whatever attitude to human existence you fashion for yourself, know that it is valid only if it be the shadow of an attitude to Nature. A human life, so often likened to a spectacle upon a stage, is more justly a ritual. The ancient values of dignity, beauty, and poetry which sustain it are of Nature?s inspiration; they are born of the mystery and beauty of the world. Do no dishonour to the earth lest you dishonour the spirit of man. Hold your hands out over the earth as over a flame. To all who love her, who open to her the doors of their veins, she gives of her strength, sustaining them with her own measureless tremor of dark life. Touch the earth, love the earth, honour the earth, her plains, her valleys, her hills, and her seas; rest your spirit in her solitary places. For the gifts of life are the earth?s and they are given to all, and they are the songs of birds at daybreak, Orion and the Bear, and the dawn seen over the ocean from the beach."
- Henry Beston, The Outermost House (1928)

deanhills · Jan 22, 2010

Nemo said:
"Whatever attitude to human existence you fashion for yourself, know that it is valid only if it be the shadow of an attitude to Nature. A human life, so often likened to a spectacle upon a stage, is more justly a ritual. The ancient values of dignity, beauty, and poetry which sustain it are of Nature?s inspiration; they are born of the mystery and beauty of the world. Do no dishonour to the earth lest you dishonour the spirit of man. Hold your hands out over the earth as over a flame. To all who love her, who open to her the doors of their veins, she gives of her strength, sustaining them with her own measureless tremor of dark life. Touch the earth, love the earth, honour the earth, her plains, her valleys, her hills, and her seas; rest your spirit in her solitary places. For the gifts of life are the earth?s and they are given to all, and they are the songs of birds at daybreak, Orion and the Bear, and the dawn seen over the ocean from the beach."
- Henry Beston, The Outermost House (1928)

Being able to write like this must be a wonderful art and gift. I get goose pimples when I read something really good, or listen to some fantastic music. I also sometimes feel envious and sad, why do only a select number of people get gifts like those, and all we can do is just sigh and marvel at those? Or is there a gift in appreciating gifts as well? :cry::dance:

Nemo · Jan 22, 2010

Poetry is to language what symphony is to music. In the realm of music, the composer stands like an immortal among the masters of melody and song; and likewise, in the world of literature, even the greatest writers bow when the poet passes by. Oh, if ever words can take wing to flights of fancy, then can man glimpse sight of heaven and hear the blessed angels sing!

deanhills · Jan 23, 2010

Nemo said:
Oh, if ever words can take wing to flights of fancy, then can man glimpse sight of heaven and hear the blessed angels sing!

I think he can. I've been moved by poetry in that way at times. As well as by music and the beauty of nature, both in the ocean as well as on top of mountains and on terra firma.

DodgeFB · Jan 24, 2010

deanhills said:
I think he can. I've been moved by poetry in that way at times. As well as by music and the beauty of nature, both in the ocean as well as on top of mountains and on terra firma.

I will say some music is like "time travel" for me.

deanhills · Jan 26, 2010

DodgeFB said:
I will say some music is like "time travel" for me.

Absolutely! Amazing how subtle it works as well. :dance: The one moment you are in the present and your feet are full of lead, next thing music plays from a while ago, your feet start to pat involuntarily and you are in dancing form again.

alexmike · May 22, 2010

Of course there are atheists out there. I do not support atheism, however, they are out there. I think people have confused the meaning of atheism.
Atheist doesn't mean they don't believe in anything, they do believe in something, but it isn't God. They could believe in a system of the universe, a natural thing, oneness.

Do you believe in the existence of atheists?

Nemo

deanhills

Nemo

deanhills

DodgeFB

deanhills

alexmike

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