Religious Naturalism – Page 4

Spirituality Without Politics Is Lame

August 14, 2017 John Halstead Activism, HP, John Halstead, Latest Posts, naturalistic pagan, partisanship, Politics, Religious Naturalism, Spiritual Naturalism, Spiritual Naturalist Society, spirituality

A politics without spirituality is blind, but a spirituality without politics is lame. And that is why I worry about an apolitical spirituality. I worry that individual spiritual practice in isolation from engagement with the world will never lead to real personal development and thus never lead to positive social change. And I worry about an apolitical spirituality which tells us that we need to accept the world as it is because we are powerless to change it. Finally, sitting back and practicing equanimity and a contemplative attitude is a privilege that many people do not have. It is not a option for many people of color. It is not a option for many gay, lesbian, queer or transgendered people have. It is not an option for many poor people or for many women.

Naturalistic Pagan Toolbox: Worship

July 15, 2017 John Halstead adoration, devotion, HP, humility, John Halstead, Latest Posts, libations, love, naturalistic pagan, naturalistic paganism, offerings, otherness, praise, Religious Naturalism, The Naturalistic Pagan Toolbox, transcendence, veneration, worship

Three steps toward creating a naturalistic devotional practice toward the earth.

What Nature Has To Say About Gender

June 26, 2017 Rua Lupa Androgynus, Canadian Mutt, Female, Feminine, Gender, Intersex, LGBTQIA, Male, Masculine, Political Barking, Religious Naturalism, Rua's Rambles, Seasons & Stardust, sex, Transgender

Is human gender expression fundamentally messed up? In a richly illustrated essay, Rua Lupa compares human thinking about gender and sex to the realities of the natural world.

Five Mistakes We Make When Criticizing Other Religions

June 24, 2017 John Halstead atheism, belief, Community, contradictions, creeds, culture, dogma, expression, HP, John Halstead, Latest Posts, naturalistic pagan, performance, Religion, Religious Naturalism, secularism

Religion is far more than a set of propositions to which we intellectually assent or dissent. Religion is inextricably intertwined with our social networks and our cultural context. And religious behavior, including religious speech, is far more than an expression of belief; it is a performance which binds us to our religious communities. When secularists, atheists, and religious naturalists attack a religion on the basis of the demonstrable falsity of the beliefs of its adherents, we reveal our own ignorance of the complexity of this thing we call religion.

Religious Experiences VS Hedonism

June 8, 2017 Rua Lupa Canadian Mutt, Ceremonies, Religious Naturalism, Rituals, Rua's Rambles, Seasons & Stardust, Worldview

To periodically enjoy the pleasures of life is a fine thing and should be celebrated, and that indeed is an attractive feature of Paganism. The feeling pleasure should be a positive thing and not demonized and be a taboo in society.

Is Seeking A “Deep Religious Experience” Hedonistic?

June 3, 2017 Rua Lupa Canadian Mutt, Ceremony, Community, Cultures, Customs, Religion, Religious Naturalism, ritual, Rua's Rambles, Seasons & Stardust

My honest personal view on this is that I find that the search for transcendence or ecstasy in order to have a “deep religious experience” is frankly hedonistic – Let me explain why.

March For Science – April 22nd – Earth Day 12017 H.E.

April 20, 2017 Rua Lupa Canadian Mutt, Donal, March For Science, Political Barking, Politics, Protest, Religious Naturalism, Rua's Rambles, Science, Seasons & Stardust, USA

So yeah, this March For Science is a Big Deal. And when I first heard about it a few months ago, I had to do something to help contribute in some way. And here it is,

Cultural Quandaries: Spring & Sex

April 12, 2017 Rua Lupa Beltane, biology, Birth, Canadian Mutt, Celebrations, Customs, Human, humanity, Lammas, Pregnancy, Religious Naturalism, Rua's Rambles, Seasons & Stardust, sex, Spring, traditions

What would we do if we were to align procreating celebration themes with how Nature normally does it – with the time frame of having your offspring in spring? This would mean human procreating themes in Late Summer not Spring.

The Paradox of Tolerance Led To Fascism In America

February 23, 2017 Rua Lupa Canada, Canadian Mutt, Christianity, Fascism, Free Speech, Hate Speech, Holocaust, Islam, Jews, Political Barking, Politics, Racism, Religion, Religious Naturalism, Rua's Rambles, Seasons & Stardust, USA

This is an attempt to gather and make accessible the information on how we have arrived at Fascism in America

Saegoah Pursuits: Creative Eco-Friendly Gift Wrapping

December 20, 2016 Rua Lupa atheism, Christmas, DIY, Gift, Nox, pagan, Religious Naturalism, Rua's Rambles, Saegoah, Seasons & Stardust, Solstice, Sustainability, Winter Solstice

As this is the time of year when we reach the climax of seasonal gift wrapping, I have decided to share some of my creative eco-friendly wrapping techniques – and there are really two primary methods to it. 1) Cloth Bag Wrapping, and 2) Paper & Paint Wrapping