Bridging the gap between ‘that’ God
and ‘no’ God

I recently stumbled upon a Facebook page titled “Grief Beyond Belief.”  It is a support page, whose members exceed 6,000, created for the specific purpose of being a gathering space for people who are experiencing grief as a result of loss in their life.  The common denominator, however, for this unique website is that those who subscribe to the “Grief Beyond Belief” updates are not simply people who are suffering grief and loss, but these are people who do not believe in God.  

As I perused through the comments on this Facebook page, I read post after post from people struggling with unanswered questions and trying to make sense of some type of loss, whether that was showing up in the form of a relationship ending or the death of a loved one, or even the loss of a beloved pet.  The pattern was quick to see, people seeking and searching, yearning for comfort, but unwilling to adopt any ideology or concept that invites them to consider anything larger than what simply lies before them – many of them so disenfranchised by the “in your face” religious zealots that they have elected to believe in not believing.

It is interesting how this particular page showed up for me today as I recently put my own belief system “to the test” while visiting the website of Sam Harris, a well-known critic of religion and one of the “four horsemen” — together with Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and Christopher Hitchens — in the “New Atheism” movement.  A wonderful quote taken from his writings on stem cell research led me to his website, where I watched several hours of him debating the existence of God with religious and spiritual leaders from around the world.  And while I understand that his pushback is more particularly directed at organized religions, namely Christianity and Islam, for a brief period of time, I allowed myself to imagine a life without God.

I imagined how it would feel to not know, or even consider the possibility, that I am connected to all of life in some significant way.

I imagined how different my life would be without a higher purpose for any of my thoughts, any of my expressions, and any of my choices.

I imagined for a moment that this was it, that my life was reduced to the 60, 70, 80, or 90ish years that I may randomly and singularly experience and how I could possibly “make the best” of them…or what that would even mean.

I imagined for a moment that my relationships were circumstantial – and, for that matter, that everything that happened in my life was circumstantial, arbitrary, and spiritually meaningless.  What would now be the purpose for my relationships?

I imagined the day my son was born and how that would have been an entirely different experience.  In the absence of God, the overwhelming sense of divine perfection and soul connection would have been diminished to a matter-of-fact scientific explanation involving sperm and eggs.

There were times in my life where it felt scary and lonely to imagine a God who punishes and judges, a God who condemns, a God who is separate from me.  But imagining that God did not even exist allowed me to experience aloneness and fear on a whole new level.   The fundamental question of “Who am I?” suddenly meant so little as it could no longer produce an answer that expanded beyond physicality, thereby limiting my entire human experience to simply a body made up of cells, blood, tissue, organs, veins, etc.

If there is no God…then who am I?

And why would it even matter why I was here and where I was going?

The atheism movement is growing at a surprisingly impressive rate, presenting a robust resistance to religious fundamentalism and righteousness.  This secular segment of our world is made up of people who are no longer buying into the story which casts as its leading man an angry, needy, and vengeful God; yet this same group of people have likewise abandoned any concept of connectedness, divine design, higher purpose, and eternal life.

And this is why the New Spirituality movement is vital, a collective consciousness that does not support the “man on a cloud” theology, yet embraces divinity and oneness.  The New Spirituality is a space that gives hope and cultivates purpose and bridges the gap between “no God” and “that God.”  The New Spirituality does not teach people what to think, but rather that they can think;  it does not tell you  how to live your life, but rather how to create your life.

(Lisa McCormack is the Managing Editor & Administrator of The Global Conversation.  She is also a member of the Spiritual Helper team at www.ChangingChange.net, a website offering emotional and spiritual support. To connect with Lisa, please e-mail her at Lisa@TheGlobalConversation.com.) 

Comments

9 responses to “Bridging the gap between ‘that’ God
and ‘no’ God”

  1. Marko Avatar
    Marko

    Well Lisa a fascinating topic. The atheists movement from what you say here it seems, has simply gone to the another extreme rigidity as the very fundamental rigid religions they so dislike. That is, going to another extreme.

    Both extremes seem unhealthy.

    At this point they can’t embrace the new spirituality. Perhaps without realizing it, they are too blind to our alternative to religious rigidity resulting from their own stubbornness & focus on the narrowness of religious fundamentalism, leaving out other possible alternatives like CwG.

    In time, they may see that spirituality may hold a place for them that’s devoid of religious rigidity but holds tolerance, flexibility regarding many ways to see life & it’s purpose that goes much deeper & more satisfying than narrow fundamentalism.

    Magically,
    -Marko

  2. Laura Pringle Avatar
    Laura Pringle

    Funny, though I am very spiritual, but not religious, when i read Marko’s comments it gave me another perspective. You portray two conflicting belief systems: Religious and atheists- and then purport our way, the “spiritual -but-not-religious way”- is the best.

    Maybe we do live a more satisfying life our way- it must be better for our health, thus better for our bodies, because we aren’t making judgments against ourselves because our natures conflict with most religions. And having a sense of being connected to something larger makes us feel better, and feeling “good” makes us healthier.

    However, although we currently feel that our way is better, and we want to share this with others with loving enthusiasm, we must keep in mind that others are existing at their current level because they want to be, or else they wouldn’t be. We must respect their positions. Not denigrate them.

  3. Marko Avatar
    Marko

    Laura, I never said best, I said alternative.

    CwG says ours is not a better way just another way.

    However, we may as individual decide this is the best way for us.

    Our example in living this out, walking our talk is the best way to show others something alternative that they may decide to consider.

    Fair enough?

    Magically,
    -Marko

  4. Inger Lise Avatar
    Inger Lise

    Hmm, I must do something all wrong.
    In 50 years of time(met the husband at the age of 15 years old), have tried everything to change the husband. But he refuses ever of talking about God or religions as of him was brought up in a strictly, and fundamental, protestantic family(which I was not, rather the opposite, a tolerant family who accepted the faith of others, as long as they did not hurt others)…..or else the husband behaves as of to have no judgemental attitude against any(or anybody) at large.
    And of him NOT to be interrested in the same “spiritual” search as of me. Thou, I`m free to do what pleases me, as long am not “to pull/drag,” him unto the same nonsense(his words).

  5. Erin/IAm Avatar
    Erin/IAm

    Personally, I have found great humor in listening to George Carlin debate religion & God…Fun stuff! Glad to have experienced you, G.C…R.I.P.:D

    I was recently re-connected to just such an ‘atheist’…a once verrry dear friend & co-hort of good times past. It will be quite interesting to see where this goes & why he has re-emerged at this particular ‘time’…seems like this ‘happening’ alot these days, huh?:)

    Nice that you took the time to try on these shoes, Lisa…I Am doing the same. Sooo happy that my own are much comfier, though, yes?:)

  6. Stefania Avatar
    Stefania

    I really really really liked this article.
    I was an “atheist” myself in the past. I was raised in an atheist family. Then (I can’t even remember why or how exactly) I started looking in and reserching all the world religions I could get a book on. But still, something was missing, something was not quite right for me. It’s only since I’ve started to read Neale’s books (and many other authors I got to know thanks to him) that I feel complete. I feel like this New Spirituality bridged the gaps inside myself, around myself, in my whole world and experience of life. I’m only 22, pretty young, but still, I am happy, I have purpose, I have hope…. and I am the happiest person I know. This has to mean something eheh
    Thank you 🙂 love from italy

  7. Mon J Gamil Avatar
    Mon J Gamil

    Great article! I was a professing Christian for 29 years until about 6 years ago when my wife and I embraced a different track of spirituality. I now have a better understanding who God is and Who I Really Am.

    I am amazed how people became Atheist when they left organized religion, as if there were no other options. I know that there are people we knew that thought we are now atheist, having left the church. Because I had an open mind to look for ways to make sense of all things concerning God – I got to know a loving and a cool God. As opposed to what Christianity and religion tried to teach us – an angry and a vengeful and damning God.

    Great article, Lisa. Thanks for posting. Namaste!

  8. Inger Lise Avatar
    Inger Lise

    Yes, thank you Lisa.
    You have brought up something “personal” in ones life.
    But do we really KNOW of what is within another individuals HEART.
    Is it not in the way(s) of how a personality reacting and does toward the peoples, and the world, about him/her, which really matters?
    The socalled “atheists” may exclaim of no God or whatever, but many of them as of I`ll know of, behaves as angles in disguise.
    Sometimes wonders if it is a kind of to be shy(hidden hurtful experiences in the childhood by the religious upbringing), and thereafter as a result, eventually of to hide themselves behind (a sorts shelter). Stubbornly refusing of to be “looking” at it.

    Only watch the scenarios in Dublin, Ireland, nowadays. The same peoples, but two socalled differently religions(based upon the history centuries back in time at war) continues the fighting as of old because of religions. AND IT IS PEOPLES THE VERY SAME AS YOU AND ME. The very same civilization at least. One should have thought the irish peoples KNOWING their history of old, and both “parties” of to try of to TALK about it at least? Instead of stubbornly keeping(going on) on with it. They are not dumb. What is it then ?

    Obs: It is a matter of to learn of to forgive I`ll presume.
    That`s a hard lesson anyway along the road BEFORE of to learn about Oneness.

  9. mewabe Avatar
    mewabe

    I understand what you are saying Lisa, but just a minor point: it may be a mistake to think that all atheists feel disconnected from life and from humanity…many, looking into science, see a connected, interdependent universe, that may just look like an accident to them, but is nevertheless a beautiful, glorious “accident”.

    Instead of using the word God and be so attached to it, people here could substitute the word life, or universal energy, or All That Is, the All. Then minds would possibly open a little more.

    I personally strongly dislike the word God because of an association with Christianity, which has poisoned the hearts, minds and souls of countless generations, and still does.

    Whether atheist or believers, people however make the profound mistake of dealing with pain (loss) by not dealing with it…instead they seek a rationalization (a meaning) so they can avoid feeling the pain. That’s denial, and it is never healthy.

    A young child who is hurt, whether emotionally or physically, cries. That’s a natural reaction. Tears are a natural expression of pain, that lead to eventual healing, however slowly when the pain is deep.

    To rationalize pain is not natural, it actually goes against our nature. It is a grown up choice, and we should heed the child, who knows better because closer to his or her heart.

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