My daughter says she's an atheist!.....continued

   Decided I have more to say on this topic.  That is, the topic of God, no God.  I said earlier that I call myself a Christian because I try to follow the teachings of Jesus, which is true, but it goes much farther than that. 
   Last week, I had a really fun and interesting conversation over dinner with friends on this very subject.  One of these friends is an ordained minister who I consider my spiritual guide and her husband is also one of the most gentle and deeply spiritual people I know.  I was asking how they logically (or rather scientifically) approach the subject of atheism with people since they are coming from a faith-based perspective.  The whole conversation was great, but the sentence that struck me most was, "Scientifically, you can't come to an objective conclusion on an experiment when you're a PART of the experiment".  To me, that's kind of like can't see beyond our cosmic horizon but you know something else is out there.  (Check out http://kottke.org/09/12/the-known-universe)
   Anyway, where I guess I'm going with all this is, I can't put a face or a name or a personality to my God, but in MY cosmic universe, there IS a creator who is interactive and still creating to this day and we are creating our universe along with that creator and that's the piece of the puzzle that parts ways, I think, with conventional or traditional Christianity.  My Christianity is not based on pain and suffering or judgement or guilt or fear.  Mine is based on the message of Jesus who I believe was the most highly evolved being.....EVER and His message was 'love one another'.  We are not living for "some day".  We are living and creating now and we need to be In The Moment and creating a world of love and acceptance by our actions and by the words we say.  I am not a bystander of my beliefs.  I am a part of the experiment.   

My daughter says she's an atheist!

   So, I'm talking to my daughter this morning and she gets on my case about not posting on my blog more often.  I tell her I don't have too much on my mind lately and she says, "Why don't you post something about your crushing disappointment that I'm an athiest?"  Without feeling the least bit compelled to discuss the theological or philosophical ramifications of her beliefs, I laugh because I'm perfectly ok with her being an athiest, for a few reasons.   
   First, I know that between the time I was her age and the age I am now, (and trust me, I have reached old fart status), I changed my mind on my beliefs at least a dozen times. 
   Then, I think it doesn't really matter what you believe or don't believe because what's going to happen is going to happen regardless.  Jen and I have talked dozens of times on our disdain for those who profess to KNOW the answers when really, the only honest answer is "I DON'T KNOW".  And we're ok with that answer because it's truth. 
   And then finally, I know that Jen is one of the best people I've ever known and is making the universe a better place every day.  I can only believe that powerful energy will continue through the universe forever and I often enjoy meditating on who will be touched by that positive energy and how it will impact the universe.
   So, Jen and I disagree on the subject of God or no God.  I am convinced in my heart that a creator of some type was responsible for creating all this and creation continues today.  That's what my intuition (gut) tells me based on my years of study and experience but scientifically, the truth is I don't know.  And the other truth is, I either will or won't know eventually.  Not something to lose sleep over in my opinion.  What matters to me and what makes me call myself a Christian is not the life-after-death part or the guilt and judgement stuff.  I call myself a Christian because I try to follow the teachings of Jesus each and every day.  Everything he taught was about how we should treat each other.  He was all about love and kindness and acceptance and the world is sorely lacking in those areas.  It's even more important now to be an example of peace.  I've decided to bring back the peace symbol of the 60's.  I loved it then and I love it now and that little gesture speaks volumes.  Instead of giving the finger, try  giving the peace sign instead.  I promise you'll feel better doing the later.  Here's something to keep in mind for every day life.  This is kind of my mission statement. 
Go forth into the world and be of good courage;
Hold fast to that which is good;
Render to no person evil for evil;
Strengthen the faint-hearted;
Support the weak;
Help the afflicted;
Honor all people. 
    (and here's the rest of it for us Christians)
Love and serve God rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.