Faith for the Flightless

This is for the atheists

Faith is for the Flightless

In this episode I look at why you do not have to give up your intellect to be spiritual. I'm talking to you, atheists:) Included are the poems Two Orphan Sparrows and How Not to Get Lost in the Cosmos.

Blogspot link … http://prydefoltz.blogspot.ca

Author's Note

Captcha … piewipe … not quite captcha

Reviews

[Sindu]

Your words have a way of their own, Pryde. This wasn't brash or anything like most when addressing atheists. Like ANTO said, '..persuasive and polished.' I love the poems and the way yo interconnect the vastness of the subject to a simple life story is a true work of a writer's wit. I believe in religion and I believe in science.. like Dr. Radhakrishnan said that science and religion go hand in hand. Each are required to keep the other in check yet encourage.
It's been months since I went to a temple or did a proper puja but I have no problem believing in Him. I say religion gives a beauty which is indescribable but one to be experienced. It's more of hope than the ritual for me.
I'm not sure about organised religion though. It tends to melt into forced religion but a steady organisaton is required, one which can accept and be steadfast. Also, I like what Pushkar suggests. This is a brilliant work, Pyrde. I wish for your faith to be stronger than ever :)

I thought this would fit here.. "Poetic truth is different from scientific truth since it reveals the real in its qualitative uniqueness and not in its quantitative universality. Poetry is the language of the soul, while prose is the language of science. The former is the language of mystery, of devotion, of religion. Prose lays bare its whole meaning to the intelligence, while poetry plunges us in the mysterium tremendum of life and suggests the truths that cannot be stated." - Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. I searched for that one quote on science and religion I wanted to share but came short. Thought this might do, too :)
Thank you for sharing..

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you, Sindu … what a great review:)

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Pryde, you are delightful... like birds in the air,
we fly in dreams... over green fields and blue-green
water. We sit on fence posts and in trees... where the
sun is warm and cool breezes sing. truly, Pat

[Pryde Foltz]

How lovely. Thank you, Pat:)

[andrew mitchell]

I don't believe lol so I am an atheist in a way but I do believe in good morals and the values of upbringing how to behave etc. A nice write.

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you, Andrew:) Try meditation for a couple months and you will find something to believe in:)

[andrew mitchell]

When I was younger in search for something spiritual I did a class in meditation. I felt the room all chanting om was enough to scare me off after two classes, it just wasn't me. I think I'm more pagan with nature. That is my peace!

[Pryde Foltz]

There is no need to chant and I recommend doing it alone ... at least some of the time. Simply clear your mind of thought and you can do it in nature:)

[andrew mitchell]

No need now to do the om, family is my everything! most important in life!!! spiritual is spaceless I need substance! but that's just me . Each to their own and with all respect.

[Vatsal Rohilla (account..]

I like the message that has been conveyed here. Science, religion and experience- the relationship between the three has been pictured in a beautiful manner. Faith is actually a combined outcome of the three. Spiritual teachings are believed to be true by most, science is- obviously- always true and experience does the rest to arouse feelings of faith in one. Quite lovely descriptions with nice examples. Your work is so engaging that I watched the video till the very end- something which is rare with me when I watch videos that exceed 6 minutes in length. Very beautiful indeed. Keep writing.

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you, Vassal. Science if it could be practiced by one who could control all conditions would be absolutely true ... but really all it can ever reveal is what is 'not true'. The scientific method when practised as intended is a matter of elimination. if something cannot be disproved after repeated times of trying to do so then it can be thought of us fact or a law. The thing is most facts change and most laws find themselves broken when one goes significantly macro or micro about it. So we must always leave ourself open to the possibility of change. As socrates opined ... I know that I do not and therein lies room for learning. To the faith ... when I let go of what is often termed ego thought ... there is always something there. If you are interested in the limitations of the scientific method you might check out the work of Kuhn. Science is a noble pursuit but like all things and thoughts falls short of perfection.

[Vatsal Rohilla (account shifted)]

Well that is true for all things- everything falls short of perfection, impeccability.

[I am that I am]

This is excellent. Science only proves there is always something inexpressible within what is expressible. Whatever discoveries they make; they are only left with more questions as to why these discoveries are so, infinitely. I believe that whatever you put your faith in; whether it's science, organized religion, or yourself; there is always the inexpressible that you are a part of. Are we ever really separated from the inexpressible? Is it not in fact the very essence of our being? When one prays, is there an answer? Or when you ponder as to "Who am I? Where do my thoughts arise from?" the answer is always inexpressible. This is why faith is something that never dies; even in disbelief. It is a part of everything that is. Thanks for sharing this with me, Pryde. I enjoyed it.

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you for your wonderful thoughts:)

[Lyn Anderson]

I think this is beautiful. Both logical and non judgmental. Exactly how we should view the world.

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you, KL. It is surprising to me but as I delve deeper in faith the more reasons find to have it. That said there is still no end to the contrast ... but there is also no beauty without contrast:)

[TL Boehm]

another fascinating post. Witty and eloquent with that humor and a gentle lesson. I do endorse organized worship - but I see the church as triage. We go to get fed, healed, encouraged so we can go out and be light in dark places. Feed the hungry, heal the sick, help the poor. Many of the atheists I've known have experienced only the "judgement" and not the love.
I don't know if I'm right. I believe so I try to live as I believe. I try not to hack anyone off, but its inevitable at times.

[Pryde Foltz]

I see it as accessing zen ... with a more organized religion perspective one might see it as being delivered into the presence of the divine ... here there is no getting it wrong. There is also no getting there when one is judging ... judge not said a very wise one:) Thanks for the visit, Tammy:)

[TL Boehm]

That makes sense. I don't know if I could access zen. I have a noisy mind. (my brain is possessed by several caffeinated toddlers in need of naps and a spankin') but being delivered into the presence of the divine...I experienced that one time. only once. Again. I'm really undisciplined so that's probably why.

[Pryde Foltz]

Being in the presence of the divine is zen. Humans across time and space just keeping giving new names and new interpretations, depending on the route taken to access it. For now I have settled on more Taoist approach because as a 'thinker' I really need to tend to my mind and thought patterns. I have also accessed it as believer in more Christian teachings ... you will find many similarities between the teachings and Christ and Taoist philosophy. This was a moment of great fear and I surrendered to the belief that Jesus would keep me safe. In this case ... judgement and over-thinking was not the block but fear and so surrender was key. Let's just say surrender has never been my forte but neither is quitting ... so now I work at not quitting quitting. Have a great, Tammy:)

[Coyote Poetry]

I re-posted. Your work needs to be expanded. Thank you dear Poet for your verbal poetry. Give me reasons to keep working.
Coyote

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you, Coyote … you're the best:)

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome. I like this one a lot.

[Avinash]

You deal with deep meaningful subjects with playfulness of a small child. That makes your work so unique.

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you, Avinash:)

[ANTO]

This was your best yet Pryde. You are very persuasive and polished. The two sparrows was a tour de force in story-telling and the pop-ups were very entertaining, I think your comedic stylings are great and dont need anyone else to come up with the funnies.. I could have watched for another good while.
Thanks for all.
:))

[Pryde Foltz]

Thank you, ANTO … you are good for the spirit … I suppose just trying to build community:)

[ANTO]

If you succeed here perhaps you could come to Belfast next ?
;)

[Pryde Foltz]

I've never been to Belfast … would love it.

[ANTO]

It would love you too my friend. Our top selling bread is Mother's Pride ;)