Mysticism
Unlike some who identify themselves as secular humanists, I am not averse to discussions of mysticism or investigation of mystical phenomena. I had a recent conversation about this with two friends. It was helpful to me.
Some atheists are cynical to the point of mocking anything mystical. Mockery, usually associated with blanket dismissal of the mocked premise, is unscientific. Skepticism is the hallmark of scientific method, not cynicism. In fact, those who are cynical are seldom scientific. Science breeds curiosity. Cynicism dulls curiosity.
As a practical humanist with a scientific background and a considerable exposure to The Mystical, I see much of the debate and controversy that banters back and forth between these poles as a waste of time. Ranting atheists are about anger, not about humanism. Ranting mystics are about fear of progress, not about effecting human progress.
A focus on human rights and human justice inevitably brings an intelligent person to scientific thought. How else can a modern person wrap his head around the challenges of the human species on a deteriorating planet? Whistling in the dark with mystical incantations will not solve the problems. Alienating those who need to be brought up to speed on the challenges and their possible solutions will not solve the problems.
There is no need for me as a practical humanist to denigrate mysticism to those who hold it dear. However, it is my place as a practical humanist to engage those intelligent people who may believe in mysticism as I encounter them. As a member of the human species, committed to peace and justice for all, I need the help of any like-minded person to spread mindfulness and compassion, whether they believe in magic or not..
Some atheists are cynical to the point of mocking anything mystical. Mockery, usually associated with blanket dismissal of the mocked premise, is unscientific. Skepticism is the hallmark of scientific method, not cynicism. In fact, those who are cynical are seldom scientific. Science breeds curiosity. Cynicism dulls curiosity. Likewise, many mystics are intentionally naive. They cling to their ignorance of science as a defense against losing 'faith'. This too is unscientific and rather out of sync with general human evolution from ignorance to knowledge. Science breeds wonder. Naivete simply promotes ignorance and stupidity, no matter how blissful.
As a practical humanist with a scientific background and a considerable exposure to The Mystical, I see much of the debate and controversy that banters back and forth between these poles as a waste of time. Ranting atheists are about anger, not about humanism. Ranting mystics are about fear of progress, not about effecting human progress.
A focus on human rights and human justice inevitably brings an intelligent person to scientific thought. How else can a modern person wrap his head around the challenges of the human species on a deteriorating planet? Whistling in the dark with mystical incantations will not solve the problems. Alienating those who need to be brought up to speed on the challenges and their possible solutions will not solve the problems.
There is no need for me as a practical humanist to denigrate mysticism to those who hold it dear. However, it is my place as a practical humanist to engage those intelligent people who may believe in mysticism as I encounter them. As a member of the human species, committed to peace and justice for all, I need the help of any like-minded person to spread mindfulness and compassion, whether they believe in magic or not..
Well said!
ReplyDeleteI would add that there is a distinction between knowledge and wisdom, and that progress requires both. The results of vast amounts of knowledge and technology which lacks the wisdom to use it is rather apparent in the world today, and seem to me a cause of much unnecessary suffering.
It is not an either or question - mysticism or science - it is rather an and/with issue. And that doesn't have to look like immediate and direct reconciliation, rather a willingness to explore the possibilities. After all, books like "Science Revealed" suggest that altered states of consciousness and mystical experience have lead to amazing scientific insights. Newton secretly practiced Alchemy, and Einstein was in touch with something beyond the readily apparent reality... Even Watson and Crick let it me known posthumously that LSD played a key role in their insight into DMA.
The question to me is how open are you to both critical and creative engagement, and revelations in understanding beyond the limits of what we conceive of as consensus reality. Mysticism and science both delve into the realms of mystery, an unknown realm which is not always comfortable to explore - what we find can be deeply unsettling. But the wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and imagination within that space has tremendous potential to touch the lives of any person, of any identity. Now more than ever we must find the courage to explore it, from as many angles as possible.
Thank you for adding insight and depth to the ongoing conversation.
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