Philosophy and Religion

My temperament has always been one that most would call "religious" or "spiritual." I don't tend to use those terms to describe myself. I think more accurate terms might be something like philosophical, self-reflective, contemplative. Regardless, abandoning belief in the supernatural didn't change that part of my personality. It's why I chose to major in philosophy instead of something more career-oriented like accounting or business. It's why I continue to study religion, philosophy, and science. It's why I'm now working toward a PhD in the sociology of religion. Abandoning supernatural religious beliefs does not change the kind of person you are. But it can be the first step to a whole new world of intellectual and emotional growth and maturity. Eventually you'll find that non-religious sources of inspiration and depth—such as great literature, music, science, and philosophy—can be just as profound and significant to a human life, if not more so, than anything found in supernatural religion. Despite the rants of some over-zealous Christian apologists, religion does not hold a monopoly on inspiration, depth of meaning, or compassion. Those things have been a part of every human culture, and religion is merely one among many complex products of human cultural development. The most accurate labels that describe my philosophical worldview are religious naturalist and religious humanist.