Goals of Religious Naturalism

Science To rely on mainstream science to inform our religious and spiritual lives - Science is a primary interpretive tool for Religious Naturalism because scientific methods provide the best opportunity ever devised for understanding nature and the world, including our own natures. Scientific methods collect and examine data, form postulates about it, test those speculations, and retest to verify. The result is most often the development of comprehensive theories about what is true and reliable. These then undergo deeper and wider challenges and critiques. Only insofar as a theory continues to meet the challenges is it accepted as true, and this truth is seen as the best answer until a better one is found. There is nothing magical in this process; it produces factual, real, and natural explanations.

Spirituality To live spiritual lives - While science informs us on the objective axis, subjective feelings are also important. Although subjectivity is not yet well understood, there are many insightful treatments of it. Indeed science has already shown that subjective feelings result from the interaction of the physical brain with the body and with the world outside the brain. Thus the spirituality of Religious Naturalism is at home in the natural world of the human mind. Part of this spirituality is the wonder and awe that can exist without science, but which science amplifies. Our spirituality also provides a sense of humility and exuberance, and a reverence for the mysterious but magnificent Universe we live in. Spiritual naturalism is one of immanence rather than transcendence, of being open rather than introverted, of freedom rather than servitude. It does not depend on being religious in the usual theistic sense yet it also embraces mystery, because of course we do not know everything, and even the unknown is wondrous. Some Religious Naturalists feel a sense of unity with the All: a sense of eternity here and now; the beauty, truth and presence of everything; joyful acceptance of what is; dynamic quietude and the silence of knowing; restfulness without fatigue; the plenitude of sufficiency and fulfillment; a state of blissful serenity; mixed with interdependence; the truth of knowing and of mystery; and thusness. Nature is sufficient, truth suffices and so does the All. These are some of the attributes many associate with naturalistic spirituality.

Stewardship To be skillful stewards of the earth - It should come as no surprise that the rationality and feelings provided by science and a naturalistic spirituality would instill within Religious Naturalism a strong sense of stewardship for the Earth. The environment of Earth has produced Homo sapiens by legitimate means. It is our mother and home. As such it merits respect and love. This is a key moral concern. Benevolent stewardship of the Earth does not mean we cannot enjoy its fruits. It means that humanity should do so in a wise, considerate and sustainable way. It is in our best interests to do so. It is morally the right and proper thing to do. There is innate value in Nature. It should not be wasted by greed and stupidity. To a significant degree, Earth is our responsibility! Religious Naturalism is a worldview that concentrates on what actually exists. It has a strong environmental ethic for the welfare of the planet Earth. If you consider Earth as if sacred, you will honor it with respect. If you respect it, you will treat it properly, you will protect it. And protect it we must!

In our hands We believe that the above aspirations are noble ones. Understanding via science and a spiritual attitude to life and stewardship of our earthly home, are ideas that sensible people can embrace. With that acceptance comes a responsibility to cultivate those goals. They become part of our concerns and ethics for a global approach to the ecology of our planet. You are invited to join with us and feel, think and live in a natural world, and help us protect Mother Earth and all the life on it.