A Statement of Belief

I believe the Universe is infinite in every way. There are no limits, no boundaries, no biggest and no smallest. It is impossible for anything to be outside of the Universe because the Universe is all-inclusive. The Universe is governed by Natural Laws, everything in the Universe has a natural explanation.
Science is a method of understanding Nature. What we believe should always be based on the proof that we have available to us. If new information is made available then we should adjust our beliefs to the evidence. This means we must always be open minded and willing to learn new things about the Universe.
There is no duality of mind and body or spirit and matter, there is only one substance and that is energy, a physical substance which can be measured by scientific methods. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it just changes in form. Energy is the life force of the Universe. The cycle of life and death is just a transformation of energy, passing through temporary forms.
The Ego, our sense of self or personhood, is an idea that forms after birth as we become self conscious. The Ego does not survive death. Like the physical body, it grows and withers. Our “spirit” is the same life force that animates the eternal Universe. To identify ourselves with Ego is to identify ourselves with our thoughts. The thoughts we have are subject to the experiences we perceive. We are each a product of our environment. Free Will is an illusion based on our lack of understanding of the deterministic nature of the Universe. Everything follows a sequence of cause and consequence.
Nature is our god because it is our maker, preserver, and destroyer. All the petty gods of Earth are man made, but Nature has no maker. There is no power above Nature, and we are all subject to her laws. Nature has no “chosen people” and Nature has no “sacred text”. The hierophants or prophets of Nature are the scientists and philosophers who dedicate themselves to understanding the Universe.
Annika
Science is a method of understanding Nature. What we believe should always be based on the proof that we have available to us. If new information is made available then we should adjust our beliefs to the evidence. This means we must always be open minded and willing to learn new things about the Universe.
There is no duality of mind and body or spirit and matter, there is only one substance and that is energy, a physical substance which can be measured by scientific methods. Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it just changes in form. Energy is the life force of the Universe. The cycle of life and death is just a transformation of energy, passing through temporary forms.
The Ego, our sense of self or personhood, is an idea that forms after birth as we become self conscious. The Ego does not survive death. Like the physical body, it grows and withers. Our “spirit” is the same life force that animates the eternal Universe. To identify ourselves with Ego is to identify ourselves with our thoughts. The thoughts we have are subject to the experiences we perceive. We are each a product of our environment. Free Will is an illusion based on our lack of understanding of the deterministic nature of the Universe. Everything follows a sequence of cause and consequence.
Nature is our god because it is our maker, preserver, and destroyer. All the petty gods of Earth are man made, but Nature has no maker. There is no power above Nature, and we are all subject to her laws. Nature has no “chosen people” and Nature has no “sacred text”. The hierophants or prophets of Nature are the scientists and philosophers who dedicate themselves to understanding the Universe.
Annika