What is Your Worldview?

I propose this as a new topic. In essence, what do any of you base your beliefs on? What are the roots of your common (or uncommon) sense? I will start by posting my root beliefs:
I am a Christian. I do NOT take the Bible literally, although I very much take the philosophy behind it as literal. I believe that Original Sin exists, and as such, I believe that humans are unable to achieve their maximum potential or destiny without Gods help. In other words, a relationship with God is essential. While I think that the Bible is a focal point for my beliefs, I do not think that the book should be used to bash people over the head. God works in mysterious ways, and oftentimes will use a non religious person to speak wisdom into the life of a confused or searching individual. I attribute much of it to humanities fallen and imperfect nature, but I believe that differences and controversies were meant to exist as a challenge and a test to see if people can find a way (the way?) to get along.

Thread moved here from the Proposed New Topics forum.

Well as my name suggests i'm an atheist, so obvisouly don't believe in god (christian or other). To be honest I never thought of myself having a world view before, and it would probably be impossible to seperate atheists in general into a single world view because we're all very different. I could probably waffle on for quite a while on the way I view the world, so I wondered if there is anything specific you want comments on?added in edit: Just to add, I base my beliefs on my experiences and my senses. Obviously it's possible that my senses could be wrong, but since they usually say the same things to me as other peoples senses say to them I think they're worth trusting.This message has been edited by happy_atheist, 08-26-2004 11:59 AM

This might be an interesting topic.My worldview:Much like the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, I also believe that humans have unalienable rights that should not be impinged on. These include freedom of religion, freedom to pursue happiness, and the freedom to have a say in how they are governed by the state. At no time should one person's pursuit of happiness reduce another person's similar pursuit. This is very much like the Golden Rule, "Do unto to others . . ." etc.I think humanity and being human is a very wonderful experience, and meeting new people is one of the greatest joys that I have ever encoutered. I think that the diversity of human experience is our greatest asset as a species. Religion, sprituality, and supernatural experiences should not be quashed, but at the same time it should not be hoisted onto society. Each person should be allowed to find their own path in their lives and the experiences they bring out of that path is their contribution to our species.No matter what our ultimate origins are, we still have the same responsibilities to ourselves and to society. We are here to better ourselves and better the experience of being alive. Societies should function to further those goals, as an incubator for human dreams and human endeavour. Once society squelches those goals it is our responsibility to protest those limitations and fight to have them removed no matter if it is in our community or in someone else's community.

My worldview:There are somewhere around six billion of us, stuck on a rock. It's in each of our best interests to attempt to share the rock equally. At this point in time, we're not exceptionally good at it.By and large, we each seem to go through life absolutely terrified of other people. We take solace in whatever group identity we can to ward this off, be it politics, religion, cultural taste, what have you. At the same time, we don't like to acknowledge that we are basically the same as anyone else, let alone everyone else on the planet, because it diminishes our sense of self-importance.The vast majority of us tend to end life having done little other than attempt to ward off terror. So I figure fuck it... have a laugh where you can, and enjoy other people where you can. We're not so bad when you get down to it, just kind of stupid and afraid.Don't know if this was as cohesive as it could have been, but there you go.

---

"Archeologists near mount Sinai have discovered what is believed to be a missing page from the Bible. The page is currently being carbon dated in Bonn. If genuine, it belongs at the beginning of the Bible and is believed to read, 'To my darling Candy. All characters portrayed within this book are fictitous, and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.' The page has been universally condemned by church leaders."
-Rob Grant and Doug Naylor

Lots of wisdom there Dan. Kinda like that song by Tim McGraw' "Live like you were dying"

Thanks. I'm a pretty wise guy.

. . .include the existence of God, but not a God anything like the one described in the OT, which I cannot reconcile to the entity that Jesus called his Father.
Satan as an actual being seems to me to be redundant, as the people I know (myself included) have the capability to be shortsighted, selfish and violent, and so mess the world up without assistance.My beliefs can and probably will change as I learn and experience more, so I'm not certain that they qualify as a wordview.They are based on experience, but include insights and mystical experience as well as what I learn and perceive through my senses.

Just to add a bit of spice to our discussion, I poked around on the internet for some definitions voiced by others on what constitutes a worldview. I am trying not to just find Christian viewpoints, so as to show other modes of thinking.
Christian viewpoint: Worldviews
Intellectual critique: Worldviews: from fragmentation to integration
Another good website: What is a Worldview?
Another Christian perspective, although quite well thought out:
Page not found | Dwell Community Church

Wait! . . Let me guess!Having read your post 274 in Lam’s proof thread, and looked at the websites you listed here I think it very possible that the chart in the last website, that is adapted from the book by Dennis McCallum. And that the criteria for testing a worldview are also from that book.Could be wrong of course, can you please let me know?If I’ve got it right, the next question is, who is authorised to set up such criteria? And to whom does a worldview have to be acceptable?Most people I know adhere to faiths that are logically inconsistent to a nonbeliever. That is how I see the worldviews of my Catholic and JW friends and relatives. But faith is not about logic, consistency and pragmatism. Is it?

I must say... THE EPIC!!!!!!!

---

"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."Ephesians 5:14

Firebird, you are right! I did get that chart from McCallums book...although I just found the website and the chart made sense to me... Any of us can propose guidelines and criteria. I think that where you are going with this leads us to that arena of relativism vs absolute truth. So for the record, I believe in an absolute truth yet I acknowledge your right to assert individual relative beliefs. In the context of a free thought chatroom such as this, no idea HAS to be acceptable to anyone. In the context of my ideals, I merely present ideas and let whomever accepts them do so. If we all agreed, the world would assume a different view. It seems that disagreement is a characteristic of human relations.

I'm here along with the rest of the universe by the choice of an infinite supreme being, who, believe it or not, gives a care about what he created. What our five senses percieve in three dimensions through moments in time is not the complete picture. Reality is not always what it seems.There is a spiritual dimension(s). A struggle goes on inside every person and between all people to adhere to good, shun evil, find purpose, gain humility, and ultimately allow the Spirit's influence over our life.Our designated purpose for being here is to enjoy life in all its ups and downs, enjoy work, enjoy the company of others, and to learn about, love, serve, and glorify our creator. Death is merely the beginning of a greater life free from the corruption of the flesh.

Hi Phatboy,The main point I was trying to make is that logic is only one possible ingredient that contributes to an individual's worldview. Many of us don't articulate our worldview, let alone analyze or critique it, and so don't even notice conflicting or unclear aspects. So long as it "feels right", or comfortable.Like Dan, I think our fears, and whatever we need to keep them at bay, have a lot to do with it.
That's why I enjoy the way this forum challenges us to examine ourselves.The chart is certainly easier to read than the middle two websites! I'll respond more detail when I've done a bit of research, but for now, although I don't deny the possible existence of absolute truths, I cannot imagine how we'd recognise one.

Richard Dawkins, "God's Utility Function," published in Scientific American (November, 1995), p. 85This message has been edited by MrHambre, 08-30-2004 01:07 PM