This is something I wrote for my upcoming book "Family Without Faith". Tell me what you think!
I don’t need a jealous sky-father. I have life. Life is what animates us—the spark in cells, the breath in lungs, the ache that tells you to change, the laugh that tells you you did. Life is observable, measurable, breathtaking without magic. I choose reverence for this.
When I say “life is a better god,” I mean ethics starts where outcomes touch bodies. We center consent. We weigh consequences. We correct when we cause harm. We do not outsource responsibility to an invisible judge or a convenient verse. We keep our promises because it keeps people safe, not because a book threatens us.
This isn’t cynicism; it’s awe with its eyes open. Oceans don’t need angels to be beautiful. Babies don’t need baptism to be precious. Love doesn’t need permission to be real. Life is enough to deserve our attention and our care.
So I practice a small liturgy: water the plants, feed the kids, apologize when I’m wrong, delight in what is here. That is worship enough.
I think saying life is a better god implies there needs to be a god which I’m not super into. It’s still a dogma!
Fair point but for those unwilling to let go of the idea I hope they can find peace in life itself and knowing it's pervasive reliable and easy to encourage.
Can't wait to read it!
I love this!
Are you open to feedback?
Yes please!
suuuper minor quibble, just “ethics starts where outcomes touch bodies”
I would just argue there is very real non-physical harm.
As JD says, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will hurt forever”
Maybe just as simple of a change as “ethics starts where outcomes touch others”?
I think too the effect of violent and hyperbolic rhetoric has lasting impacts. However, I struggle here because we are not in any type of real control over others only really our response to it. Our reactions may be to be hurt but as long as no one is physically entering our space or restricting our freedom to live our lives it's so hard to do anything about it. It's been my experience for the past decade listening to the leaders in the GOP rally around culture issues they deem imperative although much of it is rhetoric and hyperbolic it truly impacts every day of my life. I either have to ignore it or let it wash off me like water off a ducks back or I'll be full of rage all the time. Being a queer person in a world built for others make this life endeavor a serious challenge. Thanks for talking with me!