Agnostic Guide - Preface

This book was developed from my own views concerning human life and the universe we live in. I look at all human teachings for wisdom and insight, but first and foremost I look at the universe itself. The universe is an impartial reporter and judge of what’s really true and truly real. I incorporate, modify, and reject human ideas and beliefs as I see fit.

I’m my own person and don’t blindly follow anyone or any one set of teachings. I only take in philosophies and beliefs consistent with a humanity operating with truth and morality. Morality is a continuously evolving concept collectively defined by the best examples of humanity. I’m very skeptical of a few limited thoughts chiseled into stone thousands of years ago by more primitive humans. I welcome any and all teachings for their little nuggets of wisdom, but I only believe what’s right and real for me, my family, and our society.

I call myself an agnostic when I’m asked about my religious beliefs. I believe I don't know the origin of our existence and that nobody else knows either. I don’t usually see a need to add atheist or humanist to this label even though these are accurate terms in certain amounts which I'll dig into later.

Agnosticism is the purest viewpoint for what I believe about anything we might call supernatural. Agnosticism is the acknowledgment that we don't really know. I’m an agnostic who doesn’t actively search for the first cause of existence or creation because I don’t think we have any good leads to start a search. A true path of discovery for the first cause may not exist for humanity to understand.

I’m on a path in life of my own choosing and design. I’m firmly grounded in simply being a human on this planet. I’m open to knowing what or even who may have created the universe, but I believe none of us really know. Whatever created the universe isn’t likely anything like the gods our ancestors have imagined. We may be physically and mentally incapable of ever knowing the real answers.

Join me here in an exploration of my beliefs and drop any preconceived notions as you read through this book. Set aside your own biases for a moment and try to see the universe with the fresh perspective of a newborn human being. I’m just one person and this is what I believe to be true. I only ask for you to make up your own mind. The only piece of advice I would implore everyone to follow in life when you’re presented with a request to “just believe” is this: Think! (Think also happens to be a good song by Information Society).