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8.0.9 Natural, Rational SacrednessVersion 1.1 November 2014                                      (Previous Version) Is it meaningful to talk of the sacred if we don't believe in the supernatural? The word “sacred” is typically associated with the divine, with god(s). Can we appropriate this word for secular experiences, or do we need to devise new terminology? We need to find ways to express the times when we feel most fulfilled and connected that convey the emotional impact and “spiritual” significance as well as the external reality. In modern countries there is a tendency to separate the secular and the sacred, and assign these to different activities at different times. Some of us associate sacred time with religious services, in a temple, church or mosque, or with special events such as births deaths and marriages, when the setting, rituals, music and liturgy affect us emotionally. Many of us have no sense of the sacred at all, especially, but not only, sceptics and atheists, who link the sacred to the supernatural and the unreal. Those of us who are pious see the sacred in everything: as shown in Part 4 (Religion), this reflects the way all early religion was seen and felt. Similarly, some of us who follow this way will experience something we might call sacred rarely or only at special circumstances, such as artistic performances, or perhaps at sporting events. On the other hand, some of us, rational, naturalistic followers of this reasonable way, can feel we are embedded in a sacred world, and many people do this without realising it. ● In our day to day lives, we are continually making choices that reflect our core values: truth, diversity, reality, life, love, beauty, responsibility, equality and hope. ● As soon as we rise out of our beds we may be conserving resources, recycling waste, using public transport, being courteous to the strangers we encounter, working for our own reward but also for our community’s prosperity, donating to or volunteering for worthy causes, making love, supporting our families. As we retire to bed we assess how well we behaved today. ● This constant awareness of living by these values, living this way, is comparable to religious life. Although our actions are embedded in the natural and rational (rather than the supernatural or dogmatic) we are following the path we have chosen, that is infused with meaning and purpose. The sacred in this secular world is embedded in the universal narrative and the paths we choose within it. It doesn’t require the supernatural or unrealistic dogma. We live in sacred time when we are mindful of our core values. 8.0.9 The Sacred within this Reasonable Way This reasonable way can be expressed and explored in many ways in art and culture. ●       To participate in sports of the arts, as a player/performer or as the audience, as many of us know, is as close to the sacred as many of us can get. ●       Similarly, the wonders of science can impress us all, and the pursuit of science for its own sake, just to better comprehend reality, is a sacred activity for some. ●       To be transported out of ourselves in love, discovery or connection is to enter sacred time, some of the best times of our lives. ●       We can also learn to live all day, every day, being mindful and true to our values, and we can view this as living in sacred time. more
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