Writers know how a book can take on a new direction, a life of its own as s/he gets deeply into it. GODLESS has done this many times since I began it in 1987. I explain some of these changes within, but I want to share where I am in my atheism. Cynthia Sue Larson and Patricia Zerman "got it' when they read the book. I am no longer defensive about atheism as I realized how deeply rooted it is in my emotional life and my limbic brain. I no longer have to be offensive about it and my responses to attacks on the radio resulted in me being identified as "atheist lite." I don't think they meant I was a lightweight thinker (some may disagree), but that I was refreshingly honest, funny, and fair. Further, I didn't attack others' religious beliefs, but only explained why I felt my beliefs were based on many powerful emotional experiences and then later came my intellectual defenses or (to me) logical, rational explanations of my beliefs. I have observed that this is what everyone does. We are not basically logical, rational beings, but are ruled more by what we "feel" in our bodies. From childish arguments that sound like this - "You're stupid!" - "No, You're stupid" - which continues with no additional changes until one gives up - to arguments between loved ones and the devastating "discussions" between representatives of nations or political or religious leaders that are emotionally based so NO compromises are possible. I love my wife, children, and grandchildren more than anyone or anything. Yet, they are all believers in God and some religion. At times, it has left me somewhat lonely as I have tread lightly on what I felt were the fallacies in their thinking and beliefs. I knew their beliefs were based on their need for some security, some protection from life's uncertainties, its unavoidable pains and lack of justice. What kind of husband and father would I be if I tried to take what religion was giving them and replace it with GOD lessness? I finally found what I now believe is a compromise that they and I can live with. This, the latest incarnation of this book, is an explanation of why, one atheist, emotionally believes what he does. Instead of attacking religion and religious believers like most of the recent popular atheist writers have done (and I respect and applaud them as they have awakened the world to another way of looking at reality) I have tried to take you on a journey through my mind and my emotional experiences. My book GOD-INTOXICATED: Becoming Paranoid (2007) much more deeply delves into my specific experiences and you can take whatever I offer - or not. My hope (faith) is that it will help you become a person that can live life that meets all your needs to become the most honest, less fearful, and completely human being that can allow, even encourage all others to live their lives as freely and fearlessly.I wrote in CAREGIVING: The ANSWERS ARE...(2012) that LOVE is the ultimate answer. The same is true for a life worth living. I think you'll be surprised that an atheist can help you live a loving, purposeful life. Read how Thinking the UNthinkable is seeing endless possibilities based on MUTUAL RESPECT and openness to others' experience of OUR world.
I have spent 50 years as a very successful teacher in every grade from K to university with every type of student from every socioeconomic group. I have challenged the status quo and I will give three hard copies of any of my books if you can find a teacher who has more successfully innovated and written about the various techniques I used. You can view my books on my web site - www.imaginativecurriculum.com. On my radio program - www.blogtalkradio.com/icdrrose - I interview Change Agents (innovators) from every field and discipline. Despite our often different POV's (especially the religious guests) we manage to be civil and to a person we find that we like each other. This MUTUAL RESPECT is the main teaching I hope to communicate with my listeners. My second marriage is approaching 50 years and our blended family with my wife, Marie, and our Magnificent Seven is what keeps me vibrant and healthy at 81.We visit or talk on the phone to each at least once a week. Marie and I have successfully survived her misdiagnosis with Alzheimer's and then the medications that worsened her condition. I wrote about what we endured until we helped her recover in CAREGIVING: THE SECRETS ARE... I can be contacted at rewiringyourbrain@gmail.com and I will email you pdf copies of any of my books for $5. At my age I don't expect to suddenly become rich and famous, but a few extra bucks are nice to take my wife out for a nice dinner at the Golden Arches.
