The “Prime Directive” of Atheism

For many atheists their “Prime Directive”, for lack of a better way of saying it, is debunking. They want to “debunk” all the “religious nonsense”. When they are presented with narratives that include the “supernatural”, “miraculous”, “spiritual” or “mystic”, their first instinct is to prove that the narrative is a false narrative, that there is a “logical explanation” for it. That “logical explanation” most often includes the generous application of scorn, ridicule and their own personally acceptable application of pseudo science.

“I can’t explain that.” is never an acceptable response. Neither is “I don’t know.” There is always an explanation, no matter how far fetched their explanation of what they view as far fetched may be.

I am an atheist, but I am not “that kind” of atheist. For me “debunking” is not the “Prime Directive”. For me honesty is the “Prime Directive”. I try to avoid applying ridicule and scorn without being absolutely certain that it is an appropriate response. I am perfectly comfortable with conclusions that include, “I have no idea.” “I can’t explain that.” “I simply do not have an answer for that.” and “I don’t know.”

in praise of ignorance

what do you know
that i do not,
i, without degrees,
without success,
with a job, not a career,
with a list of grievances,
wishes and dreams
grander than the Pillars of Creation.

what do you know
that i do not,
i, without a pension,
without a list of birthdays
i must not forget,
without those regular payments
on the first and fifteenth
of every month.

nothing and everything,
as i know
nothing and everything,
that you do not.

you do not know
what the angels draw for me
at 3:00am.
i do not know
how your second child
wailed then whimpered
then huddled and finally slept
at 3:00am.

you know

nothing and everyhing,
as i know
nothing and everything,
that you do not.

and somewhere in that ocean of knowing
i sample a salty drop
you have never tasted
and you taste a salty tear
i have never tasted,
on the face of a child
or the back of your hand

and we both understand
some small mystery,
some revelation
granted to no other life
in the eternal Story
written in rivulets and gasps
on the tattered veil
of Heaven itself.