When some people move away from faith, they don't move away from the culture. Many of the Atheists I know are Jewish. The Atheists who were Christian hesitate to say the same thing. Alain De Botton talks about Atheism 2.0. Basically, moving on from the break-up/divorce stage to the co-parenting phase. Raising the importance of 'what is best for the child'. Many of us still live in communities where we have important relationships that bind us, despite intense pain we'd rather be rid of. Where the Escape Hatch isn't there any more. At that point, it isn't a question of who is right. It is a question of 'What is the next best step?'
Today is Yom Kippur. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. A day when you genuinely say sorry to people for the things you have done wrong in the last year. Traditionally, it is attached to a 25 hour fast. As it so happens, fasts are actually good for your stomach. A little like brushing your teeth for the insides. An annual spring clean is a good idea. A day of reflection on your missteps is also a good idea.
Another non-religious holiday I have always like the idea of, even if the origins are controversial, is Thanksgiving. Although there are other connections, it dovetailed with the seasonal harvest. An annual celebration giving thanks for what we have. Quite often as the religious tones changed, the holidays survived. Keep the tree, change the decorations. Saying thank you is a good idea no matter what you believe.
Another one I love is Diwali. A festival of lights. A celebration of knowledge beating ignorance. A celebration that despite the major struggles we face, we tend to chip away at them. Lights shine if we let them.
There are lots of difficulties in the world. Lots of fights and clashes and issues and pain. We don't have to go nuclear on the whole situation though. We don't have to rage, and burn, and slash, and destroy. We can still build on the good bits. See the good bits. As Bruce Lee said, 'Use what is useful, Discard what is not, Add what is uniquely your own'.
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