The hard part for theists is admitting they have become the moral source they wanted to worship. In fact, they are now in a position to condemn their god as immoral based on secular principles of human rights. Kwinters
lt is not hard at all. I know some Catholics and many Jews that for all intents and purposes are atheists. It was a good Catholic that told me that the "Thy God" of the First Great Commandment is whatever you want Herm to be. She describes her God as an inner voice that she can converse with as a friend to help her decide what to do in difficult situations. It is easier to call it "Mary" than Raggedy Ann, because Raggedy Ann actually has a form. (I did ask.) Her indoctrination makes Mary the mother of all good things, and as a mother it is easy to transfer that voice inside her head from mom to Mary.
For many of the Jews I know, (a biased sample) God is an ancient guide no longer relavent to the modern world, and is nothing but a word in a prayer. Comfort food for inner peace. The Shema, commonly the Deuteronomy 6:4-9, is a centering ritual where G-d and "God's Kingdom" is whatever you want to make of your life.
I have sung the Shema and Ave Marias, reverently as is mandatory to convey the meaning to believers, and using the interpretation of God from my friends I have no problem as an atheist attaching my own personal meaning to the word. Mostly Pantheist, APOD is my worship focus, although in the Sierra, the "Range of Light" dominates. If this makes me a believer, so be it. I am in good company.
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