A recent family bereavement, plus the fact that I’m approaching the age my Dad was when he died 22 years ago, has made me ask some questions about spirituality.

I’ve always been an atheist. I don’t believe in the supernatural, only in the evidential. I “believe” in science; that is, anything that has undergone the scientific method and come out shiny is what I’m inclined to think is “the truth” until proved otherwise.

I’ve also found that I get solace and energy and spiritual transcendence out in nature. Whether that be a walk on the beach, planting new seeds for the greenhouse, or repairing holes that Marley (my nutty Springer Spaniel) has dug up in my gar-Dunn.

So what can combine my “no-woo” scientific leanings plus the luminance in nature that neatly ties in my core values? What can provide a framework that isn’t going to condemn me in this life or any afterlife (which there isn’t IMHO).

I’ve discovered Atheopaganism. It has roots, or indeed may be known as Naturalist or Humanist Paganism. For me, it’s a personal framework to hang my values, behaviour and sensibilities. It’s based on the science that actually happens in the reality around us.

Atheopaganism (AP) is based on 4 key pillars and 13 principles. Both of these elements will be explored in future posts.

For those out there who are innately skeptical, questioning, but grounded in reality, who have a love for nature, environment, and their “fellow passengers to the grave,” as Dickens would say, AP might be something you want to explore for yourself.

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