It seems to me that the essential element in all life is
belief and that the
threshold is not
which beliefs, but that there
is or
isnt't.
We speak of this quite commsenseically when we speak of theism, of whatever variety, agnosticism, literally no gnosis, no knowledge, and atheism, a strong disbelief as a belief.
I believe it is Madalyn O'Hare who made a church out of an atheist organization, to take advantage of all the tax breaks, and other priviledges that are avaiable to churchs. Why not? She believes fervently in her disbelief.
If in our very being we truly hold no belief, I wonder how we could carry on in the world, simply executing the very mechanics of moving, talking, making writeups on Everything?
My mother called herself an atheist, and was firm in that opinion, even as she faced death from lung cancer. (And it was only her strength that carried me through her death.) But she was raised a Scotish Presbyterian, a fate she spared me. (I am grateful.) And I am convinced that her belief in what she wasn't is what carried us both through.