Theism would be what appeared to be a rational explanation for the cosmic and moral questions. It was also a terrific way for despots to consolidate power and justify cruelty.
Thankfully, I live in a time when more answers are available. We will always want to know more about our universe, and how it evolved conscious beings like ourselves.
The mysteries and unknowns do not require faith in a creator. We don't require a "mission".
I wish we could re-direct all of the treasure and effort wasted on organized religion. People have been conditioned for millennia to seek a higher, often judgemental power. Countless millions have suffered and died over the manufactured divisions created by "holy men". THINK what could be accomplished if those efforts were directed to more beneficial ends.
My perceptive window into the cosmos has been an incredible ride for 65 years. I hope I am lucky enough to have a few more. I feel incredibly lucky that the organic molecules made up of atoms born in the implosion of giant stars, found a way to organized themselves into the entity known as "me".
We don't need faith any more to figure out the outline of our cosmic history. These are known facts. I do not require a judgemental God to make me respect the immense beauty of those origins.
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