One of my most useful insights is from Joseph Campbell who looked at spirituality, who looked at darn near everything, in terms of "Myth" (capital M) and metaphor. In essence, Campbell said that God is our metaphor for everything beyond definition — beyond our knowledge — indeed, beyond all categories of thought. As the Upanishad says: "That to which word and thought cannot reach — that the tongue has never soiled with a name." And we all, somehow, know exactly what this poet is talking about! These words give me a shiver every time I hear them; something the concepts of Humanism: rational ethics, learned goodness and helping you neighbor just don't accomplish; these are only the most basic and elementary parts of spirituality.

Thank you for devoting an hour to Humanism. Greg Epstein and the other atheists quoted expressed many of my own thoughts and feelings. Hearing that I am not alone brought tears to my eyes. Please broadcast more programs with Greg and other free thinkers.

I am not used to hearing much that makes sense to me on "Speaking of Faith". To be honest, this is the very first time I have listened to the entire hour of the program. I usually find much of the discussion to be irrelevant to improving the well-being of my fellow humans. To be honest, I find myself thinking that Krista and many of her guests are wasting their time discussing (figuratively) how many angels will fit on the head of a pin, rather than how to heal the war-engendering enmity between peoples of the world that is caused by their differing religious beliefs.

A very interesting and though-provoking program. I plan on listening again but here are a few random thoughts that popped into my head last night as I listened to the podcast.

I have never heard or seen first hand the hatred of "non-believers" (of any creed) that Harvard Humanist Chaplain, Greg Epstein spoke of. Maybe that is because I live in one of the most un-churched parts of the country.

I understand why a Humanist would be put off by politicians courting votes of a specific demographic by espousing some kind of religious affiliation or using religiously infused language. Mr Epstein isn't in that demographic and part of his message sounded a little petulant — "don't forget about me".

Like one of the other responders, I thought Mr Epstein danced around all of Ms Tippet's questions — but, again, I will listen more closely the next time.

Not all "believers" are "good" (or evil). Not all "non-believers" are "good" (or evil).

One question I would have loved to have heard asked and answered: if there had never been "religion" or "gods" in human history, would Humanists exist today? In other words, is there something that automatically generates some kind of moral code that sets us off from other species on earth — what is that something?

As a lifelong second generation Humanist with two Humanist children, I was pleased to hear Krista Tippett finally interview a non-believer. I agree with Epstein that we need to educate the public on the positive aspects of Humanism. I have endured a lifetime of scorn for my views and am pleased that finally it is possible (in some circles, at least) to say I am a Humanist and athiest without shame.

As a scientist (ecologist) I find it impossible to conceive of a god running this universe, but I respect those who do. Why then, can't I receive the same respect from believers? One final thought — rather than living in fear of death and with no moral compass, it is actually liberating to be an athiest and to realize that morality is something based on the social needs of the human animal, and that death is less to be feared if it is understood as the end of our existence, rather than some dire judgement day with all sorts of horrible possible outcomes!

My concepts of God are deeply humanistic. But in my view atheism doesn't leave any room for spiritualism. You may not think of God in some classical sense, but without a higher power, there is no salvation.

I am referring to today's show on Humanistic Atheism, but in particularly to one comment which I hear often and that is: "I don't believe in the supernatural". I wonder why such persons as the Atheistic/Humanistic young man, who has spent most of his life enjoying a privileged, upper class lifestyle, family life and education never realize how condescending and decidedly "unscientific" they appear to be when saying such things.

A phenomenon is not "believed" in or not. It is either experienced by an individual or witnessed by several individuals or tested scientifically by both religious and non-religious persons. You can only be predisposed to be "open" to it (or not). People who have experienced one or more kind of spiritual phenomenon themselves are often (understandably) "open" to other kinds. Others go on to study it in a more skeptical, scientific fashion and come to accept it (while actively trying to disprove it). I have never met one, single person in 22 years on the spiritual path (and my aquaintances have included scientists, physicists & doctors) who has made a serious, respectful study of the spiritual life/phenomenon and still refers to it as a "belief".

Really, what kind of doltish, ignorant sounding remark would it be if someone on your show was to say "I don't believe in space travel". I have personally never been in a spaceship, however, I accept that there are people who have. I have never personally stopped my breath for minutes or hours, yet this is hardly an uncommon phenomenon. It has also been tested and documented by secular/medical research. There have also been numerous studies, books, research institutes as well as thousands of dedicated and highly educated individuals who have dedicated their lives to the study of spiritual matters and phenomenon of all kinds. Quantum physics has in fact recently been bridging the gap between the supposed natural/unnatural worlds and validates many, ancient spiritual principals.

What I got from this interview was that; since these matters were outside of his chosen field of study (Humanism) and his vast experience of 31 years (spent mostly in school) they were simply and egotistically beneath serious consideration or comment. Why not just say "I have chosen not to study this field as it is outside of my interests"? A spiritual path is neither an intellectual mind exercise nor a childish fantasy, it is meant to be "tested in the laboratory" of your life experiences. Meditation also, if never applied to the world may seem empty, pointless and "without results".

I have seldom heard such an arrogant dismissal of other people's (often live changing/saving) "experiences" (condescendingly referred to as "beliefs" sort of in the vein of the Easter Bunny) as I have heard in the last two or three years on talk radio. Certainly, while having religious doctrine shoved in your face can be damaging to some, having and an arrogantly atheistic point of view forced on you is so common it is simply accepted as normal, although it can be even more damaging. For years, people having real spiritual phenomenon have been labeled "crazy" or "delusional" by atheistic, secular doctors and psychiatrists, usually and unhelpfully medicated or incarcerated instead of supported and helped. Why does no one ever focus on this in the "media"?

Also to say there are no "secular" communities is quite laughable. Most Universities and schools as well as most other places of employment are little secular "communities. Also, the arts and entertainment of any kind, literary communities and certainly scientific communities are all mostly secular and humanistic. I would classify most neighborhood communities to also be secular.

The conversation with the Humanist chaplain of Harvard, Greg Epstein, only re-enforces the fact that our frameworks of religion and culture are not adequate for handling the multi-dimensional nature of the issues involved in dealing with the needs of the humanities. Modern humanism itself, has adapted to the religious vocabularies, phrases and rituals just like another religion. I am afraid, humanity needs to protect and safeguard individualism even while building a collective societal response that includes, religious, non-religious and the cultures that foster these diversities.

I thought Greg Epstein's take on the existence of God exhibited a youthful exuberance that finds young people full of their own ideas. They wish to "break ground" in many fields of study. I was surprised to hear that there are more than a billion people who have not heard of God and Jesus. (We Christians have our work cut out for us.) But it is insinuation that there is some kind of link between all the non-believers is invalid. The are simply uninformed.

But my question to Greg and the humanists is where do they think goodness comes from? And if there is not a God and an afterlife why does goodness matter? What difference would it make if a person were evil, if there is no afterlife? There is no question that human beings have subverted the word of God and chosen to twist the Word to their own designs. This subversion is as evil as any act on can commit. So then people become disillusioned with the word as is it is being told to them. But if the Bible or the Koran are interpreted as the message is intended, only good comes from the Word.

I applaud Greg for his efforts to engender goodness and humanity into his fellow students. At some point Greg may come to realise that he is a "sheep in wolf's clothing." The world may have started with the Big Bang but it is impossible for me to believe that God's hand did not start the entire world in motion. Greg may have his theories and I am sure he could not be more earnest in his humanism efforts. But I would like to be at his side when he holds his first-born child. Greg would then see the miraculous work of God reflected in his own flesh and blood. Actually, Greg reminds me of Saul who turned into St. Paul.

As a Christian with a scientific bent, I don't see that humanists have any evidence that God did not create the universe and man with a divine purpose. It takes a leap of faith to reject our divine origins, or to accept them. Likewise, the resurrection of Christ is strongly supported by normal standards of establishing historical fact (for example: multiple eyewitnesses), so it almost takes a leap of faith to reject it.

I want thank you very much for a wonderful program. Having come to Humanism nine years ago, it has been very disheartening to find that so many who do not understand Humanism are unwilling to explore our philosophy and accept that we are good people despite a lack of belief in a god. I am grateful for the respect with which you approached the topic, you extended to Mr. Epstein, and thereby extended to me. Because so many believers fear Humanism and Humanists, I appreciate very much the opportunity you've given others who may have been curious but afraid to ask. As a former believer, I know how difficult it can be to feel safe asking questions about other beliefs.

I want to thank you for the program. I come from a long line of missionary, tobacco farming, lay ministers (yes — often all three at once) and being an atheist in this family culture isn't easy. Your program today gave me hope and an new vision of how my spiritual and community life could be. I am Greg Epstein in the sense that many of his views, thoughts, and experiences are the same as mine. I will be looking for ways to build/be part of a community of secular, humanist, atheists in Cincinnati, OH. Thanks again for an inspiring program.

I often listen to your program as I am working in my studio on Sunday afternoons. I have always enjoyed the people that you have on, but not being religious myself I haven't felt that I belonged to any of the different and interesting groups that you discuss. I have to say a big thank you for your show with Greg Epstein. I am a good and caring person, who helps others but not because it will get me into heaven. I do it because I want things to be better today, not only for myself but, for everyone. I thank my own entity every night, when I close my eyes, for the day that I have just had … good or bad, because I believe that being grateful is a positive and solid thing.

When Greg spoke of how he grew up in a wonderful diverse neighborhood, and how his parents encouraged him to see a broader picture than that of a highly structured religion I cheered. Oh, if only all people were taught to think so openly, the world would be a much more peaceful place.

I love the show, and am a loyal listener. But this morning was just over the line. The guest was not, I would say, of the caliber of most. In fact, I was frankly amazed at his sophomoric logic and his overly enthusiastic way of dissimulating every pertinent question Krista asked of him. Not worth it! And the Renaissance in Europe didn't "begin after the Dark Ages". They had, I believe, been long past. Yeah, the sun had come out at least as early as the 12th century — before anyone would speak of the "Renaissance" which is, in itself, a very problematic term. As a professor of art history, I am constantly frustrated with this term. However, this would be another program.

I applaud you for your show this weekend featuring Greg Epstein. As a committed atheist and second generation Unitarian, I was delighted to know that he is a chaplain to young people with similar views to mine. His plea for acceptance of our views was both inspiring and comforting. I live in Georgia, the Deep South Bible Belt, where people wear their conservative, fundamentalist religious beliefs on their sleeves and religiosity is a communicable disease. I feel I have to be very careful not to express what I really think, which is, among other assumptions, that this life is all we have; there is only one realm and it is the natural one; there is no God or gods or supernatural; religious beliefs should be subject to the scientific method; churches should be democratically run; and children should be raised to question, to think for themselves, and to have faith in the power of reason. I was raised in such a way and I cannot stand to be told what to believe. Thinking for myself, questioning everything, looking for truth with a small "t" is what I was raised to do and what I can't help doing. I am very grateful for this because it has created a foundation for my liberal thought and disciplined intellectual quests in all areas of my life.

I've often marveled and envied my relations and friends who "believe" in a God who can help them to overcome adversity, but I shared none of their rapture. What a wonderful show to wake up to on Sunday morning telling me that if you substitute Love for god the moral and belief systems I grew up with all work and I am not alone in the world. Years ago while I was hitching a ride from New Jersey to Colorado, a born again Christian truck driver picked me up for an eight-hour ride. He had "sinned" and was on his way home to beg forgiveness from his wife and God and we had a thorough talk about why I should ask Christ into my heart and be saved. All through the conversations I could only tell this man that I believed in, and tried to live, all the teachings he was talking about except for the deity part. I already had a heart full of love from a great family life and wonderful friends. I could simply replace love for God or Christ in most all of his quotes, and the substitutions made sense. When I left the truck, the man told me that I now had all the information I needed to be saved when the time was right for me. I have dabbled in other religions and love the rituals and beliefs that abound in them but still believe in loving my neighbors and treating others as I want to be treated. It works for me and now I know it works for others. Thanks for a great show.

As a child, sitting in the rural Lutheran church pew, listening to the minister calling me a sinner if I did not believe in his God and all those confusing stories, I questioned why people would trust him, why they would want to believe him. I felt an incredible sense of relief and revelation this morning listening to Greg Epstein. I am a humanist and am finally able to articulate that I am and why. This means so much to me.

I was brought up Catholic in a small town. Youngest of six, smart, went to college, learned about ancient cultures and religions and decided "it" was a figment of man's imagination. But I felt this yearning. I lived the high life in Chicago — always with love in my heart but an intellectual understanding that God was fictional, made up by humans who did not have the answers to their own questions.

My life became bankrupt, and I felt the yearning again. I found an energy. It fills me at times. It let me know that there is truth and beauty right here on earth. That love is the way. Simply love. Love of your family, love of your friends, love of neighbors and of yourself. God is alive. It is the yearning in your heart.

During today's show on Humanism with Greg Epstein, he spoke of the hostility of atheist authors such as Richard Dawkins towards religion. While I don't consider myself to be an atheist, as someone trained in the physical sciences I do understand where Dawkins' hostility originates. Religion, most notably Christianity, has a long-term hostility towards science rejecting evidence that contradicts biblical writings no matter how compelling the evidence.

I was raised Baptist but moved away from it as I grew older and concluded I had to suspend the use of my brain and accept on faith what amounted to children's fairy tales like the virgin birth or the story of Adam and Eve. Then there are "facts" accepted on faith that the Earth stays perpetually 6000 years old, although this isn't even in the Bible. And, it occurred to me when I was an early teen that if you needed to accept Christ to get into heaven what became of all those born before Christ or living in places where Christ was unknown. The refusal or inability of Baptist ministers to answer these questions led me to my belief in god stripped of all man-made religious decoration today. I can't prove there's no god so I take the default position that he is. But that's as far as I need to go.

I listened to your show today, and I found it to speak to me. As a humanist who believes in a greater power, I found Greg Epstein's comments and explanations enlightening. I frequently find myself listening to your show on Sunday mornings instead of being at church. I attend a Unitarian Universalist congregation but find your show to be more thought-provoking and educational. One of the reasons I go to church is to see people and my friends and participate in programs there. Thanks again.

The guest for exploring a new humanism today was a man who honored his parents in every way he described them in his personal history of Atheism. Is it any wonder that a man such as this could not accept the beliefs of spiritual traditions that would condemn them to eternity without God?

The last guest on your program who spoke about creeds said something to the effect that a statement of beliefs means saying "yes" to some things and saying "no" to others. To accept that there is an absolute (and not humanistic) right and wrong, and that we will be held accountable for our life makes for a series of uncomfortable conclusions for our guest regarding his parents and his life. Is it easier to say "no" to God whom we have not seen face to face than saying "no" to our parents whom we loved and cherished? Would our guest be an atheist today if his father was an alcoholic atheist who beat him or if his mother was a workaholic atheist who denied him love? What explanation can humanistic spirituality give for the deep flaws of our humanness? Perhaps, like our guest suggests, we can all find the answer in Arthur Miller or some other so-called great contemporary "spiritual" writer. Yet how can we trust ourselves or our science when history has shown how many times we have been confident in our scientific understanding only to be brought up short by the discovery that we were wrong? Do we have such hubris to believe that what we know about the universe today will be correct for the rest of time? An irrevocable tomb of knowledge that will only be added to but never revised?

There seems to be at least three axioms regarding spirituality in our universe: humans were made to search for divinity; we can not find divinity through logic; we can not find divinity through the acquisition of knowledge. The guest today was clever, intelligent, and passionate — the kind of resources needed for his quest of divinity and unfortunately the very type of intelligence that relies on its own power and successes to find it. My heart aches for his confused intellectual search for meaning.

Thank you so much! Although I am generally curiously interested in most SOF programs, I've been a "lurker" in the sense of paying attention but rarely feeling the topics resonate for me. This moved me to tears with the realization that it is humanism that speaks to what and who I am, and that there's a potential community out there for me. Please continue reflecting on this line of faith, a faith that we humans are capable of creatively working to solve our problems and work together for the common good — without resorting to the tyranny of gods. I also appreciated how clearly and sensitively you have dealt with the issue of how the American culture of "faith" has marginalized and demeaned those of us who do not have (or want to have) that kind of faith.

Thank you so much for the hour full of emphasis on what humanism is, rather than the often heard statements of what it isn't.

Ever since the Harvey Cox interview, I've felt completely alienated by SOF. So when I chanced to tune in to this week's program with Epstein, I was very pleasantly surprised. I can't describe how thrilling it is to hear that there are communities of secular humanists, and that spirituality need no longer be a synonym for belief in the supernatural.

While I strongly disagree that Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens are militant fundamentalists, I can understand that the things they say may be disturbing and uncomfortable to many people. I personally have a very hard time explaining my atheism to religious friends without sounding caustic. But I feel that Epstein's words on faith — specifically that he had faith, just not faith in any god, but faith in humanity — will help people like me connect into a world where the word "atheist" has been maligned for far too long.

I listen to Krista Tippett on SOF every Sunday, even though I am not a traditionally religious person. I was raised Roman Catholic and I have been studying Buddhism and by nature am a skeptical person. I tell people I am Buddhist Lite because I do not agree with all of its teachings. I am always looking for a way to define what I believe. Today the show with Greg Epstein and the discussion of atheism and secular humanism helped me better understand my position so much better than before. Thank you very much.

As I listen to your program on Humanism, I recall the few times I accompanied a friend to "services" at the Ethical Society of St. Louis. My friend had grown up Catholic but had become a militant atheist. She wanted some sort of substitute for Sunday mass. She found the Ethical Society and her children attended Sunday school there where they studied comparative religion rather than the 10 commandments.

The most memorable program for me was a composer who was writing an opera based on the Jewish story of Lillith, Adam's first wife, if I recall correctly. He had a recording of what he had done so far. I encountered Protestant Christianity as a child but was never very devout and don't particularly miss church. My current beliefs lie most closely to Deism. If I wanted somewhere to go on Sundays, the Ethical Society would certainly be my first choice.

This is the first time that I have heard Krista Tippett seem at odds with her interviewee. Krista seemed mired in the prejudice against humanists, secular or not, rather than letting Greg Epstein expand on the positive beliefs and practices of what some call non-religious people, actually humanists.

I was glad to hear humanism brought into the conversation of religious ideas. We are actually religious people who just don't happen to include (or detour through) g(G)od to appreciate and understand the cosmos; find our place in the cosmos; have ethics and mores and customs and traditions; and be able to reinforce, sustain, and transmit to our children our beliefs. (compare: Joseph Campbell's definition of religion)

Atheism is a nasty word invented by a few Christians to hurl as an nasty name at other Christians who believed slightly differently than themselves. As such the word does not reflect any portion of Humanism, secular or otherwise. I was disappointed to see this wonderful program bringing non-theists into the discussion titled with such a word.

I recently read Krista's book and found it contained powerful ideas for a divisive religious world to find common ground. I felt the same about the new humanism program — where Greg Epstein expressed that religious and nonreligious have the same goals, to find ways of making the world a better place. I am a non-believer and reached this view over 40 years of reading and contemplation. I have always felt alienated by the religious culture of the Deep South (I view it as a prejudice) and generally keep my opinions quiet so not to create stress in many relationships. It was nice to hear that there are millions of organized individuals who have a deep sense of spirituality and goodness in their hearts — yet are not religious. We only know that we are here, now, and the rest is what we perceive, learn, and believe. It sounds simple but of course, its not. Keep the faith — in humanity.

Thank you so much for the interesting program today. I look forward to your program as it expands my understanding and provides a source of fuel for reflection. Kudos to you for the choice of topics and your great skill at weaving together these views!

When I was growing up, my Jewish mother called me anti-Semitic when I doubted the existence of the Jewish God. I now see that I moved to a bigger city with a hope of connection with people like me, but I left Judaism behind. The Secular Humanistic Judaism movement and the courage of Rabbi Sherwin Wine to define it allows me to embrace my Jewishness as I never had. It is wonderful the Greg Epstein is one of the next generation helping secular humanists to be open, in community, and better understood. Thank you, NPR for including this perspective on faith.

I have been listening to this program for some time and wondered if Humanism would be presented. I am delighted that it was and Greg Epstein did a good job of introducing the subject. In view of the fact that so few people are even aware of the Humanist movement, and considering the many facets of it, it would be helpful to have at least one more program in which speakers of various groups would be presented. I push, specifically, for Ethical Culture of which I am a 60-year member and which is now over 130 years old and — hopefully — growing. Joseph Chuman, who is the leader of the Bergen, New Jersey Ethical Culture Society is a particularly incisive speaker on the subject.

Throughout the discussion, I felt that Krista missed one of the essential points of faith, namely how does faith speak to both this life and the life to come? Her questions and responses pandered to the existential nature of humanism without addressing the fundamental questions about "the life beyond." Since humanism speaks to the good in this current life, it is little different than my belief in my refrigerator or my mini-van. Genuine faith must address the larger issues of the origins of life, its current realities and obligations, but what lies beyond and is there hope in that. To do less is to compromise the real faith questions.

Great program this morning (humanism). Let's have more of the same — particularly atheism. Thank you.

I was disappointed in this program. The verbose speaker constantly bragged about how now Humanism is now considered a religion, but he never once addressed any of the tenets of Humanism. At the end of the program, a biologist named Ursula read a pretty good poem that explained Humanism. This program was a total waste of time.

I am a 35-year-old Anglo-Catholic. I understand that I am not breaking any new ground or nearly as smart as Epstein. I listened to this podcast about humanism as I jogged trough downtown Chattanooga tonight. Epstein enlightened me that many of my best friends who I admire and look up to are undeclared humanists. My opinion about the whole thing is that humanists are only comfortable with beliefs that completely make sense and are easy to believe.

I also appreciate what was said about how religious folks are motivated by fear and self interest. As a Christian, I believe in a lot of things that I am unable to understand. There is a challenge in that. And I know all about how holy mysteries are frustrating dead ends to intellectual debates. I can only pray that these wonderful people who are atheists and agnostics will find God.

Thank you so much for having Greg Epstein on your program. Your thoughtful questions and his inspiring answers benefit all listeners, both those of traditional faith and humanists. I appreciate hearing from a humanist who stands firm in his beliefs but does not denigrate people who believe in God. We who live in a post-9/11 world need to learn to speak to each other. The world depends on it. When we can respect each others' points of view, there is hope for our future. This is the first time I heard Speaking of Faith, and I look forward to hearing other programs as well. Kudos.

Alleluia! Thank you for a program that spoke strongly to me. I always knew I was a humanist but didn't think there was a movement with which I could so closely identify. My background is British and after WW1/WW2 I think my large family decided they'd had enough of this word God and all that that promised or entailed. We realized we were perfectly nice people trying to live decent lives and a quest to be one with a supernatural was superfluous to our journey.

Thank you so much for having Greg Epstein on your show. He's been an inspiration to me for a long while now, and I'm glad you interviewed him. I also learned something new about him or rather his father. His father was a lot like I am, except I do have books on Humanism and I claim Humanism for myself, but I still study various beliefs. Not like I use to though.