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A screenshot of the 1922 film, Nosferatu. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
One of the things I've noticed this year when watching the few horror films I've had time to watch is that I can still enjoy many of them even when I do not mute my skepticism completely; I just enjoy them in a different way. I caught Paranormal Activity
And while only one episode has aired so far, I am psyched for the new season of American Horror Story. I will admit that the story does not look particularly compelling, but I cannot resist the opportunity to see Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and Angela Bassett together on the same show. I don't imagine that I will find myself unable to enjoy the series just because I am a skeptic who does not believe in any of the supernatural elements.
When Christians claim that we atheists and/or skeptics cannot possibly enjoy life because we have stripped it of any mystery or sense of awe, they reveal how little they understand about the human mind. My path to skepticism did not require me to stop being human. My sense of awe as an atheist is as strong as it ever was as a Christian (sorry, Oprah); I just interpret it differently. I am not immune to beauty, the wonders of nature, or the stimulation that comes from pondering life's big questions. I recognize that we are surrounded by mystery; it just isn't supernatural. At least, not unless we want it to be for 90 minutes or so.
Do you find that there are things (like horror movies) you used to like that you can no longer enjoy even though you really want to because of your atheism/skepticism?