“Atoms become molecules. Molecules become cells. Cells become organisms. Organisms become vertebrates with a complex nervous system. Nervous tissue developed and eventually became complex in humans [and other living creatures I might add]... That set of discoveries is not at all suggestive of a purposeless universe. Just the opposite. And what is the purpose? The purpose seems to be, from the very beginning, the intensification of consciousness. If you understand purpose as actualizing something that's unquestionably good, then consciousness certainly fits...If purpose means realizing a value, consciousness is a value that none of us can deny.”

This was John Haught’s major point I believe. This idea is being proposed by many great thinkers of our time: That consciousness is intrinsic in all matter. See for instance Peter Russell, who comes from a scientific background (See peterrussell.com) among others.

I also find it embarrassing that, out of over 300 letters, Salon has selected out only responses from the “atheist” point of view.

I put “atheist” in quotes because they tend to be the strongest believers (in denying anything spiritual in this universe). Sad (but true) irony.

Otherwise, a wonderful interview. It should help open a lot of hearts and minds.

By the way, I’m a devout agnostic. No need to deny transcendence.

That would be oxymoronic.

The Rolling Stones are the greatest rock and roll band of all time. The fact that their performances are still of high quality is a testament to their commitment as artists. If you want to see the Stones at their peak view the film "Ladies and Gentlemen: The Rolling Stones"; where yes, they were introduced as "The Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Band in the World".

The Universe, life, evolution, and everything in its natural order is a manifestation of the transcendent. This continual manifestation can be described as a transcendent emanation where every thing that comes forth has a source. The transcendent is beyond being and non-being; it is asymptotically beyond human comprehension. Science is the study of this manifestation. Spirituality is the acceptance of the transcendent nature of emanation. Science and Spirituality are two parallel paths to discovering the nature of reality. Its as simple as that.