About RNA

Who Are We?

Who are naturalists?

Naturalists share some basic perspectives and convictions about the world, humans’ place in the world, and the human-world connection. Below we identify some perspectives held by naturalists:  

  • Affirmation of the scientific view of reality: all that exists and occurs is due to natural processes, with nothing supernatural involved.
  • Affirmation of Big Bang cosmology, or of our world beginning billions of years ago with a massive expansion of energy (a “Big Bang”), which, over time, took form as galaxies, stars, planets, and life on Earth.
  • Affirmation of humans evolving from earlier forms of life , and as finite, natural beings.
  • Affirmation of the many forms of life on Earth that are dependent on one another, and that varied and healthy ecosystems are needed for all life to survive.
  • Affirmation that apart from acts of nature, human destiny is in our own hands; that, individually  and communally, the values we hold and the choices  we  make  will determine what occurs.

Who are religious naturalists?

Religious Naturalists accept and embrace the naturalist worldview described here. We are committed to the naturalist view that nature is ultimate. We also represent all walks of life, different cultures, and professions, and hold diverse perspectives on how best to live out our basic convictions as religious naturalists.Amid such rich diversity of human life and experience, we identify some of our shared perspectives, commitments, and values:

  • Religious naturalists appreciate the best available insights of science and religion; we also affirm the naturalist view of how things are and why things happen as they do.
  • Religious naturalists value spiritual perspectives or religious values  that point to ideals, inspire hope, and often evoke deep feelings of appreciation for the natural wonders of our lives and our world.
  • Religious naturalists aspire to respond ethically to the amazing beauty and power of nature; we value life, and seek to act in ways that enable varied forms of life, in balance, to continue.
  • Religious naturalists consider what matters most in our lives, and are committed to acting in ways that are good for ourselves, for our families and communities, and for our planet.
  • Religious naturalists affirm Big Bang cosmology as a narrative that can be shared by all people; we affirm it as a vital point of reference for sustained human reflection on the big questions of life.

 

The Religious Naturalist Association

The Religious Naturalist Association (RNA) is a non-profit corporation formed in the summer of 2014 to create a worldwide “home” for those of us who self-identify as religious naturalists.

Our stated purpose is to “encourage the development and spread the awareness” of the religious naturalist orientation.

Persons who consider themselves religious naturalists now have an affiliation option — to join (free) an organization called the Religious Naturalist Association, or RNA (pun intended). We hope that you’ll be moved to join us.