strength for strength, state for state

" I can’t help but think that a lot of people are embracing only the rational or only the spiritual. But by reducing themselves to one or the other, they neglect half of their existence and cause division in the world. I’m not promoting moderate wishy-washiness; instead, I believe that every man should pursue truth with his rational mind and explore the depths of his spiritual and emotional core, without fear that they cannot coexist. Perhaps by embracing the totality of ourselves, we can have faith without fanaticism, and reason without skepticism. The theist and the atheist could have a mutual respect for one another based on the courage necessary to take a stand, knowing that life is fleeting and the evidence we have isn’t sufficient to unanimously persuade us in one direction or the other. "

Craig Haiss
Burton, Michigan
"Rants + Raves." Wired. jan 2007