Surfing the net yesterday, I came across NPR's "I Believe" web-site. One credo caught my attention -- that of Penn and Teller's (the magic act duo) Penn Jillette. He is an atheist; actually he says he is BEYOND atheism. And in his "I Believe" credo essay, he spells out the reasons why he thinks that makes his life better. It's fascinating reading, I suggest you read it by clicking here.

Bascially, Jillette says, “I'm not greedy. I have love, blue skies, rainbows, and Hallmark cards, and that has to be enough… It seems just rude to beg the invisible for more. ” And in that, I hear echoes of Qohelet, the Teacher. "This is what I have seen to be good: it if fitting to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun for the few days of life God gives us; for this is our lot." (Eccles. 5:18) While Qohelet would not regard himself as an atheist, he has declared that his search for meaning in life has revealed that to do anything other than find joy in our toil TODAY is a chasing after wind. When it all comes down to it, say both Qohelet and Jillette, it's just a matter of "eat, drink, be merry, enjoy your work, love the wife of your youth."

If one does not believe in God, as Jillette does not, and if one has not discovered an afterlife, as Qohelet has not, is this what it all comes down to - eat, drink, and be merry, for it's rude to want more?