A few thoughts from a former atheist

[TheGunShoj]

Not necessarily.There's nothing in the spiritual realm that can be proven "true" or "right". For many, that alone brings peace because there are many open options.

Right, so then why would you believe it and how would it give peace of mind if you can't prove that it's correct? The OP states that there is no certainty if everything happened in a cosmic accident, yet that's the exact same position he finds himself in now is what you're saying.

 

[Buttercup]

Right, so then why would you believe it and how would it give peace of mind if you can't prove that it's correct? The OP states that there is no certainty if everything happened in a cosmic accident, yet that's the exact same position he finds himself in now is what you're saying.

I understand where you're coming from, but, as an Agnostic/Atheist, you may not have learned that you don't have to always know if something is spiritually the "right" thing or the "true" thing. The "proving" isn't the important part. Faith and and how the information resonates with you personally is what matters to many.

 

[JustWondering]

Sure but the OP reads as if the OP is disregarding whether the belief is true or not in favor of whether it makes them feel good. I don't know about you, but I feel better when I believe things that are true or "right" as the OP puts it. Doesn't that award more peace of mind?

Maybe for some of us. However, from my personal observations, most people require some kind of guarantee from on high that in the end everything is going to be alright. Religion exists and will continue to exist because it provides comfort and a sense of security.

 

[George-ananda]

Here's a couple of books I recommend for the curious ...

"The Mastery of Love" by Don Miguel Ruiz
"Happiness" by Matthieu Ricard

"Emissary of Light" by James Twyman - the first book 2 open my eyes as to what real love is all about!

"The Only Thing That Matters" by Neale Donald Walsch

"In Six Days" by John Ashton

"The Pleiadian Workbook" by Amorah Quan Yin

"The Lost Art of compassion" by Lorne Ladner
That's probly enough for the moment. Feel free 2 disagree with anything I have said

Have a good one!

Interesting story. I'm a former atheist myself.

Interesting book selection there. I think what happens is atheists read atheist authors and theists read theist authors. And never the twain do meet. Paradigm shifting events are once or twice in a lifetime. You hinted you might share your life-changing experience.

I had no dramatic spiritual experiences (but I do believe I've had more subtle ones). My turning point came with my study of the paranormal (including NDE and veridical NDE stories) concluding it is most reasonable to believe there must be more than this physical plane. What is this 'more'?

I have since studied a eastern/Hindu master who led me to know there is more than the physical plane beyond all reasonable doubt. The view that we are eternal and growing to learn that gives one a far more positive and optimistic view; the best is ahead for me as opposed to belief in extinction of experience at death.

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Please forgive me! I am imperfect. Sometimes I don't follow my OWN advice & I do tend 2 suffer as a result. That suffering can help me become more compassionate towards those who suffer in similar ways. For more about suffering & compassion, try searching 4 Tonglen meditation.

"Be kind & gentle & patient with yourself ... and with everyone else!"

five-essentials-for-successful-meditation

All the best!

 

[Geoff-Allen]

An old Cherokee chief was teaching his grandson about life...

"A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

"One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt, and ego.

"The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

"This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather,
"Which wolf will win?"

The old chief simply replied,
"The one you feed."

 

[Maldini]

Well truth ain't about what we would like it to be, or what makes sense, or what make us feel warm in our stomach. Truth is about what actually and factually exists.

 

[LuisDantas]

Sure. Any belief in God is closer to my belief than a total disbelief in God.

I don't think I agree.

 

[Nakosis]

Well truth ain't about what we would like it to be, or what makes sense, or what make us feel warm in our stomach. Truth is about what actually and factually exists.

So what is the truth?

 

[FunctionalAtheist]

Not necessarily.There's nothing in the spiritual realm that can be proven "true" or "right". For many, that alone brings peace because there are many open options.

Not sure I'd call it options. I think escapism is a better descriptive. Either way, you are able to free yourself from the restrictions of the natural world and contemplate the possibilities that you will never see, hear, taste, touch, or smell. In the end what do you profit, other than day-dreaming.

 

[Buttercup]

Not sure I'd call it options. I think escapism is a better descriptive.

I meant options regarding descriptors of god if one is so inclined to investigate the spiritual realm. We all know the essence or person of God cannot be scientifically proven. So, what do you care if someone daydreams about anything supernatural? I've been wondering, searching and researching the potential person of God my whole life. I don't think I'm alone in this endeavor, either.

Either way, you are able to free yourself from the restrictions of the natural world and contemplate the possibilities that you will never see, hear, taste, touch, or smell. In the end what do you profit, other than day-dreaming.

So, tell Galileo, Da Vinci, Einstein or any other inventor that their daydreaming is ludicrous and time-wasting. Anyone creative or contemplative daydreams.

 

[FunctionalAtheist]

I meant options regarding descriptors of god if one is so inclined to investigate the spiritual realm. We all know the essence or person of God cannot be scientifically proven. So, what do you care if someone daydreams about anything supernatural? I've been wondering, searching and researching the potential person of God my whole life. I don't think I'm alone in this endeavor, either.

I don't care if you day-dream about the super-natural all day, or night. What I care about is when people implement their day-dreams into actions in the real world. This usually ends up telling other people how they need to behave in a real world because of someone else's...how did you say it...can't ever be proven or disproved (your words) whimsy.

So, tell Galileo, Da Vinci, Einstein or any other inventor that their daydreaming is ludicrous and time-wasting. Anyone creative or contemplative daydreams.

Oh please, do you not understand the difference between day-dreaming and contemplating? Certainly you understand the difference between day-dreaming ABOUT THE SUPER-NATURE and contemplating about the nature of the stars (galileo), or how to ... really? You are comparing einstein's thoughts on special relativity, the basic pillar in our understanding of all physics and nature..to day-dreaming about the super-nature?

You must be mad!

If any of these guys had wasted their time day-dreaming about spirits, ghosts, pixi-dust or unicorns..you'd be living in the dark....(dark ages)

Seriously?

Moonbeams, zebras, and special relativity?

 

[Buttercup]

I don't care if you day-dream about the super-natural all day, or night. What I care about is when people implement their day-dreams into actions in the real world. This usually ends up telling other people how they need to behave in a real world because of someone else's...how did you say it...can't ever be proven or disproved (your words) whimsy.

From the sounds of Geoff-Allen's OP, I don't get the notion that he's trying to tell people how to behave in the real world. He's giving his opinion....just like you.

Oh please, do you not understand the difference between day-dreaming and contemplating? Certainly you understand the difference between day-dreaming ABOUT THE SUPER-NATURE and contemplating about the nature of the stars (galileo), or how to ... really? You are comparing einstein's thoughts on special relativity, the basic pillar in our understanding of all physics and nature..to day-dreaming about the super-nature?

I'll disregard your insults because it's my birthday and I won't let some arrogant fool ruin my good day.

Daydreaming and contemplating are closely related. I think it's entirely possible an idea is first discovered through daydreaming and if it's a valuable idea, contemplation about the idea follows.


Here, I looked up the words for you:

daydream: a pleasant visionary usually wishful creation of the imagination

Daydream - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary


contemplate: to think deeply or carefully about

Contemplate - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

You must be mad!

If any of these guys had wasted their time day-dreaming about spirits, ghosts, pixi-dust or unicorns..you'd be living in the dark....(dark ages)

Seriously?

Moonbeams, zebras, and special relativity?

See first part of my second response above and add again here.

 

[FunctionalAtheist]

From the sounds of Geoff-Allen's OP, I don't get the notion that he's trying to tell people how to behave in the real world. He's giving his opinion....just like you.

I'll disregard your insults because it's my birthday and I won't let some arrogant fool ruin my good day.

Daydreaming and contemplating are closely related. I think it's entirely possible an idea is first discovered through daydreaming and if it's a valuable idea, contemplation about the idea follows.


Here, I looked up the words for you:

daydream: a pleasant visionary usually wishful creation of the imagination

Daydream - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary


contemplate: to think deeply or carefully about

Contemplate - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary


See first part of my second response above and add again here.

Sorry! You have compared Einstein with day-dreaming. I'm not looking up anything you offer.

 

[Buttercup]

Sorry! You have compared Einstein with day-dreaming. I'm not looking up anything you offer.

I think you're a bit lacking in reading comprehension skills. But, do as you will. It's fine with me.

 

[thau]

I tend to believe the reason there are so many atheists interested in religion or theology is because of ego.

Ego seems to drive so much of what we do, say, think, believe, desire and spend time on. I believe many atheists would be more at peace and less interested in disproving God if there were not so many of us believers out there. No one likes being told they are wrong on critical matters. It then becomes a personal challenge.

And is the concept of eternal life verses total oblivion after death a critical matter? Indubitably.

For me personally, the very idea that we will vanish into dust the moment we die and never see those who are dear to us again is frightening. I could not live believing that to be the case.

Of course, I have many reasons (and evidence) to assure me that is not the case.

 

[FunctionalAtheist]

So, tell Galileo, Da Vinci, Einstein or any other inventor that their daydreaming is ludicrous and time-wasting.

Sorry! You have compared Einstein with day-dreaming. I'm not looking up anything you offer.

I think you're a bit lacking in reading comprehension skills. But, do as you will. It's fine with me.

I don't think it's my reading comprehension skills that are lacking.

 

[Buttercup]

I don't think it's my reading comprehension skills that are lacking.

Ha! Your copy and paste skills suck, too! Please read CAREFULLY. Daydreaming can often precede contemplation.

I said this:

Daydreaming and contemplating are closely related. I think it's entirely possible an idea is first discovered through daydreaming and if it's a valuable idea, contemplation about the idea follows.


Here, I looked up the words for you:

daydream: a pleasant visionary usually wishful creation of the imagination

Daydream - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary


contemplate: to think deeply or carefully about

Contemplate - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

 

[sun rise]

I don't care if you day-dream about the super-natural all day, or night. What I care about is when people implement their day-dreams into actions in the real world. This usually ends up telling other people how they need to behave in a real world because of someone else's...how did you say it...can't ever be proven or disproved (your words) whimsy...

Certainly some do just what you said. Others "walk the talk".

 

[Katzpur]

I don't think I agree.

Okay, let's talk then. I was thinking in terms of God as an entity greater, more powerful and knowledgeable than man and having some control (if and when He chooses to exert it) over man. That's a pretty broad statement and it allows for a lot of latitude. It covers God as Mormons see Him, as Jews or Muslims see him and probably the gods of the Eastern religions, paganism, etc. Even though the God I worship is different in many regards to the gods of paganism, don't they have at least these characteristics in common?