Atheism and anti-religion

[Toutatis]

All right, I'll make it short, but here is MY truth.

Atheists, might or might not be happy, but they lack something that others have, and that is spirituality. Spirituality is a need in human beings, okay? okay.. so what I'm saying is, pick a religion, and here is why:

There is no truth, truth is absent, the definition of truth, is what people commonly accept as true, before, in Medieval Europe, the truth was Christianity, and that is it, period, they were as sure as you say, the America flag is red white and blue... Well, I say, it's just a green dot in a white background.... That's the truth.

You see, you need to get out of your philosophical comfort zone, and actualy retrospect about this issue, there is not truth, so why not pick in a beliefs, that will give you life meaning, and that "might' be true, not like worshipping a banana, but something that a lot of people believe, or that your ancestors believe, or your own belief!

Sipirituality makes you healthy.

May peace be with you.

 

[whereismynotecard]

Are you proposing that atheists should pick a religion that doesn't make sense to them and pretend to believe it? That's stupid.

 

[Amill]

What is the definition of spiritual?

Plenty of atheists feel a sense of belonging in this Universe and are in awe of the Cosmos. I don't need to "pick" a religion to be at peace with my beliefs and to be inspired by life and existence. I may not believe that there is any particular objective purpose or meaning to my own life, but I don't have a problem with that. I think everyone deserves to find their own truth and meaning of existence.

My only philosophical dilemma is the old question of "why is there something, instead of nothing?". I just have to accept that there just is, and a creator doesn't answer the question any better. I can't just choose to believe something anyways. What I do know, is that the Universe is more unimaginable than we ever could have thought, and I live on an awesome planet with abundant and diverse life. I am the result of a couple billion years of ancestry, and if any one organism in that chain hadn't passed their genes on(at the exact time they did) I wouldn't exist. I'm pretty satisfied.

 

[freethinker44]

I only wish there was a philosophical comfort zone I could go to. The truth is, philosophical discovery is anything but comforting. I don't know what "truth" I will discover or how comforting they will be to me, but I definitely know that I will find absolutely no comfort accepting something I know to wrong. Intellectual honesty is important to me, and in the end, knowing I haven't lied to myself is the only comfort I need.

 

[OmarKhayyam]

Spirituality is a need in human beings, okay?"

"Sipirituality makes you healthy."

Where did you get that absurd idea? For most of our history we have believed in all manner of "spirits" and demons and gods and things that go bump in the night. And we have died sooner and in greater numbers.

Only in the last 500 yrs or so have both lost some of that "spirituality" and lived longer and healthier lives.

Religion both fosters and requires ignorance, obscurantism, orthodoxy, intolerance and blind unreasoning submission to authority.

What's to like?

 

[Runewolf1973]

What is the definition of spiritual?

Plenty of atheists feel a sense of belonging in this Universe and are in awe of the Cosmos. I don't need to "pick" a religion to be at peace with my beliefs and to be inspired by life and existence. I may not believe that there is any particular objective purpose or meaning to my own life, but I don't have a problem with that. I think everyone deserves to find their own truth and meaning of existence.

My only philosophical dilemma is the old question of "why is there something, instead of nothing?". I just have to accept that there just is, and a creator doesn't answer the question any better. I can't just choose to believe something anyways. What I do know, is that the Universe is more unimaginable than we ever could have thought, and I live on an awesome planet with abundant and diverse life. I am the result of a couple billion years of ancestry, and if any one organism in that chain hadn't passed their genes on(at the exact time they did) I wouldn't exist. I'm pretty satisfied.

That is more "spiritual" than anything I ever heard come out of a religious person. I really like your view and perspective on the matter. It is basically that same awe and respect our most primitive ancestors had. It wasn't so much about the "supernatural", and more about the positive inspirational connection we all share with nature, the earth and this universe. I really, really like your view. In fact, I am liking atheists more and more all the time. They seem so much more grounded and logical. In this way, even Einstein could have been considered a very spiritual person. Science was his "religion". He even said so in a quote of his that I remember.

 

[Cobblestones]

Spirituality is a need in human beings... Spirituality makes you healthy.

Um, I'd like to see evidence that people who don't have spirituality suddenly die the way they would if they had no water or food or air.

I would also like to know how you can explain all those "spiritual" people throughout the ages who have gone about lording it over the masses with their spirituality, killing infidels, and torturing people into professing their particular faith. That doesn't sound like the behaviour of people who are "healthy" as a result of having spirituality.

 

[Cobblestones]

Where did you get that absurd idea? For most of our history we have believed in all manner of "spirits" and demons and gods and things that go bump in the night. And we have died sooner and in greater numbers. Only in the last 500 yrs or so have both lost some of that "spirituality" and lived longer and healthier lives

Excellent points.

 

[Cobblestones]

That is more "spiritual" than anything I ever heard come out of a religious person...

It's unfortunate that there are more people living in cities now than in rural areas. We have walled out nature to the best of our abilities, lit up our cities so we cannot gaze at the stars, and made every effort to lose that wonder at nature. It's enough to make one weep.

 

[Caladan]

Atheists, might or might not be happy, but they lack something that others have, and that is spirituality. Spirituality is a need in human beings, okay? okay.. so what I'm saying is, pick a religion, and here is why:

Define what is spirituality. atheists certainly have their own ideas about life, no religion does not mean no contemplation, in fact it may mean the exact opposite since it takes a considerable amount of work on getting a coherent image of reality without religious frames and definitions.

You see, you need to get out of your philosophical comfort zone

Having no religion certainly does not mean comfort zone, on the contrary for many it means spending time studying and philosophizing than adopting a dogma and going with it all the way on the basis of faith.

, and actualy retrospect about this issue, there is not truth, so why not pick in a beliefs, that will give you life meaning, and that "might' be true, not like worshipping a banana, but something that a lot of people believe, or that your ancestors believe, or your own belief!

That is up to the individual, a person should have the social security to live a life with no formal religious elements, we do not need to fill in the void with religion, that would be a sad state of social affair if that was our only option. many atheists indulge in various things that give them meaning, religion simply does not offer them that meaning.
personally, I can respect various religions, I can respect their cultural heritage or place in history, I can enjoy reading their scriptures, but these experiences are more powerful to me when I adopt a neutral stance as an observer and explorer, when I can distill and syncretize the elements from religions which do speak to me, as opposed to the extra baggage that comes with any religion and does not resonate with me.
Still I can respect your idea of finding a community which shares a spiritual support beyond an absolute dogma, and which cultivates the progress of its group. there are various religious and spiritual systems that may be dear to me in some way or the other, but so far being a secular person or a spiritual free lancer was fitting of who I am.

 

[imaginaryme]

My only philosophical dilemma is the old question of "why is there something, instead of nothing?"

Ahhh... the left-handed muon.
Is there really a difference between spirituality and community? Atheists don't need to do nuffink. Theists need to stop trying to save the world. It is not a "problem" needing to be "solved," it is merely life needing to be lived.

 

[TheGodless1]

Define what is spirituality. atheists certainly have their own ideas about life, no religion does not mean no contemplation, in fact it may mean the exact opposite since it takes a considerable amount of work on getting a coherent image of reality without religious frames and definitions.


Having no religion certainly does not mean comfort zone, on the contrary for many it means spending time studying and philosophizing than adopting a dogma and going with it all the way on the basis of faith.
That is up to the individual, a person should have the social security to live a life with no formal religious elements, we do not need to fill in the void with religion, that would be a sad state of social affair if that was our only option. many atheists indulge in various things that give them meaning, religion simply does not offer them that meaning.
personally, I can respect various religions, I can respect their cultural heritage or place in history, I can enjoy reading their scriptures, but these experiences are more powerful to me when I adopt a neutral stance as an observer and explorer, when I can distill and syncretize the elements from religions which do speak to me, as opposed to the extra baggage that comes with any religion and does not resonate with me.
Still I can respect your idea of finding a community which shares a spiritual support beyond an absolute dogma, and which cultivates the progress of its group. there are various religious and spiritual systems that may be dear to me in some way or the other, but so far being a secular person or a spiritual free lancer was fitting of who I am.

I couldn't have said it any better! Thank you!

 

[Alceste]

All right, I'll make it short, but here is MY truth.

Atheists, might or might not be happy, but they lack something that others have, and that is spirituality.

What an utterly stupid idea. Where on earth did you get it? Church?

There is no truth, truth is absent, the definition of truth, is what people commonly accept as true, before, in Medieval Europe, the truth was Christianity, and that is it, period, they were as sure as you say, the America flag is red white and blue... Well, I say, it's just a green dot in a white background.... That's the truth.

Are you saying the inhabitants of the Americas, Australia, Africa, Polynesia and Asia, simply did not exist before they were colonized by Europeans, or that European "truth" is the only truth that mattered? Or do you think that the Christians WEREN'T finding thousands upon thousands of insufficiently religious heretics to torture and burn all that time? Or are you just pining for the days when you imagine (unreasonably) that your preposterous system of beliefs had little meaningful competition?

You see, you need to get out of your philosophical comfort zone, and actualy retrospect about this issue, there is not truth, so why not pick in a beliefs, that will give you life meaning, and that "might' be true, not like worshipping a banana, but something that a lot of people believe, or that your ancestors believe, or your own belief!

Sipirituality makes you healthy.

May peace be with you.

Yes, there is truth: there are facts, the clarity and tangibility of which transcend cultural and religious barriers, and these are the truths that unite all of humanity. Caring about what these facts might be (and acknowledging what does not qualify) can make you wise.

Health, to a large extent, is a simple roll of the dice. You might as well aim for something you can actually control: the quality of your thinking. Read a book. Preferably a book written by an atheist - like Terry Pratchett, Kurt Vonnegut, or Mark Twain, so you can disabuse yourself of the ridiculous idea that atheists lack a sense of meaning and purpose.

 

[Riverwolf]

All right, I'll make it short, but here is MY truth.

Atheists, might or might not be happy, but they lack something that others have, and that is spirituality. Spirituality is a need in human beings, okay? okay.. so what I'm saying is, pick a religion, and here is why:

There is no truth, truth is absent, the definition of truth, is what people commonly accept as true, before, in Medieval Europe, the truth was Christianity, and that is it, period, they were as sure as you say, the America flag is red white and blue... Well, I say, it's just a green dot in a white background.... That's the truth.

You see, you need to get out of your philosophical comfort zone, and actualy retrospect about this issue, there is not truth, so why not pick in a beliefs, that will give you life meaning, and that "might' be true, not like worshipping a banana, but something that a lot of people believe, or that your ancestors believe, or your own belief!

Sipirituality makes you healthy.

May peace be with you.

Theistic beliefs aren't necessary for spirituality.

You can be an atheist and still be spiritual. The Buddha managed to do so.

 

[Riverwolf]

Excellent points.

Hardly. He didn't describe spirituality or religion at all. He described superstition. THAT, I think we can all agree on, is one of the most mentally and intellectually unhealthy things to have.

 

[Riverwolf]

It's unfortunate that there are more people living in cities now than in rural areas. We have walled out nature to the best of our abilities, lit up our cities so we cannot gaze at the stars, and made every effort to lose that wonder at nature. It's enough to make one weep.

It's why I hate the big city; you can't see the stars AT ALL at night. :sad4:

 

[OmarKhayyam]

Hardly. He didn't describe spirituality or religion at all. He described superstition.

Please define the objective difference.

 

[imaginaryme]

It's why I hate the big city; you can't see the stars AT ALL at night. :sad4:

I can see stars and I live in Phoenix.

But I hear you. I lived for a while in Sterling, MA... and it was kinda scary how many stars would show up at night.

 

[Riverwolf]

Please define the objective difference.

Very well.

"Religion" comes from a word that means "union." This could imply union with God, or a community. ("God" is usually the connotation.) Therefore a religious person is one who is either seeking union with God, whatever that means, or union with a community. I'd like to stress that God, here, can really mean anything.

Superstition is literal belief in fantasy and/or myths that have been proven as not factual. Luck, for example, doesn't really exist, but we attribute all kinds of things to it: that's superstition. There are those who believe the Necronomicon to be a real book written by a real Mad Arab, even though Lovecraft stated himself that he created both the book and the character for his stories. That's also superstition. The idea that witches are servants of the Devil and out to destroy all that is good: that's superstition. (Heck, most conspiracy theories are pure superstition.)

Please keep in mind the key word: literal. Therefore superstition and religion often do go hand-in-hand, but don't necessarily have to. Take, for example, the Hindu who doesn't take any of the mythologies or gods as literal fact, yet still follows the teachings as best as possible.

I'm aware that the differences are subtle and often blurred, so distinguishing them can be difficult. Therefore there are people who are superstitious without even realizing it. (You can be a superstitious atheist, believe it or not; an atheist friend of mine subjected himself to the superstition that Macbeth is cursed, for example.)

 

[Amill]

That is more "spiritual" than anything I ever heard come out of a religious person. I really like your view and perspective on the matter. It is basically that same awe and respect our most primitive ancestors had. It wasn't so much about the "supernatural", and more about the positive inspirational connection we all share with nature, the earth and this universe. I really, really like your view. In fact, I am liking atheists more and more all the time. They seem so much more grounded and logical. In this way, even Einstein could have been considered a very spiritual person. Science was his "religion". He even said so in a quote of his that I remember.

I definitely agree that Einstein was a spiritual person...I don't know how anybody who looks at our planet and the Universe couldn't just be at awe. It doesn't matter if you believe in a creator or not, existence is such an odd thing. I think a lot of people just plow through life without giving it much thought.

I do definitely have my bad days though, when I wonder if I could just quit existence, or when I worry about the future. I dislike thinking about the future, and it is a definite flaw of mine that leads to anxiety and procrastination. Part of that problem is that I don't want to grow up, and I'm not motivated to live the sort of life that society acts like we must live. I dread the day when I'm too busy to ever spend time with friends. I believe in Epicurus' notion that friendship is the most important part of being happy. Why does everyone get a job and a life that keeps them bogged down with little time to spend with friends?

On my good days I couldn't be happier though.

I'm aware that the differences are subtle and often blurred, so distinguishing them can be difficult. Therefore there are people who are superstitious without even realizing it. (You can be a superstitious atheist, believe it or not; an atheist friend of mine subjected himself to the superstition that Macbeth is cursed, for example.)

Very true. It's weird though, I know superstitions are illogical but I still cant help myself. I am not crazy superstitious but there are still times when I just do it to be comfortable and confident, especially little things I do before playing in a basketball game. I MUST always make my last shot in warmups before the game start. Little things like that. I always have to knock on wood as well after making a claim about not having something bad happen, such as not having an accident in a while, not having got injured in some time, ect. I don't completely believe doing these things will have an effect, I just have to do it.