Is Transtheism a Non-Theistic Position?

[SalixIncendium]

I've been following this thread: Non-theist?, but I don't belong to that DIR (yet) primarily because I don't identify as atheist. But I don't identify as a theist, either. I identify as transtheist.

So I've created this little poll to determine whether you, the denizens of RF, think one who identifies as transtheist should be permitted to participate in the Non-Theistic/Non-Religious Beliefs DIR.

Ergo the poll. Is transtheism is a non-theistic position?

 

[JustGeorge]

It doesn't seem nontheistic to me...

The idea that there's something to be transcended takes away the 'non' for me.

But my opinion is just that, and if you feel you lean more non-theistic than theistic, your opinion is more important than mine.

 

[SalixIncendium]

It doesn't seem nontheistic to me...

The idea that there's something to be transcended takes away the 'non' for me.

But my opinion is just that, and if you feel you lean more non-theistic than theistic, your opinion is more important than mine.

It's not a matter of leaning toward theism or non-theism. I don't lean toward one or another, just as a non-smoker wouldn't lean toward a preference of cigarettes or cigars.

 

[JustGeorge]

It's not a matter of leaning toward theism or non-theism. I don't lean toward one or another, just as a non-smoker wouldn't lean toward a preference of cigarettes or cigars.

Actually, I prefer cigars. On rare occasion(weddings or other celebrations) I've taken a few puffs off a cigar. But I don't think that handful of times over the span of a life in specific circumstances makes me a smoker.

I don't think anything's cut and dried. A nontheist may occasionally participate in theistic rituals for various reasons as well, still remaining nontheistic. I would think a transtheist could take it or leave it either way.

 

[Quintessence]

Isn't part of the point of transtheism to question the nonsensical dichotomy of theism and atheism to begin with?

 

[SalixIncendium]

Actually, I prefer cigars. On rare occasion(weddings or other celebrations) I've taken a few puffs off a cigar. But I don't think that handful of times over the span of a life in specific circumstances makes me a smoker.

I don't think anything's cut and dried. A nontheist may occasionally participate in theistic rituals for various reasons as well, still remaining nontheistic. I would think a transtheist could take it or leave it either way.

It wasn't a good analogy to be certain. I couldn't think of a better one when I posted this.

Can you take or leave Christianity?

 

[McBell]

I've been following this thread: Non-theist?, but I don't belong to that DIR (yet) primarily because I don't identify as atheist. But I don't identify as a theist, either. I identify as transtheist.

So I've created this little poll to determine whether you, the denizens of RF, think one who identifies as transtheist should be permitted to participate in the Non-Theistic/Non-Religious Beliefs DIR.

Ergo the poll. Is transtheism is a non-theistic position?

Based on my experiences outside of RF, the term "non-theist" is used mostly by atheists who do not want to be labeled atheist.

As to transtheist...
I have no idea what exactly it is.
And you link, though informative, did not help clarify it for me.

 

[JustGeorge]

It wasn't a good analogy to be certain. I couldn't think of a better one when I posted this.

Can you take or leave Christianity?

Depends on which Christian you ask. Some say you must say the magic words, attend church, etc.

Others may loosely believe in the morals and acknowledge value in the stories but be nontheistic. They may identify as such because they feel it fits their culture.

I would honor their request to be called Christian. A person who believes in Biblical teachings as being literal may not.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Isn't part of the point of transtheism to question the nonsensical dichotomy of theism and atheism to begin with?

Not to my knowledge. At least that's not how I see transtheism. To me, gods are irrelevant to my worldview, so what relevance would atheism, theism, or the dichotomy between them have to me?

 

[SalixIncendium]

Depends on which Christian you ask.

I didn't mean a general you. I was asking you specifically. Can @JustGeorge take or leave Christianity?

 

[SalixIncendium]

Based on my experiences outside of RF, the term "non-theist" is used mostly by atheists who do not want to be labeled atheist.

As to transtheist...
I have no idea what exactly it is.
And you link, though informative, did not help clarify it for me.

Fair enough.

If I can help clarify anything, feel free to ask.

 

[JustGeorge]

I didn't mean a general you. I was asking you specifically. Can @JustGeorge take or leave Christianity?

I'm not sure what exactly 'taking or leaving' means in this context. Would I identify as a Christian? No. I know little about the religion.

Am I comfortable with it? Sure, so long as one isn't proselytizing. I could participate in a Christian ritual, acknowledging their God as the participants' Ishta Devata.

Occasionally I visit a shrine to Mary a few hours west of here. I view it as a display of one man's awe inspiring Bhakti.

 

[McBell]

Fair enough.

If I can help clarify anything, feel free to ask.

I am a feared that said explanation would run this thread so far off topic...

 

[SalixIncendium]

I'm not sure what exactly 'taking or leaving' means in this context. Would I identify as a Christian? No. I know little about the religion.

Am I comfortable with it? Sure, so long as one isn't proselytizing. I could participate in a Christian ritual, acknowledging their God as the participants' Ishta Devata.

Occasionally I visit a shrine to Mary a few hours west of here. I view it as a display of one man's awe inspiring Bhakti.

Would you say Christianity as a practical system of belief and practice is relevant to your religious views?

 

[JustGeorge]

Would you say Christianity as a practical system of belief and practice is relevant to your religious views?

No, its not practical(for me) or relevant. I acknowledge it has value and meaning for others, but if it disappeared tomorrow it would not affect me.

Other than I'd miss the church bells nearby playing songs at 10, 12, and 5.

 

[SalixIncendium]

No, its not practical(for me) or relevant. I acknowledge it has value and meaning for others, but if it disappeared tomorrow it would not affect me.

Other than I'd miss the church bells nearby playing songs at 10, 12, and 5.

Good, so we can use this as an analogy.

I view leaning theistic or non-theistic the same as you would view leaning Christian or non-Christian. Neither theism nor non-theism are any more relevant to my personal worldview than Christianity or non-Christianity would to yours. You probably wouldn't lean in either direction, just as I don't. You acknowledge Christianity, but are beyond it.

 

[JustGeorge]

Good, so we can use this as an analogy.

I view leaning theistic or non-theistic the same as you would view leaning Christian or non-Christian. Neither theism nor non-theism are any more relevant to my personal worldview than Christianity or non-Christianity would to yours. You probably wouldn't lean in either direction, just as I don't. You acknowledge Christianity, but are beyond it.

With this in mind, you wouldn't belong in either the theistic or non-theistic DIRs. (In my opinion.)

 

[SalixIncendium]

With this in mind, you wouldn't belong in either the theistic or non-theistic DIRs. (In my opinion.)

Salix,

Always the outcast

 

[JustGeorge]

Salix,

Always the outcast

Outcasts are important.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

It looks like to me, but trying to neatly fit anything that's not a personal deity or disbelief in that into a box of atheism or theism is just silly and leads to lots of confusions (with non-theism still being tethered to a useless binary).