Is Transtheism a Non-Theistic Position?

[sun rise]

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.

Given that there are two BIG HONKING DIRs, one for Abrahamics and one for Dharmic religions, I find the fiddling around with tiny DIRs that should be combined into a third big DIR to be not meaningful.

Personally if there was an "OTHER" DIR then one subdir would be transtheism, another atheism etc.

But it seems that mods don't agree with me so .

 

[SalixIncendium]

It didn't occur to me until now, but atheists could easily use the poll as a "KEEP SALIX THE HECK OUT OF OUR DIR" vote.

 

[Quintessence]

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?

I ask because transtheism transcends (pardon the pun) the assumed dichotomy of atheism and theism. I suppose it depends on how one understands transtheism - I've often seen it as "beyond" (hence trans) theism or atheism by rejecting that dichotomy as a false one. It's likely your understanding differs.

 

[Eddi]

To quote from the Wikipedia article you linked to:

"that gods exist but are irrelevant"

If they exist then it's theistic, it's irrelevant if they are irrelevant

I have voted accordingly in the poll

 

[MikeF]

If you really want to boost non-theistic participation in your poll quickly, change the thread title to "All atheists are stoopid!!!!" and they will come a run'in.

 

[Twilight Hue]

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?

Something like that sounds applicable as an agnostic.

I suppose if a person doesn't really recognize the existence of a God , but still recognizes possibilities for one reason or another it becomes that little gray area that could either fit into theism or atheism.

For me I think that would be in a category all its own.

 

[The Hammer]

It doesn't seem nontheistic to me...

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

This is my opinion on it as well, regarding the transcending.

It also seems like an acknowledgement of both systems of thought as valid philosophy, while saying the adherent fits neither.

But I could see fitting "neither" as also equating or indicative of "fitting both", considering if one views both as valid systems. @SalixIncendium

 

[The Hammer]

@SalixIncendium although calling oneself a transtheist, but also using ma aspect of Shiva as an avatar (Nataraja right?), seems to prove otherwise. Even if you don't "worship" nataraja Shiva, if it's used as a focus/altar point during meditation, it seems that you still utilize a deity. Even if it's not necessary.

 

[Secret Chief]

I can't make my mind up now if I am
- non-theist (I thought I was)
- transtheist (never heard of it - am I transcending something I have no regard to?)
- both
- something else
- just confused

 

[JustGeorge]

I can't make my mind up now if I am
- non-theist (I thought I was)
- transtheist (never heard of it - am I transcending something I have no regard to?)
- both
- something else
- just confused

Not sure on the others, but I bet the last one fits.

 

[SalixIncendium]

I ask because transtheism transcends (pardon the pun) the assumed dichotomy of atheism and theism. I suppose it depends on how one understands transtheism - I've often seen it as "beyond" (hence trans) theism or atheism by rejecting that dichotomy as a false one. It's likely your understanding differs.

What's the purpose of rejecting something that has been transcended?

 

[SalixIncendium]

@SalixIncendium although calling oneself a transtheist, but also using ma aspect of Shiva as an avatar (Nataraja right?), seems to prove otherwise. Even if you don't "worship" nataraja Shiva, if it's used as a focus/altar point during meditation, it seems that you still utilize a deity. Even if it's not necessary.

Not as much as a deity as a reflection.

 

[Secret Chief]

Not sure on the others, but I bet the last one fits.

Takes one to know one, buster.

 

[The Hammer]

Not as much as a deity as a reflection.

I Am That?

 

[SalixIncendium]

I Am That?

Only in waking consciousness.

 

[Kfox]

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?

In your own words; what is a transatheist?

 

[SalixIncendium]

In your own words; what is a transatheist?

Stated here: Transtheism - What Is It?

 

[The Hammer]

Only in waking consciousness.

You're getting close to Autotheism, imo then. Nothing wrong with that per se.

 

[Kfox]

Stated here: Transtheism - What Is It?

So a trans-atheist is a person who believe God exist, but that they just have no practical use for this God? Then they are not atheist, they are theist. Just because you have no use for the God you believe in doesn't make you an atheist.

 

[SalixIncendium]

You're getting close to Autotheism, imo then. Nothing wrong with that per se.

I can see how it would look that way.