Not sure if I qualify as atheist anymore

[Jumi]

Well, it looks like the scale from atheism to theism has proved meaningless to me. I've been something of a atheist mystic anyway so perhaps such a shift is logical. I tend not to give too much credence to what I've experienced myself, since the mind is vast and most have no idea what it contains. Deception and self-deception seems common enough when states of consciousness are explored. Lies I don't particularly care for, comforting or otherwise.

So did I arrive at a belief in the gods? Not really, but perhaps more open to the possibility of some weirdness existing that's not having directly observable physical effects on the universe.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

I think weirdness is always encouraging.

 

[Revoltingest]

Just to be safe, hang on to your atheist card.
It's not like we require you to turn it in if you stray.
You'll even continue to get the same discounts.

 

[Jumi]

The free lunches that come with the atheist card are pretty good, I figure I'll keep having those as usual.

 

[columbus]

There really is not a clear bright line between atheism and theism.
The big grey area doesn't go away just because someone pulls a verse out of some holy writ like the Oxford English Dictionary.
Tom

 

[allfoak]

Atheism------------------------Theism
They are both correct.
If one or the other is not the truth then neither would make sense.

It seems like a big conundrum, and it is, but it has an answer.
If we look at it honestly and intelligently it is impossible to stand at either end of the scale with confidence.
Have we been left in the dark or is there some way to figure this out?

There is one uniting factor in every religion that i have ever studied.
It is even a part of the Christian religion even though they act as if it is not.
This mantra is "Know thyself".

We have been warned of the consequences of not heeding this call and we have also been told of the experience of the glory of the kingdom as a result of heeding this call.
It is only through knowing ourselves that we can know our source.

 

[George-ananda]

Well, it looks like the scale from atheism to theism has proved meaningless to me. I've been something of a atheist mystic anyway so perhaps such a shift is logical. I tend not to give too much credence to what I've experienced myself, since the mind is vast and most have no idea what it contains. Deception and self-deception seems common enough when states of consciousness are explored. Lies I don't particularly care for, comforting or otherwise.

So did I arrive at a belief in the gods? Not really, but perhaps more open to the possibility of some weirdness existing that's not having directly observable physical effects on the universe.

Maybe consider that there may not be a separate entity called God but that God is the core of all of us and all things and that this core/source is beyond the physical and the creator of the physical. Neither theism nor atheism but closer to theism.

 

[Laika]

Fair enough. Be true to yourself.

 

[Quintessence]

Should we make a transtheist club on RF? By "transtheist" I mean folks who want to transcend the atheist-theist dichotomy and regard it as a problematic way of looking at things?

 

[dust1n]

Well, it looks like the scale from atheism to theism has proved meaningless to me. I've been something of a atheist mystic anyway so perhaps such a shift is logical. I tend not to give too much credence to what I've experienced myself, since the mind is vast and most have no idea what it contains. Deception and self-deception seems common enough when states of consciousness are explored. Lies I don't particularly care for, comforting or otherwise.

So did I arrive at a belief in the gods? Not really, but perhaps more open to the possibility of some weirdness existing that's not having directly observable physical effects on the universe.

Me too. I've actually made of list of possible weirdness existing that's not have directly observable physical effects on the universe:

Transdimensional bananas.
Space Cops.
Lars, the Elusive Martian Squirrel.
The three blueberry pancakes that the universe just passed through.
Electrons that are shaped like little penises.
The one past life we all had once in a different planet.
A reality in which Cherry Pop-Tarts and Blueberry Pop-Tarts have been switched.

Come to think of it.... there are an infinite number of possible weirdnesses existing that's not having directly observable effects on the universe.

We be agnostic.

 

[Jumi]

Interesting thoughts. I think I'll have to digest it all.

The big grey area doesn't go away just because someone pulls a verse out of some holy writ like the Oxford English Dictionary.

You have to admit Oxford dictionary makes a pretty good holy book.

If we look at it honestly and intelligently it is impossible to stand at either end of the scale with confidence.
Have we been left in the dark or is there some way to figure this out?

If there is a solution I'm not sure we are capable of it.

Transdimensional bananas.

Can't wait to taste my first one.

 

[allfoak]

Atheism and Theism are just the two ends of the scale we use to figure out where we fit in.
When we get unbalanced we have debates.

 

[dust1n]

Can't wait to taste my first one.

Well too bad. There taste would blow your mind, but unfortunately, I can't confirm if they are or are not out there, and no human ever will.

 

[allfoak]

If there is a solution I'm not sure we are capable of it.

You are your own solution

 

[columbus]

Should we make a transtheist club on RF? By "transtheist" I mean folks who want to transcend the atheist-theist dichotomy and regard it as a problematic way of looking at things?

We already have a deist DIR.
That is the point of view that is more rational than theism and less exclusive than atheism. Because we don't make truth claims about things we don't know anything anything about.
Tom

 

[Twilight Hue]

That weirdness alone is even better than theism. At least that weirdness is directly in front of you, and not hiding somewhere playing that game of hide and seek...count to ten.... find me if you can. ;0)

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Should we make a transtheist club on RF? By "transtheist" I mean folks who want to transcend the atheist-theist dichotomy and regard it as a problematic way of looking at things?

Good idea!

I usually find I disagree with BOTH sides of the big debate!

There are mysteries & unanswered questions no matter WHAT you happen 2 believe.

I have a leaning towards Buddhism - if you cultivate kind & compassionate thoughts you will experience happiness. If you do the opposite you will experience unhappiness.

Love the thread!

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Can't wait to taste my first one.

Well, they're not all that great. It's hard to get a hold of them, but then, you can't slip on their peels...

 

[Robert.Evans]

but perhaps more open to the possibility of some weirdness existing that's not having directly observable physical effects on the universe.

Which is pretty amazing in itself, don't you think?

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Should we make a transtheist club on RF?

Good idea! Whatever it is.