Any atheists here?

Post Reply New Topic

Sorry if I touched a nerve. Its one of the reasons I don't normally get involved in such discussions on PPR. Believers will always continue to believe whatever they want; for them it is often a highly personal and emotive subject. Those of us who have no religious beliefs but a strong desire to know "the truth" tend to tenaciously keep asking questions and wanting answers irrespective of where they lead or uncover. Believers can find this unsettling, especially if the notion of belief itself comes under the spotlight.

Yes I did read it and yes it did ring a chord. While I beat on the "Atheism drum" I am actually a very spiritual person, but normally don't mention it because frankly most people on here associate spirituality with Christianity. So I don't waste my words trying to explain the difference. Similarly trying to explain what is a spiritual atheist is just a none starter.

TallyMan Wrote:

Iy to recap some of the points here the as best as I can

Nothing is anything other than mans interpretations. Atheism is an anti religion that isn't necessarily a polarization either way to do with spirituality.

I can imagine what you are saying about an alternate atheism that allows for spirituality, at least existentially.

nothing wrong with a little debate.
I guess that's why i'm here too sorta.

hmm....

It would be nice to get slowmutants input on this alternate idea outlined in page 9.

Last edited by bigblock on 23 Jan 2009, 10:14 am, edited 2 times in total.

#1 Thread killer. (Starr is on scholastic hiatus.)

There is no reality; there is only perception. What is reality apart from perception?

If there would be only our perception without relation to reality, we could not make prediction regarding reality and therefore our perception must be strongly related to reality.

Last edited by Dussel on 23 Jan 2009, 12:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

At the risk of being seen to at least partly agree with SlowMutant:

I seek "truth" on two different fronts.

1. One is science and an understanding of objective reality.

2. I delve into perception itself, from the subjective standpoint. I do this without any belief system or need for a god. Who or what am I? Even objective reality is expressed abstractly within the human mind and is not reality itself. What is subjective consciousness? These are all good question to ponder... and deeper.

... into the realm of Zen.

Loosely speaking Zen is another way of seeking the truth, of delving and probing reality. In a way it is more of a tool to aid understanding. It is not a religion. No beliefs are involved. No God. No prayers or submission to a higher authority. It is more about opening your awareness, consciousness to the deeper functionality of your mind. As thoughts and other mental noise become quiet consciousness remains, watching. I can't say much more because I don't have words to adequately describe what "happens" other than to say it is very profound.

I used to practise a form of Buddhism related to Zen, a Chinese variant called Ch'an. I believe your analysis of Zen is bang-on.

Which leads me to an interesting question: Can a Christian practise Zen without having it interfere with his Christianity? Since the the core of Zen is just doing the zazen meditation, I don't believe so. Likewise, I don't think doing Yoga would interfere with my religion. Yoga is even less of a religion than is Zen.

In fact, there are aspects of Christianity and Buddhism that fit together very nicely.

A whack in the backside that you did not expect.

Have you read the philosophy of George Berkeley. That would fit right in with your view.

ruveyn

A whack in the backside, unexpected or otherwise, would be part of my perceived reality.

While you could benefit from zazen as a Christian, I think there would ultimately be a conflict of interest. To benefit fully from zazen you need to explore the functioning of your own mind and expose all your beliefs and why you have them. It is only when you are fully aware of your social conditioning that you can see beyond it. You need to be fully open to "what is" and have no preconditioned ideas on the nature of reality. If you have a "destination" or seek a preconceived idea of "God" then you will not be open to whatever the reality is. In a sense you need to be "naked and vulnerable" to see deep. Not sure that made much sense to you. Any other atheists reading this will probably think I've lost the plot

Any indisputable ideals from all religions could ad up to the Whole Truth, as far as man can understand.

Every religion has questionable bits, it is important to objectively separate these discrepancy's and chalk them up to bad flavors in the soup of good ingredient's. Trying to keep out the garbage (from my spiritual mix) one day I may end up with a perfectly flavored, wholesome, harmonious soup.

I am living in ignorance. only founded on personal calculations (trying to make sense of unexplainable experiences), with basic experiences in Buddhism and Catholicism but I am christened protestant.

I like knowing that I was christened because it allows me a slight chance to join the christian wholesome,selfless community. But the basic style of the bible for me, leaves the bigger questions mostly un touched. It is so.. matter of fact about fairy tales (possibly they are metaphorical) yet these are stitched in to the fabric real history.
.... if you are going to deny this man named Jesus you might expect that two thousand years form now people will deny your existence, (Assuming you achieve significant attention for "new Ideas" that you have tuned in and turned on). can't believe everything on paper, People that wrote the bible were subjective too.
... The intention of the bible is whole and pure and therefore wonderful...

Hope fully some writers were aspies. Hey it makes sense in some chapters like psalms. Good read with many solid points.


As far as my religious studies have been, I find myself liking the make up of Quantum Physics.
This is far more open to new theory, it allows for God and the big bang. (I am unsure if I like the big bang, its just hawking's humble opinion) (And the God that I understand is not the typical christian view, I feel him more like i feel the sun.

The big problem with quantum physics is the large amount of pseudoscientific snake oil salesmen who run around pretending they know about it when they don't. "Quantum physics says we create the universe through our own perception!! Thus, if you really believe something -- "

Err, no. No it doesn't.

works for me. What a peace inducing philosophy.