Atheism and Spirituality

Revisiting this topic helped clarify in my mind how I wish to keep using terms like spiritual, sacred, and perhaps other words previously invented and/or owned by writers of religious or metaphysical texts. Some usages of the word sacred, for example, are of secular context.

For as long as I can remember I always felt that spirituality refers to…[Read more]

Simon Paynton wrote:

I think you raise a good point: this “Great Spirit” is amoral…

And as such, is unworthy of much respect or regard.

it would seem to imply you are saying that there is “agency” involved in the process. There is not.

I’m not meaning to imply that at all…but I think you know that. I’m standing by my word…perhaps I’ll just avoid bringing it up around a group of atheists next time unless I’m ready to defend. 😆😎

“Nothing exists except atoms and empty space…[Read more]

@JodyLee Our vibrating mass of molecules that we call our bodies, our subconscious and conscious minds, the variety of frequencies we experience….that’s spiritual, the essence of living to me. On a small scale.

The first part – Our vibrating mass of molecules that we call our bodies….that’s spiritual…

If you were to say that when you came to u…[Read more]

Simon Paynton wrote:

I’ve learned (thanks to @JodyLee‘s discussion) that what spirituality means to people is very personal; or rather, the way it is expressed is very personal.  This reflects the fact that everyone lives their lives in their own way.

I agree, and endeavor to keep learning the depth of this very uniquely-human evol…[Read more]

I’ve learned (thanks to @JodyLee‘s discussion) that what spirituality means to people is very personal; or rather, the way it is expressed is very personal.  This reflects the fact that everyone lives their lives in their own way.

Ivy wrote:

I do think that we ALL know deep down that we are connected to “God”/”The Great Sprit” whatever you want to call “it/him/her.” (insert gender pronoun here lol)….but….I think people who call themselves atheists do not like to admit this because they cannot see/touch/feel/put under a microscope…it.

Pardon me if you haven’t retracted…[Read more]

Jody Lee wrote:

I’m not the majority and over time maybe you guys will get used to the way I use it. 😁😁

I’m perfectly fine with that, and also tend not to be in the majority. Sometimes I’m thinking ok, fine, so what if this tennis ball hits a hornet’s nest!

@Pope

My usage does not refer to an ethereal party or link to dualism. Thar feeling of connectedness IS what I seek. An addiction? Perhaps. But not to point where I have irrational or unfounded concepts of reality.

I’m not the majority and over time maybe you guys will get used to the way I use it. 😁😁

Jody Lee wrote:

Are you really THIS hung up about a word?

Here’s my opinion on why this word is a big deal, and then I’ll explain what I wish it to mean if/when I use the word.

The most obvious reason why it’s important, at least in a forum of atheists, is because the majority of people (at least in USA) mean it to refer to an ethereal third…[Read more]

Unseen wrote:

how do you explain … mass extinctions due to meteor strikes

Simon Paynton wrote:
even in the midst of unfavourable physical circumstances, it leads in the direction of making things better for living things.

I think you raise a good point: this “Great Spirit” is amoral, except in the case of human beings, where it generates two…[Read more]

Simon Paynton wrote:

In this case, then 1) cars / earthquakes / fires etc. are not a part of the living world, they are alien and external to it because they are not alive, and living things only possess limited control over physical phenomena and circumstances; 2) good and evil, or at least, pro- and anti-social behaviour, are themselves…

[Read more]

@Robert

Same Harris may be the type of person that needs to be reminded to live in the now, but I know a lot of people whose lives would likely benefit if they did at least some planning for the future.

Exactly. Now I am all for the idea that we shouldn’t worry ourselves to death about things that haven’t happened yet….But at the exact same tim…[Read more]

I think they’re all linked up by…the essence of living

Sigh. I give up.

I agree, we have a past, present and future, and we need to recognise all three.

But, the present is 1) where we actually live, so it’s important to be in it; 2) where we prepare for the future.  Our actions now make our future.

Same Harris may be the type of person that needs to be reminded to live in the now, but I know a lot of people whose lives would likely benefit if they did at least some planning for the future. There is a balance. The responsible ones don’t get to live in the now as much because they are always bailing  the instant gratification junkies out of trouble.

Being told how I should interpret things are something that Christian’s around me would do….

I’ll use spiritual to describe the process in which we live and breath and transform…and I’ll defend it as best as I can.