isnt it ironic that atheists are on religion and spirituality answering questions??

Answer 1

No. They can be spiritual. They just don't believe in God.

Answer 2

The problem with answering such a question is that the term "spiritual" is so vague and ill-defined most of the time. Usually when people use it they mean something similar to, but nevertheless very distinct from, religion. This is probably an improper usage, however, because there are very good reasons to think that spirituality is more a type of religion than anything else.

So what does this mean when it comes to whether atheists can be spiritual or not? If the general usage is mistaken and spirituality really is best described as a highly personalized and privatized religious belief system, then the answer to the question is clearly "yes." Atheism is not only compatible with the adoption of a public, organized religious belief system, it is also compatible with the adoption of a very personal and private religious faith.

On the other hand, if spirituality is treated as "something else," something fundamentally different from religion, then the question becomes harder to answer. Spirituality seems to be one of those words which has as many definitions as it does people trying to define it. Often it is used in conjunction with theism because people's spirituality is "God-centered." In such cases, it is unlikely that you could find an atheist who is "spiritual" because there is a real contradiction between living a "God-centered" life while not believing in the existence of any gods.

This is not, however, the only way the concept of "spirituality" can be used. For some people, it involves a variety of very personal things like self-realization, philosophical searching, etc. For many others, it is something like a very deep and strong emotional reaction to "wonders" of life - for example, gazing out at the universe on a clear night, seeing a newborn child, etc.

All of these and similar senses of "spirituality" are entirely compatible with atheism. There is nothing about atheism which prevents a person from have such experiences or quests. Indeed, for many atheists their atheism is a direct result of such philosophical searching and religious questioning - thus, one might argue that their atheism is an integral component of their "spirituality" and their ongoing search for meaning in life.

In the end, all of this vagueness prevents the concept of spirituality from carrying a great deal of cognitive content. It does, however, carry emotional content - much of what people describe as "spirituality" seems to have much more to do with emotional than intellectual reactions to events and experiences. So, when a person is using the term, they are more likely trying to convey something about their emotions and their emotional reactions to things than a coherent set of beliefs and ideas.

If an atheist is wondering if it would be appropriate to use the term "spiritual" when describing themselves and their attitudes, the question that must be asked is: does it have any emotional resonance with you? Does it "feel" like it conveys some aspect of your emotional life? If so, then it may be a term you can use and it will mean just what you "feel" it conveys. On the other hand, if it just feels empty and unnecessary, then you won't be using it because it just doesn't mean anything for you.

Answer 3

I'm an atheist. I went to a Catholic college. I've studied the beliefs of Lutherans, Methodists, Evangels, Catholics, Episcopalians, American Indians, and Sunni. My wife is Catholic. I'm probably the least biased person, and one of the more knowledgable you'll find on Religion and Spirituality. If a Catholic is asking a Lutheran why their beliefs are right, they're subconciously starting a quarrel. Think about it. Also, most of the people asking questions on this forum haven't studied religion at all. It's sad when people have faith in something and don't even have any kind of justification at all. And to the girl that said that atheists are spiritual: that's incorrect. I believe there is no God, and when you die, you die. Some might find that frightening. I find it relaxing. It's like Shakespeare said: The meaning of life is to "Eat, Drink, and be Merry."

Answer 4

I was going to post a well-written, thought-provoking answer to this question, and then I read the post written by Halle - very good post, excellent treatment of spirituality in general and a great way of explaining why atheists might visit religious and spirituality forums.

For my own part, I do not deny the existence of God - to do so would be the same arrogance as those who claim God does exist. Rather, I simply do not choose to believe in any God - which is also, by definition, atheism, albeit atheism of a different kind.

I have chosen this position for the exact reason that Halle posted:

"Indeed, for many atheists their atheism is a direct result of such philosophical searching and religious questioning - thus, one might argue that their atheism is an integral component of their "spirituality" and their ongoing search for meaning in life."

I have spent my life searching for meaning and attempting to understand the world around me. In that time, I have found it useless to hold to the dogmatism of a single religious view, and have found it far more effective to determine what VALUE various religions offer its followers. That tells me much more about TRUTH and the nature of human experience, than any religious text ever could.

In the practical sense, I visit these boards and answer these questions because I want a) to see how other people look at these issues, because it teaches me more about the world, and b) to try to give others some insight into how I look at the world, so that they may understand that humanity, and our universe, is much more delightful than any single point of view will ever teach you.

Answer 5

No. If you've taken a stand as an atheist, then you've thought about these very subjects a great deal. Atheism is somewhat extreme, so I'm sure they have done a lot of thinking on the subject of religion.

Spirituality doesn't have anything to do with belief in God, though. Atheists can be spiritual. All humans are inherently spiritual.

Answer 6

I wonder where all of this hostility comes from?

Why should Christians hate atheists? Tell them what you believe and why, and let them make their own conclusions. Be ready and available to answer questions about your faith, but there is no need to be pushy about it. Unless, of course, you don't really trust God to work in their hearts, as He did in yours.

On the other hand, why should atheists hate Christians? If they truly believe, as they say, that you will go to hell without Jesus, shouldn't they, out of compassion, try to keep that from happening? If you were about to fall off of a cliff, wouldn't you be grateful if someone caught you in time? You accuse Christians of being irrational, yet, is your response to them truly rational? If you are more intelligent than they are, why aren't you intelligent enough to just avoid the conflict?

Maybe both sides ought to step back and examine their own motives. ;)

Answer 7

I still don't understand how people believe that to be spiritual you must be religious. If it was just for Christians, Catholics, Muslims etc the category would be called Religion.

Answer 8

Do you have any idea how many times a day this question gets posted?

Anyway, I realize that no one reads this when I just link to it, so here is my response to a previous version of this question:

believe that I have been nothing but courteous to the people of faith here. I openly deny their belief-system. They openly deny mine. That's fine. We have, however, engaged in some very respectful debate, much to the benefit (I hope) of both sides. I know that my beliefs have not changed, but my preconceptions about young-Earth Christians have been shattered by some of the people I have found here. I think that they are wrong, but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to debate with them without resorting to name-calling or rudeness.

Granted, this requires an openness on both our parts. I think that their faith is "wrong." They think that my lack of faith is "wrong." This is where most people get hung up and debate can go no further. If someone disagreeing with you is "offensive," you're stuck. Once you accept this disagreement, you are quite free to exchange ideas. This is what I have found here (for the most part.)

As for why I spend so much time in the religion and spirituality forum, I see faith as playing a huge role in the lives of everyone in the world, be they moderate Muslims, fundamentalist Christians, Pagans, or Atheists like myself.

In my supposedly free country I see gays discriminated against due to faith. People who would never think of using the N-word openly hate and criticize homosexuals for what they are, not who they are.

I see medical advances that could help millions of people stymied by arguments that have their basis in faith. Stem cell research could potentially ease the suffering of billions around the globe, but people of faith stand in the way.

We are currently involved in what may or may not be a holy war. This is an issue of faith.

Our current government supports "faith-based initiatives" in what may be a breach of The Constitution itself.

I know that faith helps people sleep at night. This doesn't undo the tremendous amount of suffering it has inflicted at every turn of history.

I see faith as a problem, and would like to encourage people to put aside their myths and embrace reason. However, I realize that this is futile. As Jonathan Swift said, "It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into."

That said, I think that Yahoo Answers provides a wonderful opportunity to try to see where other people are coming from. I disagree with the Christians (and Muslims and Pagans...), but I think it is very important for me to try to understand them. I would hope that they will try to understand me. Once we find some common ground and some mutual respect, we can truly start to talk about things.

I hate the name-calling. The largest problem I have with religion is that it is divisive. I feel that this is the most important aspect of faith that needs to be removed from the equation. Name-calling is also divisive and does not fit into my attempts to act reasonably.

I feel that I deny, but do not scoff. I embrace and enjoy open debate. I think that the things discussed here are important. I'd like to think that some of the things I have to say are pertinent.

If you want a place for only Christians (for example) to exchange ideas, there are plenty of places on the web for that. However, I think that this exclusion of other mindsets and worldviews does a disservice to those who would seek such a closed system.

That's why, as an atheist, I show up on the religion thread.

Answer 9

Yes. I do believe that, sometimes, people simply read religious questions that are intended for people of that same religion to answer and then they get angry because of it. For example, the person reads a Christian answer on a Christian question intended for Christians to answer. Then, they post questions to try to insult Christians.

Answer 10

What is ironic about seeking spirituality without believing Christian doctrine?

Answer 11

I don't think so. Atheism is as much a religion as any other religion is.

Think about it: Believers can't prove God exists, and non-believers can't prove he doesn't. Who better to argue about religion than two groups who thrive on the certainty of their own unprovable faiths?