Is this Religion or Atheism? (have patience, 2 lengthy details to follow)...?

Question

To each person's understanding according to their need.

My beliefs must be consistent with a scientific reality and yet accept the unknown: spirit, ethics, thought, other intangibles.

Science can only go so far, at the moment. In time, processes may be developed to allow us to scientifically explore concepts which, now, are considered religious.

Till then, personal experience and intuition guide our personal exploration of the mysterious intangibles.

Faith in books, stories, legends and myths is just one of the ways of getting there. Introversion (searching within ourselves for truth) and Immersion (devoting ourselves to living Life to the fullest) are two others.

Whatever brings us to an acceptance of Love as our primary strength is good. Love for ourselves, Love for others, Love for our world and all Life.

Any faith that rejects the power of Love is a flawed system.

(Continued in 2nd Detail)

Consider the fourth dimension: Time. Follow a carbon atom in your body back in time. Watch it pass through one living organism after another. Watch it as it returns to the star that gave it birth from protons and neutrons and electrons. Watch those return to the primordial Big Bang event where they (and all other matter) were created.

We are all connected to the universe in ways we barely comprehend. We are connected to each other, and all life on this planet. When we understand this, we Love.

I hope that gives you some idea of what I believe.

Answer 1

dont know

Answer 2

It is atheism, and that is a good thing. There is absolutely no contradiction between accepting that the rationally understandable universe is all there is, and being deeply moved by what we know and experience. To me, the very fact that we *can* investigate and explain reality is one of the most rewarding parts of life. We know that we're only here because of unthinking, undirected natural processes, and that makes our existence all the more remarkable and precious - I'm quite sure that people value life more, for knowing it's the only one we will ever have.

As to the 'intangibles' and other unknowns: I understand the fascination with mystery, but what I *don't* understand is that some people seem to prefer things to *stay* mysterious, and they invoke supernatural entities - gods, goddesses, demons, ghosts, angels and so on - rather than look for the rational answers. To me, the real world is far more fascinating than these banal and unimaginative mythologies.

When you look at a rainbow, you might like to think that it's a sign from a god, put there to remind us of some divine directive, but how much more compelling it is to understand how this beautiful phenomenon is composed of sunlight being reflected and refracted in millions of raindrops, and that every single person - indeed, every eye - sees a different rainbow. The rainbow becomes none the less beautiful for being understandable - Indeed, I would say we can appreciate its beauty all the more for having a fuller understanding of it. Similarly, a symphony is none the less beautiful for the fact that we could, if we wished, reduce it to a graph of air pressure over time.

In the same vein, there is much that we do already know about what occurs in the brain to give us our thoughts and emotions and other internal experiences, and there is no reason to suppose that we will not carry on and discover very much more in the future. Does this lessen, in any way, the validity of these things? I think not. We don't love any less, for knowing that the raw material of love is chemical and electrical activity in the brain. We don't feel any the less awe and wonder at the beauty of the night sky, for knowing that there are billions of galaxies out there, each with billions of stars, and that we are just a tiny part of this uncreated universe. We can appreciate the universe all the more for appreciating our true place and significance within it.

Any belief system which prefers the myths and legends to an honest desire to understand the real world is, to me, narrow-minded, parochial and worthless. The most satisfying - and some might say spiritual - worldview is one which embraces the richness of the universe and our experiences combined with a sincere effort to understand the universe as it actually is, rather than how we might wish it to be.

Answer 3

Actually, It is an agnostic system as it does not imply a diety per se. It also has some Taoist, and even Budhist ideas married into it. If we assume that Science is correct and the Big Bang is the source for the matter in our universe, then it does in fact serve to reason that we are all made of the same things, and therefore are intrinsically connected. Well thought out. I dig it.

Answer 4

I think what you are describing here is a personal philosophy, and not necessarily atheism because you leave open the possibility of a deity in your statement that there are things we do not know or understand. This could be considered a kind of religion, but quite personal. Buddhism is both a religion and a philosophy, so perhaps you have created one for yourself. Either way, I find what you have to say quite interesting. Science will always be limited by the capacity of its instruments - there's no way we could have known about quantum physics in Newton's time. Who knows what we will find in the future that will change what we think about the universe. Either way, if you are guided by love then you won't be blowing anything up, so its alright by me.

Answer 5

My friend, I do not see this as a religious belief, at least not in the sense the word is thought of by most. For to be such, would have you require there be a Supernatural Creator, a controller of Destiny as your prime belief. If you simply do not rule this out, then I may conclude this could be an Agnostic standpoint. Personally, I would call it Atheist, for the simple fact that for me, science negates 'God' in the sense of an omnipotent and omnipresent deific entity.
Regardless, I must say that I feel you are on a path that has been constructed well, with very few wheel ruts to hinder you along your journey, having a destination you can just about see through the hazy distance. To me, you are on the road to the real Truth.

After reading it a few times, I could not help but have brought into my mind the words of the "Desiderata":

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.


--- Max Ehrmann, 1927

I hope my thoughts have been of some use to you and I wish you the very best on what seems to be a journey of great personal discovery and enlightenment.

Wishing you a level road to traverse!

Answer 6

In approaching this question, I am going to avoid commenting on each statement one by one and instead focus on the whole of your statement. It is easier for me to exclude atheism because embedded within the system is the honoring of faith in books and faith in one's inner experience as viable aspects of living by this philosophy. Maybe the question is whether this is Religion or agnosticism.

In terms of the label of religion...I will refer to the Merriam Webster dictionary definitions to help me. Choosing the definitions that seems closest to what you are asking...

religion:.(1)the service and worship of God or the supernatural...(2)commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance (religious: relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity) (3) scrupulously and conscientiously faithful.

In considering these, your philosophy would need to be more than a mental process...it would have to include faithful devotion/ service toward the ideals or truths you have thoughtfully organized into a belief system.

If it adhered to in those terms, I guess that Miriam Webster would call it a religion. And I can suggest a name for it:

"Compassionate Agnosticism"

Peace and grace to you, friend.

Answer 7

I would call you agnostic, but only because the world likes to paint a label on people. It's your very own religion and you would probably be surprised at just how many people believe what you believe. You may think you are alone in your personal beliefs, but many more are marrying up their experiences with science and their experiences of spirit. No matter what you call yourself, religious or otherwise, or what other's wish to call you, it's exactly what is in your heart and how you live your life that matters.

Answer 8

Atheism is a belief there is no god. Period.

However, Atheists do not have a "creed." We do not demand that we agree on the origin of the universe or the "meaning of life." Politically, we are a diverse group. We are Democrats and Republicans and Independents and Communists and Worker's and Green. We are as diverse as any crowd at any stadium at any event. We are Environmentalists and tree cutters and poluters. We are city folk and country folk. We are white, black, yellow, and brown. We speak any language ever spoken. We are rich and we are poor. We are everything and anything you can imagine.

One thing and one thing only defines an Atheist: A belief there is no god.

It sounds to me you are an Atheist.
Welcome to my world.

Answer 9

It's not religious. To me the definition of religion is a belief system that is organized: leaders, followers, meeting places. What you have is more of a personal philosophy.

I claim Agnosticicsm, but my philosophy could easily be different from another person who claims the same label. On the most part though, my philosophy is in line with yours.

Answer 10

It is not a religion because you are not organizing as a group and allowing humans to conduct your flow of thought.....You are open to ideas and seeking truth for yourself, derived from all different sources.....I think it is the only way to go.

Some atheists may not be open at all to the idea that there is such a thing as a spiritual component to our universe......However, I find it refreshing that you have an open mind and enjoy corresponding with others who do, like me.

Answer 11

I'm not sure that I would call this, but here's a question: does it matter?

Should we really be concerned with labeling our beliefs?

Aside from the idea that it over simplifies people's beliefs, Labeling such things tends to people adapting their beliefs to conform with other people who utilize the same label.

Perhaps we should worry less about labels which connotate conformity with a group, and worry more about seeking our own answers in the way that you so excellently described.