Please explain how Atheists can have spiritual experiences and still be Atheists.?

Question

In a previous question, I was censored because I assumed Atheists, didn't or perhapes couldn't have spiritual experiences even though they may have the same temporal experience that could/would percipitate a spiritual experience in a believer.
Is my assumption wrong, do Atheists have spiritual experiences? If so, how can they still be Atheists? Set me straight on this.

ok. I think I'm closer to getting it now. I guess I always just assumed Atheists were sort of dead inside when it comes to the spiritual side of a person. It never occured to me that Atheists could ever or would ever want to have a spiritual experience.

I think I've picked my best answer, but I would love to hear from more of you while I wait the requested 4 hours before I formally pick Best Answer.

Answer 1

I have had an NDE and multiple out of body experiences. During these experiences, I have found myself in the presence of Fenrir wolf of norse mythology, and there is communication of a deeply personal and spiritual nature that occurs between him and I. In one particular OBE, I felt the presence of Tyr as well, the Norse god of Justice, though he made no attempt to be part of it other than his presence.

Never the less, I remain an atheist, because I understand how these experiences arise in the brain. They always occur, for me at least, in moments of severe trauma or pain or hyperthermia & exhaustion. Most of my OBE's come about through pain-infliction [think leather] or through the use of fire-dance. In fire dance, I build a fire chest high, with wood built about knee high, about four feet in diameter. I put on some good music with a heavy, steady beat (sometimes native american drumming, and when I did it with an actual drum circle it was AMAZING, but sometimes P.O.D., Godsmack, or the score from 'The Crow'). After about half an hour, my body is fairly hyperthermic because I pass my whole body through the flames, sometimes just waving my arms through it, but other times leaping through the pillar of flames bodily. At some point, I fall out and collapse and go 'over there'.

The fact the 'visions' are spiritually and personally significant has to do with the fact that it's my brain creating them, not a spirit. Their existence only proves that I've pushed my brain into an altered form of functioning.

Hence why I have major spiritual experiences and remain atheistic.

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There is so much more to say, however, this is not quite an efficient medium for saying them. Please contact me by email or IM if you are interested in more input from my side. I notice that your profile doesn't include email or IM.

Answer 2

Not to split hairs but that will depend on how one defines spiritual experiences.

Some of the experiences in my life have filled me with great joy and inner peace. I considered some of these very spiritual

Answer 3

My spiritual experiences have never indicated to me the presence of a supreme being, therefore I do not believe in one. Nonetheless, I *have* had spiritual experiences and consider myself a spiritual person.

Answer 4

Confusion

Answer 5

Well, for the male species, when they ejaculate, there is like a second where the brain sorta turns blank and the brain releases bio-chemicals that stimulate the "pleasure" emotions in the brain. That's spiritual experience for you.

Answer 6

I'm sure some do. Not this one. You don't need a sky daddy to be "spiritual" or this would just be the religion section.

Answer 7

If I say it, I am speaking in metaphor....can't speak for the others. Should be noted that some people call themselves atheists when, by definition, they aren't.

Answer 8

Smoke some good bush

Answer 9

currently unexplainable events. thats it!!
this doesnt mean that it cant be explaind. it just cant be explaind with our current knowlegd but it will some day be explained liek so many other things. get it?

Answer 10

superstition,look it up!