Spiritual atheists?

Question

I know it might sound like a contradiction of terms, but there are some out there.

Which brings me to my question...

Exactly what does being a spiritual atheist mean? Does it mean that, while you don't believe in a higher power of any kind, you still believe that there are some supernatural phenomena out there that are beyond our comprehension?

I've heard this term before, and it seems that this is what it means. Does anyone have any further insights to this? Also, if you are a spiritual atheist, what exactly do you believe?

Jerri B: I'm not an atheist, myself, but I know that being one does not mean you believe we evolved from monkeys. A lot of atheists believe in evolution, but evolution does not say that we came from monkeys.

However, most of them do believe that there is nothing else beyond this life--in other words, no afterlife.

Answer 1

I don't believe in anything supernatural at all. However I consider myself a very spiritual atheist.

The spirituality of an atheist focuses on two areas: The connections that people can feel between one another, and the connections that people can feel with their world and universe.

These are the elements that nourish us, give us a sense of things larger than ourselves, and help focus our actions, thoughts, and emotions.

I stand in awe when I regard the enormity of the universe and in amazement at the fact we are all, at the sub-atomic level, just different manifestations of energy/matter.

I am humbled that I have the capacity to care for my loved ones and for my community, and that there are those who care for me.

I don't need an additional make-believe entity to cling to as a way of focusing those emotions. They are sufficient in themselves, and I try to nourish them each day.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 2

I firmly believe that there is an Ultimate Super Power behind the creation, growth, and functioning of this Cosmos. Thinkers of the past have called it God, Ishwar, Parameshwar, Allah, Nature, Bramha and the like. It is all powerful, always present in the form of energy and physical laws such as gravity, electromagnetic field, electrons, atoms etc. makes no mistakes, does not violate any physical law. It is not an individual, who can be pleased or not pleased by worship and prayers or no worship and no prayers. It does not favor anybody or gets angry with anybody, It does not give anything to anybody or takes away anything from anybody. The concept of God exists only in the human brain and not in the brain of any of the life forms on this planet Earth. Am I a spiritual atheist?

Answer 3

I consider myself an Atheist. I definitely do not believe in the existence of a loving god. I do not see any evidence of any kind of god like being. I did not believe in any kind of "spirit" at all until I had a personal experience after the death of my brother. I did not believe in such things at the time and at this point I do not know what I believe except that there may be some kind of energy that lingers or leaves the body after death. I would not even consider this at all if it were not for my personal experience and the experiences of two other people that I know personally.
I know that there is a mind/body connection and that our minds affects our bodies physically.
I am still working on all of this. My personal experience has intrigued me.

Answer 4

Actually, I don't see spirituality and atheism as a contradiction. Being an athiest has to do with religion - not believing in a God. I see religion as more organized. But spirituality is completely different. It's something that's infuses in everything and is everywhere. It's a way of thinking, and looking at things.

Although, religion encompasses spirituality, but being spiritual doesn't mean one is "religious".

I know I could not explain as well as I could have, but I just wanted to share my 2 cents.

Answer 5

There are phenomena that are out there which are NOT supernatural, but some people might refer to them as such because most people are used to dealing with only TANGIBLE things that they can apprehend with their usual 5 senses. There is a realm where things are perfectly natural but you have to work a little to perceive them more... and anyone who really wants to can do it, it just takes an open, analytical mind that is willing to question the answers.

_()_

Answer 6

A Spiritual Atheist is an intelligent person who cares about nature, and the natural order of things. All the other animals & plants are of concern too the Spiritual Atheist who is Smart!

Answer 7

Could someone give heavens messenger the name of a good shrink. I see him in a tower soon with a high powered rifle shooting non-believers for god.
Now, on to your question. They are whatever they want to be. An atheist has no gods to answer to.

Answer 8

I believe that this is my life. My responsibility. A "spirit" to me is you personality. You can be a wonderful person without a belief in God. You can be a horrible person and attend church every Sunday. That is a fact. I believe that life is what you make of it. I believe that am fortunate to live in a country where I can believe whatever I want.

Answer 9

I never thought of myself as a spiritual atheist. That sounds like a contradiction in terms like military intelligence. I'm an agnostic. Raised Christian, explored several religions, found no answers. Might still be something, but I haven't found it. Clear enough?

Answer 10

Spiritual atheist means they don't believe in a "God", but they are more than willing to believe in other things they can't see, explain, prove, etc..

HMMMMM - no belief in anything "supernatural", but belief in connections with the universe, things that help us focus????

You would think that the basis for "rational" atheism would preclude an atheist from believeing in these other things also.

Go figure