Can an atheist be spiritual?

Answer 1

Yes. Not me though. To me, the whole idea of souls or spirits is just too unbelievable.

Answer 2

Depends on your definition of the word “spiritual”

When I see the mountains, I sometimes get a feeling of awe and wonder at the universe that I would describe as “spiritual”. The feeling of something greater than yourself (not a god, but the universe itself).

So I guess, the answer is yes.

Answer 3

Spirituality does not depend on belief in the supernatural. One can stand in awe at the grandeur of the universe and feel deeply the connections to one's loved ones, to one's community, and to the environment of the planet. These are spiritual experiences, all without imposing a deity or a "soul" on the moment.

Answer 4

Yes. There are spiritual atheists. They look upon the natural universe with awe. They are also called pantheists and rational pagans. Many Buddhists are also atheists.

Answer 5

I notice that the label atheist is too broad for many of us.

Atheists, by definition, do not believe in a god. That doesn't mean we don't believe in the spirituality of human beings.

In my opinion, whoever could communicate and socialize with LOVE and critical understandings is a spiritual atheist alright.

Look at pacifists, humanists out there...

Answer 6

Spiritual being defined how?

I would say no, because it just implies to much wishy-washy superstitious stuff - like spirits for example - can an atheist feel a sense of awe and wonder - of course, but they feel it at real things, the beauty of the world, nature, the grandeur of the universe.

Answer 7

Yes. it is a great mistake to equate being religious with spirituality. Many people believe in a god without being spiritual whereas I and many other people regard our selves as spiritual without believing in a personal god figure. Many of us base our spiritual feelings on the following quote:
'Reality cannot be found except in One single source, because of the interconnection of all things with one another.' (Leibniz, 1670)
This seems to be the experience and opinion of most major spiritual figures and greatest scientific thinkers.

Answer 8

Buddhists are some of the most spiritual people you could ever meet. Not only in label, but in practice. I personally think most dogma brings one further away from spirituality.

Answer 9

Yes.

In fact, some Buddhists are atheists, as are many Satanists. There are some other religions as well that do not center around a deity. The Church of the Subgenius is another one. I used to know a girl who belonged to that church, and she didn't believe in a conscious god of any kind.

Answer 10

For what purpose? I am atheist. I am atheist because I reject the whole concept of the supernatural.

Personally, I see atheism as not just a disbelief in a god, but a disbelief in anything that cannot be seen or rationally demonstrated until it Can be seen and demonstrated.

I see no purpose in being spiritual. It's pointless. Perhaps for psychological benefits. But that's just for people feeble enough to need it.

Answer 11

Very much so. I know I am. I've had a near death experience and multiple out of body experiences. I've shared a heart with Fenrirwulf of Norse mythology. I actively pursue opportunities to experience these OBE's.

I know the neurological bases for these occurances, I know that there is no deity out there and that I'm not truly leaving my body. But that in no way invalidates the deeply personal truths the experiences reveal.