I know that my sense of Oneness/Unity/Connection with other lifeforms stems from my believe in One Supreme Being. I was wondering if it is possible to feel a sense of "Oneness" with other beings if you don't believe in any "god"? This is not meant to be insulting or humorous, I'm asking seriously.
So specifically directed to Atheists: do you feel a sense of "Oneness" with other beings? Do you feel that we are all united in some way? Thanks for any information you can provide!
Peace.
2007-05-02 05:48:43 · 21 answers · asked by rose-dancer 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
ETA: Interesting that some have assumed I only meant oneness with humans: I spoke of feeling Oneness with all LIFEFORMS, and again asked about feeling oneness with other BEINGS. IMO, this includes animals, bacteria, plants, and even extraterrestrial beings elsewhere in the Universe. I did make a mistake however; what I guess I'm indicating is more "oneness with Creation", to include also things like Planet Earth; rocks; elements; stars...all of Existence. Yes, along the lines of the comment that "we are all made of stars"; and the person who attested to oneness "with the universe". Does this help clarify? It seems so obvious to me that I guess I don't explain it very well, sorry!
2007-05-02 10:36:46 · update #1
I feel connected with the universe...
2007-05-02 05:52:39 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Many people are atheists not because they've reasoned things out like that, but because of the way they were brought up or educated, or because they have simply adopted the beliefs of the culture in which they grew up. It's the same for many believers. So someone raised in Communist China is likely to have no belief in God, because they rarely if ever, meet a believer, and because the education system and pressure from the people they meet make being an atheist the natural thing to do.Other people are atheists because they just feel that atheism is right. In the same way, many people of faith hold their beliefs because they just seem right to them.
2007-05-02 05:53:24 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I feel connected with nature.
I find it curious that you would wonder if "it is possible to feel a sense of 'Oneness' with other beings" if you don't believe in gods. We are, in fact, causally and materially connected with nature, thoroughly. Nature is all around us, and really exists. It's not an abstraction or a metaphor or anything like that. The sense of that joyful connectedness with something real is far deeper than the sense of metaphorical connectedness with a vague "supreme being".
I think that one of the most problematic theological points from religion is that it promotes the notion that we are somehow separate from nature, that it is an immaterial "soul", and not our very real connection with a very real universe that really matters.
"Soul" is transient and fictional - when your thoughts cease, your notion of "soul" disappears with them. But your physical reality persists, and has a real effect on the world. That's a far deeper kind of connectedness.
2007-05-02 05:51:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I don't feel such a "oneness". I feel united with other human beings simply due to the fact that I am such a being myself. I feel that I am part of the natural system on earth and that I depend on it. But this feeling is not a spiritual one, it stems from my rational view of the world.
2007-05-02 05:54:07 · answer #4 · answered by NaturalBornKieler 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Since i believe that I descended from other animals i can't help feeling connected. Carl Sagan said: "We are all made from star stuff".
I would think the theists, especially Christians and Muslims would not feel connected with nature, since they think that this is only a temporary life on this world; and that they were created apart from other life forms.
Being a Secular Humanist, i feel conceited with other people
2007-05-02 05:52:10 · answer #5 · answered by robert2020 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Of course! Probably moreso than theists, because we actually have real scientific evidence that we ARE related to other lifeforms, and that we're all enjoying this planet together.
A belief in God is not necessary to feel united in the most literal way imaginable. :) We are all made of stars, you know. ;)
2007-05-02 05:54:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I honestly don't know what you mean by "oneness."
I feel very connected to the abundant wildlife that frequents my yard because I know that all life sprang from a common origin and because I can easily see myself in their instinctive behaviors.
I feel somewhat alienated from my fellow human beings because of the corrosive effects of right-wing fundamentalist Christianity on our civilization.
2007-05-02 06:30:14 · answer #7 · answered by Diogenes 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I feel a connection with others, yes...I feel a connection with animals...specifically my dog....I feel comfortable in nature...being in nature is one of my greatest pleasures...if that is called *oneness* then so be it....I do think that all humans are united in some way....we all have thoughts and feelings...regardless of race, inside we are all the same....
2007-05-02 05:58:48 · answer #8 · answered by Stormilutionist Chasealogist 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, but not through such a simple thing as a belief in a God(s). I meditate and have studied martial arts for years.
2007-05-02 05:54:28 · answer #9 · answered by Jett 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
of course...actually,your religion implies the superiority of man over animals.but Buddhism (atheistic religion) says that all creatures have a SIMILAR right to live and taking away such life whether of humans or animals is similarly wrong.
2007-05-02 05:54:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
The food web connects all life on earth.
2007-05-02 05:52:37 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋