Are there any atheists here?

Question

Atheists et al., do you have way down deep inside of you an appreciation for any sort of spirituality? I ask because I am a nonbeliever but I am also interested in Native American and other deeply "spiritual" beliefs. And, too, are you a Dick Cheney Republican who depends on the Fox Network for most of your "news"?

Answer 1

Yes I have appreciation for spirituality but not religions like Christianity. Native Americans seem to be much more peaceful than Christians so I appreciate them.
I'm a liberal and I depend on CNN for most of my news.

Answer 2

I believe that in their original form, most religions are very beneficial. They often arise as a reforming response to injustice and oppression. When they continue to be guided by priciples of compassion and common humanity, they do well. But often, once they get some power, they turn into the very institutions they rebelled against. When "religion" is used to intimidate, marginalize and exclude, when fear become more important than love and empathy, the faith loses its soul.

Identity is an important principle in a religion, as a reminder of HOW and WHY "we" are different. But it cannot be the ONLY principle. The metaphorical symbols and rituals must point to the group's behaviors and ways of relating to the world. And the honesty of that identy must be challenged regularly. If it's all about what "we" ARE and no longer about what we DO or are BECOMING, the faith is dead and can only produce harm.

Weak, persecuted faiths are often the most sincere because they have not forgotten their roots. Powerful, politically influential faiths like to pretend they are suffering and persecuted but it's usually an exercise in self-embarrassment.

Strangely, all of this seems to apply to atheists too. Those who don't get the idea that we're all in this together often do little more than make life worse for everyone. Those who do can potentially make the world a better place to live. The main difference is just the myths one prefers to dress everything up in.

Dick Cheney? I'm thinking he's in the power group, and acting accordingly.

Answer 3

It depends on what you mean by an "appreciation for any sort of spirituality." I certain appreciate some of the fiction that people believed were historical accounts, but only as fiction. Beyond that, nothing. Without hard evidence backing the "big claims," it's all just a bunch of stories. Enjoyable, perhaps, but not correlating to real events.

Will I respect people's rights to believe in the stories? Sure, as long as they keep their beliefs a private matter.

And, no, I'm not a Republican.

Answer 4

There are certain elements of what some call spirituality that I do admire in Native Americans, Wiccans, Buddhists, Jews, Jains, Hindus, and even Christians. Definite no on the Cheney/Fox part of the question, though.

Answer 5

I do not depend on Fox for my news. No way. I watch CNN or go to the Internet for news. I most respect the religions on Hindu, Buddhism, Wicca, and Native American spirituality. While I like some of their teachings, I choose to not participate in religion.

Answer 6

I am politically liberal, so naturally I do not watch Fox news; I am a Keith Olberman fan!
Although I am also agnostic, essentially a skeptic and a nonbeliever in organized religion, I have explored all manner of spiritual and esoteric disciplines, and, while I enjoy the Quest thoroughly, I am uncommitted to any particular concept or cause and simply remain introspective and, I hope, open-minded to Cosmic possibilities, particularly the scientific theories of our origins which I view as compatible with my arcane considerations.

Answer 7

Yes I am one. No I am not spiritual at all. I did most of that while in college as an experiment. I did a sweat lodge with a real shaman at one point. But I never saw anything impressive.

Well I am conservative but I get news from about twenty sources. I like FOX for TV, but I rarely watch it.

Answer 8

I feel the same way. I respect Native American and Eastern religions way more than Christianity. I don't believe in God, but there is some organization to the chaos.

Answer 9

I seriously admire the Sermon on the Mount. I believe Buddhism to be extremely practical. I think Hinduism is beautiful and I am a Taoist at heart.

Your other question is semi-imbecilic.

Answer 10

Yes, I completely respect spiritual beliefs. Wiccans, pagans, satanists, aboriginals, etc etc. I have issues with all Abrahamic religions.