A friend of mine wants to belive in this spiritual thing, but because of his atheism, he can't make himself do it. has that ever happended to you?
2007-08-09 05:22:14 · 39 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
yeah, it happens with me all the time. I try to believe that some religious people are good or some people are smart but it turns out to be the opposite.
2007-08-09 05:24:56 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 5⤊ 4⤋
There are many denominations of Atheist. Though they all believe that there is no higher power, they do it in many different ways. Some, but certainly not all, are quite spiritual without believing in a higher power.
I believe that as Atheism becomes more popular and accepted we will start to see more people identifying themselves with a specific branch of Atheism. I have seen Atheists get into physical fights over differences of moral stances while both claiming that all Atheists are the same; it was funny.
2007-08-09 05:40:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, a label is descriptive no prescriptive.
In other words, the label is only useful if it accurately reflects my beliefs. I am an agnostic and an atheist because those words fit my views. I never say that I must believe something because I'm agnostic, I never say that I can't believe something because I'm atheist. It is the fact that I don't believe in gods that makes me an atheist. It's never true that I think I can't believe in gods because I'm an atheist.
Atheism is just the lack of belief in gods. Some people are atheists and still believe in the supernatural. But is your friend really going to believe in something just because he wants to? Shouldn't he look for compelling evidence that the supernatural is true before he believes? As is oft repeated- extraordinary claims require extroardinary evidence.
2007-08-09 05:28:27 · answer #3 · answered by thatguyjoe 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"The fool says in his heart, "There is no God", KJV One need not be emotional to understand principle and see glimpses of God in every day life. Some people believe they have to be jumping up and down and screaming and hollering to be a believer...NOT! God says, "Come, let us reason together".Jesus cast demons out of the man that rolled around screaming and the man was normal acting and made sense after that. If you study scriptures you can always call it studying historical literature and see what you can glean from it. Don't let the errors that humans make in religious matters, or, the mistakes of parents, pull you away from a spiritual life. There is nothing like it and the Bible promises you that no matter what hardships you have to go through on this earth if you have a relationship with God you will have peace, love, joy, and a good one, long-suffer ring which means patience. I wish you well and my prayer goes with you in your quest. Mmm
2007-08-09 05:45:10 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mhhmmm, a "friend" huh? Kinda like "doctor, this one friend of mine has a painful discharge..."
Both you and your friend misunderstand atheism on the most fundamental level. Atheism doesn't preclude you from doing anything. It's not some club that has behavior requirements. It's a word used to describe a person who disbelieves in a supernatural deity. If your friend wishes to believe in something supernatural then he really isn't an atheist.
2007-08-09 05:27:38 · answer #5 · answered by Peter D 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A day in the life, dear.
Alot of atheists are formerly religious. I'll admit, it would be nice to think that there is a magical, mystical, man in the sky who is watching over us and loves us and that we'll never die and live in paradise forever.
It would also be nice to believe that when I get home, all of my furniture would have magically transformed into Breyer's Natural Vanilla ice cream ... since its 100 degrees here today.
It would be nice to believe either one, but they're both incredibly silly. Logic wins out, and I can't convince myself that my apartment will be filled with ice cream when I get home ... because I know its not true.
2007-08-09 05:27:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Uh...what?
What spiritual thing? Just because I am an atheist doesn't mean that I exactly do and think what ZeroCool does or Mullah or any of the others.
I'm a geeky, yogini, reader of new age-y, artsy, intelligent hottie, so I like to delve into "spiritual" things. Doesn't mean I belief in any higher power though...it also doesn't mean that I am not open to thinking about things.
2007-08-09 05:26:56 · answer #7 · answered by alia 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Atheism doesn't mean you don't believe in ANYTHING (for example, lots of atheists believe in evolution and science) or prohibit them from eventually deciding they want to believe in a devine power or something of that nature.
It's not like atheists are an organized group that hands out membership cards and we'll revoke your previledges if you decide to look into some sort of faith.
...and no, this has never happened to me.
2007-08-09 05:29:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would be nice to be able to believe that just by believing in some guy you could be "saved" and live eternity in bliss. It is a pleasant thought. Logic just doesn't allow it. It would also be nice to believe that if I thought hard enough about it, all wars would end forever. That's not going to happen either. so I opt to believe what I know to be true. It isn't as warm and fuzzy, but it's what I can understand with logic.
2007-08-09 05:26:37 · answer #9 · answered by stevenhendon 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In times of desperatism it would be nice to believe there's a comforting spiritual force, but there's just nothing to support that idea. It's an assumption that has never gotten past being an assumption.
2007-08-09 05:35:55 · answer #10 · answered by khard 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds as though maybe he's second-guessing his atheism?
While I am a born-again Christian and I believe God is our one true God, I am very interested in much about Buddhism. I like the Buddhism philosophies and the way that Buddhists live their lives, but in the end, I don't believe the Buddha is going to save my soul.
Maybe that's like what your friend is dealing with?
2007-08-09 05:27:05 · answer #11 · answered by Christie 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋