I ask this question because I was browsing through another site that I frequent, and a young lady there who identified herself as an atheist indicated that she held beliefs in karma and reincarnation. That got me wondering if many other atheists hold similar beliefs.
It seems to me that the existence of an afterlife would imply the existence of some kind of higher intelligence. Then again, what do I know?
2007-08-23 10:49:49 · 28 answers · asked by I'm Still Here 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Atheists who adhere to a naturalistic philosophy do not generally believe in an afterlife. However, Buddhism is a non-theistic religion, and many Buddhists believe in reincarnation.
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2007-08-23 10:58:57 · answer #1 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am someone who has leaned more towards atheism as time has gone on. I am also someone who has learned a lot from Buddhism which believes in karma and reincarnation but does not believe in a higher intelligence like a God. Personally I am still skeptical of the ideas of karma and reincarnation because there is no way for me to know for sure if they truly exist. Buddhists themselves believe in these things based on what well trained Buddhist masters tell them.
I searched for insight into what occurs after we die from several different belief systems over the years and some I found to be plausible but who is right? Thats where I got stuck and thats where atheism began to appeal to me. Atheists deal with knowledge based on evidence and I find that very grounding.
So the most satisfying answer I have these days for your question is that I dont know what happens after death and Im no longer someone who claims to know. Although I still find the question appealing.
2007-08-23 11:19:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No
Why does the existence of an afterlife have to imply the existence of some kind of higher intelligence? I could argue after you die you enter another plane of existence, and so on and so on. When I think about death philosophically I come to the conclusion that what happens after you die is unknowable and the greatest mystery of life. But just because a belief, such as an afterlife, makes you feel better does not make it true. If so I want to believe heaven is a combination of Candyland and the Playboy Mansion. Concentrate more on now.
2007-08-23 11:02:47 · answer #3 · answered by pschroeter 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I do not believe in an afterlife at all. You are right that it would indicate some sort of supernatural higher intelligence to execute such a thing. I do not believe in an immortal soul...so reincarnation is out. There are many forms of atheism. That young lady is probably a weak atheist. A strong atheist does not believe in those things.
atheist
2007-08-23 10:55:36 · answer #4 · answered by AuroraDawn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Karma has to do with oriental belief or philosophy while reincarnation has more to do with Hinduism. Be that as it may, even atheists are not so idiotic as to think that we sprang out of nowhere. It's just that we don't tend to believe in the "established" religious God(s) of today. There must be some Bigger Entity out there somewhere, but I don't believe that such a Being is so king, good, magnanimous or whatever. Actually, I would prefer that there be nothing out there: one turn around here is quite enough, I really don't need any more surprises - though like all of us I preferred to be prepared.
2007-08-23 11:01:41 · answer #5 · answered by robert43041 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a regularly occurring rule, maximum atheists would not believe in something that hadn't been shown by using technological awareness. So finding an atheist who believes in an afterlife is probable truly a feat.
2016-12-12 10:40:56 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess as an atheist you could believe in karma and ghosts and the loch ness monster and so forth, since technically atheism is only a position about god. However, in general the atheist mindset would lead atheists to reject most/all supernatural beliefs.
You could conceivably have an afterlife run by super-intelligent aliens. They would certainly have to be more intelligent than us, but they wouldn't need to be Gods.
2007-08-23 10:59:13 · answer #7 · answered by bob135 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe in an afterlife of any sort.
... a nontheist is simply one who does not believe in the existence of a "personal"-god (i.e., bhuddists, taoists, etc.)... so your friend is probably closer to a nontheist - which I've personally never thought of as the same thing as an atheist ... since I've always worked under the premise that an atheist is one who does not believe in ANY sort of devine force / entity.
2007-08-23 11:36:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's my understanding that anyone that doesn't believe in "God" is an atheist. That would include Buddhists, Pagans, etc. Most of them are still "spiritual" religions and many do believe something happens to the soul after death.
I, personally, believe in kharma but not in reincarnation.
2007-08-23 11:01:09 · answer #9 · answered by athom8779 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buddhists are atheists and believe in reincarnation.
I believe in a sort of afterlife. Our spirits are ageless and return to the spiritual whole when our physical body no longer functions.
I don't really see how an afterlife would need some higher intelligence.
2007-08-23 10:55:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋