I always thought an Atheist was someone who believed in absolutely nothing spiritually-related. No "heaven", no "hell", no "God", no "soul." But it seems after seeing alot of answers on here many "atheists" believe in some kinds of spirituality - and even karma. (Karma being, of course, a very spiritual theory - aside from wanting and liking to think everyone gets their just deserts).
And i'm also wondering, what Atheists actually class as "God." I believe "God" is the universe, nature, the sun etc - what really keeps everything spinning... I guess you could call me a Pantheist. That to me is "God." But if you were to ask me if I believed in "God" with the Christian sense in mind - such as a divine human form, I would say no. I don't believe in God. So does that make me an Atheist?
Just like to hear your thoughts and opinions - thanks.
2007-10-12 06:57:27 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
An atheist simply does not believe in gods. It is quite possible for an atheist to be spiritual, eg. Buddhists.
"The Bible says even Satan believes in God. "
So? DC Comics says that even Bizarro believes in Superman.
2007-10-12 07:07:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I can only speak for myself, as the only criteria to being an atheist is disbelief in gods. I do not believe in any gods, anything supernatural (gods, demons, devils, angels, ghosts, spirits, soul, etc.), I do not believe in an afterlife, heaven or hell. I also do not believe in karma or reincarnation. Those would necessitate some sort of supernatural intervention. I also don't believe in luck. That also would entail intervention. I think things just happen randomly and people put other meanings on them.
You can believe any way you wish. Since I don't believe in a god, I prefer not to create a false idea of one by calling nature a god, but if that works for you, great. I don't need substitutions. I'm happy with nature being how things are. I would say you could be an atheist if you don't believe in god, but if you need to substitute one, you might be considered an agnostic. Pantheist fills the bill as well.
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2007-10-12 14:05:07 · answer #2 · answered by AuroraDawn 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Atheism is basically the belief that there is no God. Some atheists believe in nothing spiritual, some believe in spirit and soul.
Basically, if you believe in a "god" that has personality and cares about people, you can't be an atheist. You can believe that all spirits are divine and connected, much like a Buddhist, but if you don't believe in a personal god who controls things, you are an atheist. In that sense, Buddhists are atheists.
One of my teachers spends her time researching the history of the Goddess. She believes that we create deity as a personification of impersonal energy. In that sense, where she doesn't believe that things are controlled by gods, she is an atheist.
So, it really comes down to a matter of control: if you don't believe that what we have and what we see was created or controlled by an omnipotent being, then you are essentially an atheist.
If you don't know, you are an agnostic.
If you believe that there is a god who hears you, who is in control, or in a god who set things into motion and leaves it to work itself out, you are a theist.
2007-10-12 14:13:01 · answer #3 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Not totally straightforward, that question.
Some forms of Buddhism are atheistic, but some do allow for the supernatural, and that shades towards theism.
Pantheistic naturalism might be theism, rather than atheism, if "Gaia" or any similar concept is seen as self aware and consciously active,
but need not be theistic if it shades over to a shorthand label for incredibly detailed, complex but impersonal systems and forces which describe us, our planet and the universe.
2007-10-12 14:21:41 · answer #4 · answered by Pedestal 42 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Though it provoked much debate during the 19th century, the denial of God’s existence is neither shocking nor disturbing today. An era of tolerance has allowed atheism to settle into peaceful coexistence with belief in God.
Not that most people deny God outright; on the contrary, poll results from 11 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia reveal that, on the average, little more than 2 percent claim to be atheists. Nevertheless, an atheistic spirit is prevalent—even among many who believe that God exists.
“Sometimes atheism refers simply to the practical rejection or ignoring of God,” notes The Encyclopedia Americana. For this reason, The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary gives the following second definition of “atheist”: “A person who denies God morally; a godless person.”—
Yes, atheism may entail a denial either of God’s existence or of his authority or of both. The Bible alludes to this atheistic spirit at Titus 1:16: “They profess to acknowledge God, but deny him by their actions.”—The New English Bible; compare Psalm 14:1.
Such rejection of God’s authority can be traced back to the first human pair. Eve acknowledged God’s existence; yet, she wanted “to be like God, knowing good and bad.” The implication was that she could ‘be her own boss’ and create her own moral code. Adam later joined Eve in this denial of God’s authority.—Genesis 3:5, 6.
2007-10-12 14:11:29 · answer #5 · answered by Everlasting Life 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
No, just a person who doesn't believe in God. That's all the word means: a- (the absence of) theism (belief in God).
There are entire atheist religions - Buddhism being the best-known. I myself am an atheist who has practiced Buddhist meditation techniques and obtained (for want of a better word) "spiritual" results.
I'm always amused by the people who try to claim that atheists can't actually exist, on the strength of a pull-quote from Romans...lol.
2007-10-12 14:00:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 2⤋
No God. Spirituality would fall under it's appropriate belief. If one believes in Karma then they should at least admit they have Eastern Religious views. But, they may not believe in anything strongly enough to take the whole religion.
2007-10-12 14:02:33 · answer #7 · answered by 354gr 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
As a pantheist you are, by choice, without God in the world, also.
2007-10-12 14:45:20 · answer #8 · answered by hisgloryisgreat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheists lack belief in god(s). That's all.
After that, it's all individual.
Agnostics believe that the nature/existence of god(s) is unknowable. It's possible to be both agnostic and an atheist.
2007-10-12 14:00:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 1⤋
atheist is an adjective not a verb......
atheist have no belief in god ...plain and simple
anything else or more is purely up to that person......atheism isnt a belief system its just a description of a lack of belief.
2007-10-15 22:17:21 · answer #10 · answered by LesbianKisses 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋