I am a confused Atheist?

Question

I don't believe in God or a afterlife but I do believe in ghosts and I find myself sometimes talking to loved ones who have passed away even though i'm sure they can't hear because well there dead. I don't even understand it myself. Are there any other Atheists out there that do the same? How can I believe in ghosts if I don't believe in a afterlife?

Here is a question I also have how can some people believe in a afterlife and heaven yet believe in reincarnation at the same time?

Answer 1

You can believe whatever you want to believe. There's no evidence for ghosts, just as there's no evidence for god, so there's no evidence for what you believe. If that doesn't bother you, then you've got no problem.

If a person chooses to base his beliefs on anything other than observation and reason, he can choose to believe anything. If he does choose to follow observation and reason, his choices of beliefs are much more limited (but also much more useful).

Answer 2

Every individual has a birth-right to believe in whatever he desires. Do not give yourself a label too much in a hurry without exploring the possibilities. It may do you a lot of good if you read up on three or four religions, before you assume a definite identity. Though i don't practise any religion, i believe in spirits, afterlife and that there is a Supreme Being that takes care of everything, from the atoms to the largest galaxies in the Universe, and all the manifestations of life.Reincarnation, i think, only belongs to a few enlightened souls.

Answer 3

Dont try to define yourself then force your self to stick to the mainstream definition. Your atheist and you believe in ghosts? So what. You believe what ever you want to believe. Maybe when everyone dies they become some form of a ghost or whatever. No one really knows until they die do they? Of course some people will try to convince you they know exactly what happens ,but really all they know is what people tell them to believe. As for reincarnation I believe in the afterlife and reincarnation I think I you have some unfinished work to be done or your spirt is to attached to this world maybe you comeback. If your confused about what it is you believe maybe you should do some soul searching (no pun intended) and really figure out what you believe with out trying to categorize yourself.

Answer 4

Rent the Robin Williams movie "what dreams may come"--my view of life death and the afterlife--and fortunately has not one iota to do with religion. People assume that an atheist does not believe in an afterlife because they don't believe in a God. While there is no evidence at all that I've found to support the deity hypothesis, there is a signficant amount of anecdotal evidence at any rate to at least bring the concept of ghosts to a realm of the possible. Therefore--the possibility of an existance after death is likewise brought to the possible. Without clouding it in the mysticism of religion--is something worth investigating in a careful and deliberate fashion.

Answer 5

There is nothing wrong with you. Just follow where your reason leads you--if believing in ghosts makes sense to you, that is fine to believe it.

As for the last question--I have heard of one sect of Buddhism called Pure Land where they believe you can be reborn into a heaven-like place. That is sorta like an afterlife, though it is not perminant. In the Pure Land you will still die again and be reincarnated somewhere else. I guess that is one way someone could believe in both reincarnation and heaven, in a sense.

Answer 6

Please don't get pissed but your right you are confused! you see you don't understand what the word atheist means! You say you believe in ghosts right? Well then that makes you an agnostic You see a true Atheists believes in nothing!! So I guess that's how you can. Don't worry ghosts are real.

Answer 7

People are fickle. Let's talk about God who is not fickle. As I said before: People who call themselves atheists often make it sound like they do not believe in God. Yes they do...they just can't stand Him. They want to invent their own belief and not have to deal with accountability...Yes they do believe in things so much more weird than God and Jesus...like talking to dead people. The first chapter of Romans speak of what has happenened to the minds of those who chose to worship the creature rather than The Creator...The mind becomes reprobate...Jesus spoke of those who are ever learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth...nothing like a reprobate mind. I find it so noteworthy when I see a comment by one who is supposed to be an atheist who just seems to feel that they have come upon one of the greatest gifts of knowledge there is. Ooooooooooooooo well....

Answer 8

Are you newly an atheist? Those beliefs and feelings can be remnants of mysticism which have been deeply rooted in your psyche. The best defense for this confusing thoughts and feelings is objectivity and rationalism, and being an atheist it should be easier for you to do this.

Answer 9

I agree you are a confused atheist.

Answer 10

your not an atheist. you believe in alot of spiritual stuff that atheist don't believe in.
you definitely do believe in an afterlife of some sorts or else you wouldn't be wasting your time talking to those that have passed on.
And for your information i believe they can hear you.
now as far as what you believe and don't believe you need to search this out yourself.
if you believe in spirits then perhaps you do believe in God.
for he is a spirit. remember there's alot of different definitions of what God is and what he is not.
perhaps you believe in the Holy Spirit but do not believe he gets involved in people's everyday lives.
think about it..