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RE: So I guess I'm an Atheist?
July 30, 2015 at 12:28 am
(This post was last modified: July 30, 2015 at 12:30 am by Alex K.)
(July 29, 2015 at 11:18 pm)Shinagami Wrote: (July 29, 2015 at 10:08 pm)KUSA Wrote: Any particular reason why?
I guess I'm curious if "atheist spirituality" is a thing. Not all religions have a god. I was thrown for a loop when I read that Sam Harris practiced some form of zen meditation.  I thought "isn't that Buddhism or something"?
I'm often at a loss what the word spirituality even means (by all means, do provide your working definition if you have one), but I am a dedicated disciple of the secular warm fuzzy feeling of being in awe of the universe.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalm 14, KJV revised edition
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RE: So I guess I'm an Atheist?
July 30, 2015 at 12:47 am
(July 30, 2015 at 12:02 am)Faith No More Wrote: (July 29, 2015 at 11:18 pm)Shinagami Wrote: I guess I'm curious if "atheist spirituality" is a thing. Not all religions have a god. I was thrown for a loop when I read that Sam Harris practiced some form of zen meditation. I thought "isn't that Buddhism or something"?
Some sects of Buddhism are atheists.
Besides, mediation is basically just relaxing the mind and body. No belief in god is needed.
You can believe in all sorts of things with even less evidence than there is for god and still be atheist. Atheism only means that you don't believe in a god or gods. Ghosts, alien visitations, esp, whatever, it's all on the table. I'm a skeptic, so I think it's all bunk, but that's skepticism not atheism.
Additionally you could be a humanist. Or you could practice religious rituals for the value of the ritual itself, without belief in the underlying woo. Or you could join a church for the community but not the god part. There are no atheism rules. It's just the definition of people who don't actually believe in a god or gods.
If there is a god, I want to believe that there is a god. If there is not a god, I want to believe that there is no god.
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RE: So I guess I'm an Atheist?
July 30, 2015 at 12:51 am
(This post was last modified: July 30, 2015 at 12:53 am by Alex K.)
That itself is not skepticism, Jenny, that should ideally be the current conclusion reached using your skepticism, not an automatic consequence... Atheism and skepticism are quite different categories.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalm 14, KJV revised edition
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RE: So I guess I'm an Atheist?
July 30, 2015 at 1:00 am
(July 30, 2015 at 12:02 am)Faith No More Wrote: (July 29, 2015 at 11:18 pm)Shinagami Wrote: I guess I'm curious if "atheist spirituality" is a thing. Not all religions have a god. I was thrown for a loop when I read that Sam Harris practiced some form of zen meditation. I thought "isn't that Buddhism or something"?
Some sects of Buddhism are atheists.
Besides, mediation is basically just relaxing the mind and body. No belief in god is needed.
That would be nice. I suffer from constant severe anxiety. I can't stop worrying.
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RE: So I guess I'm an Atheist?
July 30, 2015 at 1:01 am
(July 30, 2015 at 12:51 am)Alex K Wrote: That itself is not skepticism, Jenny, that should ideally be the current conclusion reached using your skepticism, not an automatic consequence... Atheism and skepticism are quite different categories.
I am first a skeptic and second, by consequence, an atheist. I'm also aESP, a-alien abduction, a-amost-all-dietary-revealed-wisdom, aghosts, a-Bermuda-Triangle-woo, aNessy, aBigFoot, and so on. It all stems from being a skeptic. I'm not so sure about some geology, and some physics too, not to mention evolutionary tales that sound like just-so stories.
What drives me a little bananas is the idea that skepticism means not believing in anything because insert-wild conspiracy-theory-here. It means examining the evidence before believing,.
If there is a god, I want to believe that there is a god. If there is not a god, I want to believe that there is no god.
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RE: So I guess I'm an Atheist?
July 30, 2015 at 1:03 am
(This post was last modified: July 30, 2015 at 1:03 am by Alex K.)
(July 30, 2015 at 1:00 am)Shinagami Wrote: (July 30, 2015 at 12:02 am)Faith No More Wrote: Some sects of Buddhism are atheists.
Besides, mediation is basically just relaxing the mind and body. No belief in god is needed.
That would be nice. I suffer from constant severe anxiety. I can't stop worrying.
That is possibly a physiological condition that is hard to combat using only such methods.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalm 14, KJV revised edition
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RE: So I guess I'm an Atheist?
July 30, 2015 at 2:01 am
(This post was last modified: July 30, 2015 at 2:07 am by robvalue.)
Heya David, welcome 
Don't worry, there's no rush in coming to a conclusion about how to label yourself. Being atheist doesn't limit you at all, you can still believe in or practice whatever other stuff you like. It is simply a description of your state of mind regarding one issue, nothing more. Maybe my article on atheism here will help answer a few of your concerns.
I've suffered from severe anxiety before so you have my deepest sympathy. Meditation would certainly be a good idea, but I'd recommend seeking professional help as well. It made the world of difference to me.
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RE: So I guess I'm an Atheist?
July 30, 2015 at 2:52 am
Hi David!  welcome to AF!
Not to worry, you have so the time in your life to figure out what and why you believe. Hope we can be of some help to you with that.
About the anxiety, I'd suggest talking to a professional about it if you haven't already.
Anyway, here are your welcome waffles....with blueberries c:
![[Image: img1l.jpg]](https://images.weserv.nl/?url=rk.wsimgs.com%2Fwsimgs%2Frk%2Fimages%2Fdp%2Frecipe%2F201470%2F0020%2Fimg1l.jpg)
have fun and enjoy
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RE: So I guess I'm an Atheist?
July 30, 2015 at 7:13 am
(July 29, 2015 at 11:18 pm)Arrogant Christian Wrote: I would encourage you to search yourself, and not just take the words of others. Sure, you can listen to others and hear their viewpoints, but don't let anyone else decide for you; whatever decision you make, its not them that have to live with it, its you. Anyway, from one new user to another, welcome to AF!
That statement is a " kobayashi maru". A no win situation.
By the time 99.99999999% of theists are old enough to even understand the concept of a "god", it is too late.
Their parents have already set their beliefs in concrete for them! THE INDOCTRINATION PROCESS REQUIRES NO THINKING AT ALL ON THE HOSTS BEHALF!
No God, No fear.
Know God, Know fear.
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RE: So I guess I'm an Atheist?
July 30, 2015 at 7:22 am
Welcome. And know we are not all raging loons. Enjoy
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
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