On a purely definition based reasoning, an atheist can quite happily share a unsubstantiated belief in something supernatural or unproven. I would contend it is probably quite rare thou.
The reasons atheists generally have for non-belief in a deity are generally based deeply in empiricism and the scientific method.
It would be a double standard to expect empirical, scientific or even philosophical sense from a deity but happily accept other nonsensical ideas.
So I wouldn't say that atheists cannot believe in the supernatural, but it would involve a double standard which I doubt could be reasonably defended.
As a general rule, and I apologise if I am speaking for other people without their consent, an atheist should hold themselves to the same standards they expect of others. Quite simply, if you make an extraordinary claim, then it requires extraordinary evidence, whether this be the existence of God, ghosts, divination, or homeopathy.
The reasons atheists generally have for non-belief in a deity are generally based deeply in empiricism and the scientific method.
It would be a double standard to expect empirical, scientific or even philosophical sense from a deity but happily accept other nonsensical ideas.
So I wouldn't say that atheists cannot believe in the supernatural, but it would involve a double standard which I doubt could be reasonably defended.
As a general rule, and I apologise if I am speaking for other people without their consent, an atheist should hold themselves to the same standards they expect of others. Quite simply, if you make an extraordinary claim, then it requires extraordinary evidence, whether this be the existence of God, ghosts, divination, or homeopathy.
Self-authenticating private evidence is useless, because it is indistinguishable from the illusion of it. ― Kel, Kelosophy Blog
If you’re going to watch tele, you should watch Scooby Doo. That show was so cool because every time there’s a church with a ghoul, or a ghost in a school. They looked beneath the mask and what was inside?
The f**king janitor or the dude who runs the waterslide. Throughout history every mystery. Ever solved has turned out to be. Not Magic. ― Tim Minchin, Storm
If you’re going to watch tele, you should watch Scooby Doo. That show was so cool because every time there’s a church with a ghoul, or a ghost in a school. They looked beneath the mask and what was inside?
The f**king janitor or the dude who runs the waterslide. Throughout history every mystery. Ever solved has turned out to be. Not Magic. ― Tim Minchin, Storm
