"Normal" does not mean literally real anymore than a cat reacting to their reflection in a mirror is "real". The cat falsely perceiving it's real reflection in a real mirror does not mean it knows what is actually going on. "Spiritual" is merely our species mistaking their own physical reaction and brain activity which is merely a "sense of awe" and conflating it to something that does not exist. Same with the word "divine". It is our species evolutionary brain chemistry that reacts to what we think is positive even if that is not a real thing.
Our "experiences" are real yes. But that does not mean we are interpreting that "experience" in real terms.
And no, not even with atheists. We cannot ourselves even think by proxy of label that we get it right. I run into pe,ople who call themselves atheists who make absurd claims about 9/11 being an inside job. Have run into others who think JFK was a conspiracy. I run into others who claim the transporter in Star Trek will be a reality in the future.
"Atheist" still is only the "off" position on one claim, it is nothing more than that. It does not address the individual's education level, or critical thinking skills. It merely means "off" on god or god claims. It does not even address why the individual rejects god claims. Atheists are just as diverse in their reasoning and views and can be flawed in their perceptions as well.
You can only talk in terms of sample size in overlap between atheists, but we are still individuals.
Flawed perceptions are normal just like seeing the butterfly in the inkblot. Just like it was understandable because of our scientific ignorance to think the sun went around the earth, which we now know is not true.
Our "experiences" are real yes. But that does not mean we are interpreting that "experience" in real terms.
And no, not even with atheists. We cannot ourselves even think by proxy of label that we get it right. I run into pe,ople who call themselves atheists who make absurd claims about 9/11 being an inside job. Have run into others who think JFK was a conspiracy. I run into others who claim the transporter in Star Trek will be a reality in the future.
"Atheist" still is only the "off" position on one claim, it is nothing more than that. It does not address the individual's education level, or critical thinking skills. It merely means "off" on god or god claims. It does not even address why the individual rejects god claims. Atheists are just as diverse in their reasoning and views and can be flawed in their perceptions as well.
You can only talk in terms of sample size in overlap between atheists, but we are still individuals.
Flawed perceptions are normal just like seeing the butterfly in the inkblot. Just like it was understandable because of our scientific ignorance to think the sun went around the earth, which we now know is not true.
