Atheists: have you ever had a religious experience and what did you make of it?

[Pizza]

Thanks, I have never tried a guided a meditation, but I have heard it works for many people.

I was mostly into doing Loving Kindness and mindfulness meditation but stopped. I didn't think it made sense to try loving everyone and mindfulness mediation seem to be (I can't think of the right word) poisoning the well by telling me over and over again that there is no self.

I think a person should be able to meditate without the Buddhist assumptions. I know what you mean though. Buddhism is part of the culture and language of meditation.

I'm mostly confused by how Buddhists will play up the psychotherapy/self-help angle when Buddhist isn't psychotherapy or self-help.

Well I was raised Catholic if that's what you mean

I was questioning it even as a kid though. Was wondering why they were reading us this fantasy-genre book, and talking about it like it was something that was supposed to be real.

I mean don't insult my intelligence. I might have been 5, but I knew if you attempt to walk on water, you fall in. Pfft.

I wonder how many children have thoughts like this? I remember have some doubts as a young Christian but learned to ignore them. That's likely what keeps people in the faith.

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Naturalism, the idea that 'nature is best', is just another superstition. There's no reason to assume that normal brain functioning can't be improved, by training or drugs.

This is probably me being nitpicky but:
Naturalism is "the philosophical belief that everything arises from natural properties and causes, and supernatural or spiritual explanations are excluded or discounted.