Philosophical Buddhist who is still an atheist

[Reforged]

I know next to nothing about Buddhism, but one thing I'm fairly sure of is that it's an atheist religion i.e. not associated with gods. Therefore to say you're an atheist Buddhist doesn't make much sense. I think you were meant to say you're a secular Buddhist which means you see it as a good philosophy but don't believe in the supernatural aspects.

I hope none of this changes your stance on it. It's awesome to hear that it has impacted you positively, and I'd say why not just find out more? If you see it as a philosophy then you can't go wrong in my opinion.

Not strictly speaking true. The Buddha is a God like entity that has achieved perfection through inner peace and become one with the universe. There were also many deity like figures in Buddhism's past.
The philosophy side is sound though.

[FallentoReason]

I know next to nothing about Buddhism, but one thing I'm fairly sure of is that it's an atheist religion i.e. not associated with gods. Therefore to say you're an atheist Buddhist doesn't make much sense. I think you were meant to say you're a secular Buddhist which means you see it as a good philosophy but don't believe in the supernatural aspects.

I hope none of this changes your stance on it. It's awesome to hear that it has impacted you positively, and I'd say why not just find out more? If you see it as a philosophy then you can't go wrong in my opinion.

Not strictly speaking true. The Buddha is a God like entity that has achieved perfection through inner peace and become one with the universe. There were also many deity like figures in Buddhism's past.
The philosophy side is sound though.

From my apologist days though I remember an argument that says Jesus was the only teacher that claimed divinity. Did the original Buddha ever claim divinity himself? Maybe I was wrong about that one all along.

[Waratah]

I wanted to see if there can be reasonable reconciliation on these beliefs for me.

I've been an atheist for almost a decade and a half now. Back then, I made a deal with any deity out there: if you exist and you want me to believe, it's well within your power to reach out to me so you can do that. Until then, I'm going to not believe and assume that if any God does exist, it doesn't want me to believe. As you can guess, no supernatural being has revealed themselves to me.

However, about four years ago, I had some big changes go through my life and as much as the changes were for the better in the long run, they were also very stressful at the time. Emotionally, I hit a low point; I made multiple suicide attempts, cried almost constantly and made a bad habit out of cutting myself on a fairly regular basis.

After about a year of that, things changed. One of the first things to change for me was that my personal life stabilized more and, yes, this played a big role in changing my mindset. It's hard to be emotionally stable if you aren't socially stable. However, there was more to it. I also looked up more information on gaining calmness and peace of mind and things like that. As a result of that research, I learned a lot about Eastern philosophies, especially Buddhist philosophy. The meditation, the mindfulness, the connection to the rest of the universe and the laid back perspective all resonated with me and thinking that way seemed to be a positive influence on my life.

That's not saying I believe in Buddhism as a religion. As much as the philosophy has helped, I have still had no sign from a supernatural being that has convinced me of anything. I have no reason to believe reincarnation exists or that karma is anything more than an abstract idea. In fact, most of the benefits of Buddhism for me can be interpreted as benefits via psychology. However, I know that a lot of people DO consider Buddhism a religion and they take it very seriously.

I guess what I wanted to ask is, is it reasonable to be both an atheist as far as the supernatural goes but believe in a Buddhist philosophy?

I am glad that you were able to overcome your low point in your life. I really do not see any conflict and if it helps you to live a fuller life then go for it.

[TaraJo]

I know next to nothing about Buddhism, but one thing I'm fairly sure of is that it's an atheist religion i.e. not associated with gods. Therefore to say you're an atheist Buddhist doesn't make much sense. I think you were meant to say you're a secular Buddhist which means you see it as a good philosophy but don't believe in the supernatural aspects.

I hope none of this changes your stance on it. It's awesome to hear that it has impacted you positively, and I'd say why not just find out more? If you see it as a philosophy then you can't go wrong in my opinion.

Oh, no, it hasn't changed my stance or anything. The only thing that's changed is that now you'e just given me the perfect way to describe it. Thanks.

[The Grand Nudger]

If I grant you this, it is still true that you could be under obligation to moral commands

Nope, never been made aware of any gods moral commands. You're going to have a hard time explaining how I'm under any obligation to follow some moral code that I can't find any documentation of, mandated by a celestial governing body that refuses (or more aptly, just couldn't be bothered) to relay the particulars of either itself or it's rules. Suppose that a god did someday communicate itself and it's rules, I'd still have to read the fine print before I signed on the dotted line...personally.

which makes it such that God is under no obligation to save you if you do not live a moral life… regardless of if you worship Him or not.and it seems plausible that no one has lived such a moral life when we consider the great suffering in the world and how relatively little we all do to end it.

Speak for yourself.

Such a state seems consistent with traditional Christian teaching which states that we are only saved by the mercy of God and not by anything we have done.

"Consistent with christian teaching"...gotta be blunt here, this isn't something which means very much to me Jeff.

[Jeffonthenet]

Nope, never been made aware of any gods moral commands. You're going to have a hard time explaining how I'm under any obligation to follow some moral code that I can't find any documentation of, mandated by a celestial governing body that refuses (or more aptly, just couldn't be bothered) to relay the particulars of either itself or it's rules. Suppose that a god did someday communicate itself and it's rules, I'd still have to read the fine print before I signed on the dotted line...personally.

I'm referring to general moral rules agreed upon by atheists and theists alike. It seems to me that both of us have transgressed seriously against these in negligence to the suffering of the third world. In truth, even if we do give a lot of our money to the third world starving, we hold on to petty material things which could save the lives of people by buying them food or vaccinations.

[genkaus]

I'm referring to general moral rules agreed upon by atheists and theists alike. It seems to me that both of us have transgressed seriously against these in negligence to the suffering of the third world. In truth, even if we do give a lot of our money to the third world starving, we hold on to petty material things which could save the lives of people by buying them food or vaccinations.

Why on earth would you think you have a moral obligation to help the third world countries?
Why exactly would you imagine that holding on to the material possessions and enjoying them is immoral?
In fact, before you talk about the "general moral rules agreed upon by atheists and theists" - you better lay them down so that I can tell you why exactly they are bullshit. (And just me, by the way. I wouldn't be stupid enough to speak for other atheists).

[The Grand Nudger]

I'm referring to general moral rules agreed upon by atheists and theists alike. It seems to me that both of us have transgressed seriously against these in negligence to the suffering of the third world.

Speak for yourself.

In truth, even if we do give a lot of our money to the third world starving, we hold on to petty material things which could save the lives of people by buying them food or vaccinations.

If sending food and vaccinations would eradicate the problems faced in third world countries there would be no third world countries by now.


http://www.builderswithoutborders.org/

[festive1]

I agree that the definition of morality needs to be refined.
I consider myself pretty moral. I don't lie, steal, kill. But that whole honor your mother and father thing has been a stumbling block for me, with an abusive father and all.

If it were only money, food, and vaccines that 3rd world countries needed... There's a lot more to those problems than what you are suggesting.

[KichigaiNeko]

The only way I can honour my mother is NOT to be like my father...

go figure.