First things first

[Savannahw]

I hear "spiritual" all over the place, and there is never one, concise definition to it. Before I can understand why you believe in spiritual things or a magical world, I want to know how you define these words because I'm lost in translation.

I love Sam Harris who unfortunately calls himself a "spiritual atheist", and it makes me cringe that he is attempting to adapt theistic language to compete with theism. Just call it what it is "a sense of awe". No need to conflate reality to wooish standards.

Why would it make you cringe? It is a person using language to the best of their ability to define themselves. Personally "sense of awe" doesn't cut it. I also think wooish is the point.

[Whateverist]

You've got just one important choice regarding the mystery. Leave it wide open or seal yourself off into a limited chamber of your own design.

I agree to a certain extent. I actually think there are two choices here, and I'd wager you will like them both, whateverist. The first is the one you proposed in the quote above. The second, which is to dive into the mystery head first, does not leave it wide open, but there is also no promise of limiting someone to a chamber of his or her own design. If the mystery is explored and consequentially produces results, then that, in my book, is a success, and no such imaginary box that keeps new ideas out is created or even considered.

I'm not one to leave things be.

I think dancing with the mystery is great but subjugating it, not so much. But remember not doing is still doing and still is still moving ..

http://youtu.be/FUILi39dvSE?t=1m

I'd start this video at the 1 minute mark if I had the wit. Sadly ..

[NoraBrimstone]

Hello! Welcome to the site.

Did you bring cake?

[Savannahw]

Hello! Welcome to the site.

Did you bring cake?

Idk about him, but I brought cookies.

[rexbeccarox]

Welcome, new guy

Savannah, you've defined "spiritual", but the definition uses the word "spirit' several times. What's a "spirit"?

[Bad Writer]

Ok, lets see. Spiritual is defined as
1: of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit : incorporeal <spiritual needs>
2
a : of or relating to sacred matters <spiritual songs>
b : ecclesiastical rather than lay or temporal <spiritual authority> <lords spiritual>
3
: concerned with religious values
4
: related or joined in spirit <our spiritual home> <his spiritual heir>
5
a : of or relating to supernatural beings or phenomena
b : of, relating to, or involving spiritualism : spiritualistic
So all of those to some extent.

Concerning point 1, you would, by its definition, need to believe that there exists a spirit, either within people or without. Do you believe in an actual spirit?

Point 2: both bullets, a and b, point towards ecclesiastical (religious dealing with matters of a god) and things that are deemed sacred, which means some invisible power has sanctified something or must convince those involved to believe that such sanctity exists (in a religious sense, once again). Are you religious? Do you believe in a god? You state that you're atheist, but this kind of spirituality negates that claim.

Point 3: This one is iffy. I still have values that are attributed to my former religion, but I do not label them as religious values, simply because I have since made them my own. Also, I'm of the mind that any religious value has its origins in the theories of man anyway, so all values are man-made...meaning I don't think there is any such thing as a spiritual value. Again, are you religious? (As a quick caveat, I'm not being incendiary...rather, I'm just trying to get to the bottom of the assumed title of "Spiritual Atheist", so as to put any ambiguity aside.)

Point 4 is an ambiguous definition, and has no place in a dictionary since it has not put forth a description to what it calls a "spiritual home". That's just my opinion though. What do you consider a "spiritual home" or how would you define being "joined in spirit"?

Point 5: This one assumes you believe in supernatural beings. What kinds of beings or phenomena would you consider believable, and do you have evidence that they are legitimate phenomena (meaning that no natural means will ever explain their happenstance), or do you, conversely, believe that they can be explained in some rational way? If you believe the latter, then you are thinking like an atheist. If it's the former, then it's all the way on the other end of the spectrum, as far as I'm understanding it.

If you find my questioning too intrusive, please let me know. Do not in any way feel obligated to answer my questions. If you would rather I not pry into your label, then I'll stop.

---

I think dancing with the mystery is great but subjugating it, not so much. But remember not doing is still doing and still is still moving ..

Whoa...I didn't say anything about subjugating the mystery. I'm just here to promote a need for understanding.

As for that second line...well...if you say so. I don't really have a response for that, so, in essence, I suppose I'm leaving that mystery be.

[Savannahw]

1: No I don't have any reason to believe in a spirit. I have no proof or evidence. I also need none. I do not have to believe in a spirit to find the idea of one a beautiful idea. If something affects me deeply, I might say it touches my soul. Do I have to believe in something to enjoy things relating to, or affecting my spirit?

2: Humans sanctify things. We are the ones that claim an object, place or being has any power. However do I have to believe in religion to take part in religious ceremonies? I take part in religious ceremonies all the time. I enjoy them. I enjoy watching the people who devoutly believe get some peace from them. If I go to church, edit a friends sermon, go to a moon festival, do I have to believe to enjoy them?

3oint 3 is very simple. I like understanding religious values. I concern myself with them.

4:My spiritual home is my happy place. It doesn't exist, but in my head. It is based on a real place that I felt a deep connection to. I think a spiritual home is a personal definition. It changes for each individual. Joined in spirit is what I consider a deep connection to a person.

5:I find all spiritual beings or phenomenon believable. I am not going to tell anyone they are wrong in their beliefs. It is a personal choice. I don't have any evidence for any spiritual beings or phenomenon. Believe happens in spite of evidence. I don't think believers require evidence. I don't believe in them either. However, I am not going to cast them aside. They might be able to be explained in a rational way, they might not. I don't think that is the point of believing in something. Also, Since when do all atheists think the same? Atheism is nothing more or less than denying god.

Your questions aren't too intrusive. I'm ok with answering as many as you have as long as it doesn't turn into .

[Rahul]

You enjoy Church? Urgh.

[Savannahw]

You enjoy Church? Urgh.

I know I'm weird. I like socializing with people who watched me grow up. I like watching people grow up. Some of the stories are not of my taste, but I like helping my grandpa and cousins write there sermons. It is interesting to me.

[Rahul]

They usually bore me. There was one that my Aunt (also atheist) took me to once in Austin that was interesting. But there was no preaching. It was more a dimly candlit service with musical instruments and passover. That one was kind of cool.