On Spiritual Atheism

Weekend Libertarian ^ | May 12, 2011 | B.P. Terpstra

[AustralianConservative]

The Australian: July 31, 2010, and a newspaper reader is puzzled. “Julia Gillard said ‘we all pray for Kevin Rudd’s speedy recovery’. Who the hell does an atheist pray to?”

It’s a fair question. For the record, I hold the position that all men - consciously or otherwise – believe in some higher power. And, if one has faith in the media-created “rational man” then one is more faithful than Saint Paul. This idea of the soulless human is science fiction, and more fiction than science.

Still, it’s an attractive myth because some seek to stand apart, to see themselves as enlightened beings, above primitive religious needs.

Julia isn’t a lonely case. Also, according to one underreported 2008 U.S. Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life survey, 21% of atheists expressed at least some certainty of belief in God or universal spirit, and 10% admitted to praying on a weekly basis.

Nor should we be surprised to learn that more “than 20 percent of atheist scientists consider themselves to be ‘spiritual,’ according to a Rice University study.” From the Religion News Service: “The findings, to be published in the June issue of the journal Sociology of Religion, are based on in-depth interviews with 275 natural and social scientists from 21 of the nation’s top research universities.”

The 2 in 10 study though refers to atheist scientists who acknowledge their spirituality, however. Like Oscar Wilde’s deathbed conversion, this is an issue campaigning journalists are afraid to touch. Scratch beneath the surface, and you’ll find that all men make spiritual-sounding noises, from Catholics to self-styled New Atheists.

For example - a very modern example – believers are unwilling or unable to see the deeply spiritual side of Christopher Hitchens. The fact that the former British-based author chose to immigrate to a Christian-majority...

[AustralianConservative]

http://weekendlibertarian.blogspot.com/2011/05/on-spiritual-atheism.html

[ThanhPhero]

Zen and core Bhuddism are essentially atheist in that they do not allow for any conscious higher power or their own consciousness outside of the illusion that is everything. They believe in reincarnation as an extension by attachment of the misery that is the illusion and their goal is total extinction.

[Darkwolf377]

Yet another tiring piece that claims atheists don`t REALLY believe as they do, but just say they do so they can `stand apart.` While there are atheists trying to impose their beliefs on others—just as there are believers of all kinds who do, denials to the contrary—this atheist for one doesn`t secretly believe in a god but poses as some rebel. The writer and so many others are the ones who seem to think they`re important enough that atheists have nothing better to do than try to impress them. I am an atheist who doesn`t try to force my beliefs on anyone, and just wish believers would take the same attitude toward me.

[AustralianConservative]

“I am an atheist who doesn`t try to force my beliefs on anyone, and just wish believers would take the same attitude toward me.”

What do you mean by “force”? A gun to your head? Or are you exaggerating? I often hear atheists use the emotive word “force” as if they’re victims. I call this the false martyr syndrome. It’s just another faith narrative.

That said, if someone is trying to force you into any faith against your will, I’d ring the police.

Christianity, at least, is a voluntary religion, so they’re acting against their principles if they identify as Christians, and are “forcing” you. Again, call the police.

[AustralianConservative]

“Zen and core Bhuddism are essentially atheist” you say. That’s not my experience. I’ve lived in Japan. Zen Buddhists are openly spiritual and very mystical.

[ThanhPhero]

Spirituality is something that others see who are less than zealous in their own religion or have none. There is no god for a Zen Buddhist. That is the meaning of the word Atheism-no god. I grew up with Zen. I am Catholic now but retain some practices. Meditation does not have the name of a religion or belief on it. One who meditates, whether in reference to God or not will have an aura of spirituality to others or those of them who do not disparage, and perhaps there is a spirituality there. It is a an amoebic word. There is a Zen adept in Khánh Hòa, Việt Nam that I converse with from time to time when I am there. He grew up Catholic. He says it is fate that we met.

[ThanhPhero]

I cannot believe that an atheist who tries to impose his belief on others is actually an atheist. If he were then others’ beliefs would not impinge on him at all, he would not care except as believers of one sort or another do try to force him to believe. If he feels he must convert others to his atheism or expunge religion from society then it is likely(I know at least one such) that rather than being an atheist he hates or resents a God he feels does exist who is persecuting him. As for Christians and Moslems trying to spread their belief, it is not analagous because that is part of their very belief. When Jehovah’s Witnesses accost me I don’t like it but I do not try to make them Catholic nor do I desire that laws be passed to forbid them from practicing their religion publicly or privately, including their aggressive proselytizing. I know no Christians who desire the law to mandate their religion. I know atheists who make just that demand.