OFFICIAL Ask An Atheist Thread!

Initially I was going to construct an Atheist FAQ Thread, but I figured that it would be too cumbersome and would require constant updates and with the 10,000 max characters per posts, I prefer to take this approach instead.

The majority of people on the forums are spiritual or practices some form of religious belief. However, there are a few individuals here who do not subscribe to the idea of spirituality, or simply the concept of an overman watching over us. And furthermore, people generally don't have a lot of understanding on atheism and there are a lot of misconceptions. Thus this thread is born.

Feel free to ask me anything relating to atheism, be it the philosophy or directly to me on a personal level. I'll be as clear and concise as possible and hope everyone can bring their thoughts.

 

Why are you Athiest?

 

I feel there are better explanations out there in which can be explained without the auspices of spirituality or other concepts driven by what we lack in understanding.

 

What are a few of these better explanations?

Why are we here? (According to an Athiest)

 

Do you subscribe to quantum theory?

 

If you're asking me on a personal level, science have since figured out of things, including our means of evolutionary progress, from a social as we all as a biological standpoint. However, much more data need to be collected beyond the planet Earth and the ever expanding universe. Some concepts thus far presented have some merit. And they are:

1. The Big Bang Theory

2. Abiogenesis

3. The RNA Theory

There's no singular answer as to why we are here. Again, atheism simply means lacking the belief in a god. Atheists subscribe to different philosophies, ranging from spiritual, existential, nihilist, etc...

In short, it's whomever you ask.

 

To be honest with you, I don't quite know. I'm reading up on it now and it does have some intriguing information. I'll be sure to give you an answer in due time.

 

Thanks, I'll check it out.

Now, I thought in your first post you said Atheists don't subscribe to the idea of spirituality, and now they subscribe to different philosophies ranging from spiritual. So...huh?

And what is spiritual to most Athiests? Like the average, typical one or whatever. Or you, since you know you best.

 

You misunderstood. I'll quote my original post...

Basically, Atheism is simply lacking the belief in a god or gods. However, that does not mean that atheists can't be spiritual. Consider Buddhism. It's a spiritual belief system, yet atheistic because it lacks a god or higher entity.

So to answer your question, spiritual atheists come in many forms. It's a matter of who you ask.

 

Ohh, I see. Thanks.

How about you then?

 

Too bad you don't live in NY. The NY Open Center has some great lectures. It's kind of why I really like reading a lot of Deepak Chopra and Francis S Collins.

 

I like to identify myself as the following:

- Existential Humanist (50%)
- Nihilist (10%)
- Secular Humanist (40%)

 

I wouldn't mind reading into their works. The only issue is that they tend to engorge themselves too deeply into spirituality. I admire and have great respect for them, especially Dr. Collins. However, I think in the debate of monism vs. dualism, we would be at odds.

 

What's the difference?

 

Their credibility lies in the fact they're both medical doctors who went to Ivy league schools. I've yet to find anyone disbuting their credentials and even thought their arguments teeter on the edge spiritual conservatism especially chopra they give plausable information.

 

Existentialism is the philosophical concept in which there's no indefinite meaning of life in the most grounded form of understanding. We, as human beings, construct our purpose or meaning and our perceptions of life through our inner experiences.

Nihilism is the idea in which life really bears little meaning or none. Depending on your interpretation, it could work in conjunction with existentialism. But it's a matter of how you view this definition.

Secularism is the idea in which our understandings of nature and life can be explained without the need of spiritual concepts or a higher force.

Humanism is simply the ethical ideas or understandings of nature relating to good and evil concepts. Mix this with the other words, you'll get an idea on the overall standings.

 

It's easy to make those assumptions, but regarding to Chopra, he has come under fire for numerous statements trying to blend spirituality and medical science together. He and Dr. Dawkins actually debated a bit relating to the notion of Quantum Theory and Chopra admitted that he use it as a metaphor.

[YOUTUBE]4U8p2slLKWY[/YOUTUBE]

As for Dr. Collins, he wants to assert that religion and science aren't mortal enemies. Rather, they go hand in hand. However, that's only true if you're pushing religion from a psychological and neurological means.

 

In that video all I saw was a difference of perspective. To me Chopra's message in this video is shift your thoughts change your biology and that's true.

 

BrotherWise,
You sound pretty sure of your self.....Answer this.....Where is your security if the floor you are standing on right now opens up suddenly for you to fall through......What would become of Big BrotherWise and what would he want us to say at his eulogy......

 

I'll answer for him. Nothing. He'll be dead.