Being more or less Athiest...

[leaf]

Does that rule out all of this psychic stuff? I used to consider myself quite spiritual but, since learning about the truth behind religion, I've found I've let that go somewhat.

If you acknowledge there are no gods are you too rejecting the idea of supernaturalism?

[greenleaf]

I am Athiest because I personally don't believe in A God or any Gods or any Deity at all as in I don't worship or believe in the existance of... this however does not take away the FACT that many others do believe and I have to respect their faith... (although that is my choice) .. I don't really think people choose to be athiest just because they dislike any religion (as very few actually know of any religion before even making the choice).. they just don't like the idea of having a higher being that is almighty.

However, spirituality doesn't need or require any deity for it's existance, and those who argue different are usually those that would say 'Prove it' and yet they cannot prove the existance of God other than their faith and pure speculatative and itself, argued text.
I find, though I have different beliefs, my own spirituality would be better described as more astrological energetic events but again..this is personal to all individuals, yet accepted best by those whom themselves have different beliefs than the 'norm'... though different from my own too, we accept that.

IMO (just because I don't believe) there is absolutely nothing wrong about religion and people choosing to have those faiths, those I know personally are ALL peaceful people and not the extremist types...indeed it can and does make them a stronger person, I only have a problem where religion is concerned when used in any reasoning to an action ... as in War on Peace.. & the amount of politicians and government officials always use their faith to get into office.. yet isn't politics supposed to be seperate from the church?
If I was a religious person myself (like my Catholic mother), I would be arguing they are using the Lords name in vein whenever they do this.. but hey... if they don't give a toss, why should I.

[leaf]

I am Athiest because I personally don't believe in A God or any Gods or any Deity at all as in I don't worship or believe in the existance of... this however does not take away the FACT that many others do believe and I have to respect their faith... (although that is my choice) ..

I love the idea of everyone respecting each other's beliefs but... say how we don't believe in any Gods. Does that means we more or less humour others when we respect their beliefs of a God? Or do we acknowledge that we don't have the definitive belief? Because if it's the latter, that would contradict our atheistic beliefs.

I don't really think people choose to be athiest just because they dislike any religion (as very few actually know of any religion before even making the choice).. they just don't like the idea of having a higher being that is almighty.

I'm not so sure. I quite like the idea of a big giant in the sky who will ensure our eternal happiness. But I try and go by information and fact, and most religions I have come across don't seem to be based on these, hence my disbelief.

However, spirituality doesn't need or require any deity for it's existance [...]
I find, though I have different beliefs, my own spirituality would be better described as more astrological energetic events
On what basis do you believe this, if you don't mind me asking?

IMO (just because I don't believe) there is absolutely nothing wrong about religion and people choosing to have those faiths, those I know personally are ALL peaceful people and not the extremist types...indeed it can and does make them a stronger person, I only have a problem where religion is concerned when used in any reasoning to an action ... as in War on Peace.. & the amount of politicians and government officials always use their faith to get into office.. yet isn't politics supposed to be seperate from the church?
If I was a religious person myself (like my Catholic mother), I would be arguing they are using the Lords name in vein whenever they do this.. but hey... if they don't give a toss, why should I.
So basically, you don't necessarily think religion is a bad thing? As long as it brings out the best in people etc?

And do you have a theory on what happens after we die?

[greenleaf]

I love the idea of everyone respecting each other's beliefs but... say how we don't believe in any Gods. Does that means we more or less humour others when we respect their beliefs of a God? Or do we acknowledge that we don't have the definitive belief? Because if it's the latter, that would contradict our atheistic beliefs.

I would personally be open about my own beliefs in not believing the same as them and hope they can respect my view as I do theirs.... like you say if you did chose the latter, it would indeed mean your not athiest and more agnostic.

I'm not so sure. I quite like the idea of a big giant in the sky who will ensure our eternal happiness. But I try and go by information and fact, and most religions I have come across don't seem to be based on these, hence my disbelief.

This could be anything..it doesn't have to be a religious belief.. this could also be spiritual.... I like the idea of the more hightened being but even if there was, I don't think I could look up to it as in worship.

On what basis do you believe this, if you don't mind me asking?

I suppose I can only base everything I say on personal experiences... I don't claim to be correct, only know where I am... If anything is to be believed about anything godlike, it's humans themselves.. a gift within.

So basically, you don't necessarily think religion is a bad thing? As long as it brings out the best in people etc?

I think religion should only be shared with those willing to accept it as their own, not forced and preached and not be used for anything else other than the faith of a belief to their God(s).. this is ALL religions.. (even those satanic ones as they aften seen as evil, a big misconception).

And do you have a theory on what happens after we die?

Yes... (only a theory) we get dead and burried/cremated as a human body and thats it for that vessel... sounds about as subtle as a 'bag of shit' i know.. but thats all there is for this awareness most are capably of understanding....
..then it goes into your own personal beliefs.. and mine are the energies we are formed from revert to another vessel if their ascension levels can accept it, if not they will have to become a lower frequency of Ascension rather than higher.. some say reborn...and not always as humanoid... and I would add not always of earth or even the dimension... the one thing that cannot even happen is we die totally.
well you asked for it.. and I told you.. a bit 'out there' but like I said, I never claim to be right, just happen to feel i'm not fully aware of anything at the moment and often ridiculed.. this is just one persons choice to do that.

[cruise4]

I believe in an 'overmind'... a creative force behind our existence. I call this God for short. I am not religious nor am I an aetheist. Nor do I know if this adds to the discussion.

[armoured_amazon]

I don't really think people choose to be athiest just because they dislike any religion (as very few actually know of any religion before even making the choice).. they just don't like the idea of having a higher being that is almighty.

I'm curious, how do you mean? As in can't comprehend it, or feel it takes personal power away? :)

[greenleaf]

Originally Posted by greenleaf
I don't really think people choose to be athiest just because they dislike any religion (as very few actually know of any religion before even making the choice).. they just don't like the idea of having a higher being that is almighty.
I'm curious, how do you mean? As in can't comprehend it, or feel it takes personal power away? :)

To me, it doesn't take any power away, in fact to me, believing in a god as another being who has almighty judgement over you actually supresses your power as you'll never actually believe you are capable of becoming anything other than a servant to that God. (please..no disrespect to anyone who is religious..these are just MY beliefs and have no basis but my own intuition & I do sincerely apologise if offended in any way).
I believe that I am an athiest purely on the basis I cannot believe in that power over me in judgement, I have/make my own choices and must take responsibility for them... not blame a belief on the same system the actual law and governments make their decisions on... a bible..
The statement I made wasn't meaning religion doesn't like the idea of a higher being (as in I think I am one).. I meant my Atheism doesn't like the idea of a higher being...as in the existance of a god you must worship...
there are many views on atheism if you are interested. THIS PAGE (http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/mathew/intro.html) is just one persons view [though he does a better job at explaining than I do] and mine is another.

[greenleaf]

I believe in an 'overmind'... a creative force behind our existence. I call this God for short. I am not religious nor am I an aetheist. Nor do I know if this adds to the discussion.

This is a good statement... it debates the different variations of any belief..not just his one...

some (my partner for one) says to me, because I choose a certain way of life based on what I believe..this in itself become a faith, hence is a religious aspect..(she says just because I don't believe in a god other than myself, this is still a religion because it's a faith) this is an argument I find we debate quite often as there are many variations of a belief/way of life, and some would say believing in yourself is as strong (if not stronger) as being on the level as a creator would be in the perception of quite a lot of followers... some say 'A natural born leader', (of course these never get into power unless, like the illuminati, they 'claim' to be HOLY religious, when they are EVIL in their true beliefs.. even I as an athiest can see the manipulation of peaceful beliefs),