Big Think

HerbieP on June 4, 2008, 5:15 AM

Jamie, there are people who post here who fit your description so clearly the answer is just yes.

The question of not believing in some deities is curious. Do you actually think that some people believe in all deities? Belief in some deities specifically excludes belief in others so clearly no one can believe in all deities.

I was challenged on this site that I could not be an atheist unless I disbelieved in all deities. As I have said before some deities do not require my disbelief because their definition is inernally inconsistent. Some deities exist in a realm where beief in them has no meaning and they do not interact with my world. These ones fit my definition of non-existence and so I don’t need to disbelieve in them. However there are some deities that cannot be reasoned away and however unlikely they might be one is forced into agnosticism. For example a ominicient, omnipotent being who is not omnipresent. Such a being could exist in only one moment of time and be a prime cause. There is no evidence for such a being, no reason to postulate one but equally no way to disprove its existence.

The spiritual world is much like a diety . It depends on your description of it. If your notion of a spiritual world interacts with the phyiscal world then I can disprove any particular claim it makes. If it does not then it retreats to the universe of practical non-existence. However you could define spirituality so that evades proof.

Faceless Atheist on June 4, 2008, 8:09 AM

I would agree with most of what HP said. I definately think one can be spiritual and not religious. Spirituality is very personal and often does not conform to religous beliefs. But it is important for any spiritual beliefs to be logically consistant, both internally and with the world we live in. I am also sure god never authored a book. It is on these points that I disagree with religions and think they fall short. Some say they don’t, but they are often forced to run in circles, constantly defending their seemingly vunerable beliefs from attacks on all sides.

sciencesaves on June 4, 2008, 8:19 AM

This is right up healingzero’s alley, but I think spirituality is more of a feeling, or emotion, and it has a lot to do with the meaning of inspiration for an individual.

How one relates that feeling is what spirituality becomes for them, but there is really no deistic source, as herbiep can explain. Using the term “god”, as a catch-all for anything “divine”, or unexplained is really wearing thin these days…

dennis ilic on June 4, 2008, 9:17 AM

I think you actually can’t be spiritual if you are religious.

Religious implies that you conform to a standard and uphold those standards. Religious persons stick to one philosophy out of laziness, ignorance, or fearfulness. One religion cannot be right. A starting point at best.

Spirituality, in my opinion, is looking for the spirit or essence in all things, not just religion.

Keep searching, if you have found the answer, you are mistaken. If you have found an example, look for more.

Musycks on June 4, 2008, 9:29 PM

Jamie.. welcome to the rollercoaster..

to expand on hz’s line.. the God of religious dogma divides and promotes conflict.. the God of the mystics promotes unity.
mystics can be found in monotheism, but more often than not I think they are pantheists, or maybe not willing to admit they are.

I contend that the eternal beauty to be found in music, art and literature speaks of and to the best part of our human nature… therefore I contend that atheists are not excluded from the search for meaning that a lot of us are on. I think we can experience trancendant and sublime moments that reach beyond the wit of mere words and thoughts…. because it’s all within us.
‘we are all of us, in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars’
Wilde.

No God required.

Pastor Jennifer on June 5, 2008, 3:55 AM

Musycks:
A perfect answer. Thank you!

Logics Child on June 9, 2008, 1:01 PM

I think one can be spiritual without dogmas as long as their experiences are realistic, and free from irrational claims. Meditation could be categorized as a form of spiritual experience; however, meditation is practical, helpful, and calming. I would can as long as reason isn’t thrown out the window when we convey our spiritual experiences to others.