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I am an atheist so I talk about this stuff from that perspective. I don't say to myself "spiritual woo type people say [this] and since I am an atheist so I have to say [that]". I just don't answer to them or religion.
I say mind, body, and spirit. As an atheist, its not a supernatural deity spirit. Its just like a "mood" or "state of mind", or "emotion", or whatever that "synergetic" summation means to a person.
"Human Love" is a subroutine in humans. It is being express via a series of state changes. Those state changes, depending on what one knows, happens in chemistry or the 17 fields and 4 forces. Or whatever the total set of events taking place around us that forms us is.
"Human love", I do not think exists outside of the volume of the universe that is us tho. "Caring for another volume of space-time (we call objects)", can that happen outside of "human"?
The only thing I can say for sure is that this region of space-time is clearly acting more like a unit than isolated pieces. It is my opinion that people getting "discombobulated" over that kind of statement are more attached to their beliefs or they are trying to convince themselves or they really just don't know any better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MysticPhD
Your mind's ability to encompass these kinds of thoughts and conceptualizations is somehow more than the result of your science training, Arach. Far too many with science training do NOT have the same ability!
People like Pelroo, MQ, RONY, L8, and eylnn that can process it without any training are far more impressive to me.
"religion" is like shackles for some. They are either shackled to having to just focus on bad religion or they are shackled to only their religion. They can't think for themselves without having "religion" as the primary focus.
When I was in high school, we talked about “school spirit” on the cheerleading squad…so I don’t think I’m used to taking “spirit” so literally as you to mean supernatural.
When I think of the word spirit or spiritual in the context of belief I think of those feelings of interconnectedness and awe. The feeling that you are part of something larger.
People like Pleroo, MQ, RONY, L8, and eylnn that can process it without any training are far more impressive to me.
"religion" is like shackles for some. They are either shackled to having to just focus on bad religion or they are shackled to only their religion. They can't think for themselves without having "religion" as the primary focus.
Location: As of 2022….back to SoCal. OC this time!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by L8Gr8Apost8
When I think of the word spirit or spiritual in the context of belief I think of those feelings of interconnectedness and awe.
Because you’re thinking of the word in the context of belief & that’s Ok. BUT..I’m not. IMO the human spirit….our passions, enthusiasm, feelings & love are awe inspiring without a belief in god. It’s within all of us & it doesn’t take a belief in any religion to have it. It’s human^^…not godly.
Because you’re thinking of the word in the context of belief & that’s Ok. BUT..I’m not. IMO the human spirit….our passions, enthusiasm, feelings & love are awe inspiring without a belief in god. It’s within all of us & it doesn’t take a belief in any religion to have it. It’s human^^…not godly.
That's why we need a new word. That context is the only way we have to communicate such types of experiences.
I can't take credit for this as I agreed with Sam Harris.
We also have to be honest with ourselves. Are we more worried about what we "mean" and "how the claim is consistent with observation" or are we worried about "baggage" and "practical for me".
We also have to be honest with ourselves. Are we more worried about what we "mean" and "how the claim is consistent with observation" or are we worried about "baggage" and "practical for me".
I think those are two different things. If my model of reality is based on what works for me then it will be useless when trying to do things where prediction and accuracy are important. The universe doesn't care what I think. If I believe I can live off sunlight I will die.
If I aim for accuracy in matters of a creative nature or that inner world I will end up limiting myself.
Either way, I think you nailed it with the term consistency. Both worlds need to have fidelity to themselves and inconsistency is a red flag something is off.
When we are talking about beliefs in a belief forum, are we talking about beliefs and seeing where they are consistent with observations and trying to help people form beliefs that work for them and us as a group, or are we worried about stopping specific peoples beliefs first.
How would the two approaches express themselves up in a belief forum. What would we see people posting that have to tow a line that's meets an personal goal.
Does refusing to connect any dots end up with the same unreliability as drawling anything we want between dots.
When we are talking about beliefs in a belief forum, are we talking about beliefs and seeing where they are consistent with observations and trying to help people form beliefs that work for them and us as a group, or are we worried about stopping specific peoples beliefs first.
How would the two approaches express themselves up in a belief forum. What would we see people posting that have to tow a line that's meets an personal goal.
Does refusing to connect any dots end up with the same unreliability as drawling anything we want between dots.
I'm concerned with helping myself free myself from the damage caused to me. I like seeing the different viewpoints. I especially like the atheists who teach me logical reasoning over the emotional reasoning I grew up in. I especially like the humanist theists who prove the Watchtower lied about what it means to be a Christain.
I'm no teacher of others.
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It’s the cheerleader….AND atheist….in me! I’m high-spirited.
