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Author: SeanSean Date: Oct 24, 2007 18:22
The last problem with atheism I'd like to talk about relates to
the some of the experiences that lie at the core of many religious
traditions, though perhaps not all, and which are testified to, with
greater or lesser clarity in the world's "spiritual" and "mystical"
literature.
Those of you who have read The End of Faith, know that I don't
entirely line up with Dan, Richard, and Christopher (Christopher
HItchens author of God is Not Great: How Religion Destroys Everything)
in my treatment of these things. So I think I should take a little
time to discuss this. While I always use terms like "spiritual" and
"mystical" in scare quotes, and take some pains to denude them of
metaphysics, the email I receive from my brothers and sisters in arms
suggests that many of you find my interest in these topics
problematic.
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Author: turtoniturtoni Date: Oct 24, 2007 22:58
On Oct 24, 9:22 pm, "Sean" blah.com.au> wrote:> The last problem with atheism I'd like to talk about relates to
> the some of the experiences that lie at the core of many religious
> traditions, though perhaps not all, and which are testified to, with
> greater or lesser clarity in the world's "spiritual" and "mystical"
> literature.
>
> Those of you who have read The End of Faith, know that I don't
> entirely line up with Dan, Richard, and Christopher (Christopher
> HItchens author of God is Not Great: How Religion Destroys Everything)
> in my treatment of these things. So I think I should take a little
> time to discuss this. While I always use terms like "spiritual" and
> "mystical" in scare quotes, and take some pains to denude them of
> metaphysics, the email I receive from my brothers and sisters in arms
> suggests that many of you find my interest in these topics
> problematic.
>
> First, let me describe the general phenomenon I'm referring to. Here's
> what happens, in the generic case: a person, in whatever culture he
> finds himself, begins to notice that life is difficult. He observes ...
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Author: kevirwinkevirwin Date: Oct 24, 2007 23:42
On Oct 24, 9:22 pm, "Sean" blah.com.au> wrote:> The last problem with atheism I'd like to talk about relates to
> the some of the experiences that lie at the core of many religious
> traditions, though perhaps not all, and which are testified to, with
> greater or lesser clarity in the world's "spiritual" and "mystical"
> literature.
>
> Those of you who have read The End of Faith, know that I don't
> entirely line up with Dan, Richard, and Christopher (Christopher
> HItchens author of God is Not Great: How Religion Destroys Everything)
> in my treatment of these things. So I think I should take a little
> time to discuss this. While I always use terms like "spiritual" and
> "mystical" in scare quotes, and take some pains to denude them of
> metaphysics, the email I receive from my brothers and sisters in arms
> suggests that many of you find my interest in these topics
> problematic.
>
> First, let me describe the general phenomenon I'm referring to. Here's
> what happens, in the generic case: a person, in whatever culture he
> finds himself, begins to notice that life is difficult. He observes ...
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Author: ErrolErrol Date: Oct 25, 2007 02:29
This is exactly the point I always complain about, with regard to the
predictable nature of atheists reactions to anyone that dares suggest
that there is more to the universe (mystery/mystism) than they (the
professed atheists) can imagine.
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Author: Daniel T.Daniel T. Date: Oct 25, 2007 04:21
"Sean" blah.com.au> wrote:
> One problem with atheism as a category of thought, is that it seems
> more or less synonymous with not being interested in what someone
> like the Buddha or Jesus may have actually experienced.
I think you are using the wrong word here. Atheists are nothing more, or
less, than non-theists (they don't believe in the existence of any god
or gods.) Or, you can use the word to describe anti-theists (the believe
that the existence of any god or gods is impossible.) In either case,
that says nothing about their belief of "mystical experiences" or their
lack. Most Buddhists, for example are atheists.
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