Truth, Atheism, and Spirituality

Assuming the atheist is correct, how does knowing there is no God benefit the theist?
How does the atheist account for spirituality?

Inspired by the video "Atheists Offer Nothing" by TogetherForPeace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU5RmaamnRM

Category:

Education

Tags:

• TogetherForPeace
• truth
• atheism
• spirituality
• evolution
• atheists
• offer
• nothing
• theism

[heyalun]

@gyniest There are scores of studies on the connection between spirituality and happiness. Google "are religious people happier."

[heyalun]

@gyniest A majority of people believing something doesn't mean that the thing they believe is real, but it does mean that a real thing triggered the belief. Something as ubiquitous as spirituality demands a good explanation as to what that trigger is. Every materialistic explanation I've heard falls short. How do you explain it?

The spiritual need we have is a good relationship with our Creator. Any religion that doesn't provide that is unwholesome.

[gyniest]

@heyalun I guess I'm unclear about what the "need" is then regarding your definition of spirituality, unless you posit that there are real supernatural entities that exist in spacetime, and that we need them. Nor am I sure what you mean by "unwholesome" ways of fulfilling this need (contacting "bad" spirits perhaps?). And it doesn't logically follow that a majority of people believing something = points to something real.

[gyniest]

@heyalun I'd like to see what studies indicate that "materialists" are less happy.

[heyalun]

Hey gyniest,

Yes, most people throughout human history up to and including today believe in the supernatural. In many cases it's because of contact with spiritual beings or reasoning on creation. But, yes, a spiritual need is also at the heart of it. There's no goalpost moved. I'm making it clear to you that I don't think that all traditions fulfill this need - at least not in a wholesome way. What they do all do is point to something real.

[gyniest]

@heyalun Wait, isn't your whole argument that people believe in supernatural things because of some need, and that, in your view, most Buddhists do too? So they do, but not out of need? It seems you keep shifting the goalposts on what a "spiritual need" is.

[heyalun]

@gyniest "you claim such beliefs fullfill a psychological need."

I don't think Buddhism fulfills our spiritual needs any more than candy fulfills our nutritional ones. What I alluded to is that it along with the thousands of other spiritual faiths is part of the smoke that indicates fire. I don't understand what you believe or did believe, but if it's materialistic you're in a small minority on this planet - a less happy minority if the studies are to be believed.

[heyalun]

@gyniest What does "secular societies like Scandinavia" mean? Those countries have state religions with 80% membership. And what are you contrasting them with, theocracies? What ethical issues in particular are you talking about? My guess is that if they do rate better it has more to do with economics. And just how is this relevant? Secularism=/=Materialism.

[gyniest]

@heyalun Samsara doesn't only apply to afterlife states (that's mostly focused on in Tibetan traditions) but in the real world of living biological beings in this life (as mentioned Stephen Bachelor studied under Tibetan monks, and is a firm skeptic of bardos and reincarnation, and his "Buddhism Without Beliefs" sold millions of copies).

And the issue of samsara (nor rebirth) not being the goal of Buddhism is indeed relevant - you claim such beliefs fullfill a psychological need.