Sartre, Camus and All Things Non-Religious

[Alexis_US]

Maria,
Hi! I found your post interesting, very thoughtful and and sweet. But I do think that you have still fallen into that judgemental trap that many religious people also are in. Why must everyone insist that atheists cannot be happy? Just because you wouldn't be happy, doesn't mean that someone else can't.
To tell the truth, I have been playing a bit of Devil's advocate (so to speak) because I cannot truthfully say I beleive in NOTHING. Actually, I would have to go back and look at some of my posts to see, but I remember saying something about being a-theist, as in against the dogma of organized religion. Not against the idea of belief itsself. You can believe in a power greater than yourself and still be a-theist.
"Atheism is not the same as Nihilism." Quoting myself. Discuss.

nonson, I cant define connectedness, i can only tell you what i think when i see the word in that sense
to be connected means to have a sense of 'self' to be at peace with oneself..to be able to accept that one is human therefore fallible and in doing that be able to understand 'mistakes' one makes
If you can do that you can connect with your inner being, i.e spirit..whatever you may think spirit is.
NOTE: i said "Understand"? i do not believe we have to forgive mistakes because they are not done maliciously therefore no forgiveness is necssary

[Alexis_US]

Originally posted by Nonson:
Surely you are not saying that the sensibilia of spiritual 'connectedness' is merely an 'inner' state of ideation?

Quick question, Nonson: Huh?

Nonson<G> ah'm not saying anything is anything...I'm giving my feelings, not beliefs, nothing's definate and, as i am constantly changing, so are my ideas and feelings about things.For this reason i can only speak for how i see things at the time.

[Alexis_US]

Originally posted by Nonson:
Alexis, not quick, brief. Jarmine, honesty has a different effect on me than hypocracy. Might I borrow a cup? Peace

[This message has been edited by Nonson (edited 29 July 2000).]

Hypocrisy, Nonson, not hypocracy. If you are going to have a conversation based solely on grammar and verbose language, please spell correctly as well. Thank you.

[Willy]

OMG! You mean spelling counts??? lol!

It is interesting how anthropological sociologist define "advancement" by primates who buried their dead with ceremony, (therefore indicating the first primative thoughts of religion). Furthermore, those civilizations that believed in an afterlife, (burying those with items for a spiritual journey), were considered "advanced" civilizations as well. Who knows if that spriritual feeling enhanced a united community?

I have no problems with athiest and I as a Christian do not take the stories, parables, and mythology of the bible literally.(which is enough to have me blasted by most mainstream "Christians" in itself). I do find a sense of mysticism and spirituality in the bible that works for me personally, but I do not think others are "lost" for not thinking the same way as I do. Part of me wonders if religion is not more socialogically inspired than spiritually in some cases. All I can do is speak for my own beliefs and try to respect the beliefs of others and just as it would be hard to proclaim "I AM ALWAYS RIGHT" I also would find it hard to proclaim "I HAVE THE ONLY TRUTH" (even with the "biggest backers" in the business!)
I am very interested in hearing everyone's thoughts on the matter without passing judgement or condemning anyone for their beliefs. (or non-belief)

"Jarmine, honesty has a different effect on me than hypocracy. Might I borrow a cup? Peace"

*whoosh*
Sorry, that's gone right over my head. LOL
Would you please expand?