Atheists & Agnostics
In reply to the discussion: A or not A in regards to theism [View all]Dear_Prudence
(831 posts)Last edited Wed Apr 17, 2024, 10:36 PM - Edit history (1)
If a person wants to spur their own evolution in some way, then they might adopt some practice that opens the mind (or 'soul'). Prayer or meditation, gardening, artwork, dance or music, or Sufi whirling can induce expansiveness, joy, insightfullness, connectedness, awakening. "Believing" in some metaphysical aspect to these practices is not necessary for effectiveness. If believing in a diety or dieties, thereby binding yourself to a conceptualization that embodies or epitomizes your aspirations, and if worshipping enhances the outcome of your practice, then it makes sense to put forth the effort to maintain faith in the diety/dieties. If dieties are extraneous, distracting, or detrimental to the intent of your practice or to your goals or to your peace of mind, then atheism is, perhaps, obligatory; a dead diety is an albatross. If flickering faith enhances your trip like a strobe light on a dance floor, then claim "agnosticism". As an agnostic, maybe you know with rational and scientific certainty that you are alone on the dance floor, but you are willing to take a spin around the floor if and when whomever shows up. So, hold my beer, I'm going with agnostic.