It's my first day on the site. I've been about a 98% atheist for many years. I say 98% because I'm pretty sure there is no deity but can't be 100% sure.
Anyway, here's my discussion point. I've been travelling in SE Asia and have visited lots of Buddhist and Hindu temples, some churches and some mosques. Many are of outstanding beauty even if I don't subscribe to the images and gods and rituals. But one thing I have noticed is they all provide a quiet, tranquil place for reflection and seclusion, at least until the prayers and chanting starts.
So I'm wondering:
- Do atheists have places like this to go?
- If not what would such a place be like? Would it contain inscriptions of physics and math formulae to soothe our frazzled nerves? Busts of Euclid, Galileo, Newton, Einstein to inspire awe? A DNA model to remind us of our heritage, Images from Hubble on the walls to unite us with the universe?
- Or do libraries and museums do the job for us?
Thanks for your thoughts.
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Hiya! Welcome to this site, glad you're here. Personally, all I need is a vanilla Pepsi and to sit on my brown couch that reclines at 2 in the morning while everybodies asleep. Best place/time to think I tell yah :D As for "official" places like mosques and temples, I'm not sure. However, I would say "nature" might be a somewhat "logical" answer for a place for atheists, even though some people (including me) don't prefer the nature scene for peace and quiet.
Remember that you have the freedom to make up your very own way to get peace and quiet. You don't have to go to some sort of "atheist haven" to unwind, or find something that every atheist likes. Do what you personally find cozy :D (Just saying this if that's what you're getting at). Cheers! :D
Quiet places in nature, or the opposite, headphones and some heavy music. :)
Hi Marmike, welcome,
I take long walks (2 - 3 hours) several times a week. I find it relaxes my mind and gives me lots of time to mull things over. It also helps keep me in shape and the scenery is constantly changing.
I'm the exact reverse, really. I've always been busy, getting on and doing things, setting targets, that kind of thing. It worked for me in my career, and I still do it. Maybe it helps not to dwell on bad memories, of which there are many.
welcome to the forum.
"I say 98% because I'm pretty sure there is no deity but can't be 100% sure."
Atheist is not the belief or opinion that there is no deity, but the lack of belief in any one proposed so far.
There is a difference.
You do not need to believe that there are no aliens to not believe the current proposed alien claims.
So if you do not believe in any theistic gods proposed then you are a 100% atheist.
As with the regard of quite places, i see the entire world and even my own mind as a place of reflection and refuge sometimes.
Any place that allows you to think and understand the world around you can be used to mentally relax and make deep thoughts.
Though meditation is now supported by science that it does help, so there is nothing wrong in trying it out.
Religion hijacked some successful and popular things throughout history and made a monopoly on them.
One should not throw everything related to religion in the bin but be unbiased and objective of every claim separately.
I never really thought much about the definition of atheist but you prompted me to dig around a bit which I really appreciate.
Oxford online dictionary: A person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods.
Merrian Webster online: One who believes that there is no deity
These both seem to refer to all gods and not just gods proposed so far. I remain satisfied with my position of 98% pure.
Oxford online dictionary: A person who disbelieves or lacks belief in the existence of God or gods.
Correct
Merrian Webster online: One who believes that there is no deity
Wrong
"These both seem to refer to all gods"
They are different defenitions.
The oxford is assuming that you know that you cannot believe in gods you never heard of even if they exist, but is not making the claim that you BELIEVE something, in this case that there are no gods.(any type of gods)
Oxford = lack of belief
Merrian= belief
They are not the same.
Merrian Webster online is a shitty dictionary, should not even consider it.
I like science museums to foster the mind. A religious totem can be nice, and can be used for non religious means.
would anyone here like to listen to an argument for the existences of God.
I think most of us on this site have probably heard all the argument attempts, I don't think there are any reasonable arguments for existence of a magic deity. If it has anything to do with what the holy books say or how can this all be without a creator, I would say probably not.
Make a new thread for that specific argument, and lets hear it. :)
Yes, would really like to hear that.