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I didn't go in wanting my atheism to be shattered, just challenged. I enjoy being challenged, and I really enjoy demonology as well. On a simple level, I was h

by Taywee 4y ago

I didn't go in wanting my atheism to be shattered, just challenged. I enjoy being challenged, and I really enjoy demonology as well. On a simple level, I was hoping for something more profound, entertaining, or interesting on some level. In all, the article was a prologue in somebody's journey of discovery where nothing really actually happened, spiritual or otherwise.

bowsamic 4y ago
Atheism/secular materialism is usually pretty strong, it often permeates every perception to a basic level. Have you found something that has ever challenged it before? I've never seen a difference between a shattering of secularism and a challenge of it. It seems to be contingent on the latter not having happened. As soon as there is a crack in the foundation of secularism, the whole thing tumbles. That's why almost all secularists say they've never had a spiritual experience, or a challenge to it.
- Taywee 4y ago
  I've never found something as neat and easy as a singular event or story that challenges it. I've felt it challenged by the profound feeling of human connection, though. The very rare chance meeting with my wife that set up the rest of my life and led to my children existing, the feeling of absolute selfless love for other human beings. All of my life as it exists hinges on the difference in actions of maybe a couple of seconds. If I had done things one or two seconds earlier or later, my life as I know it and who I am entirely would be completely different. Nonetheless, I am atheist, but if there's one thing that challenges that regularly, it's the profoundly spiritual experience of powerful love. I'm not an atheist by choice, or because I've resolved to be, it's just the only thing that truly makes sense to me. The beautiful, magical things in life are more beautiful and magical to me if they just exist for their own sake. "fate", "destiny", and "a greater power" feel to me like cheapening the beautiful, profound, steady nature of reality. I'm open to other ideas, and I love entertaining the thoughts, though. I'm a regular reader of theology, because it all fascinates me.
  - bowsamic 4y ago
    Generally spiritual traditions aren't concerned with the beautiful or magical parts of life though, but rather the darker and bleaker parts, such as suffering or the nature of life and death. I also wouldn't call love a spiritual experience in any way, it's just a normal experience like any other. Spiritual experiences are at a much deeper level than something like love. It is often more like waking up and seeing all of reality from the outside

by Taywee 4y ago

bowsamic 4y ago

Atheism/secular materialism is usually pretty strong, it often permeates every perception to a basic level. Have you found something that has ever challenged it before? I've never seen a difference between a shattering of secularism and a challenge of it. It seems to be contingent on the latter not having happened. As soon as there is a crack in the foundation of secularism, the whole thing tumbles. That's why almost all secularists say they've never had a spiritual experience, or a challenge to it.

Taywee 4y ago
I've never found something as neat and easy as a singular event or story that challenges it. I've felt it challenged by the profound feeling of human connection, though. The very rare chance meeting with my wife that set up the rest of my life and led to my children existing, the feeling of absolute selfless love for other human beings. All of my life as it exists hinges on the difference in actions of maybe a couple of seconds. If I had done things one or two seconds earlier or later, my life as I know it and who I am entirely would be completely different. Nonetheless, I am atheist, but if there's one thing that challenges that regularly, it's the profoundly spiritual experience of powerful love. I'm not an atheist by choice, or because I've resolved to be, it's just the only thing that truly makes sense to me. The beautiful, magical things in life are more beautiful and magical to me if they just exist for their own sake. "fate", "destiny", and "a greater power" feel to me like cheapening the beautiful, profound, steady nature of reality. I'm open to other ideas, and I love entertaining the thoughts, though. I'm a regular reader of theology, because it all fascinates me.
- bowsamic 4y ago
  Generally spiritual traditions aren't concerned with the beautiful or magical parts of life though, but rather the darker and bleaker parts, such as suffering or the nature of life and death. I also wouldn't call love a spiritual experience in any way, it's just a normal experience like any other. Spiritual experiences are at a much deeper level than something like love. It is often more like waking up and seeing all of reality from the outside