[MagicMarker]

Originally Posted by Kidchameleon

Well its not obvious to me, hence the thread.

Well have the first few responses cleared it up for you?

[Zombrex]

Originally Posted by Kidchameleon

Well its not obvious to me

Really?

Do you believe in anything supernatural? If so does that mean you therefore believe in everything supernatural? I would imagine not.

[Coriolanus]

Originally Posted by joseph brand

I'm confused.

Are there Atheists who do believe in the supernatural? The idea that you would have to believe in it, makes it akin to religious belief. Unless someone thinks they saw a ghost, or a very good illusionist, who has them pondering whether there is such a thing as 'magic'.

My pseudo sister in law is an atheist, but believes in ghosts at the very least. I suspect she also has a softness for psychics and astrology.
She doesn't try to rationalize it. She just doesn't believe in God(s) but thinks that something capable of manifestation survives death.

And as for the OP, I imagine it's pretty simple. Supernatural beliefs, be they in a God, ghosts, UFOs or anything else, aren't a closed set. You can believe none, some, or all. Certainly there does seem to be a likelihood that if you beleive in one, you'll believe in others, but that's just incidental.

Talking to Christians, I'm often told that they have had a personal experience of God, and that's why they believe. I've never spoken face to face with someone claiming an interaction with a UFO but I've seen interviews and they seem just as heartfelt. So, the theist has experienced something and interprets it as a proof of Gods existence, and the ufo witness experiences something else and interprets it as proof of aliens existence.

[Dades]

Originally Posted by Kidchameleon

Your jumping the gun a bit there Dades. At least wait and see if im going to be an ass. I'm here to learn and discuss things with people. A bit hard on this forum with the blatant double standard of moderation that is apparent.

Jumping the gun? I never suggested you were out of line (despite a "discuss" opening post that is *never* a good start.)

Feel free to respond to any of the actual replies to your question at any time though.

[robindch]

^^^ To add to the above, if you're here to learn, then the first two things you should check out are the general boards.ie terms and conditions and the A+A forum charter. If any points remain unclear concerning forum etiquette following this, then please feel free to PM the forum moderators who'll be happy to help out.

Whinging about forum moderation, on the other hand, is best kept for private messages or the feedback forum.

[endacl]

Originally Posted by Kidchameleon

Well its not obvious to me, hence the thread.

I'd imagine it probably isn't obvious to a religious way of thinking.

Atheism, despite not being a religion (to reference the other thread), is a broad church (to ironically borrow a figure of speech).

I'm sure there are many reasons why people come to the realisation that there is no god. As many reasons as there are realisations I would suspect.

For me, if it helps answer your question, any possibility of belief in a deity was simply grown out of. God dissipated with the tooth fairy and Santa Claus.

No room for the supernatural either. Unexplained doesn't equal inexplicable. Only speaking for myself of course. If somebody else identifies as atheist, but still posts a letter to the north pole each December, I've no problem with that.

Hope this helps.

[endacl]

Oh. Further clarification. I don't rule it out. I just don't care. I've no god shaped hole to fill, so I don't try to fill it. I remain open to correction in this regard. As I remain open to Santa Claus etc. Santa Claus would be kinda cool though.

[Gbear]

You should ask followers of the Shinto religion (is there a Japanese forum?).

They are atheists who do not believe in any deities however they follow a religion which involves (i think), ancestor worship, reincarnation, general spirtuality and that sort of thing.

I think it's why Japan is very conspicuous in graphs displaying the % of atheism by country.


Generally speaking, however, atheists who come to atheism as a result of their method of thought being rational empiricism are also skeptics, non-spiritual, don't believe in astrology - they're all a result of the kind of logic they employ.

Edit: Bloody hell.. these things are springing up like mushrooms.

[Kidchameleon]

Originally Posted by robindch

^^^ To add to the above, if you're here to learn, then the first two things you should check out are the general boards.ie terms and conditions and the A+A forum charter. If any points remain unclear concerning forum etiquette following this, then please feel free to PM the forum moderators who'll be happy to help out.

Whinging about forum moderation, on the other hand, is best kept for private messages or the feedback forum.

I wish everyone here would read the charter, I'm not speaking about anyone in particular

[robindch]

Originally Posted by Kidchameleon

I wish everyone here would read the charter [...]

If you feel that some poster is violating the charter, then report the post by clicking on the little warning triangle icon that's just to the right of the text panel. The forum moderators will receive the report and will take whatever action they deem necessary, up to and including a permanent forum ban.

[kylith]

If you're going to ask how atheists who believe in the superanatural rule out gods you also need to ask how people who believe in gods can rule out ghosts, and how people who believe in ghosts can rule out fairies. believing in X doesn't automatically mean you believe in Y.

[Sindri]

It depends on the circumstance of the supernatural phenomenon, but there would be other reasons for that. Also a "God" and whatever may fit the criterion of a deity does not necessarily have to be supernatural.

Personally while I'd hold the possibility that something supernatural could exist or occur, though I'd question the validity of whatever minor speculation I may have on whatever matter I may consider to be supernatural; as the definition of supernatural I would not be able to know conclusively (or as near to conclusively as possible).

[Otacon]

Originally Posted by Kidchameleon

Your jumping the gun a bit there Dades. At least wait and see if im going to be an ass. I'm here to learn and discuss things with people. A bit hard on this forum with the blatant double standard of moderation that is apparent.

Have we waited long enough?

[Banbh]

At least wait and see if im going to be an ass.

[MisterEpicurus]

Personally, I don't understand how anyone can believe in anything supernatural if they are an atheist.

Both claims have equally scant evidence and both are human constructions trying to explain phenomena around.

I think supernatural-believing atheists should remain consistent and feck the whole lot.