This is my first question in Yahoo! Answers.
I am an Atheist-Buddhist. As I accept both atheism and Buddhism, I don't think myself as irreligious. I usually listen to Buddhist sermons and I frequently read Buddhist scriptures, Bible and Quran. But I don't believe religion is important in life. I don't have any altar in my home.
And what about you?
Atheists, are you irreligious?
*bRiTiSh*
Favorite Answer
I never grew up with religion, religion was never relevant at all in my life. I did try it for a few months but quickly realised what a load of BS it all is. The people seemed so brainwashed, like they couldn't think for themselves, they had to listen to some other person telling them what to believe practically. Also I couldn't tolerate the stupid, pointless rules!
I think for myself, when I find myself being gullible about stuff (conspiracy theories and things) I don't feel right but then when I think through things for myself and logically and realise not to listen to delusional people, I feel like myself and settled again.
Religion plays no part in my life. I can't accept other people telling me how to live my own life and telling me not to do things which aren't even bad.
?
I dislike all organized religions if that's what you mean. They are ALL man made and exist simply as a means of control. The superstition that is involved in them is just ludicrous. If that's what you mean by "irreligious" then yes. Though I do acknowledge the (remote) possibility that there might be something more, some "higher power" if you will at work in the universe. I don't believe that. I just acknowledge the possibility. Some aspects of buddhism are even reasonable. Some are just typical organized religion nonsense, like the "prayer wheels" and the Dalai Lama and stuff like that. I know the Dalai Lama is not accepted by all buddhists, but still. There are even some teachings in the bible, quran, whatever that are just good words of wisdom. Certainly they are not handed down by some deity and I do not believe in the concept of "prophets", but wisdom none the less. So I don't know you tell me, does that make me "irreligious"?
Nous
But surely you already realize what an atheist is‽
ATHEIST - someone who does not believe in a God – any God – not just the Christian one. But that does not mean they do not hold strong moral or religious beliefs! They can follow any religion that does not have a god and there are a lot of those!
As you point out like BUDDHISM – Religious teaching from Buddha and his followers that by destroying greed, hatred and delusion (the cause of all suffering) man can attain perfect enlightenment!
Where do you think christianity got it's ideas of a soul and afterlife from for goodness sake?
They stole it from the pagan tribes and peoples which existed hundreds and thousands of years before christianity!
From the stone age through vikings, Egyptians, Maoris, Aborigines, American Indians and especially the chinese, they all had elaborate funerals and grave goods to speed the soul into the next life with comfort!
epona
Definition of RELIGIOUS (from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religious)
1: relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity <a religious person> <religious attitudes>
2: of, relating to, or devoted to religious beliefs or observances <joined a religious order>
3 a : scrupulously and conscientiously faithful
b : fervent, zealous
Since most religions require followers to worship a deity or a number of deities, then an atheist (who does not believe in the existence of a deity or deities) by definition canNOT be religious. However, an atheist could be spiritual.
My beliefs can't be categorized easily. I believe in God as a formless, genderless energy that is responsible for the existence of everything, but I don't believe God has a plan. I believe there is another plane of existence after we depart our present life as we know it. I believe monotheistic angels are the gods and goddesses of polytheistic religions and when you pare down all religions, they are essentially the same. While not atheist, I don't adhere to any particular religion, though I was christened with The Presbyterian Church of Ireland. I guess I'm an agnostic of sorts.
gillian
I don't think I would call myself "irreligious" but I would say that I "believe, but can't take the time to believe" like I have more important things in my life going on, so that now I'm not as spiritual as I used to be/ thought I was.