Atheism and being Armenian

[Jinx]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

[Siggie]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

That's not what I said, where did you read that? I said everyone is born with a spiritual conscience and that it can be suppressed. In other words, if that part of the brain isn't stimulated, there are certain emotions that will be lacking and that is what this particular psychologist suggests as well.

Fine so instead of helping develop (originally you were saying being raised in religion changes you) now it's we're born "whole" in that way but it's suppressed by atheism? Then wouldn't it be irrelevant if someone was raised with religion? It would be more important what happened later. Point out where the article supports that suppression idea.
It says positive emotions helps get away from "self" which s/he thinks is necessary to feel spiritual as defined there. It does say, specifally!, that it doesn't require religion.

[KanadaHye]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

Umm... I don't think this really makes the argument you're trying to. I.e. it doesn't suggest religion lead to development of emotions.

That's not what I said, where did you read that? I said everyone is born with a spiritual conscience and that it can be suppressed. In other words, if that part of the brain isn't stimulated, there are certain emotions that will be lacking and that is what this particular psychologist suggests as well.

[Siggie]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

This article pretty much sums up what I'm referring to in a more detailed and somewhat scientific approach:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...g-spirituality

Umm... I don't think this really makes the argument you're trying to. I.e. it doesn't suggest religion lead to development of emotions.

This part of the brain is so old, it predates religion. The limbic system is one of the older parts of the brain (evolutionarily speaking) and doesn't really rely on cortex so these aren't so much "learned." That's what the research shows regarding emotion e.g. reading emotion on faces doesn't vary across cultures and we react more strongly to negative because it's more adaptive. If there's fear on someone's face, it will save your life to recognize that. Joy, not so much... So it kind of makes sense that we wouldn't be as good with those emotions; it's not adaptive.

The author, contrary to your argument, posits that broader awareness transcending the self only is required, but religion is not necessary for this. When I look at the world/universe I have a sense of wonder and I do feel rather small. That's because I understand how many billions of years it took. The fact that we're here asking these question about who we're here, how we think, etc. is so amazing, I can't even find the words to describe it. The vastness of the universe makes me (or even whole of humanity) feel soooo small in comparison. The fact that all the heavier elements, such as the calcium in my bones and the iron in my blood, were created in supernovas makes me feel connected to the rest of the universe. You don't need to believe in a deity to have that kind of awareness or appreciation.

[bell-the-cat]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

Define spirituality

Ghosties and ghoulies and long-legged beasties, and things that go bump in the night.

I wonder, rather than taking this this direction - personal definitions of what people think religion is - maybe it would be more interesting to get back to the initial subject, the problem (or not) of being Armenian and not being Christian.

[KanadaHye]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

Define spirituality as you mean it, so we're on the same page. Then maybe explain how it would affect emotions?

This article pretty much sums up what I'm referring to in a more detailed and somewhat scientific approach:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/...g-spirituality

[Siggie]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

I think spirituality is part of the conscience and directly affects emotions. We are all born with it but it can be suppressed.

Define spirituality as you mean it, so we're on the same page. Then maybe explain how it would affect emotions?

[KanadaHye]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

Spock? You think emotion requires religiosity?

I think spirituality is part of the conscience and directly affects emotions. We are all born with it but it can be suppressed.

[Siggie]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

Just my guess and exposure to people from different backgrounds. They'd have a military demeanor. Wouldn't laugh or smile or even suggestively show emotion. Think Mr. Spock.

Spock? You think emotion requires religiosity?

[KanadaHye]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

Umm okay, but you keep saying it would influence them, but how? My parents didn't go to church... how do you imagine being raised by theists (though pretty certain dad's an atheist) would influence me? You can't say something would exert influence and then not really even be able to articulate how it might do that.

Maybe this is easier? How do you think a "100% atheist" would be different than your average christian, other than the obvious religious beliefs?

Just my guess and exposure to people from different backgrounds. They'd have a military demeanor. Wouldn't laugh or smile or even suggestively show emotion. Think Mr. Spock.