Atheism and being Armenian

[Siggie]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

Also, I don't think anyone can be 100% atheist if they've had previous exposure to religion. If your childhood surrounding was theist, you already absorbed some traits attributed to a theist upbringing. Unless, of course, you were raised in isolation. So the Armenian experience is what you make of it as an adult.

How would one be less than 100% atheist? I've never met half an atheist. What "traits" (not sure that's the right word) did you have in mind?

[KanadaHye]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

How would one be less than 100% atheist? I've never met half an atheist. What "traits" (not sure that's the right word) did you have in mind?

You weren't born in an atheist society, you were surrounded by theists. America isn't Mao's China. Your parents I'm assuming weren't atheist either. The laws by which govern you were created by Judeo-Christian principles. Unless you're writing from prison, I'm assuming you follow laws. So if you take all atheists, put them on an island, let them create their own society and governing laws, then their offspring who would have no concept of God(s) would be 100% atheist. An atheist in a majority theist society is still affected by theist ideology.

[Siggie]

Re: Atheism and being Armenian

You weren't born in an atheist society, you were surrounded by theists. America isn't Mao's China. Your parents I'm assuming weren't atheist either. The laws by which govern you were created by Judeo-Christian principles. Unless you're writing from prison, I'm assuming you follow laws. So if you take all atheists, put them on an island, let them create their own society and governing laws, then their offspring who would have no concept of God(s) would be 100% atheist. An atheist in a majority theist society is still affected by theist ideology.

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?

[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.

[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

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

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

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

[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.

[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.