Why Would an Atheist Join a Faith Based Forum?

Namaste Jesus said:
In my view, very few of us have not experienced God.
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Understandings will vary, indeed. The point in interfaith is to allow for that without emotional attachment to other views differing from your own. That's why most of us preface stuff with 'in my opinion'. In this case, I believe it's really in the difference of definition about what exactly is 'experiencing God. My personal definition refers to nirvikalpa samadhi, the ultimate samadhi in Hinduism, which is non-dual union, transcending the mind, the ultimate mystical non-experience that cannot be described. But others understand it ('experiencing God) differently.
 
I'm reminded of an encounter my wife and I had with a lady sitting in our row on a flight to Los Angeles. In conversation she told us that she was on her way to visit a loved one who was very ill. We offered our condolences and shared a bit about ourselves. Upon learning of our mixed Hindu, Christian marriage she asked if I wouldn't mind saying a prayer for her loved one since she was an atheist and couldn't.o_O
 
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Nasruddin said:
Yes, there is an entire study of decision making in psychology, a very interesting area to study. Most people, however often forget that the intuitive thinking often comes complete with cognitive bias. Therefore they tend to treat each other like objects rather than people. Martin Buber talked about this as the "I-Thou" relationship rather than an "I-it" relationship.
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I don't understand the last part at all, but as for intuitive versus cognitive, because some people understand intuition differently than others, the ones who see it as having a cognitive bias, are probably correct, according to their view of it. My version of intuition operates outside of cognitive bias, by definition. Even to discuss intuition shows intellectual involvement, because discussion is also outside of intuition, as I understand it.
 
A Cup Of Tea said:
Intuitive dialogue must be difficult when we lack a common cultural language for the words we use.
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Verily. Even in that there is substantial difference, as some people just assume we're talking about the same thing, while others are chronically thinking we're not. Take the term 'God' for instance.
 
I'm not sure you can speaketh "verily" unless there's a "yea" in front of it. :)
 
Hey, anybody can say anything. That's one of the most basic tenets of reading between the lines. Whether or not they speak the truth is another matter altogether. Verily verily verily, life is but a dream.
 
Okay, take it easy, I was just joking about old English usage, not criticizing or judging.
 
I would suggest that any belief shows lack of faith.

Faith means you do not wish to control, you trust life...

By insisting something is so, you're really looking for some sort of order.

You are refusing to let go.
 
Aussie Thoughts said:
There's something I've always been curious about and since there seems to be a number of Atheists on the forum, I thought I'd ask. Why would an Atheist join a faith based forum?
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There are one or two atheist religions, as it happens.
 
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