Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Discuss philosophical questions regarding theism (and atheism), and discuss religion as it relates to philosophy. This includes any philosophical discussions that happen to be about god, gods, or a 'higher power' or the belief of them. This also generally includes philosophical topics about organized or ritualistic mysticism or about organized, common or ritualistic beliefs in the existence of supernatural phenomenon.
Post Reply
User avatar
Dclements
Posts: 76
Joined: November 3rd, 2016, 12:41 pm

Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Post by Dclements »

Since some reading this OP may not know about the concept of the middle way in Buddhism, I'll try to explain it before I move on to the main topic. The most simple way one can think of it is to merely try and find some middle ground between two extremes when two sides seem to be completely polar opposites. One of the first example of this was the practices of sensual indulgence (the hedonists of the time) and self-mortification (what monks and priests often did before Buddhism came about) in which Buddhist monks tried to find a middle way for these two extremes.

While finding a middle way between sensual indulgence and self-mortification may be easier than between theism and atheism (or in reality between Western culture/theism and everything else /'the other'), I think it would be more pragmatic to try to see if it is possible then constantly reading posts between theist and atheist arguing with each other. To be honest, I kind of got this idea from reading a theist's post who mentioned that he wished atheist and theist could do something better than just arguing all the time.

I think a first step in this might be for theist to know that atheist really are not that upset with any single theist for just practicing their beliefs and believing in God; they are only upset when they feel that such beliefs are used to infringe on their own life and beliefs. Whether their life or beliefs are really being undermined by theism/theist (and often when they are complaining it is due to some negative experiences in the past not present) isn't really the issue, the real problem is really that they feel this way. I don't know if theist can really relate to this (since theism seems to more socially accepted and supportive than atheism itself), but I hope that it can help in making some theist it really isn't about their personal beliefs but more of the threat an individual can feel against a group or religious zealots that have bothered them in the past. While it is a given that many atheist/agnostics that argue for these reason can be biased, not all of them are biased and it is possible that many theist that argue against atheism may do so for the same reason.

Another thing that might help is for atheist and theist not to think of any particular religion or system of beliefs as either 'good' or 'evil', but it is HOW they believe (or more likely how they go about their lives while believing) that determines this. If I remember correctly this concept was one of the things taught when I took a comparative religions class and was used in order to try to make us less biased against religions/systems of beliefs that seemed to contradict our own. I will admit it is hard to fully accept this since some peoples beliefs stand in direct opposition to our own, but it might help to think of this more of a rule of thumb than an obsolete (ie. there can be exceptions) and to understand that if you had walk in someone else shoe's all their life there is a very good chance you would think just like they do.

I know this may not be much to go on for examples on thoughts that might help in finding a middle way, but I hope that at least there are others that are interested in this and willing to post their own thoughts on it too.
User avatar
Ormond
Posts: 932
Joined: December 30th, 2015, 8:14 pm

Re: Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Post by Ormond »

Is there a middle way between theism and atheism?
The concept of a "middle way" would seem to assume that the theist/atheist paradigm is the right question. If that assumption is not true, then we don't need a middle way, but another way.
If the things we want to hear could take us where we want to go, we'd already be there.
User avatar
Ozymandias
Posts: 108
Joined: December 5th, 2016, 1:02 am
Favorite Philosopher: Loren Eiseley

Re: Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Post by Ozymandias »

Thanks for bringing this up. Not only is it a good topic, but it's one I deal with very often in my own spirituality (and don't we all love to talk about ourselves :D )

In one sense, agnosticism is a medium of theism and atheism. But I don't think that's the answer you're looking for, so we'll go further.

I was raised Christian, and though I still self- identify as an Episcopalian Christian, my beliefs don't always align with my church's beliefs. There is a "rule for detecting bull***t" that I like to incorporate. If you believe something, you must ask yourself "Do I want this to be true?" and if you don't want it to be true, it's okay, it's probably not BS. You wouldn't make up something that you don't want to make up. But if you do want it to be true (and I want theism to be true), you must evaluate it to make sure you're not simply accepting the belief without reason or evidence. To honor this rule, I generally attack my own beliefs by adopting an atheist perspective and arguing with myself. By doing so, I've whittled down my religious beliefs to only what I can actually defend in a logical sense.

So I am a theist, but I often think like an atheist. Is this at all what you mean by a "middle way between theism and atheism"?

If you're asking for more of a definitive "middle way", or some sort of compromise between the two schools of thought, take this: As far as I can tell, atheists and theists don't actually believe in different things, they just have a lot of variance in how they define the supernatural presence we all feel (bear with me here). It is true that atheists don't believe in God because there is not physical proof of God, but contrary to popular belief, that doesn't mean they don't believe in anything without physical proof. Most atheists are moral people; that is to say, most atheists believe that there is some kind of rule or set of rules they should follow in their lives in order to be "good people", and in order to feel fulfilled. Unless one's concept of morality is A/ "morality doesn't exist and I won't follow it at all", or B/ "morality doesn't exist beyond my animalistic instincts, so I will follow those", one's concept of morality depends on something supernatural. Believing it's wrong to kill another person isn't something an animal thinks, it is something we just assume because we're human and we usually believe it's bad. Thus, an atheist typically believes in something supernatural. By assuming a belief (for example, that it is wrong to kill) that isn't taken directly from science and reason, but rather depends on a philosophical interpretation of the universe, a moral atheist does actually believe in something beyond science.

I believe theology is not actually a black-and-white "atheism vs. theism", but rather a spectrum. On one end, there are people like atheists and agnostics who define the supernatural presence in their minds as a very vague thing that usually works with science. The supernatural presence only manifests itself in their minds as morality. Nothing magical, nothing divine, just a sense of right and wrong. On the other end, there are people such as Mormons who view the supernatural presence in their minds as a literal manifestation called God, a literal person somewhere in the universe. Catholics, Jews, Muslims, etc. are on that end too, though they personify God less extremely by claiming God is a divine presence rather than a physical one. Somewhere in the middle are Buddhists, who define the supernatural as the universe, and seek to become one with it. Less personified, but still supernatural.

So in my third answer to your question, I would say that there isn't a "middle ground" between theism and atheism, but instead, theism and atheism are simply sections on a line, a spectrum of religious belief.

My apologies if this was unnecessarily long, I'm just not exactly sure what answer you're looking for, and it's a big question to begin with (the best questions are the biggest questions).
Eduk
Posts: 2466
Joined: December 8th, 2016, 7:08 am
Favorite Philosopher: Socrates

Re: Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Post by Eduk »

Is there a middle way between theism and atheism
In practical terms I believe it's called Secularism? Both sides can agree to protect each others rights and respect each other as human beings. I know it's a hotly debated subject on this forum but in many (if not most) interactions the question of theism is immaterial. If you break your arm you go to the same hospital, if your house in on fire you use the same fire brigade and if you are making spag bol you use the same ingredients etc etc.
I feel like the average theist and the average atheist agree on many more points than they disagree. And I guess a compromise would be not to force the points you disagree with upon the other. Although even that gets tricky with something like a doomsday cult who want to commit mass suicide, the average atheist and average theist would want to stop that. But is a compromise the same as middle ground?
In philosophical terms it's a bit tougher. As Ormond points out it could be an incorrect form of a question. Although I don't agree with that analysis it does make sense to a degree. Personally I believe that some beliefs are more reasonable than other beliefs and that it's not 100% impossible to judge reasonableness (whether that belief is reasonable is up for discussion :)).
I guess in short I don't believe there is a true middle ground (philosophically) as the middle ground whatever it looked like would be just as wrong to a theist or atheist. For example your views on morality and where it comes from don't tally with mine even though you have gone to some effort to attempt to reach a middle ground. Or to put it another way half way between truth and untruth is still untruth, regardless of your perspective.
Unknown means unknown.
User avatar
Ormond
Posts: 932
Joined: December 30th, 2015, 8:14 pm

Re: Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Post by Ormond »

Which is bigger? The color blue, or the sound of foghorn? What is the middle ground between these two positions? And why should we care, given the incurably flawed nature of the question?

So, you may now reasonably ask, why is the theist/atheist dance a flawed paradigm which can't generate a useful middle ground?

The central issue of the theist/atheist paradigm would be, is there a God in the real world? Theism and atheism respond to the challenge by conducting their investigation in the symbolic world. This can be compared to....

You ask me if there are any shoes in my closet. And I reply, "I'll go look in the garage to find out." What is the middle ground here? The kitchen? Ok then, let's reframe the example. You ask me if there are any shoes in my closet. And I reply, "I'll go look in the kitchen to find out." Shall we do the front yard too? How about the playground down the street?
If the things we want to hear could take us where we want to go, we'd already be there.
Fooloso4
Posts: 3601
Joined: February 28th, 2014, 4:50 pm

Re: Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Post by Fooloso4 »

Aristotle also discussed the idea of a mean or middle between two extremes, although we find earlier variations in Greece. Of course extremes exist on a sliding scale.

Hegel’s dialectic, a synthesis of opposites is another way in which opposing positions can be reconciled.

But in some cases tension may be more interesting and fruitful than resolution.

Although some here see themselves as heroes in the battle, others are interested in the conceptual and human existential questions. The guiding questions are not whether God exists but if, so to speak, there is a God sized hole to be filled and what it is being filled with.
Belindi
Moderator
Posts: 6105
Joined: September 11th, 2016, 2:11 pm

Re: Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Post by Belindi »

Ormond wrote:
Is there a middle way between theism and atheism?
The concept of a "middle way" would seem to assume that the theist/atheist paradigm is the right question. If that assumption is not true, then we don't need a middle way, but another way.
I endorse that middle way is not the right question.

The right question is either ontological, or pragmatic, or refers to the ontological arguments or practical upshots from the belief in question. For instance, Dclements's message above is pragmatic.

Me, I think that if practical matters are used to compare benefits and costs of any ontological stance, this is the best justification for or against it. A large part of my affection for Spinoza is how Ethicsargues for a very practical rationale leading to such human freedom as is possible.
User avatar
Dclements
Posts: 76
Joined: November 3rd, 2016, 12:41 pm

Re: Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Post by Dclements »

Ormond wrote:
Is there a middle way between theism and atheism?
The concept of a "middle way" would seem to assume that the theist/atheist paradigm is the right question. If that assumption is not true, then we don't need a middle way, but another way.
Well I did make a note that the real struggle is between Western culture/theism and everything else (or what I have sometimes heard referred to as 'the other' which I'm sure includes eastern religions and philosophy), however if you have another paradigm I would be glad to hear it. Also this isn't about which religions or systems of belief are better than others, it is just about which ones are most influential in Western culture (since this is a philosophical forum in English) and it seems that Christianity is the most influential religion in our society and the position of atheism is very often the position taken when using philosophical arguments against it.

If anyone reading this is interested, there is a book called Postmodernism For Beginners Paperback (published in 2007, written in 2007, and cost around $12 to 13 on Amazon ) that does a pretty good job of explaining about the problem between the struggle between theism and just about everything else in our culture. I'm basing some of my ideas of what I learned from reading it years ago and I think it might be useful to anyone else on learning some of the problems and struggles western philosophy and religion faces today in our modern (or postmodern) age.
Eduk
Posts: 2466
Joined: December 8th, 2016, 7:08 am
Favorite Philosopher: Socrates

Re: Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Post by Eduk »

Ah when you said theism V atheism then I took that at face value. Not western culture V non western culture. In that case I don't really understand what you are asking in your OP?
Unknown means unknown.
User avatar
Dclements
Posts: 76
Joined: November 3rd, 2016, 12:41 pm

Re: Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Post by Dclements »

Ozymandias wrote: Thanks for bringing this up. Not only is it a good topic, but it's one I deal with very often in my own spirituality (and don't we all love to talk about ourselves :D )
Your welcome. :D
Ozymandias wrote: In one sense, agnosticism is a medium of theism and atheism. But I don't think that's the answer you're looking for, so we'll go further.

I was raised Christian, and though I still self- identify as an Episcopalian Christian, my beliefs don't always align with my church's beliefs. There is a "rule for detecting bull***t" that I like to incorporate. If you believe something, you must ask yourself "Do I want this to be true?" and if you don't want it to be true, it's okay, it's probably not BS. You wouldn't make up something that you don't want to make up. But if you do want it to be true (and I want theism to be true), you must evaluate it to make sure you're not simply accepting the belief without reason or evidence. To honor this rule, I generally attack my own beliefs by adopting an atheist perspective and arguing with myself. By doing so, I've whittled down my religious beliefs to only what I can actually defend in a logical sense.
I will have to admit that I started NOT believing in God I think the first time I heard about him, which was about the time just before I entered preschool making me doubt God existence before I doubted even Santa Claus existence or even know what Santa Claus was. Although looking back I know my reasons where not the best (some theist try to get me to believe that God would punish me for things that even my parents wouldn't have a reason to hold against me) and not believing in God so early on would make it all but a given that I would be an atheist or agnostic for all of my life (making me very biased against theism), but I can not say that I haven't tried to believe at some times in my life. However the problem I keep having is almost the same as what you said that anything that seems too good to be true usually isn't and it seems a little too convenient to imagine a God that can fix things even if we screw up.

However even if I don't believe in God (or even believe that it is a given that there being a 'good' or 'evil' as I'm partial to nihilism) I CAN have faith in something I loosely refer to as the 'process' and I can have faith in faith itself. I think one can imagine the process as sort of a combination of our collective conscience (that is if it is even possible for our unconsciousness/super egos can work together somehow) combined with the possibility of advancements in science/technology improving our ability to reason to the point that we are sort of God-like ourselves. Although such ideas are merely speculation and not a given, when you don't believe in God and skeptical of nearly everything else you still have to hope for something sort of God-like, even if that things is a lot different than 'God'.

Also I think Christian ideas about faith are not that much misplaced, but what they refer to as 'faith' I think would be more accurately described as one's tenacity and putting something above oneself; which isn't that far for religious faith). The thing is tenacity itself is something one can have regardless of whether they have any kind of faith to begin with; although it is a given that tenacity can only take one so far when one isn't already mentally harden somehow. And putting something like a cause or goal above oneself enables some people to accomplish things they might not be able to otherwise. I think some examples of such people are Don Quixote(although he is just a fictional character), Joan of Arc, and Alexander the Great. Another example I can think of is Abraham from the bible. I admit that some of what I base the power of people using the 'power of faith' in what Soren Kierkegaard refereed to as 'knights of faith' (which more or less are people who put a cause above all else) and it is questionable whether or not anyone can actually be a so called 'knight of faith' under any and all conditions (able to sustain their faith no matter what such as Job did in the bible).

I guess the reason I wanted to mention Soren Kierkegaard's 'knights of faith' (who was a harsh critic of the church in his time) is that even opponents of the theism may use the same paradigms of what people ought to be that are not that far different from the paradigms of the church, which I believe are their patron saints. Of course this is not true of all atheist/agnostics and of course 'knights of faith' are not exactly the same as the churches own paradigms of what people of faith should be; although I believe even some theist who like and study Kierkegaard's work prefer his knights of faith over what the bible says.
Ozymandias wrote: So I am a theist, but I often think like an atheist. Is this at all what you mean by a "middle way between theism and atheism"?
To be honest I don't really know what the 'middle way' is, but YES I do consider the fact that your a theist who is willing to either think like a atheist or try and understand their position as an example of someone trying to find a middle way between the two modes of thought. However even if I am occasionally able to make a theist question their own beliefs and become an atheist to some to degree I'm really not happy with the idea of trying to convert any theist to atheism. I know that sounds like a contradiction, but I don't know if my ideas are the best one and I don't like the idea of brainwashing or converting people. I know it is really their own chose to choose one way or another (and I'm more than willing to force people to question their own thinking or how they look at the world), I don't like the idea of doing something which may make a theist lose faith in something that they are already comfortable and happy with; unless of course it is something that they should be doing already. I don't know if any of that makes sense to anyone reading it, but it is what it is.

Another way I believe a theist and/or atheist may help in understanding a middle way between the two is to study comparative religions; which I will admit I already did by taking a college course in it. It basically explains, compares and contrasts, ect the various religions of the world in the hopes that understanding many various religions and beliefs (other than the theism and secular we know so well in the west) it will shed some light on our own beliefs.
Ozymandias wrote: If you're asking for more of a definitive "middle way", or some sort of compromise between the two schools of thought, take this: As far as I can tell, atheists and theists don't actually believe in different things, they just have a lot of variance in how they define the supernatural presence we all feel (bear with me here). It is true that atheists don't believe in God because there is not physical proof of God, but contrary to popular belief, that doesn't mean they don't believe in anything without physical proof. Most atheists are moral people; that is to say, most atheists believe that there is some kind of rule or set of rules they should follow in their lives in order to be "good people", and in order to feel fulfilled. Unless one's concept of morality is A/ "morality doesn't exist and I won't follow it at all", or B/ "morality doesn't exist beyond my animalistic instincts, so I will follow those", one's concept of morality depends on something supernatural. Believing it's wrong to kill another person isn't something an animal thinks, it is something we just assume because we're human and we usually believe it's bad. Thus, an atheist typically believes in something supernatural. By assuming a belief (for example, that it is wrong to kill) that isn't taken directly from science and reason, but rather depends on a philosophical interpretation of the universe, a moral atheist does actually believe in something beyond science.
I don't know about other atheist but I believe that which is either 'good' or 'evil' is based entirely on the consequences of those actions. For example killing someone in real life is usually 'bad', but killing someone in a video isn't because usually there is no 'bad' consequences to such a action. The reason why lying, cheating, stealing, etc are usually though of as 'evil' is that they cause problems when people do it too often in society, however such actions are 'ok' if we do them in times of war with an enemy that we are fighting with; so more or less morality is societies 'rules of thumb' that we usually follow but go out the window in times when regular morality no longer apply.

Another way to think of it is that what we consider to be 'good' and 'evil' is really just 'useful' or 'counter productive' to us. If you don't believe me just try to replace the words 'good' with 'useful' and 'evil' with 'counter productive' when you contemplate some of your moral choices and you will see how it is more or less the same thing; although you might feel a little more Machiavelli when you word it that way to yourself. To me in the end 'morality' is really just a kind of a mix between hedonistic calculus and game theory where we try to figure out what will be the best outcome for us, regardless of the additional fluff we like to add when we think of it. And again this is just my thoughts on it and may not be true of other atheist/agnostics.
Ozymandias wrote: I believe theology is not actually a black-and-white "atheism vs. theism", but rather a spectrum. On one end, there are people like atheists and agnostics who define the supernatural presence in their minds as a very vague thing that usually works with science. The supernatural presence only manifests itself in their minds as morality. Nothing magical, nothing divine, just a sense of right and wrong. On the other end, there are people such as Mormons who view the supernatural presence in their minds as a literal manifestation called God, a literal person somewhere in the universe. Catholics, Jews, Muslims, etc. are on that end too, though they personify God less extremely by claiming God is a divine presence rather than a physical one. Somewhere in the middle are Buddhists, who define the supernatural as the universe, and seek to become one with it. Less personified, but still supernatural.
I will have to say part of me is pretty skeptical about 'magic' and 'supernatural' and believe that the only way such things can exist is if there is some rational science behind it; and when something is explainable they are no longer thought of as 'magic' and 'supernatural' and they become just another part of nature or the world around us. Also it is hard to believe in a 'God' who doesn't use something similar to our own technology in order to create miracles, and if a being uses technology to do something like 'magic' what makes they more 'divine' than us if it is possible for us to do the same thing if we used it? I understand how any 'supernatural' being or technologically advance beings can create shock and awe in both primitive people and people today by being able to do things that we can not do and/or can not explain; however this shock and awe should not automatically translate into them being 'divine' as even false God's and mere God-like beings can do the same thing too. I hope this make some sense.

However another part of me is open to believing in things like ghosts, Ouija boards, PK energy, etc since I did experience some weird stuff when I use to be into the occult. To be honest it as been awhile and the experiences are kind of moot at this time in my life, but they are not something I can completely dismiss either.
Ozymandias wrote: So in my third answer to your question, I would say that there isn't a "middle ground" between theism and atheism, but instead, theism and atheism are simply sections on a line, a spectrum of religious belief.
As I said in a earlier post it is really western culture/theism vs everything else/'the Other' and the way I worded it (including using the idea of some middle ground) may not be the best, but it was the best I can think of at the time. If someone can word it better I will happily accept it instead.

In reality I just want to see if theist and atheist (or theist and anyone else) can talk about their beliefs without fighting over them and trying to prove each other wrong. In past experience this has been VERY, VERY hard to do. :(
Ozymandias wrote: My apologies if this was unnecessarily long, I'm just not exactly sure what answer you're looking for, and it's a big question to begin with (the best questions are the biggest questions).
I'll I can ask is for forum members to post something along the lines of the OP and seeing people such as yourself talking on this thread (without fighting too much about it) is all I could hope for. :D

I think in the past my OP goes unnoticed without anyone posting anything and people just continue to argue in the other threads.

-- Updated January 12th, 2017, 4:46 pm to add the following --
Eduk wrote:
Is there a middle way between theism and atheism
In practical terms I believe it's called Secularism? Both sides can agree to protect each others rights and respect each other as human beings. I know it's a hotly debated subject on this forum but in many (if not most) interactions the question of theism is immaterial. If you break your arm you go to the same hospital, if your house in on fire you use the same fire brigade and if you are making spag bol you use the same ingredients etc etc.
I think it can make a difference because some Christians don't believe in taking pain killers or going to the hospital because doing so is against God's will (ie God decided for them to get sick or hurt and it depends on his will whether they get better). Also there tends to often be disagreement between atheist and theist as to what is more important when it comes to one's rights and respect for other human beings.

Another way I can word it is that there seems to be disagreement as to what it means for there to be separation between church and state when the church often chooses to influence the state when their own interests are at stake. I know this is A LOT different when the church and the state where at one time nearly the same thing or organization that worked together, but I think it is safe to say that 'secularism' in western society leans toward theism than any other religion or system of beliefs and is more tolerate to theists beliefs than anything else.

Eduk wrote: I feel like the average theist and the average atheist agree on many more points than they disagree. And I guess a compromise would be not to force the points you disagree with upon the other. Although even that gets tricky with something like a doomsday cult who want to commit mass suicide, the average atheist and average theist would want to stop that. But is a compromise the same as middle ground?
In philosophical terms it's a bit tougher. As Ormond points out it could be an incorrect form of a question. Although I don't agree with that analysis it does make sense to a degree. Personally I believe that some beliefs are more reasonable than other beliefs and that it's not 100% impossible to judge reasonableness (whether that belief is reasonable is up for discussion :)).
I think it is 'ok' to believe some religions or system of beliefs are better than others, but if you are just trying to discuss various religions and systems of beliefs (such as you would do while studying comparative religions) it is best to think of them somewhat equal to a degree or sort of respect them just for being what others have grow up to believe. The whole goal isn't to get people to think of all religions or systems of belief as being 'equal', it is just to get them to put their own ideology on the back-burner just long enough for them to be willing to listen to other peoples beliefs without outright dismissing them as being completely absurd.

If someone can listen to other people beliefs while still thinking their religion or system of beliefs is much much better than any other beliefs without forgetting their beliefs are better than any other, then I feel it is just as good for them to use whatever method they use to still listen to others. For me I always have to think that my beliefs can be wrong in some way and being open minded enough to hear any and all beliefs that come at me is the only way to correct them; however it is hard being open minded no matter how hard one tries.
Eduk wrote: I guess in short I don't believe there is a true middle ground (philosophically) as the middle ground whatever it looked like would be just as wrong to a theist or atheist. For example your views on morality and where it comes from don't tally with mine even though you have gone to some effort to attempt to reach a middle ground. Or to put it another way half way between truth and untruth is still untruth, regardless of your perspective.
I don't expect or really want anyone to change their position, or at least change them too much. I just hope that there is area where the two sides can agree on and to identify where the specif points that are unreasonable if that is what the case might be.

Also there might be some common middle ground where both atheist and theist (at least some of them) can kind of agree on. A while ago I read about some people being 'spiritual' but not 'religious' who try to find either God or some other meaning to everything through their own efforts and not part of any church or religious organization. As far as I know, many theist can respect those who don't necessarily believe in God reject completely and still are just search and haven't completely given up hope in finding the answers. At the same time atheist/agnostics feel that many of the people who are 'spiritual' but not 'religious' are not really that far from being agnostic themselves, and even if they favor believing in God than not believing it is more likely they will still be more open minded than those who believe 'God' in the conventional/religious way. Of course many of these 'spiritual' but not 'religious' many be really no different then traditional atheist and theist, but hopefully most won't be if they are willing to accept being labeled as 'spiritual' but not 'religious' and accept others in the same position as they are in.

In addition to 'spiritual' but not 'religious' there is the church of Unitarian Universalism (which is kind of like a church for 'spiritual' but not 'religious' I believe) where they are supposedly tolerant to any kind of religion or system of beliefs that one has. The one problem with the church of Unitarian Universalism is that I never been to one and never meet one of their members so I have knowledge of how such a church operates; also I have no knowledge of what the average theist feels about such places. I just know that there seems to be others that have tried to find a way to get theist and non-theist (or at least various non-theist) to be tolerate of each other and accept other peoples beliefs almost as well as they accept their own.
User avatar
Ozymandias
Posts: 108
Joined: December 5th, 2016, 1:02 am
Favorite Philosopher: Loren Eiseley

Re: Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Post by Ozymandias »

Dclements wrote:
In reality I just want to see if theist and atheist (or theist and anyone else) can talk about their beliefs without fighting over them and trying to prove each other wrong. In past experience this has been VERY, VERY hard to do. :(
I think that's what I seek to do by suggesting religion is not "a system of "one true church" vs. The Others", but rather many different interpretations of the vague and abstract thing we all feel, which some of us call "God" and some of us call "morality" and some of us call "the universe". By accepting that we may not all be either right or wrong, but rather closer to/ farther from the truth, we can approach theological and religious discussion better. Rather than it having to be a confrontational argument, we may simply compare our beliefs and the evidence for them, in a mutual effort to better understand the universe.
User avatar
Dclements
Posts: 76
Joined: November 3rd, 2016, 12:41 pm

Re: Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Post by Dclements »

Fooloso4 wrote:Aristotle also discussed the idea of a mean or middle between two extremes, although we find earlier variations in Greece. Of course extremes exist on a sliding scale.

Hegel’s dialectic, a synthesis of opposites is another way in which opposing positions can be reconciled.
I think I more or less agree, the struggle between western culture/theism and 'the Other' is almost a exact example of a struggle between a thesis antithesis; although it is a given theism has been part of this struggle in the past, and may just be a smaller component of western culture among much bigger things. Also I'm sure this thesis/antithesis struggle has smaller and potentially larger components at play.

At any rate I'm glad you mentioned it, because Hegel’s dialectic came to mind when writing the OP but since I all I could remember was the idea and not who came up with it (or the words 'dialectic', 'thesis', 'antithesis') I decided to leave it out in order to have enough time to finish the OP
Fooloso4 wrote: But in some cases tension may be more interesting and fruitful than resolution.
Maybe, but as soon as one thesis/antithesis struggle is done another begins and many thesis/antithesis struggles contain elements of past ones too so I don't think one has to worry about there not being any tension. I think the only thing gained is that sometimes some of the more non-useful ideas are put on the back-burner for awhile (or forever as the case might be) allowing a little more focus on important issues.
Fooloso4 wrote: Although some here see themselves as heroes in the battle, others are interested in the conceptual and human existential questions. The guiding questions are not whether God exists but if, so to speak, there is a God sized hole to be filled and what it is being filled with.
I kind of interested in both since it is always fun to think when your posting that your sort of like a little kid going against a bunch of school yard bullies by doing nothing but failing your arms and screaming your head off, all the while your chances of coming out of it 'ok' or better than you where before are not that good but you still do it anyways. :)

I think when Nietzsche claimed 'God is dead', it was a little premature since Christianity and the rest of the Abrahamic religions still play a very large role in western culture; even long after Nietzsche passed away. I think the problem for Abrahamic religions is that even if the use evangelicalism (pro-actively and/or aggressively spreading the word of God) to become the some of most influential religious organizations on earth, they still have either people that choose not to believe or repressed beliefs that come back after a group was supposedly converted.

As long as the word is being spread to more people this doesn't seem like that much of a problem, but when there is hardly no one left to go convert the focus then is turned to holding onto what you already have; which is less pleasant since they should already be indoctrinated and are likely much more resistant to any further indoctrination. I hope I'm not coming off as that Abrahamic religions are 'evil' because they do this (since they are not the only religion/system of beliefs that chooses this method or the most ruthless doing it), I'm just trying to say why the drop in Christianity may be just that they are having a tough time finding people who never heard the gospel all the while trying to have more influence on those who choose not to listen to it when they had the chance to believe.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the institution of 'God' and the churches that believe in him have always had some problems and the 'big hole' that seems to have formed was always there to begin with. It is kind of like after Rome became the empire that it was, it in many ways had nowhere to go except down because it was very difficult to both grow bigger and yet maintain it's current state. In a way, the problems of Christianity isn't that different than that of Rome (which is kind of funny since they where adversaries at one time), and which both of them are not that far different than the problems faced after colonial empiricism.

I think the part of the problem (aside from the fact that scientific progress keeps scrapping away at their institution) is that theism I believe was meant as a means to put a handle unbridled hedonism, which it seems to not be doing to good with lately as unrestrained hedonism and greed are accepted as 'ok' in western society. Maybe Abrahamic religions where never meant to deal with the problems we face today, or maybe it is something else but it is hard to imagine people keep on believing in God, much less even that they be moral agents and try to do good, when everyone else chooses to indulge in what vices they choose and almost anything goes. When I was a little younger it seemed like it was expected that everyone do their best to be 'moral agents' (except a few sociopath, and those with similar problems), but I think that rule is kind of being eroded as the rule that everyone has to just fend for themselves seems to be replacing it. Maybe it has always been that way and as I get older I'm just realizing it was really just everyone fend for themselves to begin with.
User avatar
LuckyR
Moderator
Posts: 7932
Joined: January 18th, 2015, 1:16 am

Re: Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Post by LuckyR »

Part of the practical challenges for the OP is that most theists act more on religion (typically Organized) than they do on their god. And as it happens the parts of "theism" that atheists find the most intrusive are the religious ones rather than the theistic ones. So to me the middle ground (it isn't really in the middle, though it is a compromise of sorts) would be the deist, believes in a "god"-like force but rejects religion.
"As usual... it depends."
Belindi
Moderator
Posts: 6105
Joined: September 11th, 2016, 2:11 pm

Re: Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Post by Belindi »

Religion can be creedless: one is not required to believe anything except that one is a member of a community who are explicitly seeking truth and goodness, without necessarily having any faith that those can be found. It's the seeking that matters, and also not adhering to any political. popular, or religious creeds which cause suffering and death.

The above applies to atheists , theists, pantheists, and polytheists, and pagans all of who can happily coexist in such a creedless religious group.
Eduk
Posts: 2466
Joined: December 8th, 2016, 7:08 am
Favorite Philosopher: Socrates

Re: Is there a middle way between theism and atheism

Post by Eduk »

it is hard to imagine people keep on believing in God, much less even that they be moral agents and try to do good, when everyone else chooses to indulge in what vices they choose and almost anything goes
Perhaps I am misunderstanding are you suggesting that people who believe in God (I assume you mean the christian God) are trying to do good and be moral and everyone else isn't? Can you seriously see no good in anyone who isn't a christian? Personally I often see people make poor moral choices (in my opinion) which have disastrous effects on their quality of life (again in my opinion). But many of those people can be good, or used to be good, or are most of the time good and are trying to live good moral lives (they are just doing a bad job). Personally I wouldn't be too hasty to judge people's motivations.
Unknown means unknown.
Post Reply

Return to “Philosophy of Religion, Theism and Mythology”

2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
by John K Danenbarger
January 2023

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023

The Unfakeable Code®

The Unfakeable Code®
by Tony Jeton Selimi
April 2023

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
by Alan Watts
May 2023

Killing Abel

Killing Abel
by Michael Tieman
June 2023

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead
by E. Alan Fleischauer
July 2023

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
by Mark Unger
August 2023

Predictably Irrational

Predictably Irrational
by Dan Ariely
September 2023

Artwords

Artwords
by Beatriz M. Robles
November 2023

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope
by Dr. Randy Ross
December 2023

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes
by Ali Master
February 2024

2022 Philosophy Books of the Month

Emotional Intelligence At Work

Emotional Intelligence At Work
by Richard M Contino & Penelope J Holt
January 2022

Free Will, Do You Have It?

Free Will, Do You Have It?
by Albertus Kral
February 2022

My Enemy in Vietnam

My Enemy in Vietnam
by Billy Springer
March 2022

2X2 on the Ark

2X2 on the Ark
by Mary J Giuffra, PhD
April 2022

The Maestro Monologue

The Maestro Monologue
by Rob White
May 2022

What Makes America Great

What Makes America Great
by Bob Dowell
June 2022

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!
by Jerry Durr
July 2022

Living in Color

Living in Color
by Mike Murphy
August 2022 (tentative)

The Not So Great American Novel

The Not So Great American Novel
by James E Doucette
September 2022

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches
by John N. (Jake) Ferris
October 2022

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All
by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
November 2022

The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity

The Smartest Person in the Room
by Christian Espinosa
December 2022

2021 Philosophy Books of the Month

The Biblical Clock: The Untold Secrets Linking the Universe and Humanity with God's Plan

The Biblical Clock
by Daniel Friedmann
March 2021

Wilderness Cry: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach to Understanding God and the Universe

Wilderness Cry
by Dr. Hilary L Hunt M.D.
April 2021

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools To Spark Your Dream And Ignite Your Follow-Through

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute
by Jeff Meyer
May 2021

Surviving the Business of Healthcare: Knowledge is Power

Surviving the Business of Healthcare
by Barbara Galutia Regis M.S. PA-C
June 2021

Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure

Winning the War on Cancer
by Sylvie Beljanski
July 2021

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
by Dr Frank L Douglas
August 2021

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts
by Mark L. Wdowiak
September 2021

The Preppers Medical Handbook

The Preppers Medical Handbook
by Dr. William W Forgey M.D.
October 2021

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress
by Dr. Gustavo Kinrys, MD
November 2021

Dream For Peace: An Ambassador Memoir

Dream For Peace
by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
December 2021