Due to constant misunderstanding with my name I feel the need to change my intro. I am hateful, hateful of religion. I hate what religion does to people and that people use it as an excuse to not think. I have spent many years of my life as an Atheist and have learned to handle my emotions, but no other word quite describes how I feel towards religion short of hate. I am outspoken, open minded, and will share my opinion. If you're looking for someone who will always agree with you, that won't be me.
The Out Campaign: Scarlet Letter of Atheism
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26th January 2012

Question with 3 notes

Anonymous asked: What are you thoughts on Science and Spirituality ("Spirituality" as in finding oneself, to become "enlightened"- as an example people might use parts of Buddhism and some might use psychedelic drugs to further they're understanding of themselves.) Do you think Science and spirituality work together or should be kept separately on the search for understanding and knowledge? I know this is vague but I think you'll get my question. I feel like it's discussed quite often.

It is vague which makes it a little difficult for me to totally understand where you’re going with it but I’ll give it a try. I do think that “self exploration” is an important aspect of life and think it is one very often overlooked by many people. We have to spend our entire lives with ourselves yet we don’t take a lot of time to just relax and listen to exactly what our body and mind are telling us. We can learn a lot about ourselves and gain more understanding.

I was a fan of meditation when I did it and would like to return to it some day. When I was doing it a lot I was fairly good but being a bit out of practice it can take a while to get in to the “zone” and I have a hard time finding enough time to really devote to it. I also have had quite a few experiences with psychedelics in the past, mainly psilocybin mushrooms, which I think were positive experiences. I think science is learning more and more now just how beneficial they can be. They have shown to have positive effect on depression and mood that lasts for years to come. I also think it personally gave me a different and new perspective to the world that I would of otherwise probably not of experienced.

The human brain is still an area filled with mystery and is one of the frontiers science is still exploring. We can explore it ourselves in some ways and the more we explore our own thoughts and emotions the more we can understand who we are and why we behave the way that we do. In that sense if it has to be considered “spirituality” then I would say it is beneficial but I consider it more about self exploration. I just feel that the “spirituality” name gives it too much of a mystic, pseudo-science, new age type vibe.

I think that learning the full effects of psychedelics and personal aids deemed “spiritual”, like meditation, is something science is starting to take more seriously. I am certainly all for science learning everything it can so we can know just how many of these things are valid and how many of them may be pushed by less scrupulous people with their own agendas. The information we could find has the possibility to be astounding. Especially if something like the “stoned ape” theory actually has any type of merit to it.

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  1. hatefulatheist posted this