Since many atheists, including ones on this site, say that atheism is simply a belief in no God. Then doesn’t that mean it is possible (but not very scientific) to believe in Ghosts, spirits and even reincarnation as an atheist? I am aware that Buddhism is an atheistic “religion” and they believe in reincarnation. So I guess I am not asking this so much from a definition point of view but more of your personal beliefs on subjects such as reincarnation and non-matter spirits etc etc.
Thanks for the answers!
Posted: May 26th 2009
Dave Hitt www
Most atheists are skeptics as well, so they examine the evidence for ghosts, ESP, dowsing, homeopathy and the like and find they’re all nonsense. But atheism and skepticism are two different things, so it’s possible to be an atheist but still believe in other goofy stuff. It’s uncommon, because people who rejects god for lack of proof will tend to reject other unproven things, but yes, there are some atheists out there who believe in silly things.
Posted: May 30th 2009
SmartLX www
I’ve discussed this with several self-declared atheists who firmly believe in ghosts, so the answer is yes.
Most atheists don’t believe in ghosts for the same reason they don’t believe in gods: no evidence, and no other good reason to believe. The atheists who do believe in ghosts, I find, tend to do so because of personal experiences which lead them to think there is evidence. It’s just not evidence they’re able to share, even if it’s real.
Posted: May 27th 2009
George Ricker www
Atheism is the absence of god-belief.
Consequently, a person could be an atheist and still believe in ghosts and other paranormal phenomena.
I don’t believe in such things, and I don’t think most atheists do, but nothing about atheism per se rules it out.
Posted: May 27th 2009
bitbutter www
You can be an atheist who believes in ghosts. I know one who does, based on a personal experience.
Most self identifying atheists I’ve spoken with though, don’t believe in the existence of any of the things you mentioned, and nor do I.
To take ghosts for instance; what we know about brain damage makes it implausible that anything resembling a person could survive your bodily death. In view of this initial implausibility, the evidence for the existence of ghosts is not strong enough to warrant belief.
Posted: May 27th 2009