SpiritualWiki - Atheismus

Gretchenfrage an Deutschland – 1992-1996 (1970-2002)

Eine EMNID-Umfrage im Jahr 1996 ergab, dass nur noch

45% der Deutschen "an Gott glauben",
die übrigen 55% der Deutschen sahen sich als

Agnostiker ( "Weiß es nicht")

oder als Atheisten ( "Glaube nicht an Gott").

1992, nur vier Jahre zuvor, waren noch 50 % der Westdeutschen gottgläubig gewesen. Diese Daten weichen von den statistischen Erhebungen des Internationalen Bundes der Konfessionslosen und Atheisten (IBKA) zur Konfessionszugehörigkeit in Deutschland von 1970-2002 ab.

Gretchenfrage – Die Schere in den Vereinigten Staaten

Ödipus und Sphinx, 1808
Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres,
spanischer Maler

85% der US-amerikanischen Bevölkerung glauben an Gott [laut den statistischen Ermittlungen nach 2000].

Nur 7% der Miglieder der National Academy of Science in den Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika glauben – laut einer Studie veröffentlicht in Nature 1998 – an einen persönlichen Gott oder ein Leben nach dem Tod.

Edward J. Larson, Larry Witham, Correspondence. Leading scientists still reject God, presented by the English multidisciplinary scientific journal Nature (scribd.com), issue 394 (6691), S. 313, 1998

Laut Muskelmessung von D. Hawkins befindet sich nur 1 Prozent der heutigen Naturwissenschaftler weltweit im Fassungsraum der Nichtlinearität gleich Spiritualität, welcher das Denkmodell der Kausalität übersteigt.

Statistische Ergebnisse – Deutsche Spiritualitätsstudie 2006/2007

Der Pressemitteilung zur "Studie Spiritualität in Deutschland" im Auftrag der Identity Foundation Düsseldorf im April 2007 ist zu entnehmen, dass

Jeder zweite Deutsche glaubt, dass der Kosmos von einer geistigen Macht zusammengehalten wird.
15% der Deutschen sind spirituelle Sinnsucher, die der Spiritualität eine sehr hohe Bedeutung zumessen.
- Der Anteil der Frauen liegt hierbei doppelt so hoch wie bei den Männern.
35% der Deutschen sind Religiös Kreative.
10% der Deutschen sind Traditionschristen.
40% der Deutschen sind unbekümmerte Alltagspragmatiker (naturwissenschaftlich orientiert)
20% der Deutschen bezeichnen sich nach eigener Aussage als Atheisten. (anteilig der Gruppe der Alltagspragmatiker)

Siehe auch: ► Statistische Ergebnisse – Deutsche Spiritualitätsstudie (2006/2007)]]

Skrupelhafter Religionist → Passionierter Atheist → Forschender Agnostiker → Gelassener Erleuchteter

Ungeachtet seiner frühkindlichen Gotteserfahrung, seines Nahtoderlebens im Alter von 12-14 Jahren in der Schneewehe und nach einigen außerkörperlichen Eindrücken blieb Hawkins bis zum Tag seiner Erleuchtung ein passionierter Agnostiker, der sich dem Buddhismus zugewandt hatte. Er, der als Religionist im christlichen Kulturraum aufgewachsen war, lehnte die irreführenden, menschlich projizierten Gottesbilder ab, wie sie beispielsweise im Alten Testament präsentiert werden.
Er bekennt, dass während der Zeitspanne von 22 Jahren als Atheist und Agnostiker seine Notstandsemotionen Stolz und Verleugnung ihn zurückgehalten haben, sich Gott zuzuwenden, ungeachtet seiner offenbarenden geistigen Erlebnisse, die er schon von Kindesbeinen an wiederholt hatte.

Neo-atheistische Bewegung

Der bekennende polemisch agierende Atheist, Skeptiker, Bright und Biologe Richard Dawkins ist der Vordenker der Bewegung der "Neuen Atheisten" (NA), die dem Glauben den Kampf angesagt haben. Weitere Aktive sind Sam Harris und Alexander Smoltczyk. Referenz Der Kreuzzug der Gottlosen im SPIEGEL Titelthema "Gott ist an allem schuld!'', Ausgabe 22, 2007

Die zehn Gebote der NA lauten:

Du sollst nicht glauben.
Du sollst dir kein Selbstbildnis machen und es Gott nennen.
Du sollst keine Götter neben dir dulden.
Du sollst keinen Schöpfer haben.
Du sollst deine Kinder ehren und sie deshalb mit Gott in Frieden lassen.
Sei gut auch ohne Gott.
Du sollst keine anderen Götter neben der Wissenschaft haben.
Liebe deinen Nächsten – ohne schlechtes Gewissen.
Du sollst den Sabbat nicht ehren.
Du sollst nicht knien als Schöpfer.

[Richard] Dawkins [LoC 190] has totally misled us, apart from being uselessly infuriatingly insulting to those he disagrees with. Paul Ekman, Ph.D. paulekman.com (*1934) US American professor of psychology, anthropologist, pioneer in the study of emotions, UCSF, author, Does Darwin Illuminate Emotion and Spirituality?, sponsored by Wonderfest, recorded by the event video production company Fora.tv, 16. "Compassionate outliers and evolution", 1:26:05 minutes duration, aired 8. November 2009

Quelle: ► Dokumentation: Die "Zehn Gebote" der neuen Atheisten, Hoffnung.de, 26. Mai 2007
angelehnt an das Original von Moses, 2. Moses 20, 1-17, Zehn Gebote (AT)

Gottesferne ⇔ Gottesnähe (Übersicht) – D. Hawkins

Atheismus – Agnostizismus
↔ Theismus – Mystik

Frage: Gibt es Gott?
Theist: Ja.
Atheist: Nein.
Agnostiker: Das ist nicht bekannt.

BW-Wert	Skala der Formen der Gottesferne → Gottesnähe
25	Militanter Atheismus, Gotteshass
40-70	Gotteslästerung, Herabwürdigung des Göttlichen
165	Atheismus (problematische Philosophie)¹
175	Theokratie (politisches System)
185	New Age Bewegung
190	Atheistische Bewegung (Ideologie)
200	Agnostizismus
365	Theosophie
390	Esoterik
460+	Metaphysik
480-485	Theologie (Wissenschaft von Gott)
bis max. 499	Beweisbare "objektive" Naturwissenschaft, höchstmöglicher Ausdruck der linearen Verstandes-Ebene
bis max. 499	These / Konzept: "Realität ist beweisbar. Realität ist messbar."
500+	Spiritualität – nichtlinear
500+	Nachweisbares subjektives Wahrheitsempfinden
500+	Quantenphysik – nichtlinear
560	Konzept des "Kollektivbewusstseins", Kollektives Unbewusstes von Carl Gustav Jung – nichtlinear, nicht quantifizierbar
575	Status des Heiligen
600	Erleuchtung, göttlicher Frieden – Auflösung des persönlichen Egos
600-605	Angewandte Kinesiologie als Mittel zur Wahrheitsfindung, Schlupfloch zwischen linearen / nichtlinearen Weltbildern
600+	Christliche Mystik
700	Sufismus – islamische Mystik
700	Status der Weisen
840	Skala des Bewusstseins nach D. Hawkins Seminar-Mitschnitt Power vs. Force, 1996
850	Realität als Gewahrsein, Realität als Bewusstsein
1000	Christusbewusstsein Buddhanatur

Quellen: ► Verschiedene Werke von D. Hawkins, hauptsächlich Truth vs. Falsehood. How to Tell the Difference, S. 209, 210, 2005

Zitate zum Thema Atheismus / Atheism

Zitate von D. Hawkins

Persönliche Bekenntnisse

Jahre inneren Kampfes, Leidens und scheinbar nutzlosen spirituellen Strebens hatten schließlich zu einem Zustand schwarzer Hoffnungslosigkeit geführt. Selbst der Rückzug in den Atheismus hatte keine Befreiung von der ununterbrochenen Suche gebracht. Das All-sehende Auge, Kapitel 1, Prolog, 2005

⚠ Achtung Siehe Power vs. Truth (engl.) Januar 2013

Ein Grund, weshalb Computerspiele so beliebt sind, ist, weil sie die Täuschung verstärken, die "Kontrolle zu haben" und folglich auch der Herrscher und "Kapitän der eigenen Seele" zu sein. FU Truth vs. Falsehood. How to Tell the Difference, S. 356, 2005

Die Preisgabe der Illusion der Eigen-Herrschaft ist die Essenz der Erfahrung des "auf Grund Gehens", die umwandelnd ist und von Millionen Menschen bezeugt wird. Es ist auch die Krux eines wahren Bekehrungserlebnisses, wie auch eine entscheidende Folge einer Nahtoderfahrung. Seltsamerweise basiert der Atheismus auf Glauben, jedoch auf einem Glauben an Falschheit (das Ego, den Intellekt) und kann nicht überwunden werden, außer durch einen Akt des göttlichen Willens. FU Truth vs. Falsehood. How to Tell the Difference, S. 356, 2005

Quotes by D. Hawkins

Personal avowals

I wouldn't trust someone who doesn't believe in God. They are accountable to nothing. Sedona Seminar The Human Dilemma, 3 DVD set, 18. August 2007

One day I was walking through a field and out of nowhere I suddenly had this vision of the totality of the suffering of mankind throughout all the time. It was so profound and overwhelming that I immediately became an atheist. From a profound religionist I suddenly became an atheist. I can’t believe in a God that would allow the colossal totality of the suffering of mankind. [...]
I was as rabid an atheist as I was a rabid religionist. Then I graduated from atheism to agnosticism. Then I saw that the existence of God cannot be proven or disproven through the intellect in the first place. So I gave it up altogether. Later on I went into profound inner awareness. And the Reality of God is the very Source of my existence. Audio Interview with David R. Hawkins, presented by LA Talk Radio, Inside Out Radio, Radio interview – July 28 2008, host David Brown, minute 33:02-34:15, 60:25 minutes duration, YouTube film, 59:47 minutes duration, YouTube film, 59:47 minutes duration, posted 23. March 2011, aired Monday, 28. July 2008

⚠ Caveat See Power vs. Truth, January 2013

Atheism represents a belief system about religion and God that covers a wide spectrum. It is also characteristic of a phase of life, although in some people, it may be a life-long position. [...] The majority of atheistic positions calibrates very low. These range from ignorance and indifference to anger, resentment, and hatred of God by militant atheism at calibration level 25. If we ask what is the calibration of the karma of rebuking God or the great Avatars, the calibration levels are 20 to 40 [...]
The psychological matrix of atheism has been well described by Feuerbach and others as the rejection of the father figure, as was the case with Karl Marx [...] Disillusionment results in narcissistic resentment towards all authority figures. The psychology of atheism is well covered by Prof. Paul Vitz.
From the viewpoint of the evolution of consciousness, atheism results from the refusal or inability to let go of the illusion that the narcissistic core of the ego is sovereign and is the source of one's life and existence. [...] One reason computer games are so popular is that they reinforce the illusion of "being in control" and thus sovereign and the "captain of one's soul" [cal. LoC 170]. [...]
The relinquisment of the illusion of self-sovereignty is the essence of the "hitting bottom" experience that is transformative and to which millions of people testify. It is also the crux of a true conversion experience, as well as a major consequence of the near-death experience. Curiosly, atheism is based on faith, but on faith in falsity (the ego, intellect) and cannot be overcome except by an act of Will. Truth vs. Falsehood. How to Tell the Difference, S. 355-356, 2005

From the viewpoint of the evolution of consciousness, atheism results from the refusal or inability to let go of the illusion that the narcissistic core of the ego is sovereign and is the source of one's life and existence. Truth vs. Falsehood. How to Tell the Difference, S. 361, 2005

The karma of atheism is hatred of God or denunciation of Divinity itself, all calibrate at very serious levels of 40-70, thus indicating a very dire spiritual destiny that calibrates at the lower astral level of Hells. (Calibrates as "true".) In contrast, atheism as an intellectual/philosophical position calibrates at 165-190, which is the level of (intellectual) pride. Truth vs. Falsehood. How to Tell the Difference, chapter 17 "Spiritual Truth", S. 388, 2005

Note:

Atheism as an intellectual and philosophical position calibrates at LoC 165-190 – at the level of (intellectual) pride.

The karma of atheism as hatred of God, or denunciation of Divinity itself, all calibrate at very serious levels of 40-70, thus indicating a very dire spiritual destiny that calibrates at the lower astral level of Hells. (Calibrates as "true.") FU Truth vs. Falsehood. How to Tell the Difference, S. 388, 2005

[T]he Grinch hates Christmas, and the ego of the atheist secretly hates the Infinite Glory of God. In miserly fashion, the ego seeks to discredit the Absolute by which all of Creation’s energy from the potentiality of the Godhead emerges into manifestation as never-ending Creation. Reality, Spirituality and Modern Man, S. 91, 2008

Atheism (cal. 165) is currently academically popular, very ‘in the know’, ‘Hollywood’, fashionable, chic, hip, cool, savvy, and ‘modern’. Among elitists, God is passé, old hat, and fuddy-duddy. Reality, Spirituality and Modern Man, S. 92, 2008

That the mind is unable to prove a proposition does not mean that the proposition is false. This is the pitfall of the atheist because the mind is unable to know truth.
Agnosticism [...] is more sophisticated, more aligned with reality, and merely admits that the intellect, in and of itself, is unable to resolve the problem of the actual existence of God. Seminar ''Title unknown, date unknown

Zitate von anderen Quellen

Denn der Gottlose rühmt sich seines Mutwillens, und der Habgierige sagt dem Herrn ab und lästert ihn. Der Gottlose meint in seinem Stolz, Gott frage nicht danach. »Es ist kein Gott« sind alle seine Gedanken. Psalm 10, 3-4 (AT)

Ein Psalm Davids, vorzusingen. Die Toren sprechen in ihrem Herzen: Es ist kein Gott. Psalm 14, 1 (AT)

Persönliche Bekenntnisse

In den äußersten Zuständen des Schwankens bin ich niemals ein Atheist in dem Sinne gewesen, dass ich die Existenz eines Gottes geleugnet hätte. Charles Darwin [BW 450/460] (1809-1882) englischer Naturforscher, Entwickler der biologischen Evolutionstheorie, Quelle unbekannt

Als junger Mann war ich praktizierender Atheist. Die Erforschung des Universums hat mir gezeigt, dass die Existenz von Materie ein Wunder ist, das sich nur übernatürlich erklären lässt. Allan Sandage [Mister Cosmology] (1926-2010) US-amerikanischer Astronom, Kosmologe, zitiert in: Wie Forscher nach Gott suchen, präsentiert von dem deutschen Nachrichtenmagazin Spiegel Online, 2. Teil, 29. April 2004

Es gibt nichts, was die Vorstellung von einem persönlichen Gott unterstützen könnte. Ich bin Atheist. Es gab große Evolutionsbiologen, die an Gott geglaubt haben. Aber ich habe nie verstanden, wie man im Gehirn zwei völlig getrennte Fächer haben kann, und in einem liegt die Wissenschaft und im anderen die Religion. Ernst Mayr (1904-2005) deutsch-US-amerikanischer Biologe, Hauptvertreter der modernen synthetischen Evolutionstheorie, Quelle unbekannt

Schlussfolgerung

Gott muss tot sein. Michail Alexandrowitsch Bakunin (1814-1876) russischer Sozialrevolutionär, Anarchist, Quelle unbekannt

Atheismus ist ein notwendiger Protest gegen die Gottlosigkeit der Kirchen und die Enge ihrer Dogmen. Gott benutzt ihn als Stein um diese beschmutzten Kartenhäuser zu zerstören. Sri Aurobindo [Aurobindo Ghose] [BW 605] (1872-1950) indisch-britischer hinduistischer Philosoph, Politiker, Freiheitskämpfer, Yogi, Meister, Mystiker, Dichter, Quelle unbekannt

Jedem tiefen Naturforscher muss eine Art religiösen Gefühls naheliegen, weil er sich nicht vorzustellen vermag, dass die ungemein feinen Zusammenhänge, die er erschaut, von ihm zum ersten Mal gedacht werden. Im unbegreiflichen Weltall offenbart sich eine grenzenlos überlegene Vernunft. […] Die gängige Vorstellung, ich sei ein Atheist, beruht auf einem großen Irrtum. Wer sie aus meinen wissenschaftlichen Theorien herausliest, hat sie kaum begriffen. Albert Einstein [BW 499] (1879-1955) deutsch-schweizstämmiger US-amerikanischer theoretischer Physiker, Entwickler der Allgemeinen Relativitätstheorie, Physik-Nobelpreisträger, 1921, Quelle unbekannt

Die höchsten Anteile von „Gottlosen“ (mit bis zu bzw. mehr als 50 Prozent-Anteilen) finden sich in Schweden, Vietnam, Dänemark, Norwegen, Japan, der Tschechischen Republik, Finnland, Frankreich und Süd-Korea. Die geringsten Anteile (mit unter 10 Prozent-Anteilen) wurden in der Mongolei, Portugal, den USA, Albanien, Argentinien, Kirgisistan, der Dominikanischen Republik, Kuba und Kroatien festgestellt. [Stand 2007] Meldung Anteile und Anzahl von Atheisten / Agnostikern / Gottlosen, präsentiert von der Forschunsgruppe Weltanschauungen in Deutschland (FoWiD), 21. Dezember 2016

Wenn der Mensch Gott verstoßen hat, so beugt er sich vor einem Götzen. Fjodor Michailowitsch Dostojewski [BW 465] (1821-1881) russischer Romanschriftsteller, Quelle unbekannt

Das Auge, der Flügel eines Schmetterlings genügen, um einen Gottesleugner zu vernichten. Denis Diderot (1713-1784) französischer Philosoph der Aufklärung, Mitorganisator, Herausgeber und Autor der Encyclopédie, Schriftsteller, Quelle unbekannt

Wer Gott definiert, ist schon Atheist. Oswald Spengler (1880-1936) deutscher Geschichtsphilosoph, Autor, Gedanken. Über die Religion und einige andere Themen, Philipp Reclam jun. Verlag, 1997

Der Atheist ist das größte Kompliment, das Gott sich selbst zollt: Er schafft ein Wesen, das stark genug ist, von ihm abzusehen. Ernst Wilhelm Eschmann (1904-1987) deutscher Soziologe, Philosoph, Schriftsteller, Quelle unbekannt

Das Universum, das wir beobachten, hat genau die Eigenschaften, mit denen man rechnet, wenn dahinter kein Plan, keine Absicht, kein Gut oder Böse steht, nichts außer blinder, erbarmungsloser Gleichgültigkeit. Richard Dawkins [BW 190] (*1941) britischer Professor für Zoologie, Oxford Universität, theoretischer Biologe, Evolutionsbiologe, militanter Atheist, populär-/wissenschaftlicher Autor, Und es entsprang ein Fluß in Eden, S. 151, C. Bertelsmann, 1996

Referenz: de.Wikiquote-Eintrag ► Atheismus

Literaturzitate

Einen Gottlosen habe ich noch nie gesehen; nur Ruhelose sind mir begegnet. Fjodor Michailowitsch Dostojewski [BW 465] (1821-1881) russischer Romanschriftsteller, Der Jüngling, III, 2, Piper Verlag, 3. Auflage 2000

"Gott ist tot" – Der europäische Nihilismus

Siehe auch:

Gott ist todt! Gott bleibt todt! Und wir haben ihn getödtet! Wie trösten wir uns, die Mörder aller Mörder? Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900) deutscher klassischer Gelehrter, Philologe, Kulturkritiker, Philosoph des Nihilismus [BW 120], Schriftsteller, Werke in drei Bänden, Band II, Die fröhliche Wissenschaft, Drittes Buch, Aphorismus 125 "Der tolle Mensch", S. 480, Ernst Schmeitzner, Chemnitz, 1882, Carl Hanser Verlag, München, 1954/1956, Insel Verlag, 18. April 2000

Quotes by various other sources

Personal avowals

Former religionist and atheist abroad on Christmas Eve, 1945

Despite being an atheist, on Christmas Eve in Shanghai, David [Hawkins] found a Catholic Church and attended midnight Mass to enjoy the intrinsic beauty and historic pageantry, and the incense, choir, and orchestra of a great cathedral. Scott Jeffrey, US American business and marketing consultant, founder of the dissolved website Consciousnessproject.org, biographer, author, Doctor of Truth. The Life of David R. Hawkins, S. 51, Creative Crayon Publishers, 1. October 2012

Hawking reckons the phrase "mind of God" at the end of his book.

Suggesting his answer was pre-prepared

I do not believe in a personal God. Stephen Hawking [LoC 499] (1942-2018) British top scientist, astrophysicist, mathematician, University Cambridge, A Brief History of Time, Bantam Dell Publishing Group, 1. September 1998

Comment:

Hawking defines "God" as "principle of harmony and order".
[Übersetzt: Hawking definiert "Gott" als "Prinzip von Harmonie und Ordnung".]

What I have done is to show that it is possible for the way the universe began to be determined by the laws of science. In that case, it would not be necessary to appeal to God to decide how the universe began. This doesn't prove that there is no God, only that God is not necessary. Stephen Hawking [LoC 499] (1942-2018) British top agnostic scientist, astrophysicist, mathematician, University Cambridge, presented by the German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel, 1989

If you write me that you are an atheist, include the fact that you are young and healthy. Call me when you’re dying. Audio keynote address by Caroline Myss Myss.com (*1952) US American spiritual teacher, mystic, medical intuitive, bestselling author, Keynote Address: Living a Fearless Life: Why Not Risk It All? 2007, sponsored by Omega Conference, New York City, New York, archived by Myss Digital Media, part 2 of 5, 15:35 minutes duration, 13.-15. April 2007

Listen also to:

Walter Isaacson, Albert Einstein on God, YouTube film, 4:56 minutes duration, posted 1. Mai 2009

I'm not an atheist. I don't think I can call myself a pantheist. The problem involved is too vast for our limited minds. We are in the position of a little child entering a huge library filled with books in many languages. The child knows someone must have written those books. It does not know how. It does not understand the languages in which they are written. The child dimly suspects a mysterious order in the arrangement of the books but doesn't know what it is. That, it seems to me, is the attitude of even the most intelligent human being toward God. We see the universe marvelously arranged and obeying certain laws but only dimly understand these laws. Albert Einstein [LoC 499] (1879-1955) German-born US American theoretical physicist, developer of the theory of general relativity, cited in: Walter Isaacson, Einstein. His Life and Universe, Simon & Schuster, April 2007

There are people who say there is no God. But what makes me really angry is that they quote me for support of such views. [telling a friend]
The fanatical atheists are like slaves who are still feeling the weight of their chains which they have thrown off after hard struggle. They are creatures who – in their grudge against traditional religion as the 'opium of the masses' – cannot hear the music of the spheres. [in a letter]
What separates me from most so-called atheists is a feeling of utter humility toward the unattainable secrets of the harmony of the cosmos. Albert Einstein [LoC 499] (1879-1955) German-born US American theoretical physicist, developer of the theory of general relativity, cited in: Walter Isaacson, Einstein. His Life and Universe, Simon & Schuster, 2007

I am fascinated by Spinoza's pantheism, but I admire even more his contribution to modern thought because he is the first philosopher to deal with the soul and body as one, and not two separate things. Albert Einstein [LoC 499] (1879-1955) German-born US American theoretical physicist, developer of the theory of general relativity, cited in: Walter Isaacson, Einstein. His Life and Universe, Simon & Schuster, 2007

When I was younger I was totally allergic to what I saw as religion: Judaism and even worse, Christianity – it was my enemy. But I loved nature, and for me nature was sacred. I didn't use that word, but it made me quiet; it made me feel a sense of something greater than myself; it made me wish to serve something. So I was an atheist, but I recall it as spiritual – a spiritual atheism. […]
1962 I was hired at San Francisco State and I was obliged to teach a course called the History of Western Religious Thought. For me I had no desire to teach anything like that. I was totally allergic to religion. But I had training as a philosophy student, a grad student, a PhD. […] I was willing to undertake preparing myself to teach such a course. Philosophers generally don't want to come anywhere near that kind of stuff – nor did I. But I honorably tried to prepare myself. […] So more and more I got deeply interested in religion because I had to teach it. And then I got personally interested in my own personal, spiritual search […] I appreciated and understood religion – because it was damned interesting, and it was philosophically honorable. I defended Judaism, I defended Christianity. I gave lectures on it. I wrote books and I could explain it. But down deep I still didn't believe that this idea of God corresponded to something out there, really. Or in here – either way. […] It was only when I experienced it as part of me that I saw that it was true. Interview with Jacob Needleman, Ph.D. jacobneedleman.com (*1934) US American professor of philosophy and religion, UCSF, author, How Does an Atheist Come to Believe in God?, presented by the publication Religion Dispatches, Lisa Webster, S. 1, 28. January 2010

I'm an agnostic, which is the only rational position. It's not because I feel a God or think that anything resembling the banal God of religion will turn up. But I think that atheism sounds like a proof of something, and it's incredibly evident that we are nowhere near intelligent enough to understand the universe. [...] Writers are above all individualists, and above all writing is freedom, so they will go off in all sorts of directions. I think it does apply to the debate about religion, in that it's a crabbed novelist who pulls the shutters down and says, there's no other thing. Don't use the word 'God' but something more intelligent than us. [...] If we can't understand it, then it's formidable. And we understand very little. Martin Amis (*1949) British-Welsh novelist, Martin Amis. The Prospect Interview, presented by the British magazine Prospect, Tom Chatfield, issue 167, 1. February 2010

An atheist on the other side

I felt untold terror. It is very easy to be an atheist when you’re successful, but it’s very difficult to be an atheist when you’re lying on your death bed. Video presentation by Donald Whitaker, M.D., US American physician, near-death survivor, Testimony on Near Death Experience – to Hell and Back, YouTube film, 9:57 minutes duration, posted 2. July 2009

Atheism is a belief. I am not an atheist. […] I don't believe in religion. Video interview with George Carlin (1937-2008) controversial US American stand-up comedian, social critic, actor, author, Bill Maher remembers George Carlin, part 1, presented by the US American TV channel CNN, talk show Larry King Live, host Larry King, aired June 2001, YouTube film, minute 2:40 and 8:32, posted 3. July 2008

Stripping away the irrational, the illogicial, and the impossible, I am left with atheism. I can live with that. Mark Twain [Samuel Langhorne Clemens] [Work LoC 465] (1835-1910) US American humorist, Freemason, author, source unknown

I rightly pass for an atheist. Jacques Derrida [LoC 170] (1930-2004) Algerian French postmodern philosopher, founder of deconstructionism, developer of post-structuralism, source unknown

Recommendation

Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear. Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) third US president (1801-1809), principal author of the Declaration of Independence [LoC 700/705], 4. July 1776

Insights

A former avowed atheist survived death and found God.

It is very easy to be an atheist when you’re successful, but it’s very difficult to be an atheist when you’re lying on your death bed. Donald Whitaker, M.D., US American physician, near-death survivor, Testimony on Near Death Experience – to Hell and Back, YouTube film, 9:57 minutes duration, posted 2. July 2009

Whoever abhors the name and fancies that he is godless — when he addresses with his whole devoted being the Thou of his life that cannot be restricted by any other, he addresses God. Martin Buber [LoC 530] (1878-1965) Austrian-born Jewish religious philosopher, I and Thou, 1923

The atheist staring from his attic window is often nearer to God than the believer caught up in his own false image of God. Martin Buber [LoC 530] (1878-1965) Austrian-born Jewish religious philosopher, source unknown

The first drink from the cup of natural sience brings atheism, but at the bottom of the cup waits God. Werner Heisenberg [LoC 485] (1901-1976) German theoretical physicist, contributor to quantum mechanics, developer of the uncertainty principle of quantum theory, 1927

Reference: en.Wikiquote entry ► Atheism

Movie lines

There are no atheists in foxholes. US American phrase, derived from the movie Wake Island, 1942, credited to Ernie Pyle, journalist, William J. Clear, Lieutenant-Colonel, and William Casey, Lieutenant-Colonel

Englische Texte – English section on Atheism

Is there a God?

Atheist	Tell me. Is there a God – really?
Master	If you want me to be perfectly honest with you, I will not answer.
Disciples [later]	Why did you not answer him, Master?
Master	Because the question is unanswerable.
Disciples	So you are an atheist?
Master	Certainly not. The atheist makes the mistake of denying that of which nothing may be said [...], and the theist makes the mistake of affirming it.

Source: ► Anthony de Mello SJ (1931-1987) Indian Catholic Jesuit priest, psychotherapist,
spiritual leader, One Minute Nonsense, S. 21, Loyola Press, Canadian edition November 1992

BW-Werte: Atheismus / Atheism

BW 200 – Agnostizismus
BW 190 – Atheistische Bewegung (Ideologie)
BW165-190 – Atheismus
BW 40-70 – Gotteshass / Gotteslästerung²
BW 25 – Militanter Atheismus, geistesferner Gotteshass

LoCs: Atheism / Atheismus

LoC 200 – Agnosticism
LoC 190 – Atheist movement (Ideology)
LoC 165-190 – Atheism
LoC 40-70 – Hatred of God / denunciation of Divinity³
LoC 25 – Militant atheism, hatred of God

Index: Atheismus – Agnostizismus / Atheism – Bücher von D. Hawkins

Buch 2, Agnostiker, S. 455(2x)
Buch 3, Agnostiker, S. 18, 207(3x); Agnostizismus, S. 482

Literature (engl.)

Norman L. Geisler, Frank Turek, David Limbaugh, Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist, Crossway, 12. March 2004
Phil Zuckermann, Ph.D., US American professor of sociology and secular studies, Pitzer College, Claremont, California, The Cambridge Companion to Atheism, chapter Atheism, contemporary numbers and patterns, Michael Martin, editor, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2007
Richard Kearney, Ph.D. (*1954) Irish Charles Seelig professor in philosophy, Boston College, author on European philosophy and literature, Anatheism. Returning to God After God, 2009, Columbia University Press, 17. May 2011
John Gray (*1951) US American relationship counselor, atheist, lecturer, author, Seven Types of Atheism, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2. October 2018
Gray: "An atheist is anyone with no use for the idea of a divine mind that has fashioned the world."

Externe Weblinks

Wikipedia-Einträge Atheismus
Philolex-Einträge Atheismus

Konfessionszugehörigkeit in Deutschland 1970-2002, Statistische Daten auf der Webseite des Internationalen Bundes der Konfessionslosen und Atheisten (IBKA)
Artikel Atheismus in Zahlen: Erlösung unerwünschtWen soll man zu den Atheisten zählen?, präsentiert von der überregionalen deutschen Wochenzeitung Zeit Online, Stefan Schmitt, Nr. 37/2010, 9. September 2010

Ein Viertel der Deutschen sind Atheisten / konfessionslos. Auch Namenchristen glauben nicht an die Existenz Gottes.

Meldung Anteile und Anzahl von Atheisten / Agnostikern / Gottlosen, präsentiert von der Forschunsgruppe Weltanschauungen in Deutschland (FoWiD), 21. Dezember 2016

External web links (engl.)

Wikipedia entries Anatheism, Atheism, Irreligion, List of former atheists and agnostics, There are no atheists in foxholes.

Psalms Psalm 13 by King David, Old Testament

Edward J. Larson, Larry Witham, Correspondence. Leading scientists still reject God, NATURE (scribd.com), 394 (6691): 313, 1998
Statistik bzgl. Atheismus in den Nationen der Welt, Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics, Zuckerman, 2005
Q&A What is anatheism?, presented by the Californian question-and-answer website Quora, 11. October 2012

Anatheism is a work of weak theology. Authors in this tradition include Richard Kearney, Ph.D., John Caputo, Peter Rollins and Gianni Vattimo.

Audio- und Videolinks

Audio and video links (engl.)

Video TV interview with Bertrand Arthur William Russell [LoC 465] (1872-1970) British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, social reformist, pacifist, member of the Royal Society, self confessed atheist, On God, presented by the Canadian broadcasting corporation CBC TV Retro Bites, 3:26 minutes duration, aired 1959, 28. December 2009
Video documentary hosted by Maurice S. Rawlings, M.D. († 5. January 2010) US American heart surgeon, former atheist, researcher and author on near death experiences, To Hell and Back, a study of NDE/OBE Near Death Experiences, presented by Spiritlessons.com, 88:17 minutes duration, first posted as Google film 1. June 2006, YouTube film, 28. March 2013

Rawlings resuscitated patients on the operating table who were returning from shocking NDE experiences.
The movie is showing testimonies of six former avowed atheists who survived their neardeath experience: Ronald (and Elaine) Reagan, Charles McKaig, US American mail carrier, Reverend Howard Storm, Donald Whitaker, M.D., US American physician, near-death survivor, Dr. George Rodonaia

D. Hawkins endorses the above documentary as a "clinically very accurate" documentary "presenting the experiencing of that infinite state of blissfulness." Healing and Recovery, S. 411, 2009

Video TV documentation on Hell, presented by the US American TV channel History, YouTube film, posted 12. April 2008
- What is Hell? Is Hell Real? Is the Devil Real?, part 1 of 10, 9:00 minutes duration
- What is Hell? Is Hell Real? Is the Devil Real?, part 2 of 10, 9:22 minutes duration
- What is Hell? Is Hell Real? Is the Devil Real?, part 3 of 10, 9:44 minutes duration
- What is Hell? Is Hell Real? Is the Devil Real?, part 4 of 10, 8:55 minutes duration
- What is Hell? Is Hell Real? Is the Devil Real?, part 5 of 10, 9:38 minutes duration
- What is Hell? Is Hell Real? Is the Devil Real?, part 6 of 10, 9:20 minutes duration
- What is Hell? Is Hell Real? Is the Devil Real?, part 7 of 10, 7:19 minutes duration
- What is Hell? Is Hell Real? Is the Devil Real?, part 8 of 10, 2:47 minutes duration
- What is Hell? Is Hell Real? Is the Devil Real?, part 9 of 10, 9:15 minutes duration
- What is Hell? Is Hell Real? Is the Devil Real?, part 10 of 10, 7:55 minutes duration
Video presentation by Walter Isaacson (*1952) US American writer, biographer, president and CEO of The Aspen Institute, Einstein. His Life and Universe, Simon & Schuster, April 2007, Albert Einstein on God, YouTube film, 4:56 minutes duration, posted 1. May 2009
Video interview with Antony Flew (1923-2010) British philosopher of religion, recoverd atheist, YouTube film, posted 13. June 2009
- Famous Ex Atheist believes in God, part 1, 2:07 minutes duration
- Famous Ex Atheist believes in God, part 2, 5:11 minutes duration
Video presentation by Donald Whitaker, M.D., US American physician, near-death survivor, Testimony on Near Death Experience – to Hell and Back, YouTube film, 9:57 minutes duration, posted 2. July 2009

After his NDE Whittaker returned with a testimony of Hell and a transformed world view. He was also cured from his disease.

TV interview with Daniel Dennett [Work LoC 250] (*1942) US American cognitive scientist, philosopher of mind and evolutionary biology, author of Breaking the Spell, Tufts University, Bright [new term for atheists], Dan Dennett at his Best, presented by the US American TV station PBS, interview show Charlie Rose, host Bill Moyers, YouTube film, 52:04 minutes duration, posted 21. October 2012
Video interview with Rupert Sheldrake [LoC 460] (*1942) English biochemist, plant physiologist, researcher in parapsychology and morphic resonance, author, Anatheism: Rediscovering God, presented by Lectures Beyond Beyond, host Mark Vernon, YouTube film, 26:43 minutes duration, posted 22. November 2016

Atheism is a transition period in which ideas about God are discarded so that a deeper perception of the divine emerge. That many people go through such phases, is widely recognised within spiritual traditions. At a cultural level the contemporary atheism is a phase leading to more vital conceptions of God.