I think the true nature of the Universe is unknowable, although our planet is imbued with amazing unique beings, we are not privileged to understand the nature or meaning of existence. we evolved to survive on tiny planet around an average star in the unimaginable abyss of space and time. That is not to say we should not endeavor to search for meaning in the meaningless. The problem arises when we become certain of our lot in life. at which point we become intellectually stagnant. But then again my musings are all conjecture. Enjoy your life, wonder at the marvel, never assume anyone has all the answers .

It does seem more acceptable than a being being born to a tramp with no home....via miraculous conception....and three wise men following a star they can never reach....we all had to start somewhere....one theory is life started as bacteria....and over millions of years....evolved into super bacteria and bigger bacteria etc....so yes....it’s easy to see y we may be connected...I still don’t fully understand how the world became mixed race and language and beliefs.....I’m still reading theories on that one lol....

I don't honestly connect religious people with a belief in god because what they really done is attached themselves to the system of rules created by men that they feel most comfortable following. Spiritual but not religious kind of in my mind implies a rejection of religion but hope for a 'higher power'. Each person has to define and create their own belief system.

Wow - thank you for this great debate. It seems I have found my place here - and thank you for that too! The thing I wrestle with most is labels. I like what so many of you said - it doesn't matter what you call yourself. You alone know your beliefs - or non-belief. I sometimes get myself tangled in knots with semantics! So - I meditate and follow much of the Buddha's teaching for my own inner peace. But, as was mentioned, many Buddhists are atheists - because the Buddha was not, never claimed to be, and indeed argued against being called a god.

Again, many thanks for such a great welcome! I look forward to many more amazing, respectful discussions. What a relief!

I think that people who describe themselves as “spiritual but not religious” don’t NECESSARILY believe in god, but that many do. When I see that I sometimes wonder if people don’t really “believe” in a god but are hesitant to publicly declare that.

It's all woo woo to me. There's no evidence of any mental or telepathic connections between people. We feel "connected" because our brains are similar, we are social and emotional creatures, we empathize, we think and hope and worry and fear the same things in our own separate brains, but there is no reason to think we are "connected" by anything more than empathy and shared experience.

Spiritual is the hot button word that will make rational atheist go more bonkers than Ken Ham in an actual natural history museum! It's the wild card can mean anything term. I recommend never using it because it is much like using the term "god", it means something different to everyone. Don't tell anyone. For me I can be "spiritual" just being at peace alone is quiet meditation about life....shhh....
Most atheists associate the term "spiritual" with the supernatural. I don't necessarily. I think more of quiet complication... don't tell anybody.....

There is so much about what the universe is and how it works that we simply don't know. So, absence of belief in intentional deities without proof is legitimate (IMHO), while spirituality could be interpreted as tapping into that which we don't know or understand. My favorite mystery in this regard is Quantum Mechanics and all that it entails (... or not. Sorry, couldn't resist). I think we are a very long way away from understanding what's around us and I prefer not to censor curiosity, study, and research or contaminate them with ... wishful thinking.

The word 'spiritual' is vague and has too many meanings. It is not a word I like to use under any circumstances because it invariably leads to misunderstandings. Further, I don't think there is any force connecting us in any way. We are connected because we are of the same species and our evolutionary experiences that shaped our minds is similar across the board so that, even if our immediate acculturation is wildly different, we have a common bond shaped over deep time. We are human beings.

As for the labeling, I do it only to clarify my position. Unfortunately, not many understand the real meaning of the word 'atheist' so just that label doesn't serve the purpose. I use several for the purpose of explaining my worldview. Fortunately, the issue rarely ever comes up in general conversation in public. When it does, I make every effort to make my position abundantly clear at the outset. After that, if the other party wants to continue the discussion, there is a basic understanding established.

The word spiritual is not one I like to use myself. Some people use it in a good sense to mean an appreciation of the wonders of the universe and respect for all we don't know. Carl Sagan used it like this. Others use it poorly to mean nonsense, things they can't prove, or to pretend they are on "a higher plane" than everybody else. I dislike this nonsense. I wouldn't automatically judge someone poorly if they use the word; it would depend on what they mean and how they use it.

I agree with Sam Harris that the word spirit doesn’t necessarily imply anything superstitious. To me it just means attitude or mood. We all have those.

You can call yourself anything you want. There are Spiritual People here.

Buddhists are often atheists. Modern Sun worshippers are also atheists, but they feel a spiritual connection to the sun. Pastafarianism is technically a religion that doesn't believe in their God. Jedi don't need to believe in God, yeah, that's a legit thing. I'd say as long as you reject the claim that a god exists, you're an atheist.

Welcome. Personally, I don't care for labels. I only call myself an atheist because it's easy for people to understand. I don't believe in any kind of "spirituality". Or labels. Be whatever you want to be, call yourself whatever you please.

Welcome I don't like labels and never have labelled myself (Except for the purposes of this lovely site) You are who you are, be who you want to be.

I do not say "atheist", I say "A-theist". In my opinion it sorta takes the bite out of the perceived negativity of the word. I also define my self as a secular humanist.

I'm not spiritual.