[net.religion] for atheists and agnostics, a ?

judy@ut-ngp.UUCP (05/01/84)

 I am curious. Do any of the atheists or agnostics out there believe that 
man has a soul? You know, as in "an eternal spirit"? If so, what leads you 
to this belief? And if not, why not? See, I feel that there are so many 
things in this world that science has not explained, and to refuse to 
acknowledge this is like putting on blinders (the kind that race horses wear 
so they won't get distracted). It's not that I don't think science is capable
of explaining these things, it's just that science has found it difficult, so 
far, to conduct experiments on paranormal occurrences. Sometimes I think that
our technology has made it more difficult to keep in touch with our fellow man
- how much more it must affect our ability to sense the non-physical! 
 Do any of you believe in the existance of telepathy, ESP, precognition, ghosts?
Note that these things are independent of a belief in God, even though
many belief systems include explanations of them.

Judy

pso@utastro.UUCP (P Samuel Odoms) (05/02/84)

Yes, I think that such things as ESP, telepathy, precognition, and even
ghosts are possible.  But I do not believe in a soul in the religious
way.  There may actually be some sort of an after-life or again-life but
not because of a god.

Sam

labelle@hplabsc.UUCP (05/03/84)

       1) No, I don't "believe" in "souls". Reason- same that I don't 
  think there is a God- no evidence and no logic for it!

       2) As far as ESP precognition, etc., not sure yet. I do believe
  in coincidence though.

                 the eternal atheist  GEORGE

liberte@uiucdcs.UUCP (05/09/84)

#R:ut-ngp:-56700:uiucdcs:33000052:000:1017
uiucdcs!liberte    May  8 18:35:00 1984

As an agnostic-agnostic (I am not sure that I cant know - in fact, I am
beginning to believe I can know) I do believe in the existence of souls.
This is not to say that I know it for sure.  I am just entertaining the
possibility.  Experimental belief, it's called.

The reasons I give for this belief are the result of years of consideration.
Evidence from ESP research indicates the existence of something beyond
the mind/body.  Evidence of memories of past lives being substantiated 
supports the belief of reincarnation of some continuous memory entity.
Evidence of the workings of astrology (not daily horoscopes) and its
link with reincarnation points to non-physical causal connections. 

I dont have any religious beliefs in the usual sense of the word.  Anything
I choose to believe must eventually be supported scientifically.  Until then
my beliefs are open to reevaluation and change.


Daniel LaLiberte,  U of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Computer Science
{moderation in all things - including moderation}