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Two perspectives on spirituality without God
What spirituality is available to those who question God?
Some atheists find use for the word “spirituality” while others don’t. Atheism is a reasonable philosophical position, the appeal of the word “spirituality” is common, and atheists can justify their opinions on “spirituality” either way. Those who want to explore non-theistic spirituality will find it is a deep subject.
Here’s a couple perspectives on what atheist spirituality might look like. The first author is Christian and is discussing the capacity of each human to experience at least brief periods of unbelief. The second author is happily atheist.
Richard Kearney’s 2010 book Anatheism: Returning to God After God supports religious faith, but he suggests that faith needs to be repeatedly chosen and voluntarily embraced, which means that people need to make space for uncertainty.
He calls this moment “anatheism.” It may spring from “instants of deep disorientation, doubt, or dread, when we are no longer sure exactly who we are or where we are going,” whether out of boredom, grief, or “the ‘holy insecurity’ of radical openness to the strange.” It’s a gut feeling. Such “radical dispossession is felt by any human being who is deeply bewildered by what existence means.” It’s about “our originary…
