To understand how this is possible, it's important to first again define what Omnism means to me. Omnism is a philosophical view point that recognises the validity of all religions, and seeks to find commonalities between them. It is not a religion in and of itself, but rather a philosophy of religion. It sees all beliefs as valid and worthy of respect, and encourages people to learn from the wisdom of different religious traditions.
But where does Atheism fit into this? Atheism is defined as the rejection of an existence of a god or gods. It is often seen as the opposite of religious belief, as it denies the existence of a higher power. Atheism can be further divided into different types, such as implicit Atheism and explicit Atheism:
Implicit Atheism refers to the lack of belief in a god or gods without actively denying their existence. Individuals who fall into this category may not have given much thought to the question of the existence of a god, or they may have simply never been exposed to the concept of god in their upbringing or cultural environment. Implicit Atheists do not make a positive claim that no god exists, but rather lack belief in a god due to lack of evidence or personal conviction. This falls more in the category of Agnostic to me, so we will disregard these for now.
Explicit Atheism, on the other hand, refers to the active rejection of the belief in a god or gods. This includes the explicit denial of the existence of a deity, as there is no evidence to support the existence of a god. Explicit Atheists may have actively considered the question of the existence of a god and have come to a conclusion that there is no evidence or logical argument in support of such a belief.
So, can someone be both an Omnist and an Atheist?
At first glance, it may seem like a contradiction. How can someone who believes that all religions contain truth, also actively deny the existence of any gods or deities*? However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that these two statements are not necessarily incompatible. But first, we must take a look at what we mean by "containing truth".
When we say that a religion contains truth, we typically mean that there are certain beliefs, practices, or teachings within the religion that offer a genuine and insightful perspective on the difficulties and complexities of human existence. We must make clear though, that the distinction of using the word "contains" in this regard has not been fully explored. As one could find personal truth in specific parts of the religions.
For example, if a religion contains one ethical teaching that you personally regard as good and valuable, and you happen to be Atheist, it stands to reason that you recognise the religion contains truth.
Recognising that a religion contains truth in this sense does not necessarily require a belief in the existence of gods or deities. One can acknowledge that certain teachings or practices within a religion are helpful or insightful without believing in a supernatural realm. In other words, the truth within a religion can be measured by its ability to provide an authentic and accurate understanding of life.
*(I talk more about what it means for something to be true in my other blog, "Theoretical Beings in the Limit of Truth". Also about how Recognition does not imply existence in "Can Anyone be an Omnist?")
So what happens if we look at religion, not from a source of supernatural truth, but as a source of human wisdom. From this perspective, religions can be seen as cultural products that reflect the values, beliefs, and experiences of the people who created them. Each religion offers a unique perspective on the human experience, and can therefore be studied and appreciated for its insights into the nature of existence, morality, and spirituality.
Similarly, If we view Omnism through the lens of a philosophy, rather than a belief system, we can create enough room for Atheists. As again, it becomes more about exploring and understanding different world views, rather than subscribing to a particular belief.
In this sense, an Atheist-Omnist might reject the supernatural claims of religion, but still find value in the humanistic aspects of different faiths. They might study the texts and teachings of different religions, not to find evidence of the supernatural, but to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of what it means to be human. From this perspective, religious stories and symbols can be seen as powerful metaphors for the human experience, rather than literal descriptions of supernatural phenomena.
Criticisms
My concept of Atheist-Omnism will not be without its critics. Some people would argue that it is impossible to simultaneously reject the existence of gods while accepting the claims of all religions. They may argue that an Omnist must, by definition, believe in some kind of spiritual reality or higher power. However, my understanding is that this applies more to the belief of Omnitheism, which I will get into at a later date. As I have mentioned, there are debates about whether Omnism is a valid belief system or simply a philosophical stance. I fall into the side that views it as a philosophy.
Additionally, some Atheists may argue that acknowledging and respecting the beliefs of religions goes against the core principles of Atheism altogether. For these Atheists, the belief in a god or gods is seen as a flawed or irrational concept, and as such, they should reject any attempt to engage with religious beliefs or traditions. They often hold the belief that religious beliefs are fundamentally irrational or even harmful. They may argue that religion promotes dogmatic thinking and encourages blind faith.
Some view religion as a source of oppression and intolerance, particularly towards marginalized communities such as the LGBTQ+ community. But I should also note that individuals with different beliefs or backgrounds are also persecuted in this manner. For these Atheists, engaging with religious teachings may be seen as a form of acceptance or endorsement of these harmful beliefs and practices.
Despite these debates and disagreements, some of which have merit, it is also important to recognize that rejecting religious teachings outright may not be the most productive or inclusive approach. It is possible to engage with religious teachings in a critical and reflective way, using them as a starting point for philosophical or ethical discussions that are grounded in reason and evidence. It allows for a more open minded and inclusive approach to religious and spiritual beliefs, and encourages individuals to explore and learn about different cultures and perspectives, while still keeping their rational method.
By adopting an Omnistic approach, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the various cultural and historical contexts that have shaped human belief systems over time. This can lead to greater empathy and understanding of different cultures and beliefs, which can ultimately promote greater harmony and respect among people of different faiths or worldviews, including Atheists.
टिप्पणियां