Someone at work asked me a question and I'm uncertain how to answer...

[WillParkinson]

I do not hide my atheism (even at work) and it's led to some interesting discussions. The other day we were talking about Buddhism and one of the guys said that I couldn't be Buddhist because I was an atheist. I had always heard that Buddhists generally do not believe in gods or goddesses and I was uncertain how to agree or disagree with his statement.

Can one be atheist and a Buddhist?

[muriel_volestrangler]

1. It seems to me a Buddhist *can* be atheist, but frequently isn't

I think Buddhism counts as a religion (not a 'life philosophy' or similar), because it has supernatural beliefs about 'rebirth'. While, as far as I can tell, the writings directly associated with Buddha himself do not talk about gods or spirits, these can creep into some variants of Buddhism.

[salvorhardin]

2. I argue for a very conservative definition of atheism

In other words, I think we should restrict atheism to meaning simply a lack of belief in gods. It jibes with reality better since a lot of people who identify as atheists have supernatural beliefs. For instance, Sam Harris kinda, sorta believes in reincarnation and some paranormal abilities. I don't think anyone would deny he's an atheist. Misguided, bigoted, and sometimes hateful (in terms of his stance on torture and use of nuclear weapons on Muslims) but still an atheist.

[Deep13]

9. You know he was speaking hypothetically on the torture thing...

...in his book The End of Faith, right? I don't know (or remember) him writing about using nuclear weapons on Muslims, but I have to assume it is a similar situation.

When has he been bigoted?

I tend to agree with him being misguided, at least as far as his rosey view of Israel goes.

[laconicsax]

3. Buddhism isn't a theistic religion, so yes n/t

[Lisa0825]

4. I ordered a book titled "Buddhism without Beliefs," but have not yet found time

to read it.

http://www.amazon.com/Buddhism-Without-Beliefs-Contemporary-Awakening/dp/1573226564/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1307250682&sr=8-1

[Odin2005]

6. I got that book and "Confessions of a Buddhist Atheist" by the same author.

I really liked both of them.

[Odin2005]

5. I'm both an Atheist and a Buddhist.

Most non-Western Buddhists are polytheists or pantheists, but the core ideas of Buddhism are non-theistic and fit very well with Western Secular Humanism. It being considered a religion has more to do with it being popular among air-headed woo-woos and because of the prominence of the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism IS a religion.

Ironically there are several things said by Siddhartha Gautama that would enrage the woo-woos and Theists.

[WillParkinson]

7. Thanks all!

Appreciate the feedback.

[Warpy]

8. Some sects like the Tibetans believe in folk gods

and consign them to a realm but even they admit that these beings are created by human thought.

Buddha himself was an atheist.

What is at the heart of all Buddhist sects is the practice of deep meditation. It's entirely consistent to be an atheist and a Buddhist. Most sects are atheist although they tolerate the folk worship of local gods.