Posting this because I think it’s an interesting examination of the overlap (or lack thereof) between atheists and general skeptics. It’s worth remembering that the term ‘atheism’ only means a rejection of theistic beliefs; non-theistic beliefs that are nonetheless irrational and unsupported by evidence are not relevant to the term. And yet one can easily see why there is an overlap between these two communities and why many atheists scoff at other atheists who profess belief in things like astrology, ghosts, reincarnation, etc.
I’m definitely one of those who doesn’t believe in anything supernatural, but I’ve certainly met atheists who do. It’s worth remembering the two groups aren’t synonymous.
I think I fall into this category, but it’s complicated. How much I believe in the supernatural depends on how much the belief will benefit me in the moment. Most of the time, it only goes as far as making jokes, coping with grief, and explaining weird but mundane occurances. There are a few beliefs where I’m more into them, such as the idea of reincarnation, but I’m still aware that there’s no scientific evidence to support them and that “brains are weird” is the best explanation for them. In the end, it’s about what helps me feel better, and only me. When I mysteriously lose an object, sometimes it’s fun to say a ghost moved it. When I’m sad about the passing of a pet, imagining their spirit frolicking in pet heaven is comforting. I don’t really believe in these things with my whole heart. Sometimes it’s just nice to pretend.
As a naturalist, I’m incidentally atheist. I don’t believe in the supernatural.
But this is to say I don’t think all UAP (UFOs) are weather balloons, but that they’re natural phenomena. We just can’t explain them yet. Much the way that we can’t (yet) fully explain ball lightning, but we know it happens and is (probably) natural phenomena.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy but so far all the things we’ve explored occur due to natural events and can be predicted according to mathematical models, which is why it is wise to ground your steeple with a lightning rod.
lolnope
