Not an atheist, but hello.

[Light]

I welcome challenges.  Because, I've found, that whenever I get into good debates with people, even if at the end we still don't agree,  I almost always walk away feeling like I've learned something.

And yes, I do see the benefits of the scientific method, but I also see it's intrinsic limitations.   

Much of religion and spirituality is based on rationalistic ideas, but so are many aspects of science, and so I don't see science as a completely unique approach to knowledge, separate from all else. 

I also consider personal experience alone to be valid evidence in some cases, but that I'll have to go into later.

[Light]

I just wanted to also add, that I chose the name Light because of the spiritual ideas associated with it, but also because I find the properties of light, to be philosophically intriguing, but I will go more into that another time.

[The Magic Pudding]

personally see religion as a retardant, and gets in the way of finding real solutions, when science is better equipped to do that, it it isn't a code of conduct or philosophy to live by. It's just a tool.

I like that retardant word.

[Crocoduck]

Welcome Light

[Light]

Thanks.

[Tank]

Welcome Light

Would that the European name for Diet Welcome?

[carley]

Science seeks to systematically explain phenomena but I think we can all acknowledge that there are mysteries in the universe. While I don't believe in God or Jesus (or any creator) and can't have blind faith, I also believe there is an afterlife. This is due to things I have experienced, not just because it says to believe it in a book. With any religion (or lack thereof), there's great diversity in beliefs. Welcome.

[Happy_Is_Good]

And yes, I do see the benefits of the scientific method, but I also see it's intrinsic limitations.   

Please, could you tell me what Limitations do you see?

Thanks,

Happy

[Tank]

And yes, I do see the benefits of the scientific method, but I also see it's intrinsic limitations.   

Please, could you tell me what Limitations do you see?

Thanks,

Happy

Light came, was shown the 'light' and appears to have 'flounced', so I doubt you'll get a reply.

[Asmodean]

Light came, was shown the 'light' and appears to have 'flounced', so I doubt you'll get a reply.

Maybe The Asmo's light-eating darkness scared him/her off 

[Liar For Jesus]

OP,   What is the foundational basis of your truth source ... is it an objective one or subjective ?   I think science which is essentially discovery of all things,  has to be held loosely since they are always modifiying, updating, adding, deleting, and so forth  as time goes on .   Personally,  black coffee BETTER be ok to drink cause i aint giving that up !     Which leads to the question....What do we ultimately put our trust in ?

[pytheas]

I did study science in college, and do enjoy it, but find it's applications limited.  It bothers me that so many people somehow reach the conclusion that science can be some ultimate explanation for everything.

It bothers you that so many people somehow need a conclusive ultimate explanation for everything, because it is bothering and you like me are "the people". I have distilled the range and activity of belief/faith to its bare necessity which haσ to do with self confidence and optimism. The rest is self-indulging fantasy which is for amusement and recreation. Getting over mourning, or alcohol addiction needs this type of recreation, artistic transendence
Here is a hymn/prayer to show you what I think you are talking about

I believe in the womb Earth,
Grand Mother of Life
Living Sphere
Toiling Troposphere that Holds
Human root, divine consciousness

I believe in the Light Star
The regulator Sun
Shining donator of energy and route
Leading composer of atoms
And in the depth of time collector of all here
Merger for a denser structure

I believe in the black Heart of the Galaxy
Gigantic indescribable attraction
Unending Vent, hole of "black"
Envoy to our Stars, the Galaxy nation
Suggesting all the star nations
Colors, Rays and Gases
Waves and Energies which variably oscillate
The multiple entities, as far as pulsars and quasars
As deep as exotic particles,
Bosons, Fermions, Neutrinos
All the other creatures in the circus of Existence


I believe in Black Energy
Black Matter's accomplice
Vehicle balance of Existence
Gate of dimensions, and Indefinable.
I believe in that which I cannot learn
I believe in the wrinkles of this Existence
Above analysis and understanding
And grateful I share and honor
Breathing still.

Πυθέας Nov 2009

[happyhappa]

I, too, have a background in the sciences.
I'm new to Atheism and have wondered similar things to your original post.
I find it amazing how insightful the members here are!

[werewolf]

Science wont explain everything.not yet atleast

[texasatheist]

Welcome to the forum!  I have no science background myself but have been learning more and more since I finally let god go, I wouldn't say it answers everything yet but it's the structure of science and it's ability to adjust views based on observations and constants that gives me more hope than any religions have offered me.  Seems much easier for me to believe that we're based on a lottery of life rather than an intelligently created universe.

Enjoy your stay.