Expert: Bob - 10/22/2002

Question
Hello.  I'm writing a paper (What is spirituality?) for my college undergraduate course on Adult Spirituality.   Would appreciate your insight.

What is spirituality?  Must the definition be religious based? What is spirituality to an atheist, and an agnostic?

Answer
Hello Edward,
 Although I can not speak for every Atheist or Agnostic, I know many, including myself that define themselves as being spiritual but not religious. In this case, spirituality is defined as obtaining an inner peace with oneself, and with those around them.
People in general prefer to think of themselves as being "good people". Even though an Atheist does not fear the religious threat of eternal damnation we do not run through the streets killing at will. We do not rape, murder, or pillage any more frequently then does a religious person, I would even wager that an Atheist would be less likely to do something like that. Through the entire history of the world have you ever heard of an army of Atheists committing genocide on a group of people because they did not share our beliefs.  

                                Bob