Why are a lot of people who smoke marijuana/do psychedelics atheists?

[Metaphor]

truly understanding the minute mechanisms of how nature works from a scientific standpoint is far more rewarding

amen!

[Innominate]

I've never had anything 'spiritual' per say when it comes to psychedelic states, but that might be just me? The only thing close to spirituality is feeling one with the earth, or appreciating the complexity of nature from a scientific standpoint. It's interesting learning about physics, nature, biology, astronomy, ect when you're baked. Religious people might appreciate it for the fact it exists because they believe a god made it, but truly understanding the minute mechanisms of how nature works from a scientific standpoint is far more rewarding

The greatest truth about what this website is all about, right here.

[phx123]

truly understanding the minute mechanisms of how nature works from a scientific standpoint is far more rewarding

amen!

Can't you have both? Understanding the minute mechanisms of how nature works and also realizing that an all-powerful god created it in all its perfection?

[Purple Banana]

No, because we can actively see and observe these natural processes. It's simply much more rewarding.

Why does it bother you that people have psychedelic experiences who do not believe in a deity? Should we not be allowed to experience it? Everyone experiences psychedelics in different states of mind, why should this deity issue be any different?

[phx123]

No, because we can actively see and observe these natural processes. It's simply much more rewarding.

Why does it bother you that people have psychedelic experiences who do not believe in a deity? Should we not be allowed to experience it? Everyone experiences psychedelics in different states of mind, why should this deity issue be any different?

Just because you can actively see and observe the natural processes means a god didn't create it? That doesn't make any sense.

I'm just curious... most, if not all, psychedelics come from different cultures/tribes who use it for spiritual purposes. It seems many have 'westernized' it though to mean nothing.
I never said you shouldn't be allowed to experience it. This experience is something built-in that every person can access.

The way spirituality is described is
"Having to do with deep feelings and beliefs, including a personâ??s sense of peace, purpose, connection to others and beliefs about the meaning of life."

That seems very similar to my experiences with cannabis. Deep feelings and beliefs (much deeper than normal thinking). A sense of inner peace (thoughts aligned, content), purpose (in your face reality -- everything is more purposeful), connection to others (as you said, feeling one with earth, connection to earth, plants, living things, nature, etc) and beliefs about the meaning of life (I OFTEN go into deep philosophical thinking about the meaning of life.. there is no way of knowing for sure, but you can have beliefs and theories)

I'm just wondering if people experience something similar to that spiritual experience above, or if experiences are so completely different with other people, or if we are simply misinterpreting the definition of spirituality.

I'm not talking about a deity.. I've never encountered one on any of my experiences (although I think it is certainly possible with certain plants.. especially DMT, on high enough dose, the right set and setting and mindset -- going in really deep throughout it all). And I'm not saying that the deity is God.. I think God is all around us, in nature, the universe and in our selves.

[Cannabis-Sativa]

They went into the experience much more close minded is what i would assume, when you enter the experience with an open mind you will get much more profound effects.

[Purple Banana]

You can be spiritual while being atheist though, I really don't see why it's an issue to believe in a god, otherwise you're not spiritual?

[phx123]

They went into the experience much more close minded is what i would assume, when you enter the experience with an open mind you will get much more profound effects.

That is what I was thinking. Certainly those who just smoke pot and watch TV or listen to rap music are not getting the full effects of cannabis. Cultural diversion from what is real, as Terence McKenna would put it.

But I'm still unsure.. does that suggest that those who are atheists/do not believe in anything simply have a close mind?

[phx123]

You can be spiritual while being atheist though, I really don't see why it's an issue to believe in a god, otherwise you're not spiritual?

I don't really see those being compatible. If you are spiritual you believe in a spirit other than the physical body. Atheism just means when you die, you're dead.. absolutely nothing, correct? These direct spiritual experiences while on cannabis or on psychedelics to my are almost evidence that there is a greater being than myself and that I am apart of a spiritual realm/dimension.

[1puff2puff3puff]

This discussing is also in another website (Rollitup), but it is posed "Do you believe in God? In poll form it was 29% yes, 19% higher power , not a Christian God, 29% no and 8 undecided. Its turned into a bunch of people trying to chane one another belief, with athiest giving links to big bang theories and such. I myself am a Christian, and i believe that growing has made me feel closer with God, and the earth I love it, its wonderful!!!