Beyond Atheism: A Secular Approach to Spiritual, Moral and Psychological Practices

Atheism is not a belief system; it is a statement of opposition. We must clarify what we do believe in. But beliefs are cheap. The harder part is developing practices to put our beliefs and values in motion. If we reject religious visions, we must develop our own spiritual connections and moral practices, create our own meaning and purpose in life, and develop psychological practices to soothe and heal ourselves. The task herein is to spur atheists, and the many others who check the box “spiritual but not religious,” to explore and develop such practices. Spirituality and religion are not synonymous, and religion has no monopoly on spirituality or morality. Spiritual atheism seeks to discard the irrational beliefs and dogmatism of religion, while preserving and expanding its beneficial practices. Religions have invented invisible, unverifiable gods to make us feel good. But in doing so, religions violate their own values of humility and gratitude, inviting us to feel pride as God’s pet species, and greed for immortality. There is abundant evidence that human needs drive religious beliefs. Without invoking bogus spirits or immortality, secular spirituality celebrates our consciousness and connectedness, and the gift of our mortal life. It nurtures spiritual emotions such as awe, gratitude, humility, love, and existential joy. Do you practice what you preach? Most of us try to, but we are all part-time hypocrites, when our behavior fails to match our values. Is your morality proactive and positive, or just geared toward avoidance of guilt? Do you understand non-religious spirituality and its practices? How about meaning and purpose in the absence of the divine download? And what about psychological practices? Do you have effective strategies for managing negative emotions, nurturing your mind and body, and enhancing romance? Beliefs are the easy part; the rubber hits the road with practices. In Beyond Atheism, psychologist Edward Chandler invites hard-core atheists, agnostics, spiritual atheists, secular humanists, and anyone else seeking spirituality without delusions to explore and develop such practices.In this three-part contribution to the spiritual atheist literature, Part I: The Intelligent Design of God, examines religious delusions and their motivations, particularly death anxiety and anthropocentrism (our need to feel important, at the center of the universe). Part II: Building Secular Spirituality, examines the concepts and practices of secular spirituality and morality. It explores methods of developing consciousness, internal and external connectedness, personally driven morality, and the imperative to develop your own meaning and purpose in life. Part III: Psychomechanics, is derived from Dr. Chandler’s clinical psychology practice. It begins with a philosophy of the mind (and insanity), and examines the management of stress, anxiety, depression, frustration, and anger, as well as trauma resolution, and positive psychology. Beyond Atheism implores you: don’t just believe; practice! Visit www.edchandler&beyond, and see what else Ed is up to.