"Spiritual Envy"

DWill · Sat Dec 11, 2010 2:49 pm

I'm not offering to discuss the book Spiritual Envy: An Agnostic's Quest, but when I heard the author talking about it yesterday on NPR, I thought of mentioning it. I also thought of Studs Terkel's quip that an agnostic is a cowardly atheist. The agnostic author takes issue with that perception, choosing instead to paint agnosticism as a position of strength.

I suspect I'm not the only one here who has no belief in a personal god and is a materialist, yet hesitates to call himself an atheist. There are probably several reasons for that, including, if not exactly cowardice, then at least a desire not to give offense. The author, Krasny, writes about a certain lack that he and others feel who don't have a ready-made focus for spirituality (the term isn't the best but seems unavoidable). Though he remains a skeptic about all matters of faith, he thinks that in a paradoxical sense, the faithful are onto something.

Since I haven't read the book, I can't say if Krasny's view is that atheists aren't spiritual. That would be a stereotype if he did. When I listened to Dawkins debate the theist, I had the impression from Dawkins' early remarks of a spritual person. Sam Harris tells us that reason is not enough and that we have a natural need to express and explore the spiritual.

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. The contention between the "new" atheists and the devout is causing a resurgence in agnostic studies. Krasny (Off Mike) is a public radio host and a self-declared agnostic, maintaining a position that "stands open to verification of either side of the God question." Deftly balancing biography and literary scholarship, the book is both a personal examination of agnosticism and a balanced voice in the complex debate over faith's role in society. Krasny grew up a strong believer in his Jewish faith, until adolescent questioning led him to declare he just wasn't sure. Despite a lost connection with God, the young Krasny continued to seek a divine presence, even admitting to feelings of envy toward those possessing "the consolation of faith." In this book, agnosticism is a tool to philosophically engage with various manifestations of faith including organized religion, spiritual-but-not-religious sentiments, and even paranormal theories. Readers expecting a late chapter conversion will be disappointed; Krasny remains agnostic to the end, even while declaring his respect for the benefits religion can bring to believers.

Dawn · Mon Dec 13, 2010 11:51 pm


	DWill wrote: I'm not offering to discuss the book Spiritual Envy: An Agnostic's Quest, but when I heard the author talking about it yesterday on NPR, I thought of mentioning it. I also thought of Studs Terkel's quip that an agnostic is a cowardly atheist. The agnostic author takes issue with that perception, choosing instead to paint agnosticism as a position of strength. I suspect I'm not the only one here who has no belief in a personal god and is a materialist, yet hesitates to call himself an atheist. There are probably several reasons for that, including, if not exactly cowardice, then at least a desire not to give offense. The author, Krasny, writes about a certain lack that he and others feel who don't have a ready-made focus for spirituality (the term isn't the best but seems unavoidable). Though he remains a skeptic about all matters of faith, he thinks that in a paradoxical sense, the faithful are onto something. Since I haven't read the book, I can't say if Krasny's view is that atheists aren't spiritual. That would be a stereotype if he did. When I listened to Dawkins debate the theist, I had the impression from Dawkins' early remarks of a spritual person. Sam Harris tells us that reason is not enough and that we have a natural need to express and explore the spiritual.

Sounds like an interesting book. I've always thought, for what it's worth, that agnosticism seems more honest and more open to finding answers than does atheism. It seems impossible to deny that man has a spiritual nature (or whatever you want to call it). Are you saying that atheists make allowance for this too somehow? That's hard to wrap my mind around... How does it work?
I'm reading a book right now addressing those who have 'tried' Christianity and found it wanting. It's called Has Christianity Failed You It's by a top-notch Christian apologist who I quite admire, Ravi Zacharias. If you have never heard him speak avail yourself of the opportunity here-- this is just a sampling of topics-- rzim.org/resources/listen/letmypeopleth ... ?archive=1 Meanwhile, I think I'll check on Krasny's book at the library. Do you plan to read it?

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