Am I an atheist, agnostic, or theist?

[crow]

"Philosophy-with-rituals is not the province of genuine spiritual experience."

Agreed.
It is a state all by itself, and remains so after associated matter has decayed and rejoined the pool.
Few ever experience it, in life, but those who do know its exact nature.

 

[aquarius]

Are results secondary to the path that leads us to them? Sometimes the unquestioning belief/faith of religion works better than the philosopher that dissects everything.

[crow]

You speak of 'results' and things 'working'.
Perhaps this perspective is flawed?
Dissecting something tends to lead one away from the panoramic view.
Tunnel vision does not lead to a wide-angle appreciation.
After many years of actively 'seeking', I suddenly gave it up.
That moment changed everything.

See how language obstructs certain things?
The spiritual reality is untranslatable.

Imagine a pliable ball, compressed down, more and more, more and more.
Suddenly relax all that accumulated pressure, and what happens?
It happens very fast

[Aeternum]

idk(/idc) what I am, but if I want to go to church (get some universal wisdom, plus community aspects) or pray to some higher power (placebo effect is still an effect) I'll just go ahead and do it.

[fallot]

Imagine a pliable ball, compressed down, more and more, more and more.
Suddenly relax all that accumulated pressure, and what happens?
It happens very fast

crow, if it is alright with you, I'd appreciate if you could relate the specific circumstances surrounding your "awakening" at some point. Whether its here or on Amerika.org I think it might make for illuminating reading. I hope that's not an unreasonable request.

[crow]

It is rewarding to see your interest. It certainly is not unreasonable.
I've already done what you ask, more or less, here and there, but mostly what I get for my trouble is ridicule, demands for 'proof' and even vitriolic abuse. Which rather deters me from being too specific.
Anyway, it is really not possible to be specific about something like this.
I do, from time to time, excerpt these things, both here and on Amerika.
Pay attention for long enough, and the many fragments may form a coherent picture.
I hope they do

Meanwhile, try this, if you haven't yet:
http://taoteachings.blogspot.ca/

[death metal black metal]

Perhaps I am misunderstanding you.

cf. "Religious experience"