Crossword Genius

Without belief in God, this man exists in a higher place (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

atheistic

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'without belief in god this man' is the definition.
The definition and answer are not the same part of speech.

'exists in a higher place' is the wordplay.
'exists' becomes 'is' (if something 'is', it exists).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'higher place' becomes 'thetic' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'a'+'thetic'='athetic'
'is' inserted into 'athetic' is 'ATHEISTIC'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for atheistic that I've seen before include "Unholy" , "rationalist philosophy?" , "Unwilling to believe" , "Heathen" , "showing scepticism" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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