Philosophical Belief Thread

[MC]

I used to consider myself atheist, but realizing how extreme of a belief atheism was, I stopped. However, I still don't believe in the existence of a deity, god or God that created/overlooks the universe or of a Heaven and Hell (among other things). Either way, I never cared much for labels, but if I had to call myself anything (for the sake of argument) I'd say a really lousy, layman Buddhist.

 

[Synth]

I've fallen between non-traditional Bhuddism (mmm beef) and excerpts of Taoism.

 

[kam!]

I'm agnostic in the sense that I don't care if a deity exists or not. I also see myself as liberal.
Been a long time since I had my last good dosis of philosophy, but if I remember correctly I was a friend of rationalism.

 

[Cap J]

Atheist.

 

[elNarr]

Atheist, realist.

 

[SailorAlea]

It's quite surprising how many people list themselves as atheist when only 1% of the population (according to demographic statistics) does.

2 a: a disbelief in the existence of deity b: the doctrine that there is no deity

a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable; broadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god

To me, it doesn't really make sense that someone can sit here and tell me "I have logical reason to believe there is no God" instead of "I don't believe anyone actually knows one way or the other, and it may be impossible to know."

Insisting that there isn't a supreme deity seems just as unreasonable than insisting there is, to me.

 

[Zeonix]

It's quite surprising how many people list themselves as atheist when only 1% of the population (according to demographic statistics) does.





To me, it doesn't really make sense that someone can sit here and tell me "I have logical reason to believe there is no God" instead of "I don't believe anyone actually knows one way or the other, and it may be impossible to know."

Insisting that there isn't a supreme deity seems just as unreasonable than insisting there is, to me.

:love:

I've had this conversation with Sub several times, but my opinion is Atheism is just as extreme as theism. To state definitively that there is or isn't a God reeks of arrogance. Hermetic teachings state that the difference between things seemingly diametrically opposed (in this case, atheism and theism) to each other is simply a matter of degree.

Some people think agnosticism is a cop-out because you're not "choosing a side", but I think its one of the smartest decisions one can make. You're acknowledging your ignorance and accepting all possibilities. You may lean more to one side than the other, but you're not stating "X is impossible, therefore Y must be true" or whatever the case may be.

 

[kam!]

:love:

I've had this conversation with Sub several times, but my opinion is Atheism is just as extreme as theism. To state definitively that there is or isn't a God reeks of arrogance. Hermetic teachings state that the difference between things seemingly diametrically opposed (in this case, atheism and theism) to each other is simply a matter of degree.

Some people think agnosticism is a cop-out because you're not "choosing a side", but I think its one of the smartest decisions one can make. You're acknowledging your ignorance and accepting all possibilities. You may lean more to one side than the other, but you're not stating "X is impossible, therefore Y must be true" or whatever the case may be.

I find atheists funny who tell theists they're wrong because they have no evidence.

 

[J-Dude]

I find atheists funny who tell theists they're wrong because they have no evidence.

Thank you...


...Mother of God...Am I a pilgrim in an unholy land or what? Are the Christians here too afraid of harassment to speak up, or am I really the only one here? Suddenly I feel utterly overwhelmed...

 

[sub]

It's quite surprising how many people list themselves as atheist when only 1% of the population (according to demographic statistics) does.





To me, it doesn't really make sense that someone can sit here and tell me "I have logical reason to believe there is no God" instead of "I don't believe anyone actually knows one way or the other, and it may be impossible to know."

Insisting that there isn't a supreme deity seems just as unreasonable than insisting there is, to me.

I'm with you on this, but in my experience, if you tell someone that you're agnostic, they'll look at you **** eyed and confused. People are familiar with what it is to be an athiest, not so much with agnosticism.

As for the amount of athiests / agnostics, that number is probably accurate, or at least was accurate. I think the younger generation has a much higher percentage of athiests / agnostics. And the internet tends to attract the young / liberal crowd.

Thank you...


...Mother of God...Am I a pilgrim in an unholy land or what? Are the Christians here too afraid of harassment to speak up, or am I really the only one here? Suddenly I feel utterly overwhelmed...

Why feel overwhelmed? It ultimately makes no difference what everyones religion is, the only reason to inquire is sheer curiosity. It's not your duty to convince everyone here of their faith, and if you try to, I think people here would be insulted. In that same respect, it's not our duty to convince you to become an athiest / agnostic.

So yeah, no need to feel overwhelmed. Just remember that Athiests / Agnostics represent roughly 1% of the population.

 

[J-Dude]

Why feel overwhelmed? It ultimately makes no difference what everyones religion is, the only reason to inquire is sheer curiosity. It's not your duty to convince everyone here of their faith, and if you try to, I think people here would be insulted. In that same respect, it's not our duty to convince you to become an athiest / agnostic.

So yeah, no need to feel overwhelmed. Just remember that Athiests / Agnostics represent roughly 1% of the population.

Hehe...Tell the bold to plenty of people here.

And really, I've been warring with myself as whether or not to encourage Nuttzy, whose recent loss appears to have broken his faith. Poor guy, seen it too many times. Including with my own Grandmother on my mother's side. "What God would allow this" "Why didn't God stop this?" It's the most common reason I see for loss of faith, and really I think it would be a mistake to throw the comfort of the Almighty away in spite of all else that's been lost in your life...If there's anyone you need most to help you in times of dire need, it's God...

 

[Zeonix]

Or yourself. I find I'm reliable in a tough situation, and if I speak to myself, I respond almost immediately. Whenever I need someone, I'm there. Whenever I need love, I'm there. Whenever I'm sad, I'm there. When I need advice, I'm there. I can depend on me. That goes for everyone, really. You don't need to search for comfort way out there. Everything you need is within you.

 

[DiebytheSword]

Protestant Christian here. I do not recognize the papacy as an authority on god.

 

[Optional22]

I had a feeling debate would start up eventually. If a moderator sees a need to close this thread, they should it.

However, I can't help but fuel the fire.

The burden of proof is on the believer, not the non-believer. The following are all quoted material.

"I contend that we are all atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."

The theist might say "No one can prove that God doesn't exist, therefore an atheist is exercising faith by asserting that there is no God." Dawkins argues that by replacing the word "God" with "Thor" one should see that the assertion is fallacious. The burden of proof, he says, rests upon the believer in the supernatural, not upon the non-believer who considers such things unlikely.

Now please show us your proof that Thor does not exist.

 

[Zeonix]

He probably did in one form or another.

 

[MC]

The burden of proof is on the believer, not the non-believer.

The Burden of Proof falls on whoever is making a claim. If an atheist were to tell a Christian that God doesn't exist, the Burden of Proof falls on the atheist. If the Christian told the atheist that God exists, then the Burden of Proof falls on the Christian.

 

[Optional22]

The Burden of Proof falls on whoever is making a claim. If an atheist were to tell a Christian that God doesn't exist, the Burden of Proof falls on the atheist. If the Christian told the atheist that God exists, then the Burden of Proof falls on the Christian.

But Christianity started by telling non-Christians that the Christian God is real. Therefore, the burden of proof lies with Christianity.

 

[MC]

Likewise, non-Christians told Christians that their God wasn't real. So, the Burden of Proof can fall to either side.

 

[sub]

It doesn't matter. No one can prove anything.

 

[Zeonix]

And we've come full circle.