Our server costs ~$56 per month to run. Please consider donating or becoming a Patron to help keep the site running. Help us gain new members by following us on Twitter and liking our page on Facebook!
Current time: March 29, 2024, 1:30 am

Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
To Agnostics, question for you
#11
RE: To Agnostics, question for you
I gotta say that I agree with Napoleon...because he's right.
[Image: 10314461_875206779161622_3907189760171701548_n.jpg]
Reply
#12
RE: To Agnostics, question for you
(March 14, 2014 at 8:22 pm)Napoléon Wrote: Anyone who seriously sits there and thinks "I know god exists" is either being intellectually dishonest with themselves or downright brainwashed beyond all comprehension.

Not necessarily. Lots of people have personal experiences that, for them, proves that something exists. Whether it be god, or bigfoot, or aliens, or ghosts, etc.

In normal life I usually tell theists that I'm agnostic. I tell atheists that I'm agnostic atheist. An agnostic atheist is the belief most people think of when they think agnostic. When you say atheist they think strong atheist.

If they asked what it meant, which no one has, I would just say it means I don't know. But that's because I don't really feel like arguing about stupid shit in real life.
Everything I needed to know about life I learned on Dagobah.
Reply
#13
RE: To Agnostics, question for you
(March 14, 2014 at 8:24 pm)Tonus Wrote:
(March 13, 2014 at 8:00 pm)Deidre32 Wrote: Curious, how you define it for yourself?
As I understand it, it means that you do not know. In that sense pretty much everyone is agnostic. Or insane.

I took the label at the very beginning when I decided to abandon religion, but to me the term seems to indicate that I was seeking answers. The atheist does not believe, and that is pretty much that. The agnostic does not know for certain, and I figured that if I had any real doubts or some desire to know for sure, I'd be searching. Seeing as I was not, I think atheist applies best.

That's a really interesting take on it. I'm not seeking answers...but for some reason, I don't call myself an atheist. Because I don't 'know' with certainty that a god does not exist, or does. Atheism is derived at because of a lack of evidence then?

I have a general understanding of the terms' basic premises, but it's interesting to learn the nuances between the two.
Reply
#14
RE: To Agnostics, question for you
In my opinion, calling oneself an agnostic is an incomplete description. All it tells us is what the person's position regarding their knowledge claims concerning the existence of gods.

Agnosticism is not some sort of middle ground between belief (theism) and disbelief (atheism), as the word is used colloquially.

The formal definition, a person who holds that the existence of the ultimate cause, as God, and the essential nature of things are unknown and unknowable, is a much better definition.

You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.
Reply
#15
RE: To Agnostics, question for you
Looking through this thread, I'm reminded of how I was indoctrinated as a kid by my family of origin. I don't blame them for anything, lol. They were brainwashed by their families of origin, too. But, it's interesting, how I view the term 'atheist.' I feel safe to admit this here to all of you, but perhaps part of indoctrination, is that fear component. I feared leaving Christianity. And when I finally did...it wasn't a eureka kind of moment. It was a gradual process, over time.

But, having said all that...why don't I call myself an atheist? I guess I'm afraid to. Sad

Ugh. Maybe this is part of the process. Because deep down, I feel more like myself than I ever have, leaving faith. I feel a sense of peace living life without faith, now. And yet...I feel guilty over leaving it. And that guilt isn't coming from me, it's coming from the fear that was imposed upon me through religion.

I shouldn't feel guilty, wanting to just follow my heart.

Ohhhh my...sound the violins. I didn't mean to go off on a tangent, but thank you for listening.
Reply
#16
RE: To Agnostics, question for you
I know what you mean about the feeling of peace. But guilt? I don't feel that. More a feeling of triumph or relief. Like if you watered both those feelings down with each other.
Everything I needed to know about life I learned on Dagobah.
Reply
#17
RE: To Agnostics, question for you
(March 14, 2014 at 8:56 pm)Rahul Wrote: I know what you mean about the feeling of peace. But guilt? I don't feel that. More a feeling of triumph or relief. Like if you watered both those feelings down with each other.

It's not like it weighs on me daily or anything. But, if I'm honest. It's the one thing that keeps me from saying, I'm an atheist.

What I mean by that isn't that I feel guilty thinking of or classifying myself as an atheist, but rather it's only been the last say two or three years, that I've actually left faith, and started thinking for myself, without a religion dictating to me what I should feel or think about something. While it feels awesome, it also feels...at times still, a little foreign to me.

is this a confessional? Demon
Reply
#18
RE: To Agnostics, question for you
Relevant;



[Image: bbb59Ce.gif]

(September 17, 2015 at 4:04 pm)Parkers Tan Wrote: I make change in the coin tendered. If you want courteous treatment, behave courteously. Preaching at me and calling me immoral is not courteous behavior.
Reply
#19
RE: To Agnostics, question for you
(March 14, 2014 at 9:09 pm)Aral Gamelon Wrote: Relevant;




Holy crap--I really needed to see that.
Agnosticism isn't a position of belief. I get it now. Then going with all I've learned, all I've heard and read...I guess I'm an atheist (agnostic)

Perhaps you are a wizard, those may exist. Big Grin This clip really was helpful. Thank you!
Reply
#20
RE: To Agnostics, question for you
Happy to help!

Edit: I might be a wizard, you never know. Wink
[Image: bbb59Ce.gif]

(September 17, 2015 at 4:04 pm)Parkers Tan Wrote: I make change in the coin tendered. If you want courteous treatment, behave courteously. Preaching at me and calling me immoral is not courteous behavior.
Reply



Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
Question Atheists and Agnostics that have child Eclectic 11 1144 August 28, 2022 at 3:36 pm
Last Post: arewethereyet
  All kind of Agnostics people Eclectic 4 484 August 25, 2022 at 5:24 pm
Last Post: Jehanne
  Atheists, what are your thoughts on us Agnostics? NuclearEnergy 116 26716 November 30, 2017 at 12:09 am
Last Post: The Grand Nudger
  Agnostics Excited Penguin 398 33180 August 8, 2016 at 12:27 am
Last Post: wiploc
  Rant against anti-atheist agnostics. Whateverist 338 56687 February 21, 2015 at 9:47 pm
Last Post: comet
  Atheists Vs Agnostics Rahul 16 3685 October 5, 2013 at 5:18 pm
Last Post: Rahul
  Atheists Claim Agnostics are Atheist Ranger Mike 19 7052 June 3, 2013 at 10:17 am
Last Post: The Magic Pudding
  Homeless man shows atheists/agnostics are more generous Creed of Heresy 9 4624 May 1, 2013 at 1:06 pm
Last Post: Minimalist
  atheist vs agnostics. justin 36 7887 February 8, 2013 at 6:17 pm
Last Post: Zone
  Questions for Athiests/Agnostics Eternity 16 7566 June 8, 2011 at 1:39 am
Last Post: tackattack



Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)