What do you think of Apatheism or Pragmatism?

Regarding the name of this thread I have been saying that for years!!

It seems to me that there are a lot people who are atheists by definition (they don't believe in God) yet they don't really care about it and they don't CALL themselves atheists..whether they have 'spiritual' beliefs attached or not (hence, if they don't believe in God but believe in spiritual things, they still don't call themselves 'spiritual atheists') - and they don't seem to give a fuck whether they believe or not. They're just glad they don't - and some seem to be patronising and be like "Well I'm glad they can have the faith to believe like that. I can't", and other atheists (by definition) don't give a fuck but they just say that religion is stupid but they still don't really label themselves or care that much either way

EvF

(May 4, 2009 at 11:47 am)chatpilot Wrote: Regarding the name of this thread I have been saying that for years!!

Not allways. Sometimes do some get a new perpective of life, if they get access to knowledge and allow themselves to think logical.

Besides...as long as SOMEONE learns or gains SOMETHING then it's worth it...even if all that is gained is a feeling of general curiosity...

As long as it is worth the effort overall - why the f*ck not? Besides....even if it's a longshot - doesn't mean there isn't a shot.

It's more about the process than the result for me. It's a journey, a learning curve. I'm not expecting some big goal or result to get nailed while I'm discussing/arguing/debating with Christians, etc, etc - and discussing with my fellow atheists

But if some particular goal or objective DOES get achieved as a by-product of this experience...then that's just a cool bonus

EvF

I agree with you EvF

It's not pointless to argue or discussing things with those who believe in god/gods

Yeah...even if in the end it turns out to be no more than simply another... "Why the fuck not?"

Wonder if any reloigious person have started to doubt their own beliefs when disussing it with a scpetic. Have something like that ever happend?

EVER? Of course. Ever I would say DEFINITELY yes...

I mean for a start actual de conversions do happen of course - just look at 'Converts Corner' at RDF.

And I'm sure it must have happened somewhere during a discussion.

I just mean a word like EVER? There are so many people on this planet, so many of discussions have took place. I would think that to the question of whether a believer has EVER started to have doubts while discussing a skeptic EVER - key word being EVER - I would have to say I assume definitely yes.

Besides that includes them doubting and yet still go on believing! Hell yes! It must also be MUCH more common for them to simply 'have doubts' because of the discussion than to actually be deconverted by it I would have thought!

I don't know the actual statistics of it but I'd have to say that I believe: Yes - is the answer to your question.

EvF

(May 13, 2009 at 5:17 am)Giff Wrote: Wonder if any reloigious person have started to doubt their own beliefs when disussing it with a scpetic. Have something like that ever happend?

I'd seriously hope so Giff. There is no greater gift you could give.