A question about atheistic “beliefs” (opinions, guesses, etc.)

[Frank Apisa]

You've told us that you don't believe in gods, and you don't know whether or not there are gods.  That's what an agnostic atheist is telling you when they say "Hi, I'm an agnostic atheist"..which is what nine out of ten (if not more) people on these boards and anywhere else will tell you.

- that's what the descriptor accurately describes.  A person who does not believe, and does not know.

Fwiw, it is a weird tick of language, as atheism as a term was used in opposition to the prevailing form of god belief at the time, theism.  Could have been called anything, we could call it a ham sandwich today.  I am a ham sandwich, and by a ham sandwich I mean a person who doesn't believe in gods, like you.

That may be okay for you...but it is not okay for me.

I do not use the descriptor "atheist" and I do not want people who do use it to insist that I am one of them...by virtue of a definition based on an erroneous notion of the word's etymology.

[The Grand Nudger]

I'm only suggesting that you're exactly what you have repeatedly told us that you are, not that you're one of me...buddy, that would take practice and talent, neither of which seem to be in your wheelhouse.



The term accurately describes a position you've repeatedly insisted was your own. I get that you're reaching for some concern here, but you won't find any on my end.

[Mister Agenda]

Yes you are. 
If you don't currently believe in a god you're an atheist whether you like it or not. You may be an agnostic atheist but agnosticism is a stance on knowledge, atheism is a stance on belief.

I am not an atheist. I realize counting people like me among your numbers would strengthen your group intelligence values, but we are not atheists.

Every atheist lacks a belief in gods, but not every person without a belief in god is an atheist. Some dictionaries indicate that is how the word is used, but some do not. Prior to the 1950's, just about EVERY dictionary had as its primary definition: Someone who denies the existence of gods. That certainly was the case during the days of Thomas Huxley...who wanted to separate himself from the atheists and espouse a more nuanced, logical stance.

But it has been how atheists have defined themselves for centuries. Those dictionaries described atheists differently from how atheists described atheists. It's not a new idea and the dictionary writers not understanding atheists accounts for the definitional discrepancy.

[Angrboda]

You've told us that you don't believe in gods, and you don't know whether or not there are gods.  That's what an agnostic atheist is telling you when they say "Hi, I'm an agnostic atheist"..which is what nine out of ten (if not more) people on these boards and anywhere else will tell you.

- that's what the descriptor accurately describes.  A person who does not believe, and does not know.

Fwiw, it is a weird tick of language, as atheism as a term was used in opposition to the prevailing form of god belief at the time, theism.  Could have been called anything, we could call it a ham sandwich today.  I am a ham sandwich, and by a ham sandwich I mean a person who doesn't believe in gods, like you.

That may be okay for you...but it is not okay for me.

I do not use the descriptor "atheist" and I do not want people who do use it to insist that I am one of them...by virtue of a definition based on an erroneous notion of the word's etymology.

You've got a right to want.

[Frank Apisa]

I'm only suggesting that you're exactly what you have repeatedly told us that you are, not that you're one of me...buddy, that would take practice and talent, neither of which seem to be in your wheelhouse.

That was totally unnecessary, Nudger. We can have this discussion with that sort of thing.

The term accurately describes a position you've repeatedly insisted was your own.  I get that you're reaching for some concern here, but you won't find any on my end.

I do not care if I get it from you or not...nor do I want anyone's "concern."

Let me tell you what I do not want:  I do not want to be told by atheists that I am an atheist by virtue of a concocted, gratuitous definition based on an erroneous etymology.

I am not an atheist.
[/quote]

[The Grand Nudger]

I'm only suggesting that you're exactly what you have repeatedly told us that you are, not that you're one of me...buddy, that would take practice and talent, neither of which seem to be in your wheelhouse.

That was totally unnecessary, Nudger. We can have this discussion with that sort of thing.

Many pages of two of your threads strongly suggest otherwise.  You have a grievance with the english language, and hollow insults.  Anything else?

The term accurately describes a position you've repeatedly insisted was your own.  I get that you're reaching for some concern here, but you won't find any on my end.

I do not care if I get it from you or not...nor do I want anyone's "concern."

Let me tell you what I do not want:  I do not want to be told by atheists that I am an atheist by virtue of a concocted, gratuitous definition based on an erroneous etymology.

I am not an atheist.

You're the one telling us that you're the thing that atheism refers to.  It's that simple.  No one is doing anything to you, but you. I'll call you a ham sandwich if you like, it will still mean the same thing. That you don't believe in gods.

[Frank Apisa]

That was totally unnecessary, Nudger. We can have this discussion with that sort of thing.

Many pages of two of your threads strongly suggest otherwise.  You have a grievance with the english language, and hollow insults.  Anything else?

I do not care if I get it from you or not...nor do I want anyone's "concern."

Let me tell you what I do not want:  I do not want to be told by atheists that I am an atheist by virtue of a concocted, gratuitous definition based on an erroneous etymology.

I am not an atheist.

You're the one telling us that you're the thing that atheism refers to.  It's that simple.  No one is doing anything to you, but you.  I'll call you a ham sandwich if you like, it will still mean the same thing.  That you don't believe in gods.

You can call me anything that makes your life feel a bit more comfortable.

But I am not an atheist.

[The Grand Nudger]

I know, you're not an atheist, we're both ham sandwiches. Now that you have that settled, do you have any questions about ham sandwichist beliefs that you shouldn't be able to answer yourself, being a ham sandwich?

[Frank Apisa]

I know, you're not an atheist, we're both ham sandwiches.   Now that you have that settled, do you have any questions about ham sandwichist beliefs that you shouldn't be able to answer yourself, being a ham sandwich?

Nah...no ham sandwich questions at all.

[The Grand Nudger]

-and people say it never happens.

In two short convos we've resolved all of your issues with being a ham sandwich. You couldn't pay for a service like that.