I have found that many religious theists I have talked to do not have a consistent belief system. I can ask many questions to which I get no answer, or if I do get an answer, it's an elaborate attempt to dodge the question.
Rather than press this point, I'll turn it on its head. Anyone can ask me anything, and I'll try my best to answer, including further questions about my beliefs. Here is my belief system:
1) I am a sceptic. (I try to only believe things when there is a good reason to do so. The degree to which I apply my scepticism depends on both the extraordinary nature of the claim, and the importance.)
2) I am an ignostic atheist. (I do not have a belief in "God", and further I feel the question as generally asked is meaningless since there is no unambiguous definition of "God". I can't believe in something when I don't even know what it is.)
3) I do not claim that anything I say is certainly correct, nor do I claim to know everything. "I don't know" is a perfectly valid answer. I can speculate, but I'm aware that is what I am doing.
4) My morality is based on evaluating the consequences of my actions. I weigh the likely benefit to humans, animals and the environment against the likely costs. No other definition of morality matters to me. My answer to any moral question may be that it's very complex and I'd have to consider all angles. I don't have instant answers to everything.
5) As far as I know, life has no inherent purpose. Instead, we decide our own purpose and make the best use of our lives as we see fit. The happiness and suffering of those in the here and now is enough to give it a real purpose to me.
6) I try to use logic as much as possible, and to avoid superstition. I am human though and I make mistakes. I try to make as few unecessary assumptions as possible.
7) I believe in people and animals being treated as fairly as possible, regardless of their particular attributes or personal choices. Of course some choices to harm others must be met with removal from general society in order to prevent further harm to others.
Go for it!
Rather than press this point, I'll turn it on its head. Anyone can ask me anything, and I'll try my best to answer, including further questions about my beliefs. Here is my belief system:
1) I am a sceptic. (I try to only believe things when there is a good reason to do so. The degree to which I apply my scepticism depends on both the extraordinary nature of the claim, and the importance.)
2) I am an ignostic atheist. (I do not have a belief in "God", and further I feel the question as generally asked is meaningless since there is no unambiguous definition of "God". I can't believe in something when I don't even know what it is.)
3) I do not claim that anything I say is certainly correct, nor do I claim to know everything. "I don't know" is a perfectly valid answer. I can speculate, but I'm aware that is what I am doing.
4) My morality is based on evaluating the consequences of my actions. I weigh the likely benefit to humans, animals and the environment against the likely costs. No other definition of morality matters to me. My answer to any moral question may be that it's very complex and I'd have to consider all angles. I don't have instant answers to everything.
5) As far as I know, life has no inherent purpose. Instead, we decide our own purpose and make the best use of our lives as we see fit. The happiness and suffering of those in the here and now is enough to give it a real purpose to me.
6) I try to use logic as much as possible, and to avoid superstition. I am human though and I make mistakes. I try to make as few unecessary assumptions as possible.
7) I believe in people and animals being treated as fairly as possible, regardless of their particular attributes or personal choices. Of course some choices to harm others must be met with removal from general society in order to prevent further harm to others.
Go for it!
Feel free to send me a private message.
Please visit my website here! It's got lots of information about atheism/theism and support for new atheists.
Index of useful threads and discussions
Index of my best videos
Quickstart guide to the forum
Please visit my website here! It's got lots of information about atheism/theism and support for new atheists.
Index of useful threads and discussions
Index of my best videos
Quickstart guide to the forum