Agnostics

[wiploc]

Whateverist wrote:
My objection is that as a weak atheist I too answer "no I do not believe in any gods".

No atheist believes gods exist, so that doesn't doesn't distinguish weak from strong.  

 I'm pretty sure my certainty is as strong as any gnostic atheist or anti-theist, so percents do not enter into it.

I'm totally with you.  

 I claim the weak atheist position because I have nothing convincing to say to anyone inclined to believe gods do exist. Convincing for me, yes, but generally convincing to all?  Obviously not.

Am I understanding that you are a strong atheist (one who believes that gods do not exist) but you style yourself as a weak atheist (one who doesn't believe either way) in order to avoid arguments?  If so, why don't you just call yourself an "atheist" and let it go at that?  If someone presses you for specifics, you then use polite evasion:

• I'm not in a position to answer that.
  
• Let's talk about something more fun and less controversial, like whether Trump is actually crazy or just pretending to be crazy.
  
• Some questions don't get answers. 
  
• I don't feel very articulate on that topic.  But if you tell me how you rationalize your position, maybe I'll learn something.
  
• I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you. 
  
• Actually, I don't like to talk religion when I'm not on my meds.
  
• People who make claims have the burden of proof to defend those claims.  So, sorry, I'm not going to make a claim.   
  
• They tell me that I can avoid arguments by not discussing politics or religion.  What will HBO do when Game of Thrones is over? 
  
• My religion is embarrassingly stupid, so I don't like to talk about it.  Maybe you could tell me about yours?