A higher force

[Excited Penguin]

We can't talk about the probability/improbability of something existing if we don't even know what it is we're talking about, can we now?

[Pyrrho]

It is only the sissy weak atheists who do not rule out a higher power.  Strong atheists rule out a higher power.  If those weak atheists would just spend a bit more time working out, they, too, might become strong atheists.

[Dystopia]

It is only the sissy weak atheists who do not rule out a higher power.  Strong atheists rule out a higher power.  If those weak atheists would just spend a bit more time working out, they, too, might become strong atheists.

If by ruling out you mean to be 100% certain that it is impossible for a higher force to exist or, in a more extreme case, to refuse to ever believe in it even if evidence was presented by a reputed source - Then I'd say no. I think both strong and weak atheists rule out higher powers, it's just that higher forces are usually not as visibly inconsistent and ridiculous as some religions. I consider myself a strong atheist. I'm not 100% sure, but I think we can claim some level of knowledge on the existence of  god. I don't agree that weak atheism should be the standard.

[Anomalocaris]

So I was reading a thread just now, and to my surprise, I found out that some self-proclaimed atheists are "open to the possibility of a higher force". I was just wondering, how many atheists here share this belief/view/openness to the idea.

And a couple of questions to those that find it likely somehow that there could be/is/it would be awesome if there was a higher force out there: What exactly do you mean by it? How is it any different from the concept of a God? What proof do you have for it? Actually, scratch that, how did you even come to think of such a thing? Was it just your own imagination and sense of wonder about the universe or was there something else[/too]?

Skeptics are most welcome too - I actually look forward to someone properly debunking this mysterious energy source that represents a higher something. But that's just me - 

Define "higher".   There is the certainty of all sorts of "forces" in the universe that we don't yet know, forces both in a fundamental material sense, and in the sense of general trend or tendency of events.  It's the "higher" portion that is either meaningless, or bullshit.

[vixene]

I recently made a similar thread about this and got quite a bit of abuse for it. I'll be watching the views on this thread.

[Anomalocaris]

It is only the sissy weak atheists who do not rule out a higher power.  Strong atheists rule out a higher power.  If those weak atheists would just spend a bit more time working out, they, too, might become strong atheists.

Strong atheist only rules out "higher" in that particular theistic, simulatanously obsequious and condescending, sense often call "pious".

[Pyrrho]

I recently made a similar thread about this and got quite a bit of abuse for it. I'll be watching the views on this thread.

Yours was a bit different.  Unfortunately, there is also the confounding variable in which you are a woman instead of [seemingly] a man.  In this instance, I am inclined to think that the difference is that you suggested that there might be a higher power, rather than that you are a woman.  [Or are black.]

Anyway, I hope you stay around for a while, and take your time in making a judgement about the site, and of those in it.  Not everyone is like me (regardless of whether that is for good or for ill).

You seem pretty sensible, and I hope you take your time and do not jump to any conclusions that are unwarranted.  Of course, everyone does occasionally, which is one of the things wrong with people.

[vorlon13]

I interpreted 'higher force' to include various and sundry gods, apparitions, time travelers from the future, alien brain suckers and possible insect overlords.

[Whateverist]

Except Anusius of course . . .

Yeah, I hear He likes getting it from behind.

[vixene]

I recently made a similar thread about this and got quite a bit of abuse for it. I'll be watching the views on this thread.

Yours was a bit different.  Unfortunately, there is also the confounding variable in which you are a woman instead of [seemingly] a man.  In this instance, I am inclined to think that the difference is that you suggested that there might be a higher power, rather than that you are a woman.  [Or are black.]

Anyway, I hope you stay around for a while, and take your time in making a judgement about the site, and of those in it.  Not everyone is like me (regardless of whether that is for good or for ill).

You seem pretty sensible, and I hope you take your time and do not jump to any conclusions that are unwarranted.  Of course, everyone does occasionally, which is one of the things wrong with people.

Are you suggesting that my thread may have gotten different replies if I was completely anonymous? Or you're saying something to the opposite effect? Or I'm just really tired and already taking things out of context?