A higher force

[Pyrrho]

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?

No, I am not suggesting that you would have gotten different replies if you had been completely anonymous.  I am suggesting that you got the kinds of replies you got because of the content of your thread.  Because you suggested that there might be a higher power.

As I type the above, I fully realize that you have no particular reason to believe me.  You may well be thinking that I am wrong.  You seem less than impressed with me from our interaction thus far, and probably are inclined to believe I am wrong.

But, sometimes people do actually respond to content instead of to whom it is who delivered the content.  Of course, you have reason to be suspicious of my opinions, as you already know I am an American, am white, am male, and am old (I think you already knew that last part; if not, it is one more reason to be suspicious of my opinions!).  But not every old, white, male, American is wrong all the time, so you should consider the claims rather than who made them.

And when you are more awake tomorrow, you might want to reread the things I have said, as you seem to have focussed on things that displease you, rather than on the parts that are complimentary.  The latter, I think, greatly exceed the former.

[Jenny A]

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.

Well no, if this is the thread you meant:  http://atheistforums.org/thread-35315.html I think the differences are easily explained.  You asked a question about the definition of atheism:

So I stopped believing in God about 4 years ago and still pretending to be a christian when at home. I honestly don't believe I have it in me to become a christian again, too many logical fallacies, inconsistencies and contradictions. But I do believe there may be someone/something up there that started all this off.

Does atheism fall under that or is there another name for it? (For the record I don't believe this being is still involved with us or is probably just watching on a cinema screen type of thing eating popcorn)

What you described sounds like deism and several people told you so.  Frankly, what the OP in this thread is describing sounds like it would include deism plus some other even vaguer ideas.  But if higher force is defined as a god neither you are anyone else can believe in one and be a atheist anymore than you can be a married bachelor.  If it isn't a god, than you could believe in it and still be a atheist.

Next you went on to try to turn the burden of proof around:

I don't actually have any proof that this exists. However, you don't have any proof it doesn't either.

That tends to raise hackles.  But frankly, by this forum's standards you didn't get much flack.  We tend to debate vigorously here.  I like that.  You might not.  But please don't take offense.  Watch how we treat each other first.

[robvalue]

Like God, I can't answer until I know what "higher" means.

The only sensible definition I could come up with is a being in a parent reality which has some measure of control over this one.

If this reality was somehow created, I find it most plausible that it was unintentional (this is a manifestation of some process in another reality) or else it's a simulation. Calling some guy running a simulation a "higher power" seems a bit off, especially considering he may not even be aware himself that his simulation has produced any self awareness.

So really, the whole idea is rather contrived. I have no idea, but if I had to pick a side I'd say nothing exists that I would call a "higher power".

[Longhorn]

Higher force? I awno, what's it do?

[ErGingerbreadMandude]

[Redbeard The Pink]

Higher force? I awno, what's it do?

Yeah, that's pretty much how I felt about it. It's like asking of we believe in a Stronger Mechanism.

[ErGingerbreadMandude]

It's interesting how many have cast a vote for "I do not." whilst simultaneously not knowing what a "higher force" is.

What if a higher force is a potato?
What if a higher force is a unicorn?
What if a higher force is Obama?
What if a higher force is Poop?
What if a higher force is waffles?
What if a higher force is Trees?
What if a higher force is Big Foot?

My point is,since "a higher force" isn't properly defined,a higher force could be anything,so casting a vote for "I do not" is the equivalent of saying I do not believe in anything.
(And casting a vote for "I do" is the equivalent of saying I believe in everything.)

[Alex K]

I believe in the strong force. There, I said it.

[Excited Penguin]

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.

Oh, lol. Is it my turn to subtly imply that you're a sexist, or what?

[vixene]

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.

Oh, lol. Is it my turn to subtly imply that you're a sexist, or what?

Go ahead.