my observation

[Mercator]

Re: my observation

Originally posted by Jon Miller
so is that the main problem with aitheists? their view of god is one that no-one would want to beleive in, so they don't?

If God were like how I grew up to believe he was (i.e. a profoundly just and benevolent creature who treats everyone equal), I'd believe in him.

Unfortunately, I've learned that God is largely a personal experience. There are and have been hundreds (probably more like thousands) of different religions (not to mention all the different denominations and sects of Christianity). Partly because of that, I simply cannot believe how any God could possibly exist. And even if one (or more) would exist I fail to see how that would really make any difference.

In short, I'm a hard atheist. God does not exist, plain and simple. I understand it's not a logical certainty, but neither is the existence of pink unicorns... I'm willing to take that chance.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
Not really.

Agnostics are literally people who believe the truth about God is unknowable.

Depends how you view it. I've always been told (and viewed) that agnostics are people who just don't know either way if a God exists.

Atheists are people who believe it's impossible for God to exist.

The "a" infront of theists tells you it's the polar opposite of a theist, which to me means they believe it's impossible for God to exist.

So how I look at it is:

Believe in God: Theist
Don't know/care: Agnostic
Believe God is impossible: Atheist

[monolith94]

What if a person believes that God COULD exist? That's certainly not indicating belief...

"if that God did exist and wants worship and asks we live life like he dictates, he's an *******."
But why are you automatically pairing god with wanting worship? It seems like that's the only god that can exist to you. Is it impossible for god to not be an *******?

[st_swithin]

I used to think that there might be a god (gnostic), but now I think that if I'm weak enough to try to blame my problems on someone else (or that someone higher up in a spirtual hierarchy can somehow 'absolve' me of my sin through prayer, fasting, tithing, or whatever), then the blame lies with the weakest link - me.

And honestly, if there IS a 'god' to whom we can attribute the current state of the universe, I'd be the first one in line to punch him (or her) in the head and scream, 'What the fvck were you doing?!?"

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Asher
Depends how you view it. I've always been told (and viewed) that agnostics are people who just don't know either way if a God exists.

Those people would still be atheists.

Atheists are people who believe it's impossible for God to exist.

No. Very few atheists believe this, as it is rather an impossible position to assert.

The "a" infront of theists tells you it's the polar opposite of a theist, which to me means they believe it's impossible for God to exist.

So how I look at it is:

Believe in God: Theist
Don't know/care: Agnostic
Believe God is impossible: Atheist

That's not how the "a" works. There are only 2 possibilities concerning belief = having it or not having it. Having it = theism. The opposite of theism (made by adding the "a") is atheism, which simply means not having belief.

Not knowing or not caring is still atheism, since it entails a lack of belief.

Technically, Agnosticism has nothing to do with belief in whether or not God exists, but rather in whether or not the true nature of God is knowable. Gnostics were an early Christian sect who believed they could know the absolute truth about God. Agnosticism was developed as a term in the 19th century, and means the opposite (one can never know the true nature of God).

[The Andy-Man]

Originally posted by st_swithin
And honestly, if there IS a 'god' to whom we can attribute the current state of the universe, I'd be the first one in line to punch him (or her) in the head and scream, 'What the fvck were you doing?!?"

and how could any one disagree!

*btw, I am second

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by monolith94
What if a person believes that God COULD exist? That's certainly not indicating belief...

A person believing something doesn't indicate their beliefs?

[monolith94]

Their belief is in possibility, not in god.

They're not saying god doesn't exist because he hasn't been proven, but they're saying that anything's possible.

[Japher]

*douple post, see below

[Japher]

I believe God exists

I believe God does not exist

I believe God could exist

---

All beliefs are very ambiguous and has nothing to do my life nor my reality.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by monolith94
Their belief is in possibility, not in god.

They're not saying god doesn't exist because he hasn't been proven, but they're saying that anything's possible.

Even most atheists believe it's possible god exists. Technically, you have to believe almost anything is possible. But probable?

Even so, unless one actively believes in God, one does not believe in God, since belief denotes [relative] certainty. Lack of belief in God = atheism.

[Soul Survivor]

you peoples need some Fear and Trembling!!!

[SlowwHand]

What surprises me is the number of Gay atheists.
And I'm not making any smartass remark about Gays, so don't even try.

So why?
I've made mention of Gay men that attend or have attended the church I go to, so why ?
Iit just here? The environment that breeds strangeness ?

[Boris Godunov]

Most of the gays I know, even if not actively religious, are not atheists. I know plenty of church-going gays, including a surprising number of ardent Catholics.

It is just here, as a healthy chunk of ALL Apolytoners are atheist, according to polls we've had. MrFun is a gay Christian, and I'm sure there are other gay theists here...somewhere

[The Andy-Man]

hehe, gaytheists