My personal belief is that an agnostic is a cowardly atheist.
Recognizing that there's no conclusive evidence to prove the existence or non-existence of any Gods one way or another is hardly cowardly.My personal belief is that an agnostic is a cowardly atheist.
Recognizing that there's no conclusive evidence to prove the existence or non-existence of any Gods one way or another is hardly cowardly.
I mean, there's no reason to assume there are any Gods, but there's nothing disproving them because the very idea isn't falsifiable.
After all, can you disprove that there's a chocolate teapot orbiting Mars?
Theists are just as capable of those ranges as atheists are. In my time, I've met more agnostic theists than those absolutely certain of their existence.While the theist clearly believes - the atheist might range from assertions of cerntainty of non-existence to merely not knowing
Not necessarily. Before there were cultural constructs like religion, there had to have been some independent way of deriving certain beliefs. The evidence points to groups of people having spiritual experiences via trance-like altered states of consciousness. Some of them spontaneous, some of them induced by behaviours (fasting, meditation, dance) or by entheogens.Belief in a god comes down to primarily cultural conditioning, peer pressure, and the prevalance of religious propaganda experienced by the adherent.
I am certainly a coward. Cowardice has great survival value. However, my agnosticism is completely independent of my cowardice. My agnosticism is based upon a definitive uncertainty and a commitment to provisional conclusions.My personal belief is that an agnostic is a cowardly atheist.
Theists are just as capable of those ranges as atheists are. In my time, I've met more agnostic theists than those absolutely certain of their existence.
Yes, but that's separate from the agnostic spectrum. That is about certainty, and a majority of theists I've met retain a healthy skepticism of their own belief system. But, again, the majority of theists I know are not Christian monotheists or fanatics.By definition a theist believes, the depth of belief might differ, but a positive belief must exist to be classed as theist.
Yes, but that's separate from the agnostic spectrum. That is about certainty, and a majority of theists I've met retain a healthy skepticism of their own belief system.
Be prepared to wait a long time.I am thoroughly prepared to wait as the Atheists admit that some God must exist.
I told you so.
The above in response to the following from my Post #41Are you saying that a person who says 'I don't know one way or the other' is basically a coward?
I have always suspected that many agnostics were actually atheists not willing to take the potential verbal, silent, or physical abuse likely to occur if they expressed their atheist POV. I think some (due to childhood brainwashing) have a subconscious fear of divine retribution if they express their POV. Of course, if my POV is correct, such folks are unaware of this subconscious fear.My personal belief is that an agnostic is a cowardly atheist.
Kristoffer said:Are you saying that a person who says 'I don't know one way or the other' is basically a coward?
Dinosaur said:I have always suspected that many agnostics were actually atheists not willing to take the potential verbal, silent, or physical abuse likely to occur if they expressed their atheist POV. I think some (due to childhood brainwashing) have a subconscious fear of divine retribution if they express their POV. Of course, if my POV is correct, such folks are unaware of this subconscious fear.
Kristoffer: From your Post #42The above in response to the following from my Post #41I have always suspected that many agnostics were actually atheists not willing to take the potential verbal, silent, or physical abuse likely to occur if they expressed their atheist POV. I think some (due to childhood brainwashing) have a subconscious fear of divine retribution if they express their POV. Of course, if my POV is correct, such folks are unaware of this subconscious fear.
In many social contexts, an atheist is considered an undesirable person. I have lost a few friends after mentioning my atheism. I view such losses as equivalent to a Jew or Protestant losing a Catholic friend due to religious belief. Id est: Not much of a loss.
BTW: I am not an evangelistic atheist. I only mention my POV when/if the issue of religion is being discussed.
Why do you think belief (assuming you are referring to belief in a deity?) is important?i think belief is important, and i don't quite see the benefit of being atheist, and being one seems ignorant, being agnostic seems more open-minded..
Why do you think belief (assuming you are referring to belief in a deity?) is important?
Why should there be a benefit of being an atheist? It is simply following what one considers the rational course. Should we choose what we believe simply because it provides a benefit? Most would see that as an appeal to consequence rather than anything rational upon which to hang a belief.
Why do you think being an atheist seems ignorant? Please be aware that an atheist is merely someone who does not have the belief that a god exists. Only some atheists have the belief that God does not exist.