NationStates Jolt Archive

I am making this thread to try and better understand the community here. If you post a reply please state whether you are a theist, atheist, or agnostic, and a short description why you feel this way. And for sanitys sake please do not turn this into a big argument. I am just trying to better understand peoples feelings on this subject, and I would like it to be as civilized as possible. Thank you for participating.
And for those of you confused

Theist = belief in a god or gods
Atheist = disbelief in a god or gods
Agnostic = your not sure.

Muslim here.

Atheist, I guess, or just "Not in to organized religion". I don't mind religious people who don't try to pass their religious beliefs into law. I've had good experiences with meditation overseas, though.

Ooh, that was interesting. I decided to just click the first one that appealed to me, and what do you know, I chose agnostic! Big change for me there.

EDIT: And dude, if your name is based on Star Wars, it's Korriban.

Is theist the same as religious?

Got an atheist here.

theist is the belief in a god or gods.
i do not capitalize god because i am not making reference to any one god, real or not.

anyways, i'm a Christian

my bad, i meant theism

I have to go with agnostic. There are so many flaws with the modern religions that i dont believe any are right but I also think there is some things that science can and cannot not explain.

<And dude, if your name is based on Star Wars, it's Korriban.>

Yes its from star wars but im horrible at coming up with names for things. And thinks for burning me on my own post. :rolleyes:

I'm Muslim,

I also think there is some things that science can and cannot not explain.

I'm an athiest. I don't believe there's a God for the same reason I don't believe I have a cat in my freezer - I would have noticed if there was.

The choice of Theism is an okay substitution for putting all of the major religions but there are going to be people who dont understand what it means. Perhaps you could edit your first post to elaborate a little bit on it so that people taking the poll know their choices.

I'm not to sure what I believe. I do believe that there is something out there. Perhaps multiple somethings. I'm supposed to be Catholic. However I've become quite disheartened with the chruch. The Catholic chruch along with so many other religions have destroyed so many things brandishing amazing things like Reki, Chi Kung etc as almost a form of witch craft...which theres nothing wrong with either.

<And dude, if your name is based on Star Wars, it's Korriban.>

Yes its from star wars but im horrible at coming up with names for things. And thinks for burning me on my own post. :rolleyes:
Eh?

I'm serious. I've been a complete atheist since I was about 10, so saying agnostic means I may actually accept the presence of a divine...thing. Well, maybe not divine in the common useage of the word, but definitely something higher order.

And pointing out the Korriban thing...well, that was my inner Spelling Police and Grammar Nazi coalition at work behind my tired eyes. Sorry.

in answer to an above post:

John 20:24-29

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Faith can be a dangerous thing especially when you dont have solid reason backing it up. If you are seriously accessing your beliefs look at all the angles and try to be as informed as possible. When you find yourself at a point where you think your questions are satisfied go with what you want. But just dont do it on a leap of faith.

Haha, thats a good analogy. People who are religious always deter me from religion even more by trying to convince me, they tell me that I feel god inside of me. No, I don't, how would you know?

Crazy evangelists.

I'm a Christian here. But I have tons of friends with completely different religions.

Christian, but uh... I think you could've figured that out by yourself.

Christian

BOO YA!!!

but i wish i were Jewish......

Putting agnostic as a third choice is incorrect...one could be an atheist agnostic and a theist agnostic...and by the way I am an atheist.

Baha'i, ever here of it? I MEAN HEAR OF IT. I READ BOTTLE'S POST AND THEN I READ MINE AGAIN BECAUSE I WAS SCARED AND FOUND THIS MISTAKE.

Buddhist/Atheist

Christian and to be more specific Lutheran.

I'm not sure how to describe my religion to outsiders. While I have definite beliefs, they aren't codified. I do not belong to an organized religion, and I sincerely doubt that any of the figures would be classified as gods. Please tell me what I am, with religion but no god?

I'm not sure how to describe my religion to outsiders. While I have definite beliefs, they aren't codified. I do not belong to an organized religion, and I sincerely doubt that any of the figures would be classified as gods. Please tell me what I am, with religion but no god?
Erm, I'm a Buddhist, and have no God. We freely admit that the so-called "Gods" are figments of your psyche. Archetypes.

No Gods. No angels. Just being.

Agnostic = your not sure.
ARGH!!!! two of my worst pet peeve in the same place!

first of all, YOU'RE is "YOU ARE." it's a contraction. like "it's." i'm not normally a grammar Nazi, but i see this mistake EVERYWHERE and it's really irritating.

but even more irritating is the completely, totally, 100% WRONG definition of agnosticism that you give. agnosticism is the belief that it is impossible to know whether or not God exists. it is NOT "you are not sure about the existence of God." it's that you are totally and completely sure that it is not possible for a human to know whether or not God exists. there is a HUGE difference.

ARGH!!!! two of my worst pet peeve in the same place!

first of all, YOU'RE is "YOU ARE." it's a contraction. like "it's." i'm not normally a grammar Nazi, but i see this mistake EVERYWHERE and it's really irritating.

but even more irritating is the completely, totally, 100% WRONG definition of agnosticism that you give. agnosticism is the belief that it is impossible to know whether or not God exists. it is NOT "you are not sure about the existence of God." it's that you are totally and completely sure that it is not possible for a human to know whether or not God exists. there is a HUGE difference.
Smartypants! ;) :fluffle:

Agnostic = your not sure.

You leave my "not sure" out of this!

ARGH!!!! two of my worst pet peeve in the same place!

first of all, YOU'RE is "YOU ARE." it's a contraction. like "it's." i'm not normally a grammar Nazi, but i see this mistake EVERYWHERE and it's really irritating.

but even more irritating is the completely, totally, 100% WRONG definition of agnosticism that you give. agnosticism is the belief that it is impossible to know whether or not God exists. it is NOT "you are not sure about the existence of God." it's that you are totally and completely sure that it is not possible for a human to know whether or not God exists. there is a HUGE difference.
Thank you ma`am :fluffle:

ARGH!!!! two of my worst pet peeve in the same place!

first of all, YOU'RE is "YOU ARE." it's a contraction. like "it's." i'm not normally a grammar Nazi, but i see this mistake EVERYWHERE and it's really irritating.

but even more irritating is the completely, totally, 100% WRONG definition of agnosticism that you give. agnosticism is the belief that it is impossible to know whether or not God exists. it is NOT "you are not sure about the existence of God." it's that you are totally and completely sure that it is not possible for a human to know whether or not God exists. there is a HUGE difference.
Thank you for pointing out the incorrect definition of agnostic.

Now I'll point out the an atheist does not disbelieve in a god or gods. An atheist simply lacks a belief in a god or gods. There's a difference. And no, it's not the fact that the word disbelief implies that there is a god or gods.

Thank you for pointing out the incorrect definition of agnostic.

Now I'll point out the an atheist does not disbelieve in a god or gods. An atheist simply lacks a belief in a god or gods. There's a difference. And no, it's not the fact that the word disbelief implies that there is a god or gods.
Well usualy the disbelief is seperated by the (hard or soft)(or any other term you want) atheists. soft being lack of belief and hard being disbelief

ARGH!!!! two of my worst pet peeve in the same place!

first of all, YOU'RE is "YOU ARE." it's a contraction. like "it's." i'm not normally a grammar Nazi, but i see this mistake EVERYWHERE and it's really irritating.

but even more irritating is the completely, totally, 100% WRONG definition of agnosticism that you give. agnosticism is the belief that it is impossible to know whether or not God exists. it is NOT "you are not sure about the existence of God." it's that you are totally and completely sure that it is not possible for a human to know whether or not God exists. there is a HUGE difference.

Actually isn't that the definition of a religious pluralism.

Agnostic, leaning towards Theism

I like this poll :) . It's cool how "Atheist" was the first choice, and that there were only three choices total, two of them being "Atheist" and "Agnostic"... :)

Anyway, I'm an atheist. I've thought about becoming a Buddhist, but bump that. I'm keeping my atheistic beliefs.

Actually isn't that the definition of a religious pluralism.
No ... not as far as I know (though there are multipul deffinitions of religous pluralism)

Some of the most common are "accepting other peoples religons as valid"
http://www.religioustolerance.org/rel_plur1.htm

Atheist, though I'm under the impression I've just moved to Hell.

Atheist. I guess I'm a "Hard" Atheist since I actively disbeleive the God Theory.

but even more irritating is the completely, totally, 100% WRONG definition of agnosticism that you give. agnosticism is the belief that it is impossible to know whether or not God exists. it is NOT "you are not sure about the existence of God." it's that you are totally and completely sure that it is not possible for a human to know whether or not God exists. there is a HUGE difference.

I'm an agnostic of this variety. The "pure" variety, shall we say, eh Bottle? ;) Anyway, I arrived here through a combination of disgust for organized religion and a belief that some form of higher power exists. It's one step removed from "don't give a darn," but I stand by it.

No ... not as far as I know (though there are multipul deffinitions of religous pluralism)

Some of the most common are "accepting other peoples religons as valid"
http://www.religioustolerance.org/rel_plur1.htm

Well i guess there can be different definitions. I was given a definition that vaguely goes like no religion is true or if one is we cannot tell which is.

Atheist, ...if god happens to be real; he sucks...

Well i guess there can be different definitions. I was given a definition that vaguely goes like no religion is true or if one is we cannot tell which is.
That is one of the deffinitions of the religous pluralism yes

What she was discribing was the belief that you can not PROVE any deity true or false (does not nessisary deal directly with the religion rather describing belief in proof of deity)

i realised that the whole god thing was a huge load of B.S. when i was about 7

:cool: A cosmologist named Max Tegmark has essentially proven (mathematically) that we live in a "Multiverse" of an infinite number of universes.
If this is the case (and I don't pretend to understand the math), then everything we can think of is possible (it being an infinite multiverse) and therefore if we can imagine God, God must be possible. :D
You can get all Douglas Adams if you want (Read "The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy" if you don't know what I mean) but I don't think God is about to disappear in a puff of logic. :confused:

Atheism isnt disbelief in a god or gods, its not believing in them. Antitheism is disbelief.

Nontheist. That is, it doesn't matter to me, I find discussion on the matter fruitless if not pointless, nor do I personally care (in debate, however, I will take an atheistic position, if need be).

I like this poll :) . It's cool how "Atheist" was the first choice, and that there were only three choices total, two of them being "Atheist" and "Agnostic"... :)

Anyway, I'm an atheist. I've thought about becoming a Buddhist, but bump that. I'm keeping my atheistic beliefs.

Buddhism is nontheistic (or, if one insists, atheistic - but that's forcing a Western religious view on a system that it doesn't apply to). So you could be both (for that matter, you could also be fundamentalist Christian and Buddhist, although that'd be stretching it!).

Theist here, though im not jewish. Mormons man, thats where its at.

Independent Fundamental Baptist over here.

It just feels right. Like it's something I knew, but i just needed somebody to teach me how to see it.

Agnostic. Gnosticism, theism, atheism, skepticism, all the other schools of thought are merely guesswork to elevate each "believer"'s conception of self by disguising incomprehension and lack of data with pretenses of legitimate belief systems which are in truth illogical, primitive theories based on nothing at all, except book-form manmade hoaxes for most of the major religions. Atheism is generally based on what the atheist wants to believe, rather than what is achieved through objective analysis. If one were walking down a street at night, it would be improper to say whether one believes there is a mugger in the next dark alley, or not a mugger, because one has no data to project either probability. Therefore, one cannot come to either conclusion with certainty. By the same token, organized religion is a transparently manmade sham engineered by power hungry ideologues easily able to ensorcel inherently fickle, feeble minded masses into servility of the mind with a ridiculous fusion of human morality and fairy tales presented as history. Empiricism and objectivity, the only methods through which true and credible knowledge can be attained, are cast aside in favor of "faith" and willingly submissive slavery of the self for the sake of following what amounts to what "that guy over there said", and other avenues which form conclusions not based on observable data, but the subjective bias of the adherents. Opinions based on feelings and hearsay are weak attempts at shortcuts to the higher truth, the quick avenue for those unable or unwilling to bear the strain of true enlightenment, and will continue to be worth nothing compared to those willing to seek their own way, to actually make their opinion worth something by basing it on the temporal, real world, to explore the mysteries of their planet, galaxy, universe, multiverse, and so on, rather than shutting their minds off from the truth they know the simple minds of humans can never comprehend. It all harkens back to Ptolemaic theory, God creating man in his image, and so on. The arrogance of man toward his role in existence, creating an answer, something to believe in, a myth, a legend, so long as it cloaks his eyes from the reality of his complete and utter insignificance.

Spiritual semi-agnostic. (I'm not completely sure, and don't concider any of my belief to be unquestionable thruth. I never fully exclude any possibilities, and am open to different belief. This allows me to constantly work on and improve my belief)

whoops. chose the wrong option. should'v voted for "atheist".

Atheist :)

Theist, we're part of it. God I mean.

:headbang: I SAID SIMPLE! oh well. too many people are blowing this out of proportion. i gave three categories, theist if you beleive in a god or gods, atheist if you dont, or agnostic if you arnt sure or dont care. those were not meant to be definitions. and thanks to everyone so far for sharing this with me. iv noticed trying to talk about religion on these boards normally leads to 30 page debate.
and i would greatly appriciate any info what it is actually like to be a muslim, or jew, or any other religion besides christianity. like what are your beleifs or holidays or imporant historical events, stuff like that. please send it to my email so this page doesnt get to cluttered. i go to a catholic school so i dont get to learn much about other peoples outside the states.
<donohoo_420@yahoo.com>
EDIT: logged in the wrong name. this is The Koriban System

Atheist, and why am I asked this question at least once per week?

I beleive in swordfish.

I selected "Theist", but would like to clarify that I am Pagan and completely reject organized religion.

You forgot non-theist.

Atheist.
Logic, rational thought and science tells me, that there are no gods. No one has ever proven the existence of any god. Science, on the other hand, is quite well documented.

Christian...Baptist

Hmm... I guess I'm a theist or agnostic... I'm not the type that's into organized religion. I just have my own philosophical/spiritual beliefs, but I don't rule out the possiblity that my beliefs are totally wrong and someone else's are totally right. Yes, I guess that's agnostic-ish.

Empiricism and objectivity, the only methods through which true and credible knowledge can be attained, are cast aside in favor of "faith" and willingly submissive slavery of the self for the sake of following what amounts to what "that guy over there said", and other avenues which form conclusions not based on observable data, but the subjective bias of the adherents.

Can a social primate ever truly be objective?

Opinions based on feelings and hearsay are weak attempts at shortcuts to the higher truth, the quick avenue for those unable or unwilling to bear the strain of true enlightenment, and will continue to be worth nothing compared to those willing to seek their own way, to actually make their opinion worth something by basing it on the temporal, real world, to explore the mysteries of their planet, galaxy, universe, multiverse, and so on, rather than shutting their minds off from the truth they know the simple minds of humans can never comprehend.

Are you infering that no human mind can grasp "the mysteries of their planet, galaxy, universe, multiverse, and so on" or just the subhuman minds of the manswarm? Or have I just completely misread what you intended to say?

(The paragraph break is your friend)

agnostic, but not in the way the original poster describes.
after 10 years worth of studying various religious beleifs it isn't that i am not sure, but rather i believe in the possibility that a god or gods, kami, spirits etc..could exhists, but choose not to involve myself with any religious faith.

Atheist. My parents are atheists, I was raised atheist and I don't see the attraction of joining a cult.

catholic, but the "I refuse to judge other people, Jesus hung out with whores, pagans, and taxcollectors, so why can't I?" kind. I know there has to be a God because I should, by the odds, be dead by now.

catholic, but the "I refuse to judge other people, Jesus hung out with whores, pagans, and taxcollectors, so why can't I?" kind. I know there has to be a God because I should, by the odds, be dead by now.

Out of those three things only one remains a bad thing today.

Agnostic. My parents are Christian, but they never forced it on me.they want me to believe in whatever I want to belive, although they do recommand christianity...
I'm half&half with the whole God and jesus thing, but I don't buy anything from Catholic church or any other large religious organization. It's ppl who made everything in religion (even bible), so why should I believe that what they say is what the god actually said? but hen again, I don't want to make another controversy here, so just ignore what I said if u don't like it.
P.S. I do respect other ppl's opinion too, and I don't want ppl to think I'm forcing my ideals to ppl.

Be careful not to confuse god with religion. That's like confusing a person with a telephone.
I'm a theist, but my god doesn't need constant reassurance.

Can a social primate ever truly be objective?



Are you infering that no human mind can grasp "the mysteries of their planet, galaxy, universe, multiverse, and so on" or just the subhuman minds of the manswarm? Or have I just completely misread what you intended to say?

(The paragraph break is your friend)



Hot damn. As is my style, I gave you a loquacious response going above and beyond what was necessary, and it froze as I scrolled down to "Submit Reply". Oh well, I'll give a truncated version.


1. Only a small handful approach a viewpoint resembling objectivity. My point was that it's sad that most people don't even try. Rather than forming their own opinions, even if based on nothing at all, they save the effort by letting someone else play God and lower themselves to submissive servility so long as that person can provide an answer that they can adopt. Any price paid is worth it, as long as questions of existence can be met with the primitive fables of a book of lies and faith in the existence of a manmade God rather than admittance of not having the complete answer.

2. The extent of understanding regarding such unknowns can't be ascertained by myself or anyone else, which is exactly why we must strive to achieve our maximum potential by exploring the aforementioned mysteries. The "idiot masses" who vote Paris Hilton as the most fascinating person of the year will always be largely ignorant sheep. My main point is that if they are to be used for generating capital for ventures, let it be for ventures of progress and scientific exploration in the temporal world, rather than for the erection of temples and worship of false Gods created by man. The would-be apotheosis of man to a level of understanding with the universal and divine achieves nothing, our post mortem fate is not decided by morality; it is time to cast aside the continuing Geocentric theory which is religion, the attempted application of earthly, human concepts toward the way we wish to view the universe, and begin to view the universe as the way it is, rather than how we wish it to be. The only thing which is in our control, the temporal world, should be the focus, not the imaginary world fashioned by power hungry con men seeking to ensorcel primitive, superstitious, gullible peoples. Much could be achieved by man's willingness to dispose of his own simultaneous servility, willing to ignore what is in front of his eyes in favor of what is in the imagination of others who present it as truth, and arrogance, in the form of understanding the universal without even needing to place that belief in anything but "faith". Faith is a euphemism for slavery of the mind. Hrm, my last response before it locked up was better, this is stream of consciousness, oh well. I wrote something in http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=8728256#post8728256 about all this.

3. Not my style :P. I don't cater to the ADD generation.


To the post creator who criticized me for not "keeping it simple", I hear your point. However, I place little legitimacy in opinions which are not supported. Generally, when a person presents their opinion but does not make a case for why they have formed that opinion, especially when not at least partially formed by their own insight rather than simply believing what someone else has said with no personal thought, that opinion is worth little or nothing. I place more stock in one person who voices his/her opinion and supports it than a million people arguing over the opinions they have not even formed themselves but adopted from others, and cannot themselves adequately support and defend.

Well, I'm pretty much an atheist of the secular humanist persuasion--though I must admit that a part of me can't quite give up on deism of the Christian persuasion. Why I'm an atheist is somewhat hard for me to explain--there's a lot here and its a confusing issue.

Basically, I realized that the religion I was raised in just couldn't answer the questions I wanted answered. Further, I realized that without the religion, it didn't matter so much to know. I found that my life could have meaning and beauty and joy and love and peace and laughter and happiness without a god in it. Then I started seeing the inconsitencies--the paradoxes in belief, the hypocrisy that seems rampant in organized religion, and the fact that (for me) it just doesn't matter if there is a God or not (and indeed I don't think that there is). I simply am.

As for the way I feel about my deist counterparts: I say more power to you. We each have to go through this world as best we can. If believing in a God brings you strength and comfort and help and peace and happines, et. al. then that is absolutely wonderful! I wish nothing but the best to all, and the best is the freedom to be yourself and believe what you wish.

Well answered, I thank you.

3. Not my style :P. I don't cater to the ADD generation.

Correctly formatting your writing caters to the ADD generation? Then you have my thanks. Good to know that the whole of academia (at least the part I've had any contact with) is instructing their students incorrectly, those silly PhD’s and their desire for organized papers. One paragraph essays here I come : )!

Adam

Originally Posted by Bottle
but even more irritating is the completely, totally, 100% WRONG definition of agnosticism that you give. agnosticism is the belief that it is impossible to know whether or not God exists. it is NOT "you are not sure about the existence of God." it's that you are totally and completely sure that it is not possible for a human to know whether or not God exists. there is a HUGE difference.
True.

I'm an agnostic myself, although I don't like putting myself in any predefined category.
I'm not entirely uninterested in religious matters; it's just that I feel the questions are more interesting than the so-called answers.

Well answered, I thank you.



Correctly formatting your writing caters to the ADD generation? Then you have my thanks. Good to know that the whole of academia (at least the part I've had any contact with) is instructing their students incorrectly, those silly PhD’s and their desire for organized papers. One paragraph essays here I come : )!

Adam


It's an informal forum, ya dildo, not a doctoral thesis (and the comment an extremely obvious joke, at that). Answer the actual points or don't, but don't stoop to pointing out petty horse shite. I know I have long paragraphs, and in this medium, I don't care; I know more about the intricacies of the English language and its verse than you might suspect. Your "Then you have my thanks" is not a proper sentence, you misspelled "inferring" earlier, but you don't see me trying to appear intelligent and portray you as stupid with references to contacts in academia, insinuating you are unaware of the technical err in such a small time idiosyncracy. Address the points made or shaddup, your observance of the obvious is tired and mundane, the concession of an argument you cannot sustain, or, apparently, eruditely make in the first place.

Atheist here.

I was only theist when I was a small child. Then I got more agnostic, and now I'm 100% atheist.

Agnostic.

I just can't be scared into believing something. And I have yet to find something I am ready to throw my life into.

(and the comment an extremely obvious joke, at that).

Funny, I thought mine was too.

Answer the actual points or don't, but don't stoop to pointing out petty horse shite.

What points did I need to answer? Did I not simply ask you to further explain yourself? Where in any of your posts did you direct a question at me? And if you are referencing the post I voted and thus answered the point relevant to this thread.

Your "Then you have my thanks" is not a proper sentence, you misspelled "inferring" earlier

True.

but you don't see me trying to appear intelligent and portray you as stupid with references to contacts in academia

"b : the academic life, community, or world <in the halls of academe>" We have all had contacts in academia since primary school, didn't think this a feat worth flaming.

insinuating you are unaware of the technical err in such a small time idiosyncracy. Address the points made or shaddup, your observance of the obvious is tired and mundane, the concession of an argument you cannot sustain, or, apparently, eruditely make in the first place.

I'll just leave this alone, since everything other than my first two questions was intended as a joke. Hopefully we are done butting heads now as I was actually interested in talking with you more, but oh well.

Truthfully I'm quite suprised you took this as an attack since I never stated my thoughts one way or the other.

P.S. You misspelled “idiosyncrasy.” Muahahaha, how’s that for being unaware? Cock

Adam

Wiccan here.

Agnostic.

Thinking that there is no god - is also a belief :)
Agnosticism is rational (because this problem cannot be solved definitely in man's mind on behalf of either option), yet it leaves one without support from his faith in a divine or big-boom-or-whatever order.
It leaves a person uncertain and unstable, if of course he's mind happens to be often occupied with such philosophical problems. If not - he just lives he's life without thinking about it, doing his things.
Still, though personally I am an agnostic, I do think that religion is a very socially useful thing, and in my political views I am a conservative also in this matter, even though I'm not religious. It's just a case of pragmatics.

This conversation is no longer worth my time. If you ever develop any interesting thought patterns regarding the topic or any of the points I made, hit me up. Until then, petty people who try to pick out insignificant errors in posts are not of particular interest to me, nor is continuance of conversation with them. Call me cock and point out that I typoed idiosyncrasy all you like, perhaps I can find an adult who actually has something worthwhile and interesting to say in the interim. What you missed is that my point was that small time shit ISN'T worth pointing out, thus you don't prove me a "cock" by merely continuing to prove yourself bereft of maturity or intellectual capacity by following that very path I said I could have followed but didn't. If you wanna continue this, go for it, but be civil and mature about it or I'm out. 99.99999% of posts have at least one error, mine are certainly more error-free than most. Why you would want to bring light to a typo rather than the actual content of a post can only be explained by obtuse immaturity. The continuance down that road is your prerogative, as is its reflection upon you. If you have any insight into the actual topic at hand, go for it, I like a mature debate. If you wanna settle into petty immaturity for the third consecutive time, this'll be the last you hear from me; I don't indulge children, or those who act like them.

I'm an athiest.

The reasons why? well I just don't think any God or Gods exist. I'm not rabid about it however and respect the rights of others to believe in whatever they want.

The only thing that does get me irate is when members of the very small minority of believers who do this start telling me I'm going to a hell I don't think exists because I won't worship their diety whom I also think doesn't exist.

Esoteric Christian here.
Next week I'll have a talk with a Roman-Catholic priest - after that I will participate in the holy communion ritual or search for less dogmatic Christian church.

Depends with NS forum!

Nationstates - Catholic
International Incidents - Catholic
General - Agnostic

God bless :D

I chose agnostic, but honest to god, I don't really know what I am. But I do believe that Man created God in His Own Image - grew up in a house full of boys, so it figures. As a member of wagggs I'm supposed to believe in the existence of a higher being, but I find it all a bit too middle-class white anglican. Guess that means I'll have to resign. Damn.

Heh, I knew you were going to get pissy about that. Yay for being able to take a joke.

Adam

By choice, not nationality. Hinduism admits the individuals right to view god in whatever manner one sees fit, or view god as non-existant, if one so chooses (must be your path to be atheist, this time around). I happen to need the female-energy-spirit to be my divine connection, and even Wicca doesn't supply it in a form I can be wholly in love with. Ma Kali, on the other hand, supplies all my spiritual needs, asks only that I be myself, and allow others to follow their own paths as well. And, to keep from scaring off my more traditional friends, she is just as happy to appear in the form of the Virgin Mary, or any other Goddess you are confortable with (yes I know the Theotokos is not considered a Goddess per se, but she is an acceptable Mediatrix or at least role model for many).

No, I am not going to argue dogma. I fully support your right and your karma to follow whatever path you see fit. It is an ingrained part of my Americanism, as well as a core spiritual belief to support you, or at least tolerate you, in your choices.

agelena

pagan

Like I said, man, if you have any opinions which are interesting and related to the topic, voice them. If not, sit in the background, your games are tiring and stale.

I came a long way to be a theist that cares. And thinks. Because essentially, nothing else makes sense. I mean, you could believe and not care, or you could not believe. But, why? Care to prove. I know a lot of people that can argue that there is no God better than I can argue that there is one. But, that means that I lost an arguement, not that there is no God. I lose LOTS of arguements, but that's not what reality is based on, is it? So, I'm not talking about arguing until you're right, you know, come to the light or come to the dark, I'm saying that if you're going to find the truth, you're going to have to really seek it no matter what it ends up being. Please, if there is no God, prove it to me. Wouldn't it be sad if I went my whole life living a lie? Would it be sad if you did?