NationStates Jolt Archive

Well, its really a simple question.

I do not.

Who????????

I beleive I can fly.

I beleive I can fly.
how does that have anything to do with the question.

Don't we already have a poll like this?

how does that have anything to do with the question.

You mean this is a serious thread? Wow, as if we havent had enough of the "do you beleive in god" threads already.

damn! I forgot to make it a public poll!

Looking at the poll options the question should have been "Do you believe in the biblical god?"

Agnostics are not true atheists, so myrth.

Agnostics are not true atheists, so myrth.


an agnostic can be both, you know.

Of course I do, :gundge: I AM God!

an agnostic can be both, you know.


Agnostic

One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.
One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.
One who is doubtful or noncommittal about something.


Like I said, not true atheist. An atheist is someone who thinks there is no god, Agnostics don't flat out say that.

Agnostics are those who accept god as a possibility just as no-god or many gods. They just have the patience to wait until someone finally (really) proves any of the options.

Agnostics are those who accept god as a possibility just as no-god or many gods. They just have the patience to wait until someone finally (really) proves any of the options.



Yup, and an atheist is someone who reject god period. So true agnostics are not true atheists.

I believe in a higher power...although I don't adhere to any organized religion, or even a disorganized one. :p

As to the nature of the higher power I believe in?

Well, I keep that kind of shit to myself. :)

Yup, and an atheist is someone who reject god period. So true agnostics are not true atheists.


Your definition is too black and white.

Athiest simply means "without God", thus, anyone who isnt a christian, or a Hebrew, can be an athiest.
Even the ones who arent willing to call it either way.

I don't see how any form of god can exist. Well any form of comppasionate or nice god at any rate. But yeah, I don't think there are any gods except maybe the Norse ones, so I'm an atheist.

I don't see how any form of god can exist. Well any form of comppasionate or nice god at any rate. But yeah, I don't think there are any gods except maybe the Norse ones, so I'm an atheist.

Ooo....the Norse gods are fun!

Who in their right mind would turn down a trip to Valhalla, after all is said and done? :)

I don't see how any form of god can exist. Well any form of comppasionate or nice god at any rate. But yeah, I don't think there are any gods except maybe the Norse ones, so I'm an atheist.


So, Thor, Odin, Baldur, and Frigga could be real....but Zeus, Shiva, Gonesh, Pluto and Quxicoatl are complete works of fiction, eh?

Your definition is too black and white.

Athiest simply means "without God", thus, anyone who isnt a christian, or a Hebrew, can be an athiest.
Even the ones who arent willing to call it either way.



a·the·ist ( P ) Pronunciation Key (th-st)
n.
One who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods.

People without a god but don't call it either way or don't reject the matter are better described as agnostic.

So, Thor, Odin, Baldur, and Frigga could be real....but Zeus, Shiva, Gonesh, Pluto and Quxicoatl are complete works of fiction, eh?

Eh....everyone knows Zeus is just a creation of the Vast Worldwide Jewish Media Conspiracy™.







What?

I am an agnostic at the moment, although I've always been an atheist. I think morality may need a non-physicalist explanation, so I'm just working out my beliefs.

So, Thor, Odin, Baldur, and Frigga could be real....but Zeus, Shiva, Gonesh, Pluto and Quxicoatl are complete works of fiction, eh?

Oh, all right then, I'm also alright with the old Greek gods (not the Roman ones 'cos they just stole the Greek ones), the Aztec gods, the old Chinese gods and the Incan gods. But only because they are interesting.

Why is one of the options "no, I believe there are many gods"? is not belief in many Gods a belief in God? My belief is that, just as God transcends gender, so to does God transcend number. There are many Gods, and there is one God.

a·the·ist ( P ) Pronunciation Key (th-st)
n.
One who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods.

People without a god but don't call it either way or don't reject the matter are better described as agnostic.


Once again, you can quote dictionary.com all you want.

Your definition is again far too black and white, and as we all know religion is anything but clear cut, and dried.

Yes, by todays standards, and casual understanding of the word, we associate anyone who openly denies the existance of a God, or gods as an athiest.
But again, the word's origin simply means "without God", as such, anyone not a christian or a Hebrew, can be an "athiest" pagans, heretics, you name it.
ONLY such a person who makes a direct stance against such an ideal would you call an athiest, however, the reality is a matter of perception.

An Agnostic, as you have linked and pasted, isnt willing to make a call, either way.
Thus, it is entirely possibly to be both an agnostic, and an atheist.
Its entirely possibly to possess mixed feelings about any such issue, and feel both.

Oh, all right then, I'm also alright with the old Greek gods (not the Roman ones 'cos they just stole the Greek ones), the Aztec gods, the old Chinese gods and the Incan gods. But only because they are interesting.


I see how you are!

What did Leir, God of Lightning,and the Spear, ever do to you?

Dont be hatin' the Celtic Gods man.

I see how you are!

What did Leir, God of Lightning,and the Spear, ever do to you?

Dont be hatin' the Celtic Gods man.

Of course, the syncretic minded might come up with the hypothesis that the lightning/thunder Gods Thor, Zeus, and Leir are actually one and the same...

Of course, the syncretic minded might come up with the hypothesis that the lightning/thunder Gods Thor, Zeus, and Leir are actually one and the same...


Impossible.

I saw them all together, in one book. standing side by side.
A BOOK!

I mean, it had "marvel comics" on it, and many pictures within it, BUT IT WAS A BOOK.

If it came from a book, I believe it.

I go for France.

Wait a minute. Oh, this isn't the world cup voting poll.

I am Agnostic. Where is this god? Hmm...

Of course, the syncretic minded might come up with the hypothesis that the lightning/thunder Gods Thor, Zeus, and Leir are actually one and the same...

But they can't be, seeing as they all have different myths sorrounding them. As far as I know Zeus and Leir are still alive and yet Thor is dead, slain in battle with the world serpent at Ragnarok. And also, sorry for leaving out the Celtic gods, I'm not sure how I forgot them. I am partly Welsh after all.

But they can't be, seeing as they all have different myths sorrounding them. As far as I know Zeus and Leir are still alive and yet Thor is dead, slain in battle with the world serpent at Ragnarok. And also, sorry for leaving out the Celtic gods, I'm not sure how I forgot them. I am partly Welsh after all.


No, I believe Thor was slated to fight, kill, and be killed the Midgaard Serpent at Ragnarok, wich is at the end of the word.

Enter and Surtur and Ymir, and whatnot....

No, I believe Thor was slated to fight, kill, and be killed the Midgaard Serpent at Ragnarok, wich is at the end of the word.

Enter and Surtur and Ymir, and whatnot....

Thats what I said...

But they can't be, seeing as they all have different myths sorrounding them. As far as I know Zeus and Leir are still alive and yet Thor is dead, slain in battle with the world serpent at Ragnarok. And also, sorry for leaving out the Celtic gods, I'm not sure how I forgot them. I am partly Welsh after all.

ah, but has Ragnorok actually happened yet? seriously though, see Wikipedia's article on the Proto-Indo-European religion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proto-Indo-European_religion). There is evidence to suggest these pantheons did share very ancient common roots.

"Do you believe in God"

This question is always pointless unless the asker first defines what s/he means by God.

Thats what I said...


But that would mean since the world is stil here...*checks*...
That Ragnarok is yet to occur, and Thor is still around.

Fight hasnt happened yet.

a·the·ist ( P ) Pronunciation Key (th-st)
n.
One who disbelieves or denies the existence of God or gods.

People without a god but don't call it either way or don't reject the matter are better described as agnostic.To be agnostic is the state of acknowledging that a question cannot be answered, or the belief that a question has no answer. The state of being agnostic does not imply indecision.

I'm an atheist. I think any & all superstitions are perfectly absurd. I also know that I cannot prove a negative. Thus I am an agnostic atheist.

Good use of the dictionary, but you looked up the wrong word.

I do not beleive in any gods, though I am not atheist. Your poll is flawed. Think about Buddhists, they do not beleive in any gods either, but Buddhism is a religion.

What is this "God" of which you speak? I know not that to which you refer; care to relieve me of my ignorance?

I do not beleive in any gods, though I am not atheist. Your poll is flawed. Think about Buddhists, they do not beleive in any gods either, but Buddhism is a religion.Eh.. You are, strictly speaking, an atheist. You don't follow a theistic religion, so you're atheist.. Simple really.

Eh.. You are, strictly speaking, an atheist. You don't follow a theistic religion, so you're atheist.. Simple really.
I wouldn't really agree with that definition. Surely there are people who believe in God that don't follow a theistic religion?

I wouldn't really agree with that definition. Surely there are people who believe in God that don't follow a theistic religion?I'm sure there is, but it doesn't contradict what I said.

If you believe in god(s), you're a theist. If your religion incorporates god(s), it's theistic. If you don't believe in god(s), you're an atheist. If your religion doesn't incorporate god(s), it's atheistic. If you follow an atheistic religion, but personally incorporate god(s) in your belief system, you're theist.

It's pretty simple: God(s) = theism. No god(s) = atheism.

"There is many Gods"??! Grammar check!

I believe in panthers.

http://petcaretips.net/black_pantherA.jpg

Of course I beleive in God, why would I want to, when I die, go to Hell? lol, that would be dumb

I do not beleive in any gods, though I am not atheist. Your poll is flawed. Think about Buddhists, they do not beleive in any gods either, but Buddhism is a religion.
Yay, Buddhism!
I'm agnostic for the most part, though on occasion I can call myself atheist.
And are we saying all supernatural beings are gods? Like Brahmin, Satan, God, Vestia...all gods?

I beleive I can fly.
All I wanted was a chicken wing, but I accidently blew up Burger King.

Once again, you can quote dictionary.com all you want.

Your definition is again far too black and white, and as we all know religion is anything but clear cut, and dried.

Yes, by todays standards, and casual understanding of the word, we associate anyone who openly denies the existance of a God, or gods as an athiest.
But again, the word's origin simply means "without God", as such, anyone not a christian or a Hebrew, can be an "athiest" pagans, heretics, you name it.
ONLY such a person who makes a direct stance against such an ideal would you call an athiest, however, the reality is a matter of perception.

An Agnostic, as you have linked and pasted, isnt willing to make a call, either way.
Thus, it is entirely possibly to be both an agnostic, and an atheist.
Its entirely possibly to possess mixed feelings about any such issue, and feel both.
I don't have mixed feelings about not knowing but I agree what you say is possible and that many people feel that way.

I do not beleive in any gods, though I am not atheist. Your poll is flawed. Think about Buddhists, they do not beleive in any gods either, but Buddhism is a religion.

If you don't believe in any gods, by definition, you are an Atheist. And not all Buddhists don't believe in gods. Many forms of Buddhism recognize quite a few.

If you don't believe in any gods, by definition, you are an Atheist. And not all Buddhists don't believe in gods. Many forms of Buddhism recognize quite a few.
You are at a crossroad. Left is the path that believes in God. Right is the path that does not believe in God. I'm still looking at the sign.

To be agnostic is the state of acknowledging that a question cannot be answered, or the belief that a question has no answer. The state of being agnostic does not imply indecision.

I'm an atheist. I think any & all superstitions are perfectly absurd. I also know that I cannot prove a negative. Thus I am an agnostic atheist.

Good use of the dictionary, but you looked up the wrong word.


An agnostic would neither confirm nor deny it, if you were an agnostic you wouldn't take a stand on either side. An atheist flatout denies god and an skeptic atheist denies god but encourages people to prove him wrong.


An agnostic atheist is an oxymoron and quite frankly silly.

Once again, you can quote dictionary.com all you want.

Your definition is again far too black and white, and as we all know religion is anything but clear cut, and dried.

Yes, by todays standards, and casual understanding of the word, we associate anyone who openly denies the existance of a God, or gods as an athiest.
But again, the word's origin simply means "without God", as such, anyone not a christian or a Hebrew, can be an "athiest" pagans, heretics, you name it.
ONLY such a person who makes a direct stance against such an ideal would you call an athiest, however, the reality is a matter of perception.

An Agnostic, as you have linked and pasted, isnt willing to make a call, either way.
Thus, it is entirely possibly to be both an agnostic, and an atheist.
Its entirely possibly to possess mixed feelings about any such issue, and feel both.


Now you just don't know what you are talking about.

Pagans believe in multiple gods, how can they be atheists as atheist reject the notion of all gods christian or not? Your definiton of pagan is too black and white, wiccans believe in 2 gods, so how can they atheists? They can't.


Again, an atheist denies all gods and an agnostic doesn't believe it can be proven and won't either confirm nor deny it. You can't be both.

All I wanted was a chicken wing, but I accidently blew up Burger King.
The way I learned it was:
All I wanted was some chicken wings, from McDonalds or Burger King.

Again, an atheist denies all gods and an agnostic doesn't believe it can be proven and won't either confirm nor deny it. You can't be both.
An atheist is also someone who professes no belief in something. To use the person in Desperate Measures' example of the crossroads, the agnostic atheist has chosen to go off-road altogether, because either path is meaningless to him.

If we cannot know if there is a god, then it doesn't matter if there is one.

Agnostics are not true atheists, so myrth.
Its TWO SEPARATE SCALES!

An agnostic atheist is an oxymoron and quite frankly silly.
no it is not an oxymorom.

The way I learned it was:
All I wanted was some chicken wings, from McDonalds or Burger King.
Hm.. interesting..

*goes off to research*

An agnostic would neither confirm nor deny it, if you were an agnostic you wouldn't take a stand on either side. An atheist flatout denies god and an skeptic atheist denies god but encourages people to prove him wrong.


An agnostic atheist is an oxymoron and quite frankly silly.Nope. You just haven't grasped either concept fully.

An atheist isn't someone who walks around actively disbelieving all manner of deities. Perhaps you can understand it in this context: most Christians don't even consider the notion of Zeus. Atheists just takes it one step further. Atheism is not some sort of inversed belief in deities.

To be agnostic about something, is to be of the opinion that something is presently or permanently unverifiable. I'm agnostic about a great many things. Unicorns, for example. And 300' Spacefaring Pirate Squirrels.

If the word itself had been around when the Bible was compiled, it would most likely decree that all Christians should be agnostics, because according to the Bible, proof denies faith.

I can't prove a negative. I positively know I can't. Any situation that requires me to do that, will leave me an agnostic or a liar. I'm agnostic about deities & flying pigs. If I said I weren't, I'd be a liar, as I cannot prove either.

It doesn't mean I believe, or think it's possible, that pigs roam the skies & deities are crawling all over the place. I think both ideas are hopelessly insane, but that doesn't mean I can prove it. Thus I'm agnostic. I'm even what's sometimes called a 'strong' agnostic, because in my opinion, it will never be possible to prove a negative.

So yea, I'm an agnostic atheist. A bunch of my friends are agnostic theists. I don't personally know a single person arrogant enough to claim s/he can prove a negative in fact, though I know plenty of both atheists & theists.

The very last thing an agnostic atheist is, is an oxymoron.


And oh Dog.. We've had this pointless debate a hell of a lot of times now.

Of course I beleive in God, why would I want to, when I die, go to Hell? lol, that would be dumb

To say if you don't believe in god you will go to hell is wrong. If God truely exists and created me, then he also shaped my opinions. If God has made me feel this way then it can't be wrong or bad/evil.

So I'm not going to hell for being an atheist.

Other reasons maybe! :D

Of course I beleive in God, why would I want to, when I die, go to Hell? lol, that would be dumb
Of course I believe in flying puppies, why would I want to, when I die, go to Pittsburgh? lol, that would be dumb

Well... yes I do. I believe there is A god, but I don't think there is THE god.

Of course I believe in flying puppies, why would I want to, when I die, go to Pittsburgh? lol, that would be dumb


We all believe in flying puppies! To do otherwise would be redundant.

:p

Agnostics are not true atheists, so myrth.
QFT