Who are the A/As on the board? (page 6)

ESTEE

I believe in meeeeeeee!!!

How does that fit in ...? Athiest ...? Agnostic ...? Other ...?

ESTEE

drwtsn32

... imply some sort of antagonism or belief system.

Yeah, I know some people may think that. But I am not antagonistic at all about my atheist viewpoint. I consider myself atheist because I currently have zero reason to believe in any god. Agnosticism to me means that you kind of believe that there is some supernatural being responsible for everything but he/she/it is unknowable.

Also, some people seem to think Atheists should be able to disprove god. Um, there is no way to disprove the existence of god... at least the one defined in the christian bible.

I don't try to push my views on anyone... I had enough of that as a dub.

Odrade

Agnostic. I do NOT believe in Bible God anymore than I believe in Zeus and Hera. But I do believe in some sort of spirituality. I just don't know how to describe it--whether it's a spirit world, or just the atomic vibration of matter. It's all interesting.

Odrade

Mindchild

Postmodern radical constructivist here. I try not to have belief in belief systems, as tempting as they are. I prefer my reality served with a good amount of mathematical probabilities mixed with a reasonable seasoning of skepticism. In terms of the God Memeplex, I believe there is enough evidence to discredit the Jehovah God of the Watchtower ideological myth but not enough evidence to rule out other forms of advanced super beings that would qualify in most people's minds as God. So, that puts me in the exploratory category.

Skipper

Eric

I can look at a craggy upthrust snow-capped peak, marvel at the tenacity of life that scales it, each up to its maximum elevational limits, hike through that peak's varying zones stunned by the variety of life that exists at every turn and never once call to mind the likelyhood of a Creator.

What causes me to ponder is, why does all this richness affect me so as to call it beauty? Is it just an ancient signal that I've found an area of reliable food source? Why do I want to photograph it and show it to my friends? To bring my discovery of plenitude back to my tribe? We all have barbeques and freezers full of meat.

For that matter, why does green and blue look so good together? Trees and sky, perhaps. Is that hardwired into me from ages ago as a safe place? What can these things of beauty mean?

Then I remember that I find beauty in the sound of electric guitars and the whole thought trend collapses under its own weight.

I accept that there may be a force we can't describe properly yet that does or did something. I don't see a need for this force to exist, but it's impossible to rule it out. Just as it is impossible to rule out that it once existed, but does not exist any more.

As for such a force having a personality, writing books for us through men, being in a battle with other forces, placing us in the middle, arranging for my salvation or damnation, desirous of my worship, well, no.

Some of the people who do believe in God also hold a place reserved for things of great beauty for me.

It is the religions and the actions taken in the name of God that hold my unreserved contempt.

Eric

Swan

Yeah, I know some people may think that. But I am not antagonistic at all about my atheist viewpoint. I consider myself atheist because I currently have zero reason to believe in any god. Agnosticism to me means that you kind of believe that there is some supernatural being responsible for everything but he/she/it is unknowable.
Also, some people seem to think Atheists should be able to disprove god. Um, there is no way to disprove the existence of god... at least the one defined in the christian bible.
I don't try to push my views on anyone... I had enough of that as a dub.

I think that is an interesting comment Watson. I feel much the same way. I am not antagonistic about my disbelief in God either. I just get angry when people try to foist their religious views upon me in the guise of legislation. That's about the only thing I get upset about, but I am certainly not antagonistic about it either. I don't try to push my views on anyone either. If people need to believe in God, that's okay with me. I'm glad it gives them comfort, but it no longer comforts me.

I don't believe in God anymore. God is like Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy to me, except a lot of kids were never told he doesn't really exist. I am certainly open to the possibility God may exist, but have never seen any evidence, IMHO. I now believe in science, the evidence, the natural world and its laws. I see great beauty and great order in that, but also great chaos.

I have found that some people who believe in God have some common myths about people who don't. Here is my list, slightly edited, for what it is worth:

When I say I'm an atheist/agnostic, I am giving you an open invitation to preach to me. I am not. I think if God wants me to know he exists, He will not use you to do this through some obscure scripture. I figure if God's message is important enough, he will cause the stones to cry out. That would be compelling evidence to change my mind.

When I say I'm an atheist/agnostic, I am admitting that I am a debased person without morals. That too is false. I do have morals. I do have a conscience. I do not steal. I do not murder. I do not try and deceive people into joining my religion, cult, or mind control sect. I am not some depraved monster under the control of Satan going around kicking puppies, kittens, and babies.

When I say I'm an atheist/agnostic, I am saying that I am person without any appreciation of the spiritual values in my life. Wrong! I appreciate life and beauty and find spiritual fulfillment in not believing in God. I look at the world around me with new eyes. I say to myself, how did that come to be, gradually through the eons. As I learn how I came to be, I feel myself a part of the bigger picture. I no longer fear death. It has stirred the environmentalist in me. I feel a part of nature, and no longer want to ruin it. It has stirred the philosopher in me. I question our role here and if we have the inalienable right to dominate all other life to the point of extinction.

When I say I'm an atheist/agnostic, I am saying that I am a logical automaton without feeling, like Mr. Spock. Not believing in God doesn't make me inhuman. I love my step-family. I love my many friends. I like to think logically about matters concerning science and nature and life, but that doesn't mean I don't feel awe inspired about it. I can get very excited over it. Every breathe I take is precious to me, and I want to savor my short life here on this wonderful planet. Besides, the Vulcans have as much mysticism as the next species, they just don't like you knowing it.

When I say I'm an atheist/agnostic, I am saying that I don't celebrate traditional holidays. That too is false. I love the holidays. I don't celebrate the religious aspects of certain holidays, but they have secular aspects that are fun traditions. I love my step-family; I love getting together with them. Christmas is a very secular holiday around our house. We have an angel on the tree just as we have a snowman and a Santa out on the front lawn. I believe in peace on Earth and goodwill toward life on the planet. At Halloween we decorate with other mythical creatures. At Thanksgiving I do take the time to count my blessings and I do feel appreciative of what I have. At Easter, we celebrate the last good candy holiday until next Halloween with some chocolate eggs.

NEWWORLDSLACKER

I don?t like to call myself an agnostic but I think nature is labile yet somewhat Definable . I believe that Planck?s constant is the key to life and knowledge of "god" .

Everything

Old Is New Again

NwS

LittleToe

I'm pleased to see that folks are seeing the distinction between spirituality and religion. The latter is a loaded gun, IMHO.

It's more than possible to hold an opinion about "deity", and even have a personal relationship, without the accoutrements of religion.

Ghosthunter

I believe in God, I believe in Jesus Christ. I just don't believe in organized religion. Period.

Swickley

A department store saleswoman was checking me out at the register the other day, and she started babbling about "god this, god that, believe in jesus, hallelujah, yada yada.." It was obvious to me she fell into the "saved" category, and as I was waiting for my change, I was also waiting for the other shoe to drop. She finally said "don't you believe that god controls everything and we must place our trust in his divine guidance?"

My response was: "I believe that god dwells within all of us. God dwells within me. Therefore, I am god. Since I am god, I am responsible for my own actions, my own decisions, and anything that happens to me in life is based upon my own actions and not upon some shadowy figure sitting on a fictitious heavenly throne."

NO, I don't believe I'm god, but it sure shut her up quick! I believe in science, and that we are all connected to the earth -- we're one with mother earth.

Who are the A/As on the board?

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