Kitch Posted October 13, 2008 Author Report Posted October 13, 2008 Being 'atheist' or 'agnostic' are beliefs and therefore can be catergorized as being the same as being a follower of any current religion on this planet. Agnostic: a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable ; broadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god This word, in my experience, is most often used in this way but one can take an agnostic stance toward any 'hypothesis'. It simply means that one does not know/can't know. It is not a belief... at least not in the god sense. It is not possible to 'know' whether one exists or not. But then, wouldn't that make EVERYONE agnostic? Even those who claim to know because they believe so strongly? Just a thought. Quote
Leafless Posted October 15, 2008 Report Posted October 15, 2008 This word, in my experience, is most often used in this way but one can take an agnostic stance toward any 'hypothesis'. It simply means that one does not know/can't know. It is not a belief... at least not in the god sense. Nevertheless it is still a belief. Anyone who is agnostic probably has many convictions that act as a sustitute or replacement for a god in that persons mind. The downside of of not beleiving in a god makes one a pagan. This is a word most agnostics and atheist steer away from. It is not possible to 'know' whether one exists or not. But then, wouldn't that make EVERYONE agnostic? Even those who claim to know because they believe so strongly? Just a thought. No it would not. Anyone with a faith needs no logical proof that their god exist. Quote
Kitch Posted October 15, 2008 Author Report Posted October 15, 2008 Nevertheless it is still a belief. Anyone who is agnostic probably has many convictions that act as a sustitute or replacement for a god in that persons mind. The downside of of not beleiving in a god makes one a pagan. This is a word most agnostics and atheist steer away from. No it would not. Anyone with a faith needs no logical proof that their god exist. Are you saying that I'm a pagan? Quote
WIP Posted October 15, 2008 Report Posted October 15, 2008 Nevertheless it is still a belief. Anyone who is agnostic probably has many convictions that act as a sustitute or replacement for a god in that persons mind. Yes, the difference is that someone who believes in God and belongs to a religion likely has a whole set of metaphysical beliefs and and ethical beliefs that are already determined for them. Atheism just states that a person doesn't believe in God, and usually includes disbelief in other supernatural concepts like souls, spirits, ghosts, angels, UFO's etc.. So atheists form their beliefs from naturalistic philosophies that are based on things that can be studied, analyzed and proven to exist. This leads to a wide range of options, so an atheist could be a Marxist or a follower of extreme libertarianism, such as the one created by Ayn Rand. Some atheists don't even give a whole lot of thought to the big questions (at least not until they face some sort of personal crisis), but the majority use some form of humanist philosophies as a guide to deciding how to live and make sense of the world. The downside of of not beleiving in a god makes one a pagan. This is a word most agnostics and atheist steer away from. Wrong! Paganism is collective name given to animistic belief systems that usually involve a pantheistic concept that the creator is part of all of the creation, and they believe that most living things and maybe even some non-living things like mountains, rivers or other significant natural landmarks also possess spirits -- this is not atheism, it is just a different form of religious belief that people raised in the Western monotheisms are unfamiliar with. No it would not. Anyone with a faith needs no logical proof that their god exist. You would likely agree that people who joined a doomsday cult have faith in something that is totally unfounded or illogical. From a skeptic viewpoint, all faith is suspect because it requires accepting beliefs without being presented with evidence for them. Quote Anybody who believers exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist. -- Kenneth Boulding, 1973
Leafless Posted October 16, 2008 Report Posted October 16, 2008 Are you saying that I'm a pagan? You are defined as a 'pagan', unless of course you are subscribed to anyone of the main religions. Quote
guyser Posted October 16, 2008 Report Posted October 16, 2008 You are defined as a 'pagan', unless of course you are subscribed to anyone of the main religions. Still having trouble with the english language huh? Quote
tango Posted October 17, 2008 Report Posted October 17, 2008 You are defined as a 'pagan', unless of course you are subscribed to anyone of the main religions. "Pagan" is a religion. If you don't belong to a religion, you are generally considered agnostic or atheist, not "pagan". Quote My Canada includes rights of Indigenous Peoples. Love it or leave it, eh! Peace.
Mr.Canada Posted October 24, 2008 Report Posted October 24, 2008 What do you expect? A fair analysis? Bill Maher is a Jewish personality in Hollywood looking to make a buck, nothing more. Quote "You are scum for insinuating that isn't the case you snake." -William Ashley Canadian Immigration Reform Blog
bush_cheney2004 Posted October 24, 2008 Report Posted October 24, 2008 What do you expect? A fair analysis? Bill Maher is a Jewish personality in Hollywood looking to make a buck, nothing more. Unlike "Christian" personalities in Hollywood....or Chicago...or Toronto? What do you expect? Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
BC_chick Posted November 30, 2008 Report Posted November 30, 2008 What do you expect? A fair analysis? Bill Maher is a Jewish personality in Hollywood looking to make a buck, nothing more. His father is Catholic and his mother is Jewish. According Jewish belief that makes him Jewish, but he has said that he was raised Catholic and that he did not even know his mother is Jewish until he was a teenager. In any case, even if he were Jewish, it's pretty silly to stereotype him. Think of Spielberg's Munich and you see how 'fair' a Jew can be in their analysis. Quote It's kind of the worst thing that any humans could be doing at this time in human history. Other than that, it's fine." Bill Nye on Alberta Oil Sands
kimmy Posted December 1, 2008 Report Posted December 1, 2008 Given the typical level of Bill Maher's work, how good could it have really been? The Jews think it's an abomination to eat shelfish, but they don't see a problem with bulldozing peoples homes in Palestine, hurhurhur If the Pope would tell Catholics that it's not a sin to pull out, maybe the priests would stop molesting altarboys, hurhurhur Hey, if Islam is the Religion of Peace, why do they keep blowing shit up? Think they've run out of virgins in heaven yet? hurhurhur After I give Bill Maher $10 to hear his insights on religion in the world, why don't I give Gilbert Gottfried $10 for his insight on winning friends and influencing people, and then maybe I'll give Carrot Top $10 to hear his insight on dressing to impress. -k {hurhurhur} Quote (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ Friendly forum facilitator! ┬──┬◡ﾉ(° -°ﾉ)
cybercoma Posted December 7, 2008 Report Posted December 7, 2008 No it would not. Anyone with a faith needs no logical proof that their god exist.Not according to Peter Abelard or St. Thomas Aquinas. Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted December 7, 2008 Report Posted December 7, 2008 Not according to Peter Abelard or St. Thomas Aquinas. They don't believe in them. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
cybercoma Posted December 7, 2008 Report Posted December 7, 2008 They don't believe in them. Well... not according to Martin Luther? Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted December 8, 2008 Report Posted December 8, 2008 Well... not according to Martin Luther? or even Lex Luther. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
cybercoma Posted December 8, 2008 Report Posted December 8, 2008 or even Lex Luther.or Peter Parker? Quote
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