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A poll for our Atheist members.
- Thread starter Quagmire
- Start date
I voted for 'Merely lack belief', but that doesn't mean I'd see all possibilities as equally likely.
There could be something we're not aware of. I certainly can't prove there isn't. But the likelihood of it being the Christian God, or the Muslim God, or the Scientology...err...big blue alien...umm...all unlikely in my opinion to the same order of magnitude as my kid's 10 year old son effectively cleaning behind his ears.
There could be something we're not aware of. I certainly can't prove there isn't. But the likelihood of it being the Christian God, or the Muslim God, or the Scientology...err...big blue alien...umm...all unlikely in my opinion to the same order of magnitude as my kid's 10 year old son effectively cleaning behind his ears.
I'm a hardcore atheist, of the variety who wants to open the eyes of believers for better ways.
But that does not mean that atheism itself has to be like that.
But that does not mean that atheism itself has to be like that.
gsa
Well-Known Member
Lack belief.
However, I feel this poll significantly overstates the probability of the various god claims, or at least the atheist assessment of their probability. I think Yahweh is about as likely as Poseidon. Scientology is as believable as Heaven's Gate, and the same with the LDS. Would I rule it out 100%? Effectively yes, theoretically no.
However, I feel this poll significantly overstates the probability of the various god claims, or at least the atheist assessment of their probability. I think Yahweh is about as likely as Poseidon. Scientology is as believable as Heaven's Gate, and the same with the LDS. Would I rule it out 100%? Effectively yes, theoretically no.
psychoslice
Veteran Member
Its a hard one, its like saying there is no big foot, I certainly don't believe in the big foot, but how can you prove it really, when he is never there in the first place ?.
Not asking you to prove anything, just asking everyone where they stand.
I'm mainly trying to gauge what most people in here mean when they say "I'm an atheist".
psychoslice
Veteran Member
Yes but that is where I stand, what do you do ?.
Unless I'm mistaken (and correct me if I am) I've seen you come right out and say "There is no God" several times in the forums.
That would put you in the second group.
Bunyip
pro scapegoat
It simply identifies a person as not being theist.
So you've polled everyone already?
I'm not asking what the term means, I'm asking what people, individually, mean when they use it about themselves.
Bunyip
pro scapegoat
You asked for what people mean when they say that they are atheist - that is my position.
The question wasn't, "What do you think everybody means when they say 'I'm an atheist'", the question is, 'What do you mean when you say, 'I'm an atheist".
Each person would need to answer for themselves.
NewGuyOnTheBlock
Cult Survivor/Fundamentalist Pentecostal Apostate
In general, the term "atheist" means one who lacks belief in God.
On the other hand, you asked the question personally; what do I mean when I say I am an atheist ... What I mean about me is that I have a firm conviction that there is no God. So I put myself in the second group.
As I understand things, however, "atheist"; the definition; is the first answer.
If we are to adopt Hitchens' terminology, I, and others who have the "firm conviction that there is no God" should be called an "Antitheists" rather than an "atheist".
On the other hand, you asked the question personally; what do I mean when I say I am an atheist ... What I mean about me is that I have a firm conviction that there is no God. So I put myself in the second group.
As I understand things, however, "atheist"; the definition; is the first answer.
If we are to adopt Hitchens' terminology, I, and others who have the "firm conviction that there is no God" should be called an "Antitheists" rather than an "atheist".
psychoslice
Veteran Member
Myself I would have
I would have to say that there is no god, for not one has ever proved there is a god, and its been a long time, so by that I would have to say there is no god. I actually don't like the name god, for what does it really mean, I don't think anyone really knows what their saying when they say they believe in god. For me god would be the whole cosmos being one, every single thing is the cosmos........but god, sort of brings a bad taste to my mouth and I want to spit lol.Unless I'm mistaken (and correct me if I am) I've seen you come right out and say "There is no God" several times in the forums.
That would put you in the second group.
psychoslice
Veteran Member
Sorry I don't know what happened up there.
Bunyip
pro scapegoat
It was what I mean, and what I take 'atheist' to mean. There's no need to get agro just because the poll isn't going the way you thought.
Curious George
Veteran Member
Just to clear up my personal opinion I do believe atheism is an active choice. Yes a lack of belief will suffice, but this is different from lack of belief from lack of choice. Idk if that helps or only confounds more.