BucephalusBB
ABACABB
Ok, tell me why I should believe in the supernatural and I think you will explain it to me instead..
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agnostics = weak atheists
- Thread starter KarlVonMox
- Start date
Ok, tell me why I should believe in the supernatural and I think you will explain it to me instead..
You aleady do believe in the supernatural --we all do. We "are". We invest our selfs with being.
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
How is that supernatural?
"Natural" is the characteristic investing a thing with being. "Supernatural" gives that investment over to the symbol.
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
What definition of supernatural are you using?
The symbol investing a thing with being.
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
Where did you obtain this definition?
Through reading, mostly, books about "supernatural" topics.
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
Hmmm - yeah, I can't find that definition of supernatural referenced anywhere. Although, I suppose your statement would make sense if one decided to define supernatural that way.
You would probably also have a tough time finding a decent definition of any "supernatural" topic.
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
I have no problem finding a decent definition of the word "supernatural." As far as supernatural topics go, it would depend on the topic.
KarlVonMox
Member
This is not true. atheism does not have that sort of content. The prefix "a" just means without, or absence of (like in asexual, amoral). Therefore "atheism" is simply "without theism".
It does not imply or require beliefs of any kind, just a lack of them. The definition of atheism you hold is narrower, and I think largely incorrect.
Notice an agnostic is also without theism. Therefore, agnostics = atheists!
People positively state "there is no God" can called the "strong atheists". People who dont say this, but yet dont subscribe to any theistic belief can also be called atheists - weak atheists (agnostics). Agnostic to me is just a word to describe that kind of atheist - who regardless does NOT have any sort of theistic belief.
All Im saying is that agnostics fit under the broader (correct) definition of atheism.
"Theism" means a belief because of the "ism" part. The greek word is theos/θεός, no "ism" Theism means "a belief or system wherein a theos or god exists. Therefore, technically, atheism means a system or belief "without a theos" or god.
First, you are wrong because atheism doesn't just have a prefix, but also has a suffix -ism. Communism, theism, buddhism, etc, are all systems of belief. Atheism technically refers to such a system where no theos is present.
Second, I said this is what it technically means. In common speech, atheists are most often understood to be those who regard all religious or spiritual ideas as being false.
Your understanding of etymology and word construction leaves something to be desired.
As I said, the man who coined the term used it to refer to a lack of the gnostic knowledge of god.
Fine. Then you are using the word wrong. I can say "a dog to me is just another sort of cat" but it doesn't make it right.
Atheists believe there is no god (and usually believe there is nothing religious or spiritual at all). Agnostics do not know one way or the other. There is a clear difference.
Your "correct" definition is wrong. Not only does it totally ignore the greek roots, it is also against any dictionary definition:
from dictionary.com:
1.the doctrine or belief that there is no God.2.disbelief in the existence of a supreme being or beings
Atheism= disbelief
Agnosticism= lack of belief or knowledge
theism= belief
Excepting, of course, those who practice theism?
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
from dictionary.com:
disbelief - 1.the inability or refusal to believe or to accept something as true.
Refusal to believe is not a belief. You might want to check your definitions before wrongly claiming that others are wrong.
That's a big "or..." An "ism" is also a practice, an activity, a condition or state, a quality or characteristic, and a doctrine. "Theism" combines study, condition (of belief about "God"), practice and quality of being. To say it's just about belief is like saying that karate is just about chopping boards in half with your hand. (Hiya!)
It absolutely is. Every belief invovles refusing things contrary to that belief. A christian, by believing in god, is refusing to accept the concept of buddhism or atheism. Atheist, by disbelieving in god or religion, belief that naturalistic explanations account for all things in the universe(s). Atheism is a system of belief.
I think there is a point here to be made that the refusal to believe is based on something, and that something is a belief that conflicts with the proposed belief.
Jackytar
Ex-member
I see it like this...
Strong atheist sez "I possess divine knowledge." (minority of atheists).
Weak atheist & strong agnostic sez "Humans possess only human knowledge".(majority of atheists and agnostics)
Weak agnostic sez "Maybe somebody, somewhere possesses divine knowledge".
Theist sez "I possess divine knowledge".
Jackytar
Strong atheist sez "I possess divine knowledge." (minority of atheists).
Weak atheist & strong agnostic sez "Humans possess only human knowledge".(majority of atheists and agnostics)
Weak agnostic sez "Maybe somebody, somewhere possesses divine knowledge".
Theist sez "I possess divine knowledge".
Jackytar