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many chatters on science forum sites are agnostics, why?
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locutus sum in corde meo dicens ecce magnus effectus sum et praecessi sapientia omnes qui fuerunt ante me in Hierusalem et mens mea contemplata est multa sapienter et didicit dedique cor meum ut scirem prudentiam atque doctrinam erroresque et stultitiam et agnovi quod in his quoque esset labor et adflictio spiritus eo quod in multa sapientia multa sit indignatio et qui addit scientiam addat et laborem
If the author of Ecclesiastes equates belief (knowledge) with pain and suffering, who am I to argue?
johnhanks
Well-Known Member
Really? God-believers (at least in the Abrahamic traditions) hold themselves to be the especially cherished creations of an all-powerful divinity, in whose image they believe themselves to be made. And you're saying it's people who don't believe that - people who are content to see humanity as a transient product of purely natural processes - who are arrogant?
I do just fine without belief.
I don't refuse to believe.
I just don't.
I don't refuse to believe.
I just don't.
tumbleweed41
Resident Liberal Hippie
Reason.
InformedIgnorance
Do you 'know' or believe?
It seems to me that those who come to a religious education forum might perhaps be more likely to be agnostic in their particular position with respect to belief than those who would go to a religious forum, or at least more willing to entertain the possibility of agnosticism. If one comes to a religious education forum yet holds total certainty about their own position, clearly they are not there to educate themselves; instead perhaps they wish to 'educate others' or rather to proselytize.
It is only fitting that we accept that we are imperfect in some respects, as such, we should recognize that our knowledge including both the accuracy of our conscious understanding of our own positions as well as the validity of that position are potentially imperfect. Given this, agnosticism regarding our own position is a healthy and advisable approach to knowledge. Of course, that agnosticism might refer to a position of belief or of disbelief; but the willingness to recognize our understanding's potential imperfection and to be willing to listen to other perspectives in order to augment our understanding, is entirely praiseworthy.
edit: lol because I forgot to add the third paragraph
On scientific forums it is even MORE likely, overwhelmingly likely in fact; science forums are generally populated by people who desire to know more than they currently do; so for this reason, they are more likely to be willing to discard old ideas if they are not as useful in understanding reality than their old ideas - the reason that they are so willing to discard those old understandings is because they are agnostic towards those specific theories (and this is imbedded in the terminology used). The reason is because science itself is built on skepticism; so often in science one looks to revise old theories or disprove existing understandings of reality, in a very special way science is based on a willingness to recognise limitations in one's knowledge. That is why very few things are ever 'proved' in science, it is why gravity is 'only a theory' - because in science, one recognises that even if a theory is able to explain everything thus far encountered, perhaps in the future a phenomena will be observed which contradicts that theory. or perhaps another theory will prove more useful in explaining nature.
Such a mindset which appreciates the potential for uncertainty likely results in people who are inclined towards science being more likely to be agnostic in religious matters (as they are in regards to specific scientific theories) though given how good the human mind is at compartmentalization this is not always the case.
It is only fitting that we accept that we are imperfect in some respects, as such, we should recognize that our knowledge including both the accuracy of our conscious understanding of our own positions as well as the validity of that position are potentially imperfect. Given this, agnosticism regarding our own position is a healthy and advisable approach to knowledge. Of course, that agnosticism might refer to a position of belief or of disbelief; but the willingness to recognize our understanding's potential imperfection and to be willing to listen to other perspectives in order to augment our understanding, is entirely praiseworthy.
edit: lol because I forgot to add the third paragraph
On scientific forums it is even MORE likely, overwhelmingly likely in fact; science forums are generally populated by people who desire to know more than they currently do; so for this reason, they are more likely to be willing to discard old ideas if they are not as useful in understanding reality than their old ideas - the reason that they are so willing to discard those old understandings is because they are agnostic towards those specific theories (and this is imbedded in the terminology used). The reason is because science itself is built on skepticism; so often in science one looks to revise old theories or disprove existing understandings of reality, in a very special way science is based on a willingness to recognise limitations in one's knowledge. That is why very few things are ever 'proved' in science, it is why gravity is 'only a theory' - because in science, one recognises that even if a theory is able to explain everything thus far encountered, perhaps in the future a phenomena will be observed which contradicts that theory. or perhaps another theory will prove more useful in explaining nature.
Such a mindset which appreciates the potential for uncertainty likely results in people who are inclined towards science being more likely to be agnostic in religious matters (as they are in regards to specific scientific theories) though given how good the human mind is at compartmentalization this is not always the case.
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Mostly because agnosticism is very sensible.
I'm not sure what you meant to say with "not to lost to run on their life". Something to do with ruining our lives?
I any case, as you seem to imply that agnosticism is something to be avoided, I guess the answer is "no".
I don't "refuse", and I certainly don't "refuse to admit".
Maybe that makes me arrogant or overbearing. But just try to imagine what I would be like if I did believe. Now we are talking "arrogant and overbearing".
Sculelos
Active Member
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
yes i agreeing! these poeples must are needing belief or am risking at be loosing there souls for ever!
Because Jesus only spoke two languages: Latin and early modern English.
Enai de a lukal
Well-Known Member
Why must we have a belief about God in our life?
Besides, agnostics are just the weiners who aren't brave enough to come down off the fence- agnosticism is easy; you don't have to make up your mind, and you can sort of be on everyone's side. Its a great way to have your cake and eat it too.
With a deep southern American accent. :yes:
Well, obviously. I just assumed that was implied. I mean, Jesus with, like, a Boston accent or something? That's just nonsensical.
I.S.L.A.M617
Illuminatus
I'm the prodigal son of Boston in that I couldn't care less about the Sox or the Yankees, but my younger sister and just about everybody I know would say "duh, what other team would he play for"(even atheists in Boston know Jesus is a red sox fan) and if you said "maybe the Yankees" in Boston it might be the last thing you'd ever say.But he played for the Sox!
I.S.L.A.M617
Illuminatus
The Yankees... :tsk: If there's one thing I take to heart it's my sports lol. Love the Sox and the Celtics like I love my mother.
yoda89
On Xtended Vacation
I personally believe in the miracles of Wayne Brady and Let's Make a Deal. Providing miracles to those who pick the right curtain. Others well let us just say they get zonked.
dgirl1986
Big Queer Chesticles!
I had to read this a couple of times to work out the sentences.
It is arrogant to expect people to admit the existence of god without them having any sort of evidence leading them to that conclusion. Agnostics do have a belief, it just may not be in line with yours.
I.S.L.A.M617
Illuminatus
^^ This
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