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Here's the weekly post to go with the article, which is here:

Atheist Anger

I find it interesting to hear the definitions people have for the words involved in this topic.
Also, I thought it would be refreshing to have a topic going specifically about what atheism and agnosticism are to those who go by those titles (though I realize this is addressed randomly in other places on the forum), instead of whether or not they are viable options. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Oh well said Jenna! Absolutely right - the theists you describe in your article are far from agnostic.

Agnostic - one who believes it is impossible to know whether there is a god (with my own caveat of - "at this time").

I actually grew up "in the church" and didn't start questioning things until I was older. I disliked the hypocrisy I saw and started researching other religions. I've seen and felt impossible things that ran more along New Age type of experiences (unexplained heat emanating from hands, psychic abilities of others, etc), but it never "proved" reasonably to me that this was all some god/goddess (s) handiwork. (I dislike throwing things in buckets simply because they're messy or not easily understood.) I actually like the Raelian theory in some respects because I cannot conceive of humans being the most intelligent life forces the cosmos has to offer. The Raelian aliens also don't want humans to think of them as gods (it was a miscommunication early on they say.) I still think their leader is wacked, but hey, it's better than the religions practising warfare and they (aliens) aren't gods!

Humans are still babies when it comes to understanding science and the world around them - despite our advances in the last 200-1000 years. I'm not sure how to state this so feel free to help me out ... I'm not entirely sure that we have the ability to even comprehend possible explanations - think of it as a baby who has discovered their toes then being asked to recite the periodic table. There is more to be learned, but it has to be done incrementally.

Nice article, btw.

Thanks, Elle.

And Denise, I like the "buckets" thing.
To me, the modern use of God to explain what we haven't discovered is no different from how people once used thunder gods to handle not understanding that (or still use them in some cases).

I think of science as the most noble of things, as I may have made clear by now (heh), but not just because of what it has done. It's the seeking I love, the never-ending search, which, of course, is only stifled by the "throwing things in buckets".

There is still so much more to be discovered, of course, and maybe some things never will be, but I have to think the progress would press on far more quickly if it weren't for the ease (though I don't see how it is actually easy at all) of staying caught in ancient superstitions.

Excellent article Jenna.

One interesting thing is that those who ask God for help that doesn't come, are often led by this to really question the existance of a God, as I did, and begin thinking for themselves. This is when the mind really opens up to other possibilities and people learn to stand on their own feet and search for other answers.

That's when life gets interesting, when we use our reasoning powers instead of relying on faith. I honestly feel that one can 'grow' out of religious beliefs and become more aware of the greater picture.

Of course, some are not brave enough to make this transition because they need a crutch to cling to, - but oh, the freedom and awakening that comes when you do have the courage to step out of the box and look beyond!

To me, that is spiritual maturity. There is so much out there still to discover and learn, but you have to have an open mind and a desire for knowledge to do it.

Thanks for your great article.

WooHoo Patience - you go Gurl - !!

I grew up in the church, fell away and went back jut to get fed up with the people in the church and walk away again. I've questioned my faith over and over again.

It took an actual encounter with teh Almighty for me to really become rooted in my faith. It has nothing to do with relgion, and it has nothing to do with church.

FOR ME, it has to do with the Word (Bible, for those not familiar with "lingo") <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. It also has to do with personal experience.

So many times, I am confronted with people who remind me of myself and how I used to question things too. I'm not an evangelist or a Bible thumper outside of my own realm, I have just found a connection with the ultra-super-natural and I call Him Father.

With all due respect, I don't understand how you can say that your faith in a "Father" and belief in the bible has nothing to do with religion. The idea that everyone can redefine religion to suit themselves is just one of the things that make it such a hollow thing for anyone who prefers reason. Throw in the idea that a figment of your imagination is an "encounter" with the "almighty, and the whole thing looks even more ridiculous.

Correction! After looking at the titles of your articles and the threads on your forum, maybe I should take back the bit about "with all due respect." Just why is it that you people feel compelled to come to an atheist forum and sound off with your idiocy?

I would like to hear about the encounter, actually. It's my way to be curious, and especially about something like that.

I was a bit confused by your title "Atheist Anger". I thought perhaps you were criticizing atheists that complain too much about the pervasiveness of god belief. But you seem to be criticizing believers with excessive expectations about their imaginary friend. That certainly is a common phenomenon with those who are essentially at odds with themselves - and there are a lot of them around it seems. Conversely, I find it bizarre when a believer gives thanks to their deity when they lose an election.