BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Atheist Evangelical Atheists?

You realize that these two things do not exist on a continuum, don't you? They are opposites. You are one or you are the other. Even if you are not sure what you believe, you are an atheist. Why? Because a theist is someone who believes in a diety. Therefore, if you are not a person who can say "I believe in a deity," you are not a theist. So, guess what that makes you?

I thought that was where the term "Agnostic" came in.

Saying that you are not sure whether there is a god one way or another. And then not really feeling it is important enough to pursue it to find out the "truth".

Something between a fencesitter and jumping onto a horse.

One thing that I do want to say emphatically here is that - many, many gods and goddesses are still worshipped. Demeter, Ra, Kali and others still have followers today. It is not making fun of anyone to mention these religions. We do not often think of them, because they are not as "popular" as Christianity, Islam, or Buddhism. Many of these religions have been underground for years for fear of retribution or ridicule, but as the world becomes more accepting more of these religions feel comfortable coming out of the closet (so to speak).

Although I have not yet been able to find a religion dedicated to Dr. Seuss, LOL! (But I would vote for "There's a Wocket in My Pocket" as the bible for that religion!)

I would whole-heartedly follow Dr. Seuss.

An agnostic is a bit different. There are degrees of certain things. If you are talking about degrees of belief, then, yes, agnosticism has a place in the conversation. Too often people apply false opposite to things.

For example, cold is not the opposite of hot. Not hot is the opposite of hot. But, you can put them on a continuum. That continuum would be directly related to degree of temperature. The question of the continuum is not "is it hot?" That is the question of the opposition. The question of the continuum is "what degree of temperature is it?"

In the realm of opposition, atheist is the opposite of theist. There is no getting around it. If you are not a theist you are an atheist. Plain and simple. Now, if we want to form a continuum, then, yes, people will measure their degree of belief using these terms to exemplify the strength thereof.

It might help to note that an atheist is someone who holds no belief in a deity. That applies to everyone who cannot say they believe. That includes agnostics. Because if they aren't sure, if they don't commit, they don't believe.:)


(Wow, we are a bit off topic now, huh?)

Agnostic is the statement that the existence of god (or any other thing or phenomena) is not knowable. I am an agnostic because I do not think that the existence of god is knowable. I doubt that it could be proven or disproven. I am an atheist because I do not believe in god. These are mutually exclusive terms. I could also see that a Christian could consider themself agnostic if they were to conclude that well they do believe, it is really not knowable.

I think people tend to look at agnostic as "atheist-light". But is is not as I am both. In fact I would say I am both agnostic and a strong atheist.

Thanks for adding that, Skeptic. If I had used your words, I could have made my point so much more easily.

BTW, I love how the ranking of users on this forum suggests an evolutionary path. Amoeba, Jellyfish etc. Although it does reinforce the wrong opinion that evolution is directional toward a "higher" form. Just an observation.

Yeah, but they're just for fun.

They've been that way since I've been here - and I joined back in 2005!

Plus we go through animals like elephants and zebras. I'd hate to try to fit THOSE into our human genome, LOL!

Well, easier done then said. As well as dandylions, daisies, dinosaurs, dingos amd donkeys.

Apparently, you like D lifeforms, Skeptic! Would desert lizards fit into your list?

Oo, oo, this is fun!

How about dolphins?