PPT Religion Poll

[Anubis]

I'm a Christian.

Atheism is NOT a religion. Don't put me in that category!

Who gives you the right to say what's not a religion and what is?

Well... atheism is, in theory, not a religion.

Though Ammer was asking if he had the right to state that.

[Igg]

Why wouldn't he have a right to state it? It's er...not a religion.

It wasn't passing judgement...

[SpiraLethe]

Atheism really isn't a religion and this is coming from an atheist. Notice the "a" and the "theism".

[Hyperion]

Atheism is often included under the umbrella of religion for convenience; it's been done in the U.S. judiciary, for instance.

The definition of religion that comes first in many dictionaries is the belief in a diety and the following of doctrines, practices, a set of morals, et cetera. Atheism has none of these. See what I posted here for more information. So it depends on the definition of "religion". If it's meant that, to be a religion, solely required is faith, then atheism, at least strong atheism, can be considered religious, but then the definition of religion becomes quite useless. For instance, to be confident in my future when things are going bad requires faith. In that case, it can be considered that I'm being religious and that my practice of confidence is religion. Or so I think. I hope I'm making sense.

[rainbowbetta]

I am a Christian

[Hyperion]

If you decide to read the rest of my post, understand that I have since reversed my stance. I am an atheist. X misunderstands.

I admit a mistake with the definition of "atheism" in my last post. I said "strong atheism" (aka dogmatic) implying that a non-dogmatic atheist is even an atheist at all. I concluded that I am actually an agnostic after reading this post:

You misunderstand the definitions, as do most. Atheism is one specific belief, agnosticism is not. Agnosticism is therefore polar, with one end being disbelief in deity and the other being belief. Atheism is commonly referred to as "strong atheism," and one of agnosticisms poles is commonly referred to as "weak atheism," but it is not atheism at all. You state that "for me, the possibility of a supernatural being remains," and this makes you agnostic, not atheist.

-- X; IPF

Here's the whole thread.

However, this does not invalidate the points made in my previous post.

I now understand that agnosticism can be a firm position. I lean strongly towards a naturalistic universe because the scientific theories refute any opinions that attempt to pass along the plausibility of a supernatural universe. If scientific theories come along that make plausible otherwise, my belief will adjust, as per my belief via empiricism.

I would like to point out that I'm very doubtful towards a deity such as that of Christianity, but find more plausible the possibility of a Deistic/Aristotelian-like deity, though I do lean more against a deity, nonetheless. Yes, of course, even being very doubtful, the possibility is still there, but possibility is overrated by some. What Robert Miller said comes to mind:

"[T]he concept of possibility is not very helpful in historical matters. Endless historical scenarios can be concocted, and virtually all of them are possible, even the weirdest and most fantastic. That's why to say that a certain scenario is possible almost always is to say nothing about it at all.

...But it's crucial to make the distinction between possibility and probability because very different criteria apply in each case. To be historically possible, something only needs to be imaginable. However, for something to be historically probable means that there is some evidence for it. Not everyone in the historical Jesus discussion seems aware of this distinction, for we often read statements like 'Isn't it possible that Jesus...?' Fill in the blank with any scenario you like, no matter how you like: the answer will always be yes."

Last edited by Hyperion on Fri Sep 23, 2005 3:43 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Divine]

I think I'm agnostic. I sort of believe in a higher power, but sometimes I wonder if there really is. Maybe I was influenced because I went to a Christian school when I was young.

These things confuse me... I just believe what I want to believe.

[Anna]

I was raised by my dad as atheist and my mom as a combo of science and religion, but I now consider myself Protestant, and I also believe quite strongly in the principles of Mormonism. But I still believe in evolution. O_o

[jeff79]

My reason for considering myself Agnostic: I believe there is some sort of higher power, a creator. I definitely believe this "force" created the world. I believe this because everything is tied together so well... like food growing on trees containing all the vitamins and minerals the human body needs (Coincidence? I think not.), animals having natural instincts like preparing for birth... People being "built" for the things needed-- like women producing breast milk (When I think about that it blows my mind!), sexual drive bringing on reproduction, etc etc etc. I believe it's all tied together and I feel I'd be naieve to think it's all happened by coincidence. However I do not believe it was God-- as in the one the Bible tells about. I don't believe we are meant to worship the "higher power/ creator/ that force that is keeping things going... I'm not even sure it "thinks" and makes decisions-- it just "is"... Hard to explain but you might get my drift. I believe if we were meant to worship this higher power and have a relationship with it then it'd be natural to us just like it's natural to breathe and blink your eyes.

[Harmonize]

I'm Agnostic but I have strong interests in religion, if I happen to find someone who is very dedicated to their religion I'll start asking millions of questions so I can find out more.

I'm the same, I enjoy learning about other religions.

[cipher_text]

christian

[Metatwaddle]

I'm an atheist.

I will show self-restraint in not taking this opportunity to make various semantic points about atheism...

[Nessieh]

I'm an atheist. Woo.

[FrankieG]

I'm Roman Catholic...I don't go to church on a regular basis but I've been confirmed and all that other stuff.