The Atheist/Agnostic/Freethought/Humanist/Skeptic/Nonbeliever Thread
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Theism by definition holds that there is at least one god. Generally, that goes with believing that such god(s) created the world (that's the classic definition of theism), as opposed to pantheism, which holds that the universe has become/is god.
If you believe in a god or gods, but do not believe that such god(s) was instrumental in creation of the universe, what makes him/her/them a god?
If you believe in a god or gods, but do not believe that such god(s) was instrumental in creation of the universe, what makes him/her/them a god?
Buddhism is not theistic, although a theist can also be a Buddhist. IOW, you can be a theist and a Buddhist, and you can also be non-theist and Buddhist.
Muggle
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It might be simpler to explain your views than just to be offended/ to go on the offensive.
It's been a pretty standard part of the idea of a god or gods, that at least one or more had something to do with the creation of the world. Even the Greek and Roman gods trace back to Gaia.
FortyTwo
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My two cents...
Gods do not have to be creator gods to be gods. A god is just an omnipotent or at least supremely powerful being, usually with some specific purpose in maintaining human, world, or universal affairs. In Judeo-Christian theology, as in many others, there is one God who created the world. This is not always typical. Many Pagan religions and the like have gods which are just as much subjects of the Universe as it was created and natural law as human beings are.
Yes, theists have their beliefs hard-wired into their lives and will likely not change due to debate. The same goes for atheists, though, because something as central to life as religion (or the lack thereof) is naturally going to be an essential part of oneself.
As an aspiring scientist, I can say truthfully that people with personal religions do not bother me. Too often they are tied into arguments about indoctrination of children and resistance of scientific expansion, as well as ignorance, when this is truly not the case.
Gods do not have to be creator gods to be gods. A god is just an omnipotent or at least supremely powerful being, usually with some specific purpose in maintaining human, world, or universal affairs. In Judeo-Christian theology, as in many others, there is one God who created the world. This is not always typical. Many Pagan religions and the like have gods which are just as much subjects of the Universe as it was created and natural law as human beings are.
Yes, theists have their beliefs hard-wired into their lives and will likely not change due to debate. The same goes for atheists, though, because something as central to life as religion (or the lack thereof) is naturally going to be an essential part of oneself.
As an aspiring scientist, I can say truthfully that people with personal religions do not bother me. Too often they are tied into arguments about indoctrination of children and resistance of scientific expansion, as well as ignorance, when this is truly not the case.
Well, obviously not - polytheistic religions tend to have gods with different purposes/roles.
But I'm not coming up with any theistic religion, whether monotheistic or polytheistic, which does not have a creation myth that involves at least one god. As I said before, I'm not considering pantheism in this discussion, since that involves the world itself being divine, rather than the existence of a separate god or gods.
I want to believe there is something more than just this, but I don't. It would be nice, especially for those who never got to experience any sort of happiness in their lives
yakherder
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There are a lot of irrational things people believe regardless of what they call themselves, and those irrational things don't necessarily have anything to do with god, spirits, or other spooky stuff. If, for example, someone professes to be a freethinker and that through the scientific method of analysis they have concluded that there likely is not a god and then tries to tell me pot cures cancer, I can't help but to not be impressed.
Muggle
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Mlp, with your permission would you mind if I started a thread on one of my pagan forums asking how people believed the universe was created and if they believe in a creator god? (I won't be mentioning you or VV in it, just that a debate on another forum sparked the question)
Then I'll post a link to the thread here.
Would give a better overview than I can give using the pagans I know in real life.
I think it would be a really interesting topic.
Then I'll post a link to the thread here.
Would give a better overview than I can give using the pagans I know in real life.
I think it would be a really interesting topic.
Annia, my permission for that isn't necessary. I would be interested, though. I know that Wicca can run the gamut from theism to atheism, but I don't know much about other types of neo-paganism.
Muggle
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http://www.ecauldron.com/forum/show...-was-created-Do-you-believe-in-creator-god(s)
EDIT: I'm pretty sure that's the first serious thread I've created on that forum. Am now going to panic slightly until people start replying. (I hate making threads.)
Feel free to ask about what I posted about my beliefs on here.
EDIT: I'm pretty sure that's the first serious thread I've created on that forum. Am now going to panic slightly until people start replying. (I hate making threads.)
Feel free to ask about what I posted about my beliefs on here.
OP
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Annia, I wish you would post a similar thread on VV so we can discuss paganism in that thread instead of in this one. I don't want to discuss atheism etc. without worrying that we're insulting your religious beliefs or someone else's religious beliefs and possibly risk starting a flame war. 
Muggle
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Annia, I wish you would post a similar thread on VV so we can discuss paganism in that thread instead of in this one. I don't want to discuss atheism etc. without worrying that we're insulting your religious beliefs or someone else's religious beliefs and possibly risk starting a flame war.
Here you go: http://forum.veggieviews.com/threads/the-paganism-etc-thread.2470/
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cornsail
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"Skeptic" is a popular label these days. There are numerous skeptic blogs, podcasts, newsletters, and conventions. For the most part I think it's great, but I have noticed some people seem to think "OK skeptic means I'm an atheist and I don't believe in conspiracy theories or UFOs or magic and I try to prove people wrong who disagree with me. Cool!" while not actually seeming to use much skeptical thinking.
I find it very hard to discuss my Atheism in a place where Theists are, because there is always someone that is offended (whether it be online or IRL) by it and/or immediately goes on the defensive. Because of that I feel like I can't freely state my thoughts, so I don't.
For fear (again) that I might offend and look like I'm generalizing, most (not all and I'm NOT talking about anyone in specific here) Theists that I know won't think twice before saying anything religious (For example, sending prayers, posting overly mushy God stuff on Facebook, etc...) without fear of offending me or other Atheists.
The way I see it, it's a double standard. If I need to keep quiet about my non-belief in a god or gods, then I would like for everyone to keep their beliefs on a personal level as well.
For fear (again) that I might offend and look like I'm generalizing, most (not all and I'm NOT talking about anyone in specific here) Theists that I know won't think twice before saying anything religious (For example, sending prayers, posting overly mushy God stuff on Facebook, etc...) without fear of offending me or other Atheists.
The way I see it, it's a double standard. If I need to keep quiet about my non-belief in a god or gods, then I would like for everyone to keep their beliefs on a personal level as well.
If my belief is irrational to you, fine. But I genuinely believe that Rick Simpson's hemp oil does help. I'm not sure why they call it "hemp" oil, since it does contain THC, CBD, etc. Hemp doesn't.
http://canadianawareness.org/2012/08/tommy-chong-cured-his-cancer-with-hemp-oil/
http://forum.grasscity.com/medical-marijuana-usage-applications/1130359-tumors-really-shrinking.html
Maybe I'm wrong, maybe it is all a hoax. But I don't think it is. I certainly believe it over a mythical being, lol.
FortyTwo
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Oh boy, here we go. Let me just mention a few things before other people do:
- Hitler
- TheAmazingAtheist is a douchebag
- "Big Pharma"
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