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Originally Posted by Toonia  After involvement in many discussions online with both theists and atheists I find the manner in which I process information to be different from both. I have not studied agnosticism in depth, but so far have found more similarities between theists and atheists in the manner in which information is processed. I have seen quite a few paralell's in the thinking styles of these opposite poles: valueing black-and-white categories of value, answers taking precedence over questions, and dismissal as a filtering process for information. Converting/convincing others has been a strong motivator for both and it is not "okay" to be in a different camp.
So far both have rejected my desire to ask "Is there God? What is God? What is?" The theist see it as doubt and sinful, the atheist as irrational. Theists perceive me as an atheist and atheists perceive me as a theist. It is frustrating to have black-and-white assumptions and categories constantly projected onto my statements. I am still trying to learn how to communicate. I do not hold any belief absolutely, but with varying degrees of certainty.
I do feel compelled to search for "god", a deeper awareness, the meaning sentience has come into existence. That my mind can't even hold within it a literal size of the earth which is but a speck, leaves me to consider that an answer is not guaranteed. I feel like the search is a climb through high mountains. Many set up camp with the assumption they have arrived at the end of the journey. I don't know if or where the journey will end, but I feel compelled to search. People who assume agnosticism is lazy do not understand how hard it is to live without resolution - to never set up camp. |
Thankyou for approaching this issue. I would like to share with you some reason in response to your belief that there is no God/diety absolutely. If I may quote:
"Atheism, in its broadest sense, is the absence of belief in the existence of deities. A narrower definition includes only those who believe that deities do not exist, and excludes those who hold no position on the question"
"Atheism." Wikipedia. 4 October 2006. Wikipedia Foundation. 6 October 2006. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atheism>.
The dictionary calls it:
"noun. disbelief in the existence of God."
I believe that the reason that approaching the question as you say:
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Originally Posted by Toonia So far both have rejected my desire to ask "Is there God? What is God? What is?" |
As an agnostic, I believe that you should not confront a person with the direct question: "is there a God?" because it would promote a conflict. If you don't use your books to resolve the issues that are asked, well then you are left to question yourself, "if you believe or not," "Do you remember you believe?" "What is belief?" I am non-invasive. These questions make other people invasive and we are stuck with deciding about absolute religious truth.
In answer to your previous question:
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Originally Posted by Toonia That my mind can't even hold within it a literal size of the earth which is but a speck, leaves me to consider that an answer is not guaranteed. I feel like the search is a climb through high mountains. Many set up camp with the assumption they have arrived at the end of the journey. I don't know if or where the journey will end, but I feel compelled to search. |
That is just the establishment, killing a wonderful journey that would require a lot of technical skill and practice, even for a beginner would give them a chance to live. There is no end until nature cries out, "there is a God." To pretend that there is an end and call this philosophical could add to your final destruction if you do not use your willingness for hostpitality could give you something that would keep you from reliquishing stamina. Your ability to just remember that tradition is to stay on the right path, will go on. Also to remember the statement that would allow a person so much freedom to choose for themselves and not be a lackey for the establishment is: "To each his own." This is the way around the cause for over-estimating the ability to make it, to rest and to journey on.
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Originally Posted by Toonia People who assume agnosticism is lazy do not understand how hard it is to live without resolution - to never set up camp. |
constant wandering is circles, "When does it end!"
