Just another newbie - Page 2

**Skepticologist** · 05-04-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuckInThe90s

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skepticologist

I wish I had a nickel (no, make that a thousand dollars) for every introduction by someone who characterizes themselves as a former Christian. I realize the number of such individuals, at least within the confines of this forum, isn't statistically significant in the macro sense of things, but it sure feels significant.

I've followed a similar path from a fundamentalist Christian upbringing, through an awakening, and finally, to the existence I currently enjoy as an agnostic who demands a bit more than some feel-good premise for the basis of his operating beliefs.

If I could enumerate a dictum for approaching life and figuring out what to believe in, it would be something like, "If it doesn't make sense, don't spend any more time on it."

WOW, thank you for that heart-felt welcome!

You really give more of a vibe of atheist than agnostic.

Hey, I'm not known for my manners. After all, this isn't a social club. If you spend the time looking for a site like this and logging on and posting a message, I figure you're out for some serious discussion. So please forgive my lack of expected gentility.

An interesting point (with regard to my coming across more as an atheist). You'd probably do well exploring the "What is an Agnostic" forum if you haven't already. You've observed, and I think rightfully so, that there's a rather fine line between an agnostic and an atheist. After all, neither believes in god. The difference is that his or her or its existence is an open question with an agnostic. Our position is that we don't believe in god because we've seen no compelling evidence of his or her or its existence. An atheist, on the other hand, claims to have compelling evidence for the non-existence of god. I personally haven't seen any such evidence, so, with me, it's still an open question.

But you're completely on target with your observation that, from a strictly day-to-day operational perspective, there's really no substantive difference between agnostics and atheists. Neither of us spends a lot of time in church or bowed in prayer, and we very likely vote about the same way.

StuckInThe90s · 05-04-2008, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skepticologist

Hey, I'm not known for my manners. After all, this isn't a social club. If you spend the time looking for a site like this and logging on and posting a message, I figure you're out for some serious discussion. So please forgive my lack of expected gentility.

An interesting point (with regard to my coming across more as an atheist). You'd probably do well exploring the "What is an Agnostic" forum if you haven't already. You've observed, and I think rightfully so, that there's a rather fine line between an agnostic and an atheist. After all, neither believes in god. The difference is that his or her or its existence is an open question with an agnostic. Our position is that we don't believe in god because we've seen no compelling evidence of his or her or its existence. An atheist, on the other hand, claims to have compelling evidence for the non-existence of god. I personally haven't seen any such evidence, so, with me, it's still an open question.

But you're completely on target with your observation that, from a strictly day-to-day operational perspective, there's really no substantive difference between agnostics and atheists. Neither of us spends a lot of time in church or bowed in prayer, and we very likely vote about the same way.

No, forgive ME for assuming that as an established member, or "veteran" so to speak here that you'd be a bit more friendly to newbies such as myself, but to each their own I suppose. And I am here for intelligent, civilized debate.

Yeah, I checked out that section the other day.

From my original post-

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuckInThe90s

I think I'll always believe in an afterlife and a higher power one way or the other, but for the time being, I can't say I have a "religion".

You say there's no proof for the existence of a higher power(s) let alone any sort of afterlife. With that said, even though there's nothing that can >disprove< anything in regards to the paranormal, you still disregard it as "magic". I do agree with what you said about demanding more than just a feel-good premise for one's life views, which is why we all need to find our own SPIRITUAL Truth.

In my fairly short life, I've experienced things that have more or less confirmed my belief that every living thing has a soul. Do I believe that any religion has it right 100 percent? Not at all, which is why I do not classify myself as this or that, but I do feel most faiths have at least a little to teach us to help us with our lives.

Perhaps I'm not an "agnostic" contrary to what I've felt before. If I'm not, it's probably because I've already got proof we are more than just our physical bodies.

GX · 05-04-2008, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuckInThe90s

No, forgive ME for assuming that as an established member, or "veteran" so to speak here that you'd be a bit more friendly to newbies such as myself, but to each their own I suppose. And I am here for intelligent, civilized debate.

Dont mind Skeptico. He wasnt being mean, just making a point. He doesnt mince his words and speaks his mind and is very up front with his beliefs. Ive never known him to be personally insulting but he will tear your ideas to shreds if he finds them to be incorrect. But thats ok as this forum seems to be more about dissecting and debating ideas than merely a social outlet though there is that too!

**Skepticologist** · 05-07-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuckInThe90s

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skepticologist

Hey, I'm not known for my manners. After all, this isn't a social club. If you spend the time looking for a site like this and logging on and posting a message, I figure you're out for some serious discussion. So please forgive my lack of expected gentility.

An interesting point (with regard to my coming across more as an atheist). You'd probably do well exploring the "What is an Agnostic" forum if you haven't already. You've observed, and I think rightfully so, that there's a rather fine line between an agnostic and an atheist. After all, neither believes in god. The difference is that his or her or its existence is an open question with an agnostic. Our position is that we don't believe in god because we've seen no compelling evidence of his or her or its existence. An atheist, on the other hand, claims to have compelling evidence for the non-existence of god. I personally haven't seen any such evidence, so, with me, it's still an open question.

But you're completely on target with your observation that, from a strictly day-to-day operational perspective, there's really no substantive difference between agnostics and atheists. Neither of us spends a lot of time in church or bowed in prayer, and we very likely vote about the same way.

No, forgive ME for assuming that as an established member, or "veteran" so to speak here that you'd be a bit more friendly to newbies such as myself, but to each their own I suppose. And I am here for intelligent, civilized debate.

Yeah, I checked out that section the other day.

From my original post-

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuckInThe90s

I think I'll always believe in an afterlife and a higher power one way or the other, but for the time being, I can't say I have a "religion".

You say there's no proof for the existence of a higher power(s) let alone any sort of afterlife. With that said, even though there's nothing that can >disprove< anything in regards to the paranormal, you still disregard it as "magic". I do agree with what you said about demanding more than just a feel-good premise for one's life views, which is why we all need to find our own SPIRITUAL Truth.

In my fairly short life, I've experienced things that have more or less confirmed my belief that every living thing has a soul. Do I believe that any religion has it right 100 percent? Not at all, which is why I do not classify myself as this or that, but I do feel most faiths have at least a little to teach us to help us with our lives.

Perhaps I'm not an "agnostic" contrary to what I've felt before. If I'm not, it's probably because I've already got proof we are more than just our physical bodies.

There's not a doubt in my mind that "we are more than just our physical bodies". If the somewhat popular belief that we're nothing more than a fleshly bag of chemical compounds that behaves in an imminently predictable, but still unknowable, manner, turns out to be true, then I can chalk up all the hours I've spent at this keyboard noodling about what life is all about as completely meaningless.

And I guess that would be a predictable outcome. I agree with your premise that all religions (and/or mythologies, which is the set for the subset of religions), are at least marginally useful and instructive, That's because most of them started out as honest attempts to describe truth and reality. But I can't think of even one that hasn't been adulterated by politically-more-correct interpretations.

And I fear that will forever be the case.