Armel P

Although, I feel that I would chose the term agnostic over atheist, in having continued discussions with atheists, I have recently decided that both words are pointless. They no longer serve a purpose, they have no clear definitions, and some definitions of the two allow them to not be mutually exclusive. Those two words have collected far too much baggage over the last 150 years and right now lead to absurd semantical debates between people who essentially agree. They are unnecessary hurdles to overtake in an epistomological debate. In all seriousness, from this point on I will describe myself as "one who places his confidence in logic, reason, and the scientific method." Period. No dependence on highly subjective language. Just the concepts. Does there have to be a name for it? Not really! But there is always the tongue-in-cheek "Scientific Methodist".

__________________
Aspiring Memetic Engineer

Gladius Scutum

In other words, having two labels for a few million different people with unique beliefs is no longer sufficient? Agreed.

Armel P

I like it when people agree with me but that's not quite the spirit of what I said.

__________________
Aspiring Memetic Engineer

jaej

Deep down, though I usually say I'm agnostic, I think I'm ultimately what you would call a non-theist.

I agree, in that arbitrary distinctions between people who essentially agree do more harm than good.

__________________
Μολὼν Λαβέ

Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate

Armel P

Problem is Jains and Buddhists and the like can also be considered non-theists.

__________________
Aspiring Memetic Engineer

jaej

Non-theist, non-religious (I'd even go so far as to say anti-religion) then.

__________________
Μολὼν Λαβέ

Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate

moorehurst

I'm not sure I agree. An atheist believes there is no god and embraces the lack of an afterlife. I believe they are wrong, their belief is as much an article of faith as anything else. They claim to know the unknowable.

I'm not anti religion. I wouldn't bulldoze St Pauls cathedral, it's a lovely place. Nice people go there and pray and good for them. Princess Diana got married there, good for her. Religion has achieved some great things. I just am unable to recognise their faith and have no interest in it. It certainly doesn't make me an atheist though.

__________________
"It's the bally ballyness of it all that makes it all so bally bally."

Bertie Wooster.

Og

I like the idea of humanism as a label.

__________________
Vi veri veniversum vivus vici. (By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe)
The self is not a fixed entity but a dynamic process of relationships
You & I, no distinction. - Tat Tvam Asi
Become Who You Are

Professional Widow

I'd really describe myself as an "apathetic agnostic..." I just really don't care if any deity exists.

__________________
Heresy is only another word for freedom of thought.
~Graham Greene

pseudonous

Have you been to the Universal Church Triumphant of the Apathetic Agnostic?