why don't you believe in god? were you religious before? what turned you away?

I no longer believe. I havent in several years now. I use to go to church in the ealy 90s. Went through my Jesus,bible thumping faze. BUT after getting older,and such, I just started thinking..WOW..this is really a crock of s&*t..All the garbage thats fed to you. AND we are supposed to believe it. eh, I dont knock what people believe so I dont want people to knock what I dont believe...I feel we are here by accident,coincident..and thats it..things happen in life we just cant explain.

People have their religious beliefs for one reason..they hate to just think of dying and turning to worm food. So we think of some magical place that we end up..HOWEVER I do believe Jesus was real. AND I do believe he was magical , as in a "magician"...I do believe he THOUGHT he was born and died for our sins. I do believe he acquire some followers "like Evangelists do now days"..AND I do believe that SOME of the stories are about 5% truth.

I dont believe he rose from the dead. I dont believe he was born out of non-conception "if thats a word?"..I dont believe he cured the blind,or turned water to wine. I dont think he was anything other then a bastard son that was the David Copperfield and supreme evangelist of his time..SO bravo to him for that I guess..?

[QUOTE="Blue-Sky"]

[QUOTE="themajormayor"]

It's not the same thing.

In any case what you're saying is to you the existance of a God is just as likely as its non-existance?

themajormayor

I don't know when term "agnosticism" became a standalone thing but it was a pre-fix to a further definition. It has always meant "unsure" preluding to whatever you're unsure about. But it's just a disingenuous to assume someone is gnostic by default. You're either agnostic or gnostic about anything.

Example. You're either:

Agnostic Theist
Gnostic Thiest
Agnostic Atheist
gnostic Atheist

It's always been. The definition isn't 100% clear. But to illustrate using my definition.

Q: Do you believe in God?

Atheist: No

Theist: Yes

Agnostic: Not sure

Anyway gnosticists doesn't really exists, rendering agnosticism useless by your definition.

And yes, gnostics exist. You clearly haven't talked to enough religious fundamentalists. They'll tell you that they can "feel" God. They're absolutely certain he exists.

[QUOTE="themajormayor"]

[QUOTE="Blue-Sky"]

I don't know when term "agnosticism" became a standalone thing but it was a pre-fix to a further definition. It has always meant "unsure" preluding to whatever you're unsure about. But it's just a disingenuous to assume someone is gnostic by default. You're either agnostic or gnostic about anything.

Example. You're either:

Agnostic Theist
Gnostic Thiest
Agnostic Atheist
gnostic Atheist

kussese

It's always been. The definition isn't 100% clear. But to illustrate using my definition.

Q: Do you believe in God?

Atheist: No

Theist: Yes

Agnostic: Not sure

Anyway gnosticists doesn't really exists, rendering agnosticism useless by your definition.

And yes, gnostics exist. You clearly haven't talked to enough religious fundamentalists. They'll tell you that they can "feel" God. They're absolutely certain he exists.

The parish I used to go to when I was younger. None of them gave a damn about anyone. They just *wanted* people to believe in what they said and put some value in their institution without doing anything about it. I was also impressed with the bull**** the priests and the others kids of my ages said.

I started attending catechism less and less, and instead of talking to me, the catechists phoned my parents and said with a threatening tone they wouldn't have allowed me to go through the holy communion. My mother, being the idiot that she is, thought that was something worth getting mad for.

Eventually I learned a bit of history, got into critical thinking and science. I became disillusioned. Atheism was the only way to go that made sense.

[QUOTE="kussese"]

[QUOTE="themajormayor"]

It's always been. The definition isn't 100% clear. But to illustrate using my definition.

Q: Do you believe in God?

Atheist: No

Theist: Yes

Agnostic: Not sure

Anyway gnosticists doesn't really exists, rendering agnosticism useless by your definition.

surrealnumber5

And yes, gnostics exist. You clearly haven't talked to enough religious fundamentalists. They'll tell you that they can "feel" God. They're absolutely certain he exists.

[QUOTE="surrealnumber5"]

[QUOTE="kussese"] How can one be unsure about whether or not they believe in something? Either you believe or you do not. There's no middle ground. Agnostics (note that this is only a prefix) simply lack confidence in whichever belief they happen to hold. They don't believe that it can be proven either way - they admit that they could very well be wrong.

And yes, gnostics exist. You clearly haven't talked to enough religious fundamentalists. They'll tell you that they can "feel" God. They're absolutely certain he exists.

kussese

[QUOTE="kussese"][QUOTE="surrealnumber5"] not caring is easy, far easier than caring. i care as much about what you had for lunch as i do if there is a god that granted me free will. i have my free will and thus i will act, the fact of a god or not god has no sway over my actions. you clearly have never talked to someone who lives their life on their own accord, only those that either base their life on god or the disbelief there of.

surrealnumber5

If you haven't considered the existence of a God (I don't believe there is anyone who has heard of God and not pondered his existence for a moment, but I'll humor you), then you probably don't believe in him. Disbelieve with assertion? No. We'll leave that to Richard Dawkins. But the fact remains that you do not live life assuming that a god exists. That makes you an atheistin the strictest sense.

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/atheism

[QUOTE="surrealnumber5"][QUOTE="kussese"] What does this have to do with what I posted? How much you care about your belief or lack thereof is irrelevant. If you refuse to consider the existence of a god, that still makes you an atheist. It simply makes you an apathetic one. kussese

If you haven't considered the existence of a God (I don't believe there is anyone who has heard of God and not pondered his existence for a moment, but I'll humor you), then you probably don't believe in him. Disbelieve with assertion? No. We'll leave that to Richard Dawkins. But the fact remains that you do not live life assuming that a god exists. That makes you an atheistin the strictest sense.

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/atheism

this board seems to have more atheists and agnostics and other variations of non-believers than believers. god had to have been the catalyst for the universe seeing as how something cannot come from nothing. so why don't you believe in religion? were you religious before? what made you see the light? if you're still religious, have you ever considered atheism?ZumaJones07

something cannot come from nothing i agree, but where do you make the jump from that to god (and the god of your religion specifically) was the one who did it? people always explain what we don't understand to some mytical being, the romans, the greek, every civilizzation has "some gods" that explain what we don't understand its a cycle and people can't seem to understand this. And whats more why should anyone believe it was X god and not Y god that did it when there is no evidence either religion is correct?

we don't know, we can't know what started the universe but i refuse to "guess" it was some god without any evidence.

[QUOTE="kussese"]

[QUOTE="surrealnumber5"] no, atheism is an affirmative stance just like that of theism. "Definition of ATHEISM 1 archaic : ungodliness, wickedness 2 a : a disbelief in the existence of deity b : the doctrine that there is no deity " - merriam webster not caring is not an atheistic exclusive view, it may be it also may be an agnostic or theistic view. know the words you use and you will not look foolish to those that know the words that you use. surrealnumber5

If you haven't considered the existence of a God (I don't believe there is anyone who has heard of God and not pondered his existence for a moment, but I'll humor you), then you probably don't believe in him. Disbelieve with assertion? No. We'll leave that to Richard Dawkins. But the fact remains that you do not live life assuming that a god exists. That makes you an atheistin the strictest sense.

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/atheism

My link shows that it can be used as either a positive or neutral stance. "Atheism: disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods." Agnosticism only refers to the belief that God's existence cannot be known in this life. It does not include anything about believing or disbelieving in his existence.

I believe that the Bulls will win the NBA championship. I also believe that the winner cannot be known prior the the occurence of the championship. Do you see where this is going?

[QUOTE="ZumaJones07"]this board seems to have more atheists and agnostics and other variations of non-believers than believers. god had to have been the catalyst for the universe seeing as how something cannot come from nothing. so why don't you believe in religion? were you religious before? what made you see the light? if you're still religious, have you ever considered atheism?Krelian-co

something cannot come from nothing

False. Quantum physics shows particles that can appear out of nothing and disappear, only to reappear somewhere else

[QUOTE="surrealnumber5"]

[QUOTE="kussese"]

If you haven't considered the existence of a God (I don't believe there is anyone who has heard of God and not pondered his existence for a moment, but I'll humor you), then you probably don't believe in him. Disbelieve with assertion? No. We'll leave that to Richard Dawkins. But the fact remains that you do not live life assuming that a god exists. That makes you an atheistin the strictest sense.

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/atheism

kussese

My link shows that it can be used as either a positive or neutral stance. "Atheism: disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods." Agnosticism only refers to the belief that God's existence cannot be known in this life. It does not include anything about believing or disbelieving in his existence.

I believe that the Bulls will win the NBA championship. I also believe that the winner cannot be known prior the the occurence of the championship. Do you see where this is going?

no, atheism is an affirmative stance just like that of theism. surrealnumber5

[QUOTE="kussese"]

[QUOTE="surrealnumber5"] even your link shows it is a positive stance, a disbelief is still a belief ...... agnostic (ag|nos¦tic) Pronunciation: /agˈnɒstɪk/ a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God. -oxford not a positive stance to mix agnosticism with theism or atheism is an idiots move.

surrealnumber5

My link shows that it can be used as either a positive or neutral stance. "Atheism: disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods." Agnosticism only refers to the belief that God's existence cannot be known in this life. It does not include anything about believing or disbelieving in his existence.

I believe that the Bulls will win the NBA championship. I also believe that the winner cannot be known prior the the occurence of the championship. Do you see where this is going?

[QUOTE="Krelian-co"]

[QUOTE="ZumaJones07"]this board seems to have more atheists and agnostics and other variations of non-believers than believers. god had to have been the catalyst for the universe seeing as how something cannot come from nothing. so why don't you believe in religion? were you religious before? what made you see the light? if you're still religious, have you ever considered atheism?wis3boi

something cannot come from nothing

False. Quantum physics shows particles that can appear out of nothing and disappear, only to reappear somewhere else

well i didn't know that, never studied quantum physics but if its true then the more reason to not believe in some superior being.

[QUOTE="wis3boi"]

[QUOTE="Krelian-co"]

something cannot come from nothing

Krelian-co

False. Quantum physics shows particles that can appear out of nothing and disappear, only to reappear somewhere else

well i didn't know that, never studied quantum physics but if its true then the more reason to not believe in some superior being.

According that that law of physics, time didn't exist before the big bang (like time doesnt exist inside a black hole), so theoretically there cannot be a "before the big bang" and the universe may very well have popped out of nothing

[QUOTE="surrealnumber5"]no, atheism is an affirmative stance just like that of theism. Zeviander

According that that law of physics, time didn't exist before the big bang (like time doesnt exist inside a black hole), so theoretically there cannot be a "before the big bang" and the universe may very well have popped out of nothingwis3boi

[QUOTE="surrealnumber5"][QUOTE="kussese"]

My link shows that it can be used as either a positive or neutral stance. "Atheism: disbelief or lack of belief in the existence of God or gods." Agnosticism only refers to the belief that God's existence cannot be known in this life. It does not include anything about believing or disbelieving in his existence.

I believe that the Bulls will win the NBA championship. I also believe that the winner cannot be known prior the the occurence of the championship. Do you see where this is going?

kussese

And doesn't seeing a masterpiece painting indicate that there existed a masterful artist to paint it?Acemaster27

Never been religious. And I don't really have a reason for not believing in god.....I just simply don't. I just can't believe that the universe is the product of some invisible entity.

One thing I don't understand, how can people say that science turns you away from God? Science proves how amazing and beautiful the universe is. And doesn't seeing a masterpiece painting indicate that there existed a masterful artist to paint it?Acemaster27

[QUOTE="Acemaster27"]One thing I don't understand, how can people say that science turns you away from God? Science proves how amazing and beautiful the universe is. And doesn't seeing a masterpiece painting indicate that there existed a masterful artist to paint it?GrayF0X786

I no longer believe because I had an epiphany and realized not that it's entirely impossible for a "God" to exist but that it is preposterous that he would be the God portrayed in various holy books. These very books portray God as a moralist who at the same time acts in a highly immoral fashion, not withstanding the many other contradictions. It is impossible for a person who truly can think using reason and common sense for that person to come to the conclusion that ANY religious book that man has created provides any sort of insight into "God" or his existence.

But of course you can remain religious and choose to ignore the obvious truth...which in essence is why religion exists in it's present form. It is not possible to believe without ignoring facts.

One thing I don't understand, how can people say that science turns you away from God? Science proves how amazing and beautiful the universe is. And doesn't seeing a masterpiece painting indicate that there existed a masterful artist to paint it?Acemaster27

One thing I don't understand, how can people say that science turns you away from God?Acemaster27

[QUOTE="Acemaster27"]One thing I don't understand, how can people say that science turns you away from God?Funky_Llama

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]

[QUOTE="Acemaster27"]One thing I don't understand, how can people say that science turns you away from God?IllestPenguin

And again I will show you where you're wrong. Every scientific "fact" came from a theory. Therefore, theories that are against religious beliefs are what's against religion. Science is only a catalyst for theory. IllestPenguin

[QUOTE="wis3boi"]According that that law of physics, time didn't exist before the big bang (like time doesnt exist inside a black hole), so theoretically there cannot be a "before the big bang" and the universe may very well have popped out of nothingZeviander

And again I will show you where you're wrong. Every scientific "fact" came from a theory. Therefore, theories that are against religious beliefs are what's against religion. Science is only a catalyst for theory. IllestPenguin

and what does it matter? is not like every single theory is against religion, but there are many that do, important ones. Science is not against religion, but the more we discover thanks to it, the more the flaws of religions come to light.

I used to be a Roman catholic, once I shook off the indocrination that had been placed upon me in "Religious education" I realized how ridiculous and primitive it all was. And that was that.

[QUOTE="IllestPenguin"]And again I will show you where you're wrong. Every scientific "fact" came from a theory. Therefore, theories that are against religious beliefs are what's against religion. Science is only a catalyst for theory. Funky_Llama

[QUOTE="themajormayor"]

[QUOTE="Blue-Sky"]

I don't know when term "agnosticism" became a standalone thing but it was a pre-fix to a further definition. It has always meant "unsure" preluding to whatever you're unsure about. But it's just a disingenuous to assume someone is gnostic by default. You're either agnostic or gnostic about anything.

Example. You're either:

Agnostic Theist
Gnostic Thiest
Agnostic Atheist
gnostic Atheist

kussese

It's always been. The definition isn't 100% clear. But to illustrate using my definition.

Q: Do you believe in God?

Atheist: No

Theist: Yes

Agnostic: Not sure

Anyway gnosticists doesn't really exists, rendering agnosticism useless by your definition.

And yes, gnostics exist. You clearly haven't talked to enough religious fundamentalists. They'll tell you that they can "feel" God. They're absolutely certain he exists.

Simply one explanation isn't more likely than the other. There could be a God, or there could not or there could be something else, nothing is more likely than the other with our knowledge. It simply means you haven't commited to anything. What else would you call these people that neither believes there is a God or believes there is no God. Simply that we do not know. Cause I've met people like that and they define themselves as Agnostic. Not Agnostic Theists or Athiests since they haven't commited to either belief. What else would you call these people?

Even if they claim to know they can't know. So no. I am also certain God exists but I do not know. I think there is a difference between being certain and knowing. But maybe it's my bad english skill.

[QUOTE="wis3boi"]According that that law of physics, time didn't exist before the big bang (like time doesnt exist inside a black hole), so theoretically there cannot be a "before the big bang" and the universe may very well have popped out of nothingZeviander

Why would it make God less likely? One universe or several universes. How does it matter? If anything my belief becomes even strong when I see all the marvels of existence. Not to mention this would completely contradicts the comment you responded to trying to disprove God.

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="IllestPenguin"]And again I will show you where you're wrong. Every scientific "fact" came from a theory. Therefore, theories that are against religious beliefs are what's against religion. Science is only a catalyst for theory. IllestPenguin

I'd like to say Dawkins but I think it was Flanders.