atheism vs agnosicism

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Atheism and agnosticism are points on a spectrum of probabilities. Atheism is an end point. We all live in a world of our own assessment of probabilities. Some of us allow the possibility of an undetectable intelligence somewhere in the works but its very undetectability renders it null as an influence in our lives so it can be ignored. Others accept some of the fantasies of previous cultures with more probability and perhaps do not step on cracks in order not to break their mother's back. There is a great variation.

Please tell me more why you think that is so.

^That has been my experience with people.

Everyone knows that agnostic means without knowledge and atheism means without god, right?
There are two kinds of Atheists:

1.)Atheists that rely on faith that there is no Creator. With these people, "There will be no debate!! !" They claim to know without doubt that no god exists. They are either wishful thinkers who want to be smarter than everyone, are delusional and really believe that they know secret information on the universe, or they are just liars.
2.)Atheists who choose not to include spirituality in their life because they don't like God AND they realize that they can't prove the non-existence of God. These people are typically bitter for one reason or another and it's usually just a phase.


There are also 2 kinds of Agnostics:
1.) Agnostics who admit that they just don't know. They are apathetic toward spirituality. Oftentimes, these people think it's cool to not care while in fact they are just hiding their inability to have deep thoughts.
2.) Agnostics who value honesty and analyze things deeply.
A.) They may be constant truth seekers trying to attain enlightenment.
B.)They either have not have had profound spiritual experiences, or they
question the validity of such moments. Since doubt is the constant companion of faith,
they are indeed very spiritual people unless of course they suffer from an inability to
feel emotions.

*Emotions are the language of all that is spiritual. That is why religious texts are often so abstract. If you take mystical writings literally, it will appear ridiculous. Myths,Fairy tales, and parables are often used as spiritual allegories which contain beautiful messages of truth.
Atheists will often use these stories to refute the validity of an entire religion because they take the story literally.

[quote="MagnusEveryone knows that agnostic means without knowledge and atheism means without god, right?
There are two kinds of Atheists:

1.)Atheists that rely on faith that there is no Creator. With these people, "There will be no debate!! !" They claim to know without doubt that no god exists. They are either wishful thinkers who want to be smarter than everyone, are delusional and really believe that they know secret information on the universe, or they are just liars.
2.)Atheists who choose not to include spirituality in their life because they don't like God AND they realize that they can't prove the non-existence of God. These people are typically bitter for one reason or another and it's usually just a phase.
[/quote]
Tell me which category you think I fit in and motivate why you think so.

(Have you actually met an atheist in your life?)

I've met many atheists. I used to be one (both kinds). I don't know you, so I don't know which kind of atheist you are Henrickson.

Well, I don't subscribe to any your "kinds" of atheists, so I think you're kind of arrogant.

Henrickson, tell me why you are an atheist so that you can provide proof to your claim that I am arrogant. Do you know for a fact that there is no God?

That doesn't make any sense. If I claimed that all theists were either bone-headed about their beliefs or just not comfortable with a universe without god, kind of like what you said about atheists, I doubt you would think I wasn't being arrogant. I would be even more arrogant if I when told you that you would have to tell me what kind fo theist you were to verify my arrogantness.

Do you know for a fact that there is no God?[/quote]
Nope.

Ah, but neither side has proof, perhaps subjective knowledge and observation, truly only belief - one believes in God, the other believes in his non-existence. The agnostics have no knowledge and therefore no belief in either direction.


M.

Do you believe in the non-existance of leprechauns? If not, according to you it would be wiser to be "agnostic" towards leprechauns.

EDIT: Basically, why are you exerting special pleading on God?

I'm not endorsing any position; as stated, I lean towards agnosticism. I think Heinlein expressed it best in the phrase "Thou art God" in that existence itself is inherently wonderful; there is no need for a godhead to appreciate the beauty of nature, or to find the eloquence of science fascinating. Even science has great expanses of the unknown, and while I do not believe that there need be some supernatural element to fill those gaps, that some things may defy understanding would not surprise me.

As for the little people... I think I'm decidedly an aleprechist, though my opinion could be bought for a pot of gold.


M.

Henrickson wrote:

Nope.[/quote]

If you do not know for a fact that there is no god, yet believe that there is no god, then you are an atheist by faith. To believe something without proof is by definition, superstition.

I will tell you why I am a theist, if you tell me why you are an atheist. Then we will see if you fit into my two categories of atheism or agnosticism. Feel free to make up your theist categories if you like.

I'm glad you have cleared that up. I don't believe in fairies at the bottom of my garden. Therefore I must be superstitious.

You don't collect stamps, so not collecting stamps is your hobby.

You wouldn't believe how many not hobbies I've got. I don't know how I find the time to not do them all.

It is not a proper comparison to equate believing in God to believing in leprechauns or fairies.
If you can't comprehend this, then I am sorry and we probably will be unable to have a discussion about this.

It is common knowledge that humans have invented leprechauns and fairies, isn't it?
Meanwhile, many intelligent people throughout history believed in a Creator. It does seem likely that we were created by something. After all, everything is created by something according to the laws of science. Can anything be created by nothing?

It seems reasonable to believe that we are not the only thing in the universe that miraculously appeared out of no where, or that we were always here. However, atheists will claim that this is the case for life on earth despite it not being able to be repeatedly verified by science from which they base their atheistic beliefs. That is superstitious.