- Feb 23, 2015
- 3,860
- 4,255
- 693
Deliberately simplified the poll. Not really curious about the agnostic v. atheist stuff.
Ditto.Yeah, easy no for me. I follow the scientific method when I'm finding out what I "believe." Basically: is it provable, repeatable, and measurable? Then it is real and I believe it exists.
/GrumpyOldLady
By the end of the group, it seemed every single person felt the need to mention "Oh, and I am a Christian.", as if my atheism needed to be met with more professions of faith.
Well I was in the visiting area of a mental hospital when a schizophrenic girl was paid a visit by 2 members of her church. She was in a bad way. I listened as they pressured her for about a half hour or so, telling her psychiatry and medications weren't the answer, she just needed to get right with the Lord, etc. She was bawling and getting more and more agitated. Not sure if they led her back into the fold or not, but I know they got her a needle full of Haldol. They meant well, but that shit had me so mad.If I'm not mistaken, it's part of a hard core Christian's duty to try and convert non-believers.
Well I was in the visiting area of a mental hospital when a schizophrenic girl was paid a visit by 2 members of her church. She was in a bad way. I listened as they pressured her for about a half hour or so, telling her psychiatry and medications weren't the answer, she just needed to get right with the Lord, etc. She was bawling and getting more and more agitated. Not sure if they led her back into the fold or not, but I know they got her a needle full of Haldol. They meant well, but that shit had me so mad.
This was by design. I am well versed in the complexities of this issue, and wanted to avoid them.Your poll is too binary and doesn't really fit into the complexity of this subject. Your other dichotomy of atheist vs agnostic and not being interested in that is also a bit too narrow.
I also think that a lot of people who think that they are ardent followers of science are actually followers of scientism, which is more about an overreach of the scientific method into areas where it doesn't fit. Don't take that as an attack on science but as an attack on its misapplication.
Any beliefs that i have are quite fluid as I learn more things and even change according to my mood. Also, I think that there's room for religion beyond belief, beyond literalism, beyond theism and I'm even a fan of the idea of atheism 2.0-- the universal need for community, art, expression and metaphor to create a strong society and strong people.
Nowhere near a simple question!
If I'm not mistaken, it's part of a hard core Christian's duty to try and convert non-believers. .
It does seem to help some. Attended a few AA NA meetings, and the "higher power" seems to do ok for them. Was a huge turnoff for me though.Scientology is the same way. It's scary how easily people can be brainwashed. On the other hand, a lot of people can find amazing strength in faith. If it works for people, I'm all for it... more power to 'em, provided it doesn't harm others.
Then I can not participate.Deliberately simplified the poll. Not really curious about the agnostic v. atheist stuff.
Then do not.Then I can not participate.
Sorry trying to subtly get across my annoyance at leaving out any nuance rated a face palm. Any religious discussion just seemed pointless to leave it at "atheism versus monotheism".Then do not.
Your participation in the form of announcing you could not participate is what warranted the facepalm.Sorry trying to subtly get across my annoyance at leaving out any nuance rated a face palm. Any religious discussion just seemed pointless to leave it at "atheism versus monotheism".
No, see I have had these discussions to death. Was not the least bit interested in all of that. Pantheism, strong and weak atheism, is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy, blah blah blah.I mean, there's no doubt that simple is good. But if you wanted a real look at what the people here think, you gotta give options that would allow them to accurately answer.
1. Monotheist
2. Polytheist
3. Atheist
4. Agnostic
I feel like that's pretty inclusive while still being simple? Am I missing anyone?
Yeah, the definitions are generally misunderstood.I mean, there's no doubt that simple is good. But if you wanted a real look at what the people here think, you gotta give options that would allow them to accurately answer.
1. Monotheist
2. Polytheist
3. Atheist
4. Agnostic
I feel like that's pretty inclusive while still being simple? Am I missing anyone?
That has always driven me crazy when it happens, in any thread on the forum.Your participation in the form of announcing you could not participate is what warranted the facepalm.
Well I was in the visiting area of a mental hospital when a schizophrenic girl was paid a visit by 2 members of her church. She was in a bad way. I listened as they pressured her for about a half hour or so, telling her psychiatry and medications weren't the answer, she just needed to get right with the Lord, etc. She was bawling and getting more and more agitated. Not sure if they led her back into the fold or not, but I know they got her a needle full of Haldol. They meant well, but that shit had me so mad.
trying to subtly get across my annoyance
Any religious discussion just seemed pointless to leave it at "atheism versus monotheism".
No, see I have had these discussions to death. Was not the least bit interested in all of that. Pantheism, strong and weak atheism, is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy, blah blah blah.
Your participation in the form of announcing you could not participate is what warranted the facepalm.
No, see I have had these discussions to death. Was not the least bit interested in all of that. Pantheism, strong and weak atheism, is Buddhism a religion or a philosophy, blah blah blah.
I just wanted to simply know, do you believe a supernatural deity exists? Or do you not?
Polytheist? Multiple gods/goddesses? Then the answer would be yes, you do believe in a supernatural deity.
I wasn't really going for an all-inclusive survey of the finer points of what everybody here believes. Only "Do you believe He (or She, or They) are real, or do you not?
Sorry. I enjoy these discussions. Just didn't understand why a "Maybe" option makes things too difficult. A black and white discussion seemed limiting. I'll see my way out I guess.Nope. I still say things like "oh my god", thank god", and "hope to god" and random phrases like that because it was everywhere growing up and I just adopted it, regardless of if the word "god" meant anything to me or not. "God dammit" is a very popular thing to fly out of my mouth, and once in a while it irritates whomever I'm with.
It's just a fictional character in a book to me.
That has always driven me crazy when it happens, in any thread on the forum.
Sorry. I enjoy these discussions. Just didn't understand why a "Maybe" option makes things too difficult. A black and white discussion seemed limiting. I'll see my way out I guess.