Religious orientation of the board

[_Some Schmo]

God is highly improbable, so I don't give the idea much thought (except when I'm reading threads here).

I tend to avoid calling myself an atheist (mostly because it lends respect to the idea that there is a god, and I don't think the belief deserves any respect at all). Any time I've ever called myself that, it had more to do with what I think of the concept of faith than a god belief. I'm a rationalist. Without evidence, nobody knows anything.

[_Blixa]

So what are your observations on your poll, Jersey? Any conclusions?

[_Doctor Steuss]

Other.

I'm a bit of a Theist, but I have a lot of Pantheistic overtones in my current beliefs, and I probably lean more towards Deism than Theism most days. I guess for the most part, I'm a hopeful Agnostic who is Pantheistic Mormon(?)

[_RAJ]

I'm another "other."

I see no reason to believe in God but I don't make the affirmative claim that there is no God. I simply don't know and have no way of knowing.

[_Tarski]

I'm another "other."

I see no reason to believe in God but I don't make the affirmative claim that there is no God. I simply don't know and have no way of knowing.

Then you are an agnostic (or more precisely, since you said you see no evidence for a god, you are an agnostic atheist).
I think you should have gone with with "nontheist"

[_RAJ]

I'm another "other."

I see no reason to believe in God but I don't make the affirmative claim that there is no God. I simply don't know and have no way of knowing.

Then you are an agnostic (or more precisely, since you said you see no evidence for a god, you are an agnostic atheist).
I think you should have gone with with "nontheist"

I suppose you're right. But I don't have strong feelings about or energy around disproving "God" --- and I can imagine shifting to a position of belief if new, convincing evidence presented itself.

[_Sam Harris]

Theist with progressive leanings. Wish more folks would chime in on this thread so we can see if the non-theists really do overrun this board...would explain a lot...

What do you mean GIMR?

At times I have noticed an almost disdain for those who do believe in God here, as if we believe in an "imaginary friend", or we lack rationality. That bothers me. But it could be that Merc was just louder than usual that day...

This board isn't as balanced between theists and non-theists, because not as many theists want to fight over religion as some of the non-theists here think they do. There are some rediculously militant anti-theists on this board, and they scare away folks who may want to talk about their beliefs without having to go to battle over them.

Me, I just don't care anymore. Lots within my beliefs are changing, but I don't feel the need to explain it anymore.

[_Sam Harris]

Theist with progressive leanings. Wish more folks would chime in on this thread so we can see if the non-theists really do overrun this board...would explain a lot...

That's why I posted it, GIMR. I read someone whining about the board being dominated by atheists. In all serious, what does it matter what "side" dominates the board by their presence? If one has a strong argument, it shouldn't matter how many opposing viewpoints are presented to counter.

The only strong argument in this matter is that you cannot prove God any more than you can disprove God. The arrogance of some here who think you can disprove God based on their childhoods, experiences with Mormonism and personal experiences is really distasteful.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T for all involved, not a reverence for the intels who don't believe in God and use that as some sort of en-vogue fashion, and disdain for those who have faith in something they cannot see.

I cannot see my fortitude. I cannot see my future. But I have faith in them. According to the logic of some here, I'm losing it. Let them walk in my shoes.

[_Moniker]

I forgot to say how I voted.

I don't want to be accused of being an anonymous coward. :)

I voted non-theist. There wasn't much thought put into it...

[_Sam Harris]

You know, I'm not sure if any of the labels really fit me.

I could be agnostic, because in reality I believe...but do not know for sure that there is a God. Knowing is not necessary for my journey.

I could be pantheistic, because I believe that the essence of the Divine runs through everything.

I just believe...and I think there are many like me who do believe, who may not know, but who are comfortable with that. We just get tired of fighting about that with the few anti-theists who feel the need to wage war to justify their beliefs.

I choose to believe there's a very loud minority when it comes to things like annoying anti-theists and annoying a** fundamentalists. But I do understand others' need to believe that fundies are rampant, and anti-theists are under our beds.