Mixed Faith Marriage Dilemma

[_Yong Xi]

I am a seldom poster and have run into a slight difficulty in my personal life. You see, I am an atheist.
The problem is my wife is agnostic. It is starting to create some problems for our marriage. I love my wife dearly but she insists that God may exist. I try to patiently explain to her that it's not so much that I don't believe in God, but that I don't have a belief in God, nor do I care. This is unacceptable to her. She cannot understand why I cannot recognize at least the possibility of God.

Here is the real dilemma. My wife wants to raise our daughter (Chinese, Buddhist) as an agnostic. I insist on atheism. We have talked about raising our daughter in both faiths, but fear she may become confused.

I would appreciate any advice you may give.


Also, I understand a poster needs 1000 posts to reach Godhood. What's in it for Atheists?

[_JAK]

I am a seldom poster and have run into a slight difficulty in my personal life. You see, I am an atheist.
The problem is my wife is agnostic. It is starting to create some problems for our marriage. I love my wife dearly but she insists that God may exist. I try to patiently explain to her that it's not so much that I don't believe in God, but that I don't have a belief in God, nor do I care. This is unacceptable to her. She cannot understand why I cannot recognize at least the possibility of God.

Here is the real dilemma. My wife wants to raise our daughter (Chinese, Buddhist) as an agnostic. I insist on atheism. We have talked about raising our daughter in both faiths, but fear she may become confused.

I would appreciate any advice you may give.

Also, I understand a poster needs 1000 posts to reach Godhood. What's in it for Atheists?

Hi Yong Xi,

Terminology can be misinterpreted.

Read about Agnosticism and have your wife read this definition as well.

“Atheist” is a term interpreted differently as is agnosticism.

There are hard atheists. They insist upon claiming a negative as a positive. That is, they declare: God does not exist.

The dilemma in that statement is that they take on a burden of proof not required. As an atheist, once does not subscribe to any particular doctrine of theism. A soft atheist is quite willing to let it go at that. A hard atheist has a much more difficult position to defend. He is defending a negative claim.

It’s both unnecessary and requires proof of a negative.

Only the theist has the burden of proof. That is, the theist claims existence of God. Therefore, it is the theist who has the burden of proof.

Now a soft agnostic simply says we don’t know with regard to the question of an existence for gods or God. On the other hand, a hard agnostic claims: We cannot know and never can know if any gods or a God exists. Do you see the difference?

In both cases (atheist and agnostic) there is the potential for a hard position. There is also the potential for a soft position.

So, your disagreement with your wife could be minor indeed.

Now the friction begins when you say your wife wants to “raise our daughter (Chinese, Buddhist) as an agnostic.” Buddhism is clearly a present-day world religion.

You have a mis-statement in this: “I insist on atheism. We have talked about raising our daughter in both faiths, but fear she may become confused.”

Atheism is not a religion or faith. It’s the absence of a religion or faith. While many have attempted to characterize atheism as a religion, it is not a religion.
See Atheism.

You stated:
Also, I understand a poster needs 1000 posts to reach Godhood.

Your understanding is merely a particular religious myth. Religious mythology is unreliable. So forget that “understand.” Or, if you must pursue it, Who makes such a claim? How is such a person/group qualified to make the claim? Why such a number. Would 999 work? Who does the counting? Is there peer review of that COUNT?

I’m most skeptical of such a claim. You should be as well.

Agnosticism and Atheism are not as far apart as you might think. However, Buddhism is a world religion with dogma and doctrines. While it (like any religion) has evolved over time, it’s still a world religion.

As for “advice,” be distrustful of any. Pundits of position are likely committed to their religious bias. They have been indoctrinated.

JAK

[_barrelomonkeys]

I am a seldom poster and have run into a slight difficulty in my personal life. You see, I am an atheist.
The problem is my wife is agnostic. It is starting to create some problems for our marriage. I love my wife dearly but she insists that God may exist. I try to patiently explain to her that it's not so much that I don't believe in God, but that I don't have a belief in God, nor do I care. This is unacceptable to her. She cannot understand why I cannot recognize at least the possibility of God.

Here is the real dilemma. My wife wants to raise our daughter (Chinese, Buddhist) as an agnostic. I insist on atheism. We have talked about raising our daughter in both faiths, but fear she may become confused.

I would appreciate any advice you may give.


Also, I understand a poster needs 1000 posts to reach Godhood. What's in it for Atheists?

I didn't even know atheism or agnosticism was a faith?

[_JAK]

I am a seldom poster and have run into a slight difficulty in my personal life. You see, I am an atheist.
The problem is my wife is agnostic. It is starting to create some problems for our marriage. I love my wife dearly but she insists that God may exist. I try to patiently explain to her that it's not so much that I don't believe in God, but that I don't have a belief in God, nor do I care. This is unacceptable to her. She cannot understand why I cannot recognize at least the possibility of God.

Here is the real dilemma. My wife wants to raise our daughter (Chinese, Buddhist) as an agnostic. I insist on atheism. We have talked about raising our daughter in both faiths, but fear she may become confused.

I would appreciate any advice you may give.


Also, I understand a poster needs 1000 posts to reach Godhood. What's in it for Atheists?

I didn't even know atheism or agnosticism was a faith?

Hi barrelomonkeys,

What gives you the idea that either atheism or agnosticism is “a faith”? Neither is. Buddhism, however, is a religion.

JAK

[_barrelomonkeys]

I am a seldom poster and have run into a slight difficulty in my personal life. You see, I am an atheist.
The problem is my wife is agnostic. It is starting to create some problems for our marriage. I love my wife dearly but she insists that God may exist. I try to patiently explain to her that it's not so much that I don't believe in God, but that I don't have a belief in God, nor do I care. This is unacceptable to her. She cannot understand why I cannot recognize at least the possibility of God.

Here is the real dilemma. My wife wants to raise our daughter (Chinese, Buddhist) as an agnostic. I insist on atheism. We have talked about raising our daughter in both faiths, but fear she may become confused.

I would appreciate any advice you may give.


Also, I understand a poster needs 1000 posts to reach Godhood. What's in it for Atheists?

I didn't even know atheism or agnosticism was a faith?

Hi barrelomonkeys,

What gives you the idea that either atheism or agnosticism is “a faith”? Neither is. Buddhism, however, is a religion.

JAK

I was being a smart ass. ;P

Apparently a pretty poor one at that. Shoot, I'll try better next time.

I would think it would be the lack of faith that would make one an atheist. Anyway, nice to see you JAK! Long time no see. :)