What exactly is an atheist?

[antkim]

With all the religious threads everywhere on the Dis it got me wondering. I honestly do not know what the term atheist means??? What about pagan?(is that right?)

I am not staring a debate here I just really want to know the answer. Why??? I guess I am trying to figure out exactly where I fall in my "beliefs". I was born/raised Catholic and attended church regularly and attended Catholic schools. However, I am not a "practicing" Catholic these days....meaning I do not attend church. I have some major issues with the Catholic church and have not desire to ignore my feelings so that I can attend church.

I guess I am just wondering "what" I am!

I believe there is a higher power for sure. I believe that there is an after life. I do not believe that I need to live my life going by the "word" and I also do not believe that everything that happens here on earth is because "God" has a plan...so that definitely rules out Christianity. I have conflicting thoughts about the beginning of the world....although part of me thinks that only "god" could create the beautiful sunsets etc. the other part of me thinks that evolution makes the most sense and has the most "proof"

So what the heck am I?

If ANYONE tries to make this into a "my religion is the better relgion" thread I will have it closed. BUT more than that I will be extremely dissappointed that my wish to keep this light is not respected. I try really hard to respect others here on the Dis and I expect the same.

Kim

 

[Robinrs]

Kim, questioning any belief is the first sign of a true change in your life. You have a right to that, we all do at one time or the other.

I would call you an "agnostic" rather than an atheist. An interest thought on this would be found here .... http://www.2think.org/hii/atheism.shtml

I've been where you are, I did the atheist, agnostic, born again route... it was a long trek but I'm glad to be where I am now.

God bless,

Robinrs

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I agree with Robin. A lot of your beliefs is just like my brother's and he considers himself an agnostic.

 

[KimR]

I believe there is a higher power for sure. I believe that there is an after life.
Kim

I don't think this statement aligns with agnostic beliefs. It is my understanding that agnostics don't believe in a higher power, yet they don't necessarily disbelieve. They just don't know and feel that there is no way to prove it one way or the other. My Dad was an agnostic and in his words 'I don't know and I don't care!'

 

[bicker]

I believe there is a higher power for sure.

As a result, you are not an atheist or an agnostic. The "for sure" part disqualifies you from the latter, definitively.

Labels are important to some folks, and I invite you to find the correct label that matches your beliefs. I'm a Pantheist. That higher power you mentioned is the entirety of the Universe itself -- What has the power to do anything? Collectively, everything together does, not any piece, part or even spirit. That after-life you mentioned is a reflection of how we've impact the Universe after we've left it -- in the minds of the people who remember us or were affected by our works or thoughts.

 

[antkim]

Hmm, I just read a whole desciption of Agnostic beliefs and I think that is where I am! (some of it was a bit off but most of it was "right on the head")

So if I am agnostic is that a bad thing??? I want to raise my children to be the best they can be but I can not get myself to bring them to a "house of worship" that I just do not agree with. Am I doing them a disservice?

I admire those that are so sure that their religion is the "truth"...it must be comforting in such a crazy world. I am just the type that unless I have "proof" you will not convince me. My thoughts are how can a "god" let things like the hurricane happen to so many innocent people. I know those how "believe" think there is a reason for this.....so they will find god. That is what a Christian show was saying last night. I am happy that all those that are suffering right now may be able to find a "peace" and if it is found by "finding god" then so be it. Again, I wish I was as sure as some.

Not that I will attend but do agnostics have a "house of worship"???

Kim

 

[KimR]

Oh, and to answer your question about atheism: atheists do not believe in a higher power at all. However, I do think it is possible for an atheist to believe in some sort of an afterlife, although not the traditional Heaven or Hell that is a fundamental part of the Christian's belief system. I think most atheists, though, believe that once you die you simply cease to exist. My mom was an atheist and that was her belief.

I've given up trying to classify what I am. I do believe in God and an afterlife, though not necessarily the traiditional Heaven and Hell. Like you, I do not believe God has our lives totally mapped out and I don't believe that every thing that happens here on earth is due to God's will. I believe in evolution but believe that God had a hand in it. I don't take the bible litereally and I believe in the possibility of reincarnation. So where does that leave me? I have absolutely no idea, but I've stopped trying to fit into any category because I realize I probably never will. I guess that's what happens when you are raised by an atheist and agnostic smack-dab in the middle of the bible belt!

 

[Independent]

Miriam Websters Dictionary:

Atheist: (noun) :

one who denies the existence of God​

Agnostic: (noun) :

a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and prob. unknowable broadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god​

Paganism: (noun) 1

a : pagan beliefs or practices; b : a pagan religion; 2 : the quality or state of being a pagan​

Pagan (noun) 1 :

HEATHEN 1; especially : a follower of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome); 2 : one who has little or no religion and who delights in sensual pleasures and material goods : an irreligious or hedonistic person​

World Book Encyclopedia:

a|the|ism «AY thee ihz uhm», noun.
1 the belief that there is no God.
2 neglect of the service of God; godlessness: Hypocrisy in one age is generally succeeded by atheism in another (Joseph Addison).

[< French < Greek denying the gods < a- without + a god]


ag|nos|tic «ag NOS tihk», noun, adjective.
–n.
a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known about the existence of God or about things outside of human experience. SYNONYM(S): skeptic, unbeliever, freethinker.

–adj.
of agnostics or their beliefs.

[(coined by Thomas Huxley) < Greek not to be known, not knowing (< a- not + (to be) known) + English -ic]



pa|gan «PAY guhn», noun, adjective.
–n.
1 a person who is not a Christian, Jew, or Moslem; person who worships many gods or no god; heathen. The ancient Greeks and most of the Romans were pagans because they did not know or believe in the God worshiped by the Christians and Jews, and later, the Moslems. I’d rather be a pagan, suckled in a creed outworn (Wordsworth). SYNONYM(S): See syn. at heathen.
2 a person who has no religion.

–adj.
1 having something to do with pagans; not Christian, Jewish, or Moslem; heathen: pagan customs.
2 not religious.

[< Latin rustic (in Late Latin, heathen) (at a time when Christianity was accepted by urban populations) < village]

 

[antkim]

Agnostic is what I am....if I had to put a name to it BUT I question that as well.....so I think KimR and I should start our own religion!! We can name it the "kim's club"!!!!

 

[MosMom]

I don't think agnostics worship because you aren't really sure what you should be worshipping. There may be community groups in your area though that get together. If you aren't sure what to do for your kids...teach them to live a good & honorable life. That is all they really need according to your belief system. If they get older and want to learn more about other religions, then they are more than welcome to explore that.

Just as a Christian parent wouldn't encourage sending their children to Jewish worship at a young age, you don't have to push anything else on your kids. They are free to gain that knowledge when they are older if they want to.

 

[AdventurerKat]

I'm an Agnostic. But I do worship! I worship at the United Church of Walt Disney. I'm a deacon and I have the i.d. to prove it. LOL. (It was a joke i.d. made at a bachelorette party about 9 years ago.)

 

[wvrevy]

Atheists reject mysticism and faith in favor of science and intellect. The notion of an all-powerful "creator" is not one that can be supported by science or reasoning, so it's one that they reject.

Agnostics simply admit that they don't know. We see the point made by science, but still may hold some "hope" that there is something more to life than just a collection of mollecules. We do, freely, admit that there is no way of knowing the answer to those imponderable questions. But most, if not all, of us lean towards the "atheist" stance far more than the "religious" one.

Do a search for the "Godless Heathens" thread here on the community board. That should give you a good idea about some of the views on our side of the fence.

 

[auntpolly]

Maybe they are just folks that get turned off by the zealots.

I was just out on my bike and saw a bumper sticker that said:

I Pray and I Vote. (Is that some kind of a threat????)

Things like that make me anti-church, anyway.

 

[PneumaticTransit]

There are many types of atheists. They may believe different things, just as one Christian may believe being gay is a sin while others do not. Some Christians believe there is no Hell in the sense of punishment (just not with God), while other believes in fire and brimstone and tortures of a physical Hell.

Atheist hold the common non belief in god or gods. They simply don't exist.

Agnostics simply don't know. Either they just don't know how they fell, or don't believe we are capible of knowing therefore do not lean one way or another.

On a side note, I really get bothered when people say atheism is just another religion. It isn't. It's nothing other than a title.

Belief & worship of diety = religion
Non belief & non worship of diety = not a religion

Collecting stamps = hobby
Not Collecting stamps = not a hobby

 

[CheshireVal]

If you definitely believe in a higher power, I don't know that that is really an agnostic belief....

 

[Beth76]

If you definitely believe in a higher power, I don't know that that is really an agnostic belief....

Yeah, but she doesn't know what that higher power is. Agnostic is the closest thing to that I think.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I do worship as Catholic right now, but I believe that all religions are the same.
My thinking that if there is a "God" then there is only 1 so if you worship that is who you are worshipping, right?
It also can include the "Trinity" or whatever...so that rules out my "Unitarianism".

I believe that the "belief" is insignificant...it is the way you live that is more important.

 

[Viking]

There are many types of atheists. They may believe different things, just as one Christian may believe being gay is a sin while others do not. Some Christians believe there is no Hell in the sense of punishment (just not with God), while other believes in fire and brimstone and tortures of a physical Hell.

Atheist hold the common non belief in god or gods. They simply don't exist.

Agnostics simply don't know. Either they just don't know how they fell, or don't believe we are capible of knowing therefore do not lean one way or another.

On a side note, I really get bothered when people say atheism is just another religion. It isn't. It's nothing other than a title.

Belief & worship of diety = religion
Non belief & non worship of diety = not a religion

Collecting stamps = hobby
Not Collecting stamps = not a hobby

First: 'Belief of diety' means that you worship the Weight Watchers, 'believe of deity' would be worshipping of a god Sorry, but I couldn't resist

Second: No follower of a any religion 'knows' anything. They 'believe' instead of knowing. Atheists refuse to accept any gods, because there isn't any proof, but they can neither prove that there is no god. But common sense says that they're right.

 

[antkim]

Yeah, but she doesn't know what that higher power is. Agnostic is the closest thing to that I think.[/QUOTE


Exactly. I believe there is something....just not sure what. I think I am satisfied with the fact that I am not alone in my thoughts/feelings. I do not feel quilty about the fact that I do not attend church every week...period. I do not miss the "community".

My kids are growing up learning to respect and love one another and others.... no matter their faith, beliefs, race, sexual preference etc. That is the best I can do and the best I can hope for. I do not want to throw a religion down their throats because that is "what I am suppose to do"...make sense.

I feel better knowing that it is O.K. to not really know!

I know I am a good person with faults just like everyone else in this world....I do not need to pretend that I am something I am not.

Thanks guys!

Kim

 

[goofygirl]

I'm an agnostic. I think there's "something out there", I don't know whether to call it karma, or god, or whatever.

I don't believe the stories in the Bible, but I can get behind some of the lessons of the stories. For example, I do not believe there was Adam and Eve, but I do agree with the moral of the story- do not give in to temptation. I also agree with the Ten Commandments. I also like some of the Proverbs.

My religious background is ambiguous- I was born to a Jewish mother and Catholic father, but not really raised at either. People saw me have a Xmas tree, and go to my cousin's sedar, I say "Oy Vey" , I may sound Jewish but my last name isn't Jewish. I've been to Bat Mitvahs but never a baptism of communion. But I collect crosses and wear a cross at times. I also have a Star of David. I've had good feelings in a church but a temple doesnt have that effect on me. I don't go to services, but once in a awhile I'll watch mass on ETWN.
So you can say I just take the best of both worlds and do my own thing.