What faith

[Prospero]

There are often some very energetic arguments about religion here. Lots of controversy over Islam and rudeness about the catholics. Would be interesting to get a snapshot of how many people profess a faith - and which. And if any want to say why they are believers - or not.

[martin48]

Well, after four votes, as the pollsters say "If this trend continues ...."

Not looking too good for God

[trish]

I am an atheist. The term “atheist” is ambiguous, having as many interpretations as there are religions. I do not believe in the god, gods or metaphysics of any of Earth’s many religions. (Note: there is no paradox here because atheism is not one of Earth’s religions.)

I grew up in a methodist household. I grappled with religion and gender at a very early age. In both regards the course was clear; there were no real decisions to be made.

I do not lay claim to a mathematical proof of the truth of atheism. Nor to I claim there is scientific proof. I will only point out the overwhelming lack of credible evidence and the fantastical, incredible claims of religion. I am not what people would call a seeker in this regard; i.e. I have no expectation of be swayed from my position, though I am always open to hear what the gods, the demons and their servants have to say.

So if I don’t claim absolute certainty why am I not an agnostic? Because certainty comes in degrees and is never infinite. Had the poll allowed it I might have checked that I am an atheist (because it best describes my practical position), agnostic (because there is not such thing as absolute certainty), protestant (because it’s where my roots lie) and buddhist (because I think each of us will achieve nothingness at the end of our cycle of lives...though in my version of unicycling-buddhism we only go around once _no reincarnations_ and karma merely means past actions influence and form the present).

The title of this thread mentions faith. Faith is something thinking persons cannot avoid. Every chain of reasoning begins with hypothesis and assumptions. With reserve, scientists trust their measurements, the reports of their colleagues and though they are skeptics, they generally have little tolerance for radical Cartesian skepticism. We all trust our respective families, friends and lovers. We are all creatures of habit and have every expectation that the Earth’s surface will support our next step; we’re surprised when it gives way and we fall. Faith is so abundant, it’s difficult to recognize; but when we do it’s impossible to imagine a world without it.

[martin48]

Do you believe the earth is flat? Probably not, in which case you are an atheist" as far as flat-earthers are concerned. Can you prove it is not flat? In absolute terms (in the sense that Pythagoras Theorem's is true). No! If we assume that light travels in strange curved paths and there is an impressive force that moves you from the right-hand New Zealand to the left-hand one (ever noticed on world maps there are two New Zealands - but I digress) in zero time. Then it could be true. But you are an atheist because there are much simpler explanations of all observable phenomena if you accept the Earth is a big ball. As scientists we accept Occum's Razor, that the Laws of Physics are universal and a few more. So if there is a simpler explaination of the universe - that is also predictive (God's actions can not be predicted) then why not accept it and be a "true" atheist?

Reincarnation? It may be making a comeback

I am an atheist. The term “atheist” is ambiguous, having as many interpretations as there are religions. I do not believe in the god, gods or metaphysics of any of Earth’s many religions. (Note: there is no paradox here because atheism is not one of Earth’s religions.)

I grew up in a methodist household. I grappled with religion and gender at a very early age. In both regards the course was clear; there were no real decisions to be made.

I do not lay claim to a mathematical proof of the truth of atheism. Nor to I claim there is scientific proof. I will only point out the overwhelming lack of credible evidence and the fantastical, incredible claims of religion. I am not what people would call a seeker in this regard; i.e. I have no expectation of be swayed from my position, though I am always open to hear what the gods, the demons and their servants have to say.

So if I don’t claim absolute certainty why am I not an agnostic? Because certainty comes in degrees and is never infinite. Had the poll allowed it I might have checked that I am an atheist (because it best describes my practical position), agnostic (because there is not such thing as absolute certainty), protestant (because it’s where my roots lie) and buddhist (because I think each of us will achieve nothingness at the end of our cycle of lives...though in my version of unicycling-buddhism we only go around once _no reincarnations_ and karma merely means past actions influence and form the present).

The title of this thread mentions faith. Faith is something thinking persons cannot avoid. Every chain of reasoning begins with hypothesis and assumptions. With reserve, scientists trust their measurements, the reports of their colleagues and though they are skeptics, they generally have little tolerance for radical Cartesian skepticism. We all trust our respective families, friends and lovers. We are all creatures of habit and have every expectation that the Earth’s surface will support our next step; we’re surprised when it gives way and we fall. Faith is so abundant, it’s difficult to recognize; but when we do it’s impossible to imagine a world without it.

[hippifried]

Being atheist Catholic & Pope of the New World Order, I'm authorized to tell everybody to go to hell. You probably will anyway, just by vice/virtue of where you're seeing this, butteye need to make sure the Protestant (idolater) porn watchers & government spies get their orders.

[Prospero]

I'm agnostic. Atheism seems to me to demand certainty. I'm prepared to countenance the possibility of something. But I cannot accept it. Nor can I wholly refute that possibility. I am inclined to no belief until someone proves to me the opposite.

[Dino Velvet]

Pretty confused. Raised a Catholic who now loathes the Church but has no problem with Jesus. The Christian that still remains feels sorry for Jesus having such horrible representation knowing all along they would make a mockery of him. At the end of time Jesus and us could all be putting the boots to our Earthly Shepherds.

The reason why I'm identified as a Christian is because I was born in America with 2 Christian parents. If I were born elsewhere with different parents I would believe someone or something else is God or maybe no god at all.

Still remain confused.

[Willie Escalade]

Raised Catholic but have broken pretty much every commandment.


1 Thou shalt have no other gods - Eh...
2 No graven images or likenesses - Like I'm gonna worship an inanimate object
3 Not take the LORD's name in vain - God dammit I do this often
4 Remember the sabbath day - What about Chargers games and afternoons at Dodger Stadium?
5 Honour thy father and thy mother - Always have, always will
6 Thou shalt not kill - Then what's the use of Raid and mousetraps...and lawnmowers?
7 Thou shalt not commit adultery - Um...I'm on this forum...
8 Thou shalt not steal - MEGAUPLOAD!
9 Not bear false witness - Like anyone here has NEVER told a lie...bitch, please...
10 Thou shalt not covet - I want my homie's car...and my potna's fine assed girlfriend...

[Dino Velvet]

Raised Catholic but have broken pretty much every commandment.


1 Thou shalt have no other gods - Eh...
2 No graven images or likenesses - Like I'm gonna worship an inanimate object
3 Not take the LORD's name in vain - God dammit I do this often
4 Remember the sabbath day - What about Chargers games and afternoons at Dodger Stadium?
5 Honour thy father and thy mother - Always have, always will
6 Thou shalt not kill - Then what's the use of Raid and mousetraps...and lawnmowers?
7 Thou shalt not commit adultery - Um...I'm on this forum...
8 Thou shalt not steal - MEGAUPLOAD!
9 Not bear false witness - Like anyone here has NEVER told a lie...bitch, please...
10 Thou shalt not covet - I want my homie's car...and my potna's fine assed girlfriend...

You go to Catholic School here too, Willie? Especially Elementary School Madrasa? My mind got bent pretty good even though the rest of me wasn't. Still haven't completely escaped but will get through the wall if I can't get over, around, or tunnel under it. Sulfur might be the great protector for all I know.

[broncofan]

Atheist. I am not certain, but then again I don't think believers claim they have certainty when they profess belief. I have seen no evidence in support of the proposition that there is a God and so believe there is not.

Atheism is really a bland ideology or would be a bland ideology if it were not for the interaction of atheists with believers and believers with governance. It becomes an issue of asserting your rights when you think that laws are tailored on the basis of things you don't think are true.