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...:Bowdown:
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...:Bowdown:
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.

[Willie Escalade]

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.
From Kindergarden until 12th grade, yes. Still wound up breaking every commandment except honoring my parents.

[hippifried]

Raised Catholic but have broken pretty much every commandment.


1 Thou shalt have no other gods - Eh...:Bowdown:
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...

Sorry Willie, but that's inaccurate. There were actually around 15 or 17 original Mosaic commandments, & we'd probably have them all listed if those ignorant jerks of antiquity had more than 5 fingers on each hand, but a lot of this stuff got lost in the shuffle.

#2 was probably one of the original commandments, but it was found in a moving box up in Mohammad's attic or some such & added to the Qur'an. Then along come the Protestant idolatrous 'Johnny-come-latelys', who slipped it in to try & convince the world that Papist followers of the true church prayed to statues. Then they covered it up by combining the 2 commandments against covetousness. The prohibition against graven images was never part of the Catholic version. It was confusing to the serfs of laity. How do you do the Stations of the Cross without the pictorial evidence that Jesus was a white guy?

Catholics also understood that there's a difference between "jonesing" for your neighbor's wife & his other things. They left that split between #9 & #10, respectively. It's easier on the priest if he can get you to give all your stuff voluntarily, & he's not after your wife because he's too busy fucking your son the altar boy.

[mrtrebus]

Atheism is NOT a faith!!!

[Molly D'Vyne]

If I had to pick an option, I'd say I'm agnostic... I love science and am really into physics, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility of something bigger than us being out there. I generally don't think of a "God" in the traditional sense... but possibly a programmer of sorts that coded the seeds of life and let it go. Having friends that are pagan and/or wiccan also has opened my mind a bit... many of them seem to be more "in tune" with the world than most people I know.

Recent research leading to the possibility that we live in a "simulated universe" also is interesting and something that I think about a lot. Spirituality or "faith" for me is something that is constantly evolving.

[Dino Velvet]

From Kindergarden until 12th grade, yes. Still wound up breaking every commandment except honoring my parents.

Jesus dude. We're more alike than different. By the time I got to 10th Grade I waved a Satanic Bible around whenever the nuns walked outside to yell at kids talking in the hallway. After lunch by 5th period we Metalheads would shed most of our uniforms with other symbols on us being seen now.

Were you hit by a ruler or just smile at the same three that were always hit? I was a grinning fool but plenty guilty nevertheless.

[hippifried]

Atheism is NOT a faith!!!

You'll see when the un-God comes to strike you down.

[tsadriana]

My faith its God ,i dont know if is he or she ,but everything you mentioned there it doesnt suits me thanks for fuck that ..Your faith could be you ,did somene ever thought about that?

[Dino Velvet]

My faith its God ,i dont know if is he or she ,but everything you mentioned there it doesnt suits me thanks for fuck that ..Your faith could be you ,did somene ever thought about that?

Even less Catholics in Italy now. Good you're free of that too. That's your blessing.

[tsadriana]

Even less Catholics in Italy now. Good you're free of that too. That's your blessing.
This so called faith invented by people ...why will i belleve in those faith?im not botherd .:D
lol

[Dino Velvet]

This so called faith invented by people ...why will i belleve in those faith?im not botherd .:D
lol

Invented by people is absolutely right. They make the rules. They also break them. And they lie when they break them. If you smoke them out you're excommunicated. Fuck their sanctuary of pedophiles. What Catholic in his or her right mind would donate money he knows goes to a scumbag lawyer who's more than happy to stand up for filth in court?

[Stavros]

A most eccentric list of options: Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical Christian and Baptist are all Christians who differ on matters of doctrine and practice, not faith, and if these four why not add Methodists, Congregationalists, Anabaptists, Pentecostalists, and so on? You haven't sub-divided Islam into Sunna, Shi'a, and the rest; there are schools of Buddhism, Reform Jews, not to forget the Mormons, the Druids, the Jedi, the Moonies, Seventh Day Adventists, Scientologists etc etc etc. So I have not voted.

[tsadriana]

Invented by people is absolutely right. They make the rules. They also break them. And they lie when they break them. If you smoke them out you're excommunicated. Fuck their sanctuary of pedophiles. What Catholic in his or her right mind would donate money he knows goes to a scumbag lawyer who's more than happy to stand up for filth in court?
They all have filthy minds not clean minds trust me.:mad:who bellves in those things are just like them .

[trish]

I believe it was appropriate for the OP to list the only choices that might possibly be true :) So come on, be a sport, choose one.

[tsadriana]

I believe it was appropriate for the OP to list the only choices that might possibly be true :) So come on, be a sport, choose one.
Sorry but it doesnt match with my make-up:):):)

[trish]

ah, religion as an accessory. i can see that. :)

[tsadriana]

ah, religion as an accessory. i can see that. :)
You could say that hun :)

[Dino Velvet]

They all have filthy minds not clean minds trust me.:mad:who bellves in those things are just like them .

The sheep are innocent. It's the shepherds who must burn.

[Dino Velvet]

ah, religion as an accessory. i can see that. :)

Working in night clubs I dealt with gang-types many who would wear giant crosses around their neck. I'd remind them that I am also Christian and I know they will behave. Somewhat effective at times.

[tsadriana]

[QUOTE=Dino Velvet;1291208]The sheep are innocent. It's the shepherds who must burn.[/QUOT
I know when im drunk my body burns inside ,could be from to much alchohol volume.:)

[Quiet Reflections]

If I had to choose from this list then I would say atheist but even that has a kind of belief system that I don't really approve of.

[hippifried]

I was a grinning fool but plenty guilty nevertheless.
All Catholics are guilty... of everything... all the time... The art of spreading guilt like cream cheese was invented by the Jewish mothers of the original Apostles. Makes you wonder if Jesus didn't just have Mary "assumed" because he was tired of listening to it.


If I had to pick an option, I'd say I'm agnostic... I love science and am really into physics, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility of something bigger than us being out there. I generally don't think of a "God" in the traditional sense... but possibly a programmer of sorts that coded the seeds of life and let it go. Having friends that are pagan and/or wiccan also has opened my mind a bit... many of them seem to be more "in tune" with the world than most people I know.

Recent research leading to the possibility that we live in a "simulated universe" also is interesting and something that I think about a lot. Spirituality or "faith" for me is something that is constantly evolving.
I'm thinking that there's a lot of confusion over the terms "agnostic" & "atheist". When "a" is used as a prefix, it means 'not'. It doesn't necessarily mean "anti".

Being "theist" means one has a belief in a creator or supreme being. Being "atheist" simply means not being theist. There's no animosity implied. It's merely being unaffected by personal religious beliefs. It can still be interesting.

Gnosticism is the active search for spirituality. Being "agnostic" (long A, silent G) is simply not looking. There's no confusion implied. Ambivalence maybe. The term is closer to "don't care" than "don't know". Confusion comes from answers not forthcoming. Who's asking?

Just my take. I'm sure somebody'll let me know if I'm incorrect, just to blow or stall my promotion to omniscience if nothing else.


BTW, all:
Am I the only one noticing how many Catholics &/or ex-Catholics are hangin' out in here?

[Dino Velvet]

All Catholics are guilty... of everything... all the time... The art of spreading guilt like cream cheese was invented by the Jewish mothers of the original Apostles. Makes you wonder if Jesus didn't just have Mary "assumed" because he was tired of listening to it.

If Jesus were around now Him and Magdalene would have a private sex tape "stolen by workers" that they now wish to sell online even though they still stick by their story about "the workers".

Hippi, you born Catholic too like us poor saps?

[sukumvit boy]

Born a Catholic in america of second generation Russian and Italian parents .
Have been a Buddhist AND an atheist since my late teens.

[tsadriana]

My religion is sex machine fuck with the rest ...why will i pretend i am someting what my parents are ...it wasnt my choice ,it was their choice made it by some crossdressers with long dresses.

[Dino Velvet]

My religion is sex machine fuck

You could bend over and lure me into your church. I'll cum way more than every Sunday.:fuckin:

[hippifried]

If Jesus were around now Him and Magdalene would have a private sex tape "stolen by workers" that they now wish to sell online even though they still stick by their story about "the workers".

Hippi, you born Catholic too like us poor saps?

Oh hell, I seriously considered the seminary at one point. If I hadn't been ratted on & kicked out of school, framed by those damn Irish Clericians, I mitre have managed to get perverted enough to be Pope myself today. Can you even imagine?

[tsadriana]

if the Pope was a transwoman i bet the chruches was fully packed with men only and women was living in sin only.:D

[Prospero]

A most eccentric list of options: Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical Christian and Baptist are all Christians who differ on matters of doctrine and practice, not faith, and if these four why not add Methodists, Congregationalists, Anabaptists, Pentecostalists, and so on? You haven't sub-divided Islam into Sunna, Shi'a, and the rest; there are schools of Buddhism, Reform Jews, not to forget the Mormons, the Druids, the Jedi, the Moonies, Seventh Day Adventists, Scientologists etc etc etc. So I have not voted.

Always one to snipe, aren't you Stavros. I didn't include all the subdivisions you mentioned because this place only allows you a maximum of TEN choices. So from your respone I cn only assume you are, perhaps, a Moonie, a Jedi, a Shia Muslim or a Satanist? or simply the author of the Gospel according to Stavros?

[Prospero]

Love those pictures Sukumvit boy

[hippifried]

Always one to snipe, aren't you Stavros. I didn't include all the subdivisions you mentioned because this place only allows you a maximum of TEN choices. So from your respone I cn only assume you are, perhaps, a Moonie, a Jedi, a Shia Muslim or a Satanist? or simply the author of the Gospel according to Stavros?

I know I probably shouldn't meddle in what appears to be petty animus, but...

Moonie Stavros would explain a lot. So would Satanist. Butt then again, those work for Prospero too. Either could be just C of E, or Scientologist. Stavros seems a bit more Hubbardish, while I really think Prospero would like to be anointed "Defender of the Faith". Sometimes these 2 seem like altar egos, & other times interchangeable. Perhaps this pressing ISSUE needs a poll of its own. :D

[mrtrebus]

If I had to choose from this list then I would say atheist but even that has a kind of belief system that I don't really approve of.
No it doesn't. There is no belief system. Its just getting on with your life without thinking about a non existent deity. . .

[Stavros]

Always one to snipe, aren't you Stavros. I didn't include all the subdivisions you mentioned because this place only allows you a maximum of TEN choices. So from your respone I cn only assume you are, perhaps, a Moonie, a Jedi, a Shia Muslim or a Satanist? or simply the author of the Gospel according to Stavros?

You appear to have missed the point -your subdivision of the Christian faith into some of its doctrinal differences doesn't make sense in the first place -are you saying that if you had the option you would have come up with 101 different faiths to include every version of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and so on? Maybe you should merely have asked if faith means Monotheism, Polytheism, Atheism and so forth. Or better still, not ask at all.

[Prospero]

I haven't missed the point at all. I chose a few of the most likely faiths here. Of course I wouldn't include all the sects of hinduism etc etc...... you are being pedantic to what end I don't quite know why. Merely because you enjoy being a contrarian - or perhaps a cantankerous old curmudgeon? I thought throwing a question like this out might provoke some reasonably interesting responses. That's all.

[trish]

Born a Catholic in america of second generation Russian and Italian parents .
Have been a Buddhist AND an atheist since my late teens.Love the illustrations. So are you a unicyling-buddhist or a multicycler? (If confused see my post http://www.hungangels.com/vboard/showpost.php?p=1290895&postcount=3 )

[trish]

If I had to choose from this list then I would say atheist but even that has a kind of belief system that I don't really approve of.


No it doesn't. There is no belief system. Its just getting on with your life without thinking about a non existent deity. . .

I have to agree with mrtrebus on this one. I cannot imagine what sort of belief system atheism requires. It has no sects, no leaders, no universal book.

Some atheists, are just no longer interested in religion and occupy their time with what they regard as more practical issues. Some atheists are preoccupied with religion and write books on why religious societies are dysfunctional. Other atheists think that religion, though based on false premises, provides us a necessary moral perspective that we otherwise would lack. Atheists are just all over the map.

If there is a belief system associated with atheism it is the assumption that either gods exist or they don't. An a-theist, to paraphrase hippiefried, just doesn't find either horn of the dichotomy to be all that useful a hypothesis.

[luvtrans]

I just believe that in the way the world is evolving right now ... we're screwed.

[fred41]

I voted agnostic..if that wasn't there I would've voted atheist. It took me along time to come to this conclusion,but here I am. There's just no logic in most of it.

I was baptized Lutheran, but never attended a Lutheran church thereafter. I did attend a First Church of Christ in my tweens. The pastor and his wife were wonderful people to be honest. They helped out my family without ever asking anything in return.Without going into detail - they did a lot of good work without any judgement...the way Christians should be. I'd like to think that if I was wrong and there really is a heaven - they made it there.



Anyway,if I'm wrong and there is a heaven, during my judgement I plan on blaming it all on Trish anyway,

[trish]

Anyway,if I'm wrong and there is a heaven, during my judgement I plan on blaming it all on Trish anyway,I humbly burn for your sins.

[fred41]

Knew I could count on you.



Satan would treat you way better than he would treat me anyways...that's a given.

[robertlouis]

A most eccentric list of options: Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical Christian and Baptist are all Christians who differ on matters of doctrine and practice, not faith, and if these four why not add Methodists, Congregationalists, Anabaptists, Pentecostalists, and so on? You haven't sub-divided Islam into Sunna, Shi'a, and the rest; there are schools of Buddhism, Reform Jews, not to forget the Mormons, the Druids, the Jedi, the Moonies, Seventh Day Adventists, Scientologists etc etc etc. So I have not voted.


I'm really upset (not really) that he didn't include Presbyterianism - the point from which I started my own journey from that dour faith, perfectly suited to grey Scots fatalism, towards my present 90% atheist, 10% agnostic position - but, come on Stavros, to include every faith in every subdivision the poll would have been three pages long.

The ones I truly despise subscribe to whatever faith Cameron, Osborne and the rest of their odious gang claim to follow.

[yodajazz]

I haven't missed the point at all. I chose a few of the most likely faiths here. Of course I wouldn't include all the sects of hinduism etc etc...... you are being pedantic to what end I don't quite know why. Merely because you enjoy being a contrarian - or perhaps a cantankerous old curmudgeon? I thought throwing a question like this out might provoke some reasonably interesting responses. That's all.

You probably should have included "other" as a category. I suppose 'protestant' would be the closest, but I practice from a movement called "Religious Science". However, some people mistakenly believe that it is the same as Christian Science, Scientology, or other movements with the word 'science' in the title. They are all different. My movement identifies as Christian, but recognizes the validity of non -Christian religions also. It's part of a greater movement, sometimes called New Thought Christianity. The movement emerged in the 1920's and 30's, with thinkers such as Charles Filmore, and Ernest Holmes.

As I have stated in other posts; for me today, it's not about faith in God, but what principles guide your daily lives. I treasure and study, the teachings of that 'left wing liberal' known as Jesus Christ :
Luke 14:12-14

New International Version (NIV)

12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Do You think this would go over well at a Republican convention? He said nothing about the unborn, or homosexuality, that I know of. Anyway, today I search for deeper meanings and symbolism beyond the surface of Bible stories. An easy to understand example of this, would be in the Parable of the Talents. At that time of the story, it was a very valuable coin. But if you think of the coin, as meaning of what we call 'talent' today, the story becomes very clear. The man who buried his talent, had his taken away. And the other two who took theirs to the market place were rewarded. And by the way in the story, the "master" gave each a different amount of the coin. But the master's judgment at the end, was not about who had the most, but what each one did with what he was given.

So this is my sermon, for today.

[Molly D'Vyne]

I'm thinking that there's a lot of confusion over the terms "agnostic" & "atheist". When "a" is used as a prefix, it means 'not'. It doesn't necessarily mean "anti".

Being "theist" means one has a belief in a creator or supreme being. Being "atheist" simply means not being theist. There's no animosity implied. It's merely being unaffected by personal religious beliefs. It can still be interesting.

Gnosticism is the active search for spirituality. Being "agnostic" (long A, silent G) is simply not looking. There's no confusion implied. Ambivalence maybe. The term is closer to "don't care" than "don't know". Confusion comes from answers not forthcoming. Who's asking?

Just my take. I'm sure somebody'll let me know if I'm incorrect, just to blow or stall my promotion to omniscience if nothing else.


It doesn't necessarily mean "not looking", it can also point more to a belief that there isn't enough evidence to support or disprove the existence of some sort of deity... etc. Just because I am more or less ambivalent over it, doesn't extend to a lack of intellectual curiosity over the subject.

From ze Wikipedias:
In the strict sense, however, agnosticism is the view that humanity does not currently possess the requisite knowledge and/or reason to provide sufficient rational grounds to justify the belief that deities either do or do not exist.

I'm intrigued by religion, but I don't subscribe to any faith in particular really... if that makes sense.

[Prospero]

Yoda... a great post thanks. Yes, I fully accept that the teachings of Christ have immense things to teach us all. it's the established religions - the "church" - that has led to so much ill in the world.

Os I prefer the rich language of the King james version to the modern take of the version you quote.

And i do recognise the flaws in the range of choices i offered Other should definitely be there as an acknowledgement that doubt (agnosticism) or certainty (atheism) are not faiths. Perhaps they should have been combined into "none."

[sukumvit boy]

Love the illustrations. So are you a unicyling-buddhist or a multicycler? (If confused see my post http://www.hungangels.com/vboard/showpost.php?p=1290895&postcount=3 )

Unicyling Zen .
Glad you liked the art. Here are the "Three Sisters" of Sumi-e Brush Painting ,bamboo,cherry and pine. And some monkeys by Mori Sozen.

[Ms.Stepford]

Why isn't Dionysian an option?

That's the only one I'd profess.

[Prospero]

Excellent Ms Stepford. The trouble is they only allow 10 options.

[Ms.Stepford]

Well, I'll take the Buddhists' slot.

They're not gonna do anything about it!

[Prospero]

Ms Stepford... I've had PMs from Jedis and from one or two other minorities. Maybe I should just open the thing up - what is your belief system, if any? But Dionysian is pretty fantastic iI think.

[trish]

I'd like to be Dionysian, but the Apollo in me gets in the way.

[Ms.Stepford]

Well, I'm glad you appreciate!

Most of my closest friends would tell you the same! :D

[Ms.Stepford]

I'd like to be Dionysian, but the Apollo in me gets in the way.

Haha! I'm long since out of balance!

[trish]

Teetering on the Edge. The dark side down over there, the light side down over there. Reaching into the rain for the rainbow...up there. Oh fuck, that's not rain! Smells like bird shit! To borrow a phrase, "And so it goes."

[robertlouis]

Why isn't Dionysian an option?

That's the only one I'd profess.

I'll drink to that.....and most other things, tbh.

I rather like the cut of your, ahhh, jib, Ms Stepford. :dancing:

[Ms.Stepford]

Well, I'd have to compliment your fine taste in jib cuts, Mr. robertlouis ;)

[robertlouis]

Well, I'd have to compliment your fine taste in jib cuts, Mr. robertlouis ;)

Why thank YOU, ma'am. And having viewed your pics you do indeed sport a very fine jib.

With your sass and wit, your ass and tits notwithstanding, you're a very welcome addition to this place.

[Saint_Frankenstein]

I'm Catholic. But I've been involved in Paganism, pantheism, Satanism and Luciferianism, too. Sometimes I'm just a nihilist and try my hand at atheism.

God and I just don't always get along...

[Saint_Frankenstein]

I'm Catholic. But I've been involved in Paganism, pantheism, Satanism and Luciferianism, too. Sometimes I'm just a nihilist and try my hand at atheism.

God and I just don't always get along...

I meant to edit that by saying that I still believe in Him, no matter what my feelings at the moment are towards Him. Atheism never worked for me.

[Saint_Frankenstein]

Lol, I guess some atheist can't stand the fact that someone believes in God.

[fred41]

Lol, I guess some atheist can't stand the fact that someone believes in God.

Don't worry about the ratings...sometimes you can get a bad rating just for saying hello...there isn't always a logical reason...:shrug

[Saint_Frankenstein]

Don't worry about the ratings...sometimes you can get a bad rating just for saying hello...there isn't always a logical reason...:shrug

I see. Point taken. Lol.

[Prospero]

Very true sainted one.... you'd think people had better things to do than meaningless likes or dislikes. A remark might mean something. A click is cheap and meaningless.

[trish]

Don't worry about the ratings...sometimes you can get a bad rating just for saying hello...there isn't always a logical reason...:shrugSorry Fred, but I couldn't help myself and now your rating suffers from my sick sense of humor. :shrug But before anyone leaps to the wrong conclusion: No, it wasn't me who zapped poor Saint_Frankenstein's religious expression.

[buttslinger]

Baptists three, Countless Heathens zero.

[fred41]

Very true sainted one.... you'd think people had better things to do than meaningless likes or dislikes. A remark might mean something. A click is cheap and meaningless.

I agree with you for the most part...especially in some of the political threads.In the General Discussion threads however the rating system sometimes works..I've used it myself on occasion....and I'm petty enough to have gotten into a back and forth Zap when I know who I'm dealing with...lol....even at my present age , I'm still pretty immature...(more than one ex has referred to me as a bit of a dick sometimes...it's part of my charm)

Overall though, I'm not too fond of the system...it's almost like an "applause" sign. Totally unnecessary.


Sorry Fred, but I couldn't help myself and now your rating suffers from my sick sense of humor. :shrug But before anyone leaps to the wrong conclusion: No, it wasn't me who zapped poor Saint_Frankenstein's religious expression.

Well I thank you then Trish...that post called for a dislike for it to be complete. Glad you "got it" right away....:)

[broncofan]

One time I told Athena that she looked great in jeans. I got a negative rating and quickly realized that this sort of flirt could lead to a thumbs down by a girl who wanted the compliment or a competitive guy who thinks you're crowding out their game. So, the part of me that likes to maximize my applause is very careful about gratuitous compliments. Be wary:).

Any time you argue with someone who's petty, you cannot improve your ratings because they will give you a thumbs down even though they're the one arguing with you. This is also poor way of maximizing your batting average.

The best way to improve ratings is to write an informative post, consistent with any widespread forum bias, and not direct it at any person or group who's especially sensitive.

However, I think we should say what we want regardless of the consequences to our ratings. Who cares if I've been batting about .800 and am about to dip below that mark. Give me a thumbs down and help me out! Poor ratings means freedom to speak your mind.

P.S I gave Prospero a thumbs up on his last post just to be nasty.

[danthepoetman]

It's all about the boloney... :)

[Prospero]

Ah... now I believe in the death and the resurrection... I thought this thread was long gone and cold in the ground....

[danthepoetman]

So in the end, indeed, we still are in the faith topic!

No, I fell on both the meme and the thread, today, so I indulged myself... :)