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31 9

I’ve just had my very first conversation with a stranger who is an atheist... to say the least it was entertaining at most. It felt like I was having a discussion with a believer. I give myself the label agnostic, before I learned the word I had a difficult time identifying as an atheist I didn’t want to be an atheist...”I just don’t believe there is a god”. The end. Last nights discussions were strange and at Times truly unsatisfying I felt defensive and toyed with. Not to say that they got away with the behaviors I forsure called out the obvious... it all just left a awkward Taste. Is this what it’s like

#agnostic #Atheist #Conversationswithstrangers #Readmorecarfully #Awkard #god
mychelle 5 Sep 7
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31 comments (26 - 31)

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1

Level 8

Can you share an example, or two, of what you thought was over the top?

I don’t think he was a bad guy and I don’t want to shame anyone... I chose my word pourposely and carefully a bit vague.

@mychelle How can this be about shaming? This about examples of behavior that disturbed you.

Our responses will be more interesting. And more to the point.

And we all learn.

@mychelle Shaming is about a bully saying shit about an innocent.
The guy was the bully. So, you are not saying shit about anyone innocent.
And, those who behave as you have described need to be outed to the extent possible.

@Jacar why? He didn’t do anything wrong? We just didn’t connect he is just different than me... there are people on my threads being way more disrespectful than he was... I can handle my own life events

1

Level 8

Ahhhh, the old believer-in-atheist-clothes ploy.

1

Level 7

I certainly respect the right that a person has to thier own opinions, but I am under no obligation to respect the actual "opinion" AKA potential bullshit. Agnostics in my opinion, are hanging on to the notion that god exists. They have a right to believe or fear whatever they want, but could be subject to ridicule if they insert themselves in the company of such. Not saying it's "polite", just saying it could happen. We don't need religion at all when it comes to differences in opinion or thought. Even without religion in the world sects would continue to exist. Fact.

agnotics are denying the ability to know gods don't exist. they aren't by any necessity hanging on to the notion that they do.

@HereticSin I differ on that. I think that they are. BTW - I "cannot know" that a purple winged pig in a tutu, doesn't exist in the sky.

@LilAtheistLady and? that proves that agnostics think there is a god how?

@HereticSin OK. I'm not afraid of "being wrong" or learning something new. Lets talk this out.
Here is a definition that I found online. Your thoughts?:

  1. a person who believes that nothing is known or can be known of the existence or nature of God or of anything beyond material phenomena; a person who claims neither faith nor disbelief in God.

@LilAtheistLady yes, that's my working definition. they accept neither "there is a god" nor "there is no god" as knowable assertions, and reject the positive claim passively as opposed to actively.

"disbelief" is active, it's not the same as "lack of belief"

@HereticSin I am trying to understand.
In my mind i interpret that to mean that the agnostic completely dismisses the human intellect's capacity to reason in that they rely on the "prove a negative" argument that suggests that since one cannot prove or disprove (we cannot know or not know) purple winged ghost pigs in tutus exist in the sky or do not exist, there can be the potential that they do (or not).

@LilAtheistLady oh, that I don't disagree with, but "agnostic" is about "justified true belief", demonstrable knowledge, not "justified belief", an assumption of truth based on reason.

the term is about what can be KNOWN vs. what should be believed. the guy who coined it was an atheist, but would have laughed at "I know there is no god" as much as he did "I know there is a god".
1

Level 8

Maybe the person had asperger. They ramble like a teenager on their first date trying to impress. I don't know why I am rationalizing. I like to think people are generally good. I sound like "Ann Frank". We know how that worked out for her. I do know you just keep trying and with any luck it will happen for us all. Good luck

1

Level 9

It can happen. Particularly when the real world is kind of hitting us harder than usual.

But for the most part we really do rub along pretty darn well - and we like each other - which is even better.

Pretty sure you came here not believing what you already not believe - and I'm good with that.

0

Level 5

Bottom line and truth is I’m fearful that that display is quite possibly is the way I come across to people who believe and I want them to know I do not and I admit that I am very provocative most all the time on the topic so I’m sure that I was shown myself to myself by the atheist stranger and I was not ready nor was I expecting to it. I learned something about myself and for that I thank the atheist. I want to punch myself in the face... or while that smug look off my face
I learned that my past behaviors regarding my thoughts on this subject have been equally difficult for most who nibble at the trappings I’m admitting to setting. and I don’t ever want to behave in this manner anymore.
I chose a place with the title agnostic... and I could have easily looked for and gone to a place that had the word atheist in it if I believed I was an atheist. for those who keep telling me who they want me be buzz off it’s another reason I don’t want to be one anyway

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