First, I'd like to thank those who've responded to my posts. I wasn't sure what to expect here. I'm pleasantly surprised. We seem like a very diverse group.
So, here's tonight's question/thought:
Does being classified as an Agnostic preclude any belief in other sentient entities? I'm not talKong about God's to be worshiped. I'm suggesting sentience on different levels. Could, for example, the theory (not religion) of Giaia be possible? I'm open to the possibility. And in fact, believe that there are beings (not Gods) that operate on an entirely different level of perception and time.
What do you folks think? Maybe too much LSD back in undergraduate days???
I like to think of it all as being a lot more to this universe and we humans than I will ever know. For me personally I believe that it doesn't matter whether there is or isn't a god/goddess/diety, what is important is how I conduct my life in the here and now, kindness, compassion, non harming. Perhaps there is something bigger holding it all together because I figure just because I don't believe in something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
I'm leaning on the theory that it us as thinking individuals who are intelligent enough to not depend on some diety to save us. Lets think about how we can make sure the world (our planet) doesn't go down the drain because of careless humans. I believe there are enough of us to create positive change.
Nope..you're right.
We are matter, which is really another form of energy, which can't be destroyed or created.
Since time and space are an illusion and we have always existed and will always exist in some energy form, and in view of the multiverse, why not?
I think what defines an agnostic is not just beliefs but the actions that would stem from these beliefs. I've never hear of a rabid agnostic. I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a rude one. As for being willing to entertain the possibility of supernatural events, it's a nice thought experiment. But if one is acting on contingencies or loose hypotheses, therein lies madness. You know, tin foil hats and such.
The Oxford dictionary defines "agnostic" as 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. I don't feel that the definition precludes belief. Rather it is an acknowledgement that we may not know whether or not there are sentient beings, and reveals a choice not to worship. I'm open to the possibility of all sorts of things. I am not open to the worship.
I think it mostly boils down to the individual's definition.
The Oxford dictionary defines "agnostic" as 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. I don't feel that the definition precludes belief. Rather it is an acknowledgement that we may not know whether or not there are sentient beings, and reveals a choice not to worship. I'm open to the possibility of all sorts of things. I am not open to the worship.
I think it mostly boils down to the individual's definition.
It'd possible. But, as an agnostic, by definition, you wouldn't know it,
Oh, and definitely too much LSD.
Ha.
Actually did a hit of Purple Oz with Tim Leary and my uncle when I was 15 years old. Ah. The 60s.