Wow...for a site made up of agnostics and atheists seems a lot of people don't know the proper definitions of each. Or the fact that the two are not mutually exclusive. Or the proper definitions of deism and theism for that matter. Let's see if I can help with basic definitions.
Agnostic: Lacking knowledge. (In the case of this site the lack of knowledge about the existence of God.)
Atheism: The lack of belief in god(s).
Deism: The belief that some sort of supreme being or God exists. This belief does not imply belief in any specific god(s). Only that something that could be classified as god(s) exists.
Theism: The belief that a specfic god(s) exist and have guidlines for which to follow. This is where the religious would fall under. Those who follow those guidelines tend to form into various religious sects, each with their own version of God.
With all that out of the way please note that agnosticism is compatible with the other three as agnosticism pertains to knowledge and the other three pertain to belief.
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Interesting, I have not noticed there was a problem with people not understanding who they are. Thanks for the clarification, even though it has already been addressed a few times.
Annaleda
Level 8
Dec 13, 2017
1
This post has nothing to do with correcting people on "who" they are. Simply the definition of certain terms that are occasionally misused or not completely understood on here.
People have posted on here implying atheists can't be spiritual for example. Or uncertain if they can be. While I personally am not spiritual the stance doesn't have anything to do with atheism. So I gave the definition of atheism to clarify.
People have posted implying or not knowing if agnosticism is compatible with theism or atheism. As it pertains to knowledge and not belief, yes they are compatible. So I gave the definitions to clarify.
People have posted certain things confusing deism and theism. So again I posted the definitions to clarify.
This isn't about telling people who they are. It's about informing people on the definitions of words so they are better able to understand and use them.
@Reydereyes227 Where are your citations? What makes you more correct than anyone else on this site? On whose authority? Are you the Sorting Hat?
You are wrong on the definition of agnostic. An etymology is not a definiton.<br><br>
I suggest you peruse a few actual defintions.<br>
[en.oxforddictionaries.com];
[merriam-webster.com];
bingst
Level 8
Dec 13, 2017
2
The definition of agnostic is the view that the existence of God is unknown or unknowable according to several sources including the one you presented.
I defined it in simplistic terms as the lack of knowledge of God's existence. I.e. that the existence of God is unknown. Which when it comes to the agnostics of this site is the most common definition used.
Sooo...what was wrong with my definition again?
You omitted 'evidentialist' and 'rationalist'. Also bear in mind that all of these definitions are nuanced to some degree depending upon the individual so that the borders are rather ... fuzzy.
evidentialist
Level 8
Dec 13, 2017
1
Didn't include them as they do not directly pertain to the question of God. They are ways in which one might determine their standing on the issue however they are not directly linked to that discussion.
"Evidentialist, Rationalist" How can one logically use such terminologies in reference to Theists?
A methodology of thought, Triphid, that makes it essentially impossible to accept anything 'supernatural', for example. I require evidence for all things and any argument must be subject to rational scrutiny. And that, my friend, is how it ties into discussions of theism.
@Reydereyes227 - Agreed. But they are still pertinent to any such discussion in terms of process, no?
Aye. However as I said they are not directly related. It's a method of thinking that can be used in many ways. Not just to religion.
It’s great, there’s a blend of views on every subject, and unlike our religious counterparts, we allow our perceptions of reality to evolve ~
I would like the site to be renamed noreligionperiod.com
ReadyforaChange
Level 7
Dec 13, 2017
0
Freethinker is so much easier.
sassygirl3869
Level 9
Dec 13, 2017
8
I've never felt able to use the term "free thinker" to describe myself. How are you using the term when you use it?. What does it mean to you?.
I found a free thinker website-allows us to think, express and explore without judgement.
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