UPSB v3
Serious Discussion / What is your religious position
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Date: Sat, Apr 3 2010 20:20:12
I would like to start off by saying this is not a thread for debate (even though I would love to argue over pantheism being more of a position of non-theism), it is simply a thread to get out your religious position. Believe me when I say, if there's anyone who is really going to have to hold back, its going to be me =)
I am going to include various additional questions for answering in this thread, try to keep in mind:
1) You don't need to answer all/any of these questions. If you only wish to answer a few and exclude others for privacy's sake, that's fine.
2) Please try to keep your answers honest but relatively neutral.
3) You can include additional personal information about your religious position if you so choose, but try to keep any additional comments neutral.
Additional questions:
1) Are you theistic or non-theistic? Specifically what would you consider yourself
2) Have you ever had any doubts about your position?
3) if theistic. Are you anti-non-theist? Do you think actively trying to change peoples positions to a form of theism would make for a better world?
3) if non-theistic. Are you anti-theist? Do you think actively trying to change peoples positions to a form of non-theism would make for a better world?
4) Do you share the same religious position as your parents? If not, when/why did you decide upon your particular viewpoint?
These are how I answered the questions myself:
1) I am an agnostic atheist. I don't believe in a god/gods, but I accept the possibility of one.
2) Yes, but I have been doubting less and less of recent. Hopefully I will never be so certain as to adopt a fundamentalism.
3) Yes, I am an anti-theist.
4) No, my parents are currently non-practicing Catholics, I believe my mom may be an agnostic theist though. At about the age of 13, after having left Sunday school behind for quite awhile, I discussed my slackening belief in Christianity with my atheist friend, and soon decided to accept myself as an atheist. -
Date: Sat, Apr 3 2010 20:23:08
why is agnostic and gnostic lumped in the same choices
1) agnostic atheist
2) not really, just really hoping there's something after death cuz that's boring
3) don't care, i think religion can work well for some, not for others. just a matter of taste. if it helps you live your life better, i dont care what you believe.
4) my parents are atheist, communism frowns upon religion in china. religion is more treated like folklore and customs, everybody knows its fake, but still celebrate cuz its fun -
Date: Sat, Apr 3 2010 20:32:55QUOTE (Zombo @ Apr 3 2010, 03:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>why is agnostic and gnostic lumped in the same choices
Agnostic Theism and Gnostic Theism are both forms of theism.
Agnostic Atheism and Gnostic Atheism are both forms of non-theism. -
Date: Sat, Apr 3 2010 20:44:31
I don't know what you call this. I don't believe in god but I really like the idea or the concept of god, heaven and hell (and yes, I know that by christian standards I probably would end up in hell) so I hope he exists. Until there is proof that he exists I can not believe in it though.
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Date: Sat, Apr 3 2010 20:49:43QUOTE (neXus @ Apr 3 2010, 04:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I don't know what you call this. I don't believe in god but I really like the idea or the concept of god, heaven and hell (and yes, I know that by christian standards I probably would end up in hell) so I hope he exists. Until there is proof that he exists I can not believe in it though.
agnostic atheism, very optimistic version -
Date: Sun, Apr 4 2010 00:54:00
Meh, not specific answers to your questions but here goes.
Theist, Christian. My parents are both agnostic, I was raised as such. Around 15 I started attending church, around 17 I fully converted.
So have I doubted my position? Sure, I was once on the other side, and my parents (and entire family) are on the other side.
Am I anti-anti-theist? Nope, to each his own. -
Date: Sun, Apr 4 2010 08:06:48QUOTE (strat1227 @ Apr 3 2010, 08:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Am I anti-anti-theist?
Anti-non-theist lolz, which is still a pretty mish-mash way of saying it.... I would probably prefer saying militant theist or perhaps anti-atheist, but I was trying to keep the questions consistent. -
Date: Thu, Apr 8 2010 04:14:09
1) agnostic thesis, probably more to the lose end of the thesis scale though
i believe in god/gods, dont care which one(s)
2) no sure if i've had doubts.... probably haven't
3) i do not force any of my beliefs onto other people
i dislike others pushing their beliefs onto me
this includes strong views on religion (i dont mind participating in religious activities) as well as other things like vegetarians
4) not quite sure what my viewpoints of my parents are, but they are quite similar i think
pretty much in limbo like me -
Date: Thu, Apr 8 2010 04:53:56QUOTE (k-ryder @ Apr 7 2010, 11:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>1) agnostic thesis, probably more to the lose end of the thesis scale though
i believe in god/gods, dont care which one(s)
2) no sure if i've had doubts.... probably haven't
I feel like an ass at this point, but its theist....and if you haven't had any particular doubts you sound more like your leaning very close to gnostic.....Even a deist can be gnostic in their position..... -
Date: Thu, Apr 8 2010 05:18:35
1) Are you theistic or non-theistic? Specifically what would you consider yourself
Theist, Christian
2) Have you ever had any doubts about your position?
Sure I had. I was atheist, then agnostic theist, then into buddhism (actually, I still am a bit), and here I am now.
3) if theistic. Are you anti-non-theist? Do you think actively trying to change peoples positions to a form of theism would make for a better world?
No I am not. I am more of anti-catholic, and want to change THEIR positions as to actually read their book.
4) Do you share the same religious position as your parents? If not, when/why did you decide upon your particular viewpoint?
Definitely not. They are Catholic, and I am not really. I had a talk with them about it once, but they didn't want to hear anything, only keeped yelling at me that I am in some kind of sect or whatever. Bullshit.
And for changing my viewpoint, I don't know, I had many friends that shared this particular belief, so whatever, I thought I would read the bible to prove them wrong... yeah...
And by the way, Zombo; this was started in China, by Watchman Nee and Witness Lee. Nee got imprisoned for his beliefs, so yeah, I think I pretty much understand what you mean. -
Date: Thu, Apr 8 2010 05:20:51
very similar to me with catholics, only instead of trying to change them, i just don't understand, and nobody has ever been able to explain it to me O.o
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Date: Sun, Apr 11 2010 14:58:45
1) Are you theistic or non-theistic? Specifically what would you consider yourself.
I would consider myself a non-religious christian. Sounds like an oxy moron huh. What i mean is that i believe in a God and that Jesus died on the cross but i see so much hypocrisy in the church that i like to stay away from it.
2) Have you ever had any doubts about your position?
Yes i have had many doubts. Just recently i had a completely shit week which left me really thinking about everything and i questioned what i believed in. Everyone goes through their own phases. I went from Christian to being agnostic
to being the non religious believer i am today.
3) if theistic. Are you anti-non-theist? Do you think actively trying to change peoples positions to a form of theism would make for a better world?
I am not anti anything. I like to be friends with people no matter who they are or what they believe in. I have friends who are atheists, satanist, buddist, and even a druid. And i never try to push any of what i believe in on anyone. Everyone is entitled to what they believe or hold sacred to them.
4) Do you share the same religious position as your parents? If not, when/why did you decide upon your particular viewpoint?
Kind of. My parents are "hardcore" Christians, While as i said earlier i am a non-religious believer. They are more extreme while i am more tolerant.
Oh guys please forgive any grammer or typing errors in this. I have yet to get my coffee
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Date: Sun, Apr 11 2010 16:51:19
1) Are you theistic or non-theistic? Specifically what would you consider yourself
I am Theistic non-denominational Christian.
2) Have you ever had any doubts about your position?
Oh yes =O. I was raised Buddhist, Buddhist family etc, but religion really wasn't a large part of my life until my grandma passed away, I've spent years contemplating and going through phases and now I've adopted Christianity into my life.
3) if theistic. Are you anti-non-theist? Do you think actively trying to change peoples positions to a form of theism would make for a better world?
No, not actively. Of course you pray for some people in hope that they will adopt it, and if people are deliberately attacking your religion you have to stand up for what you believe in.
3) if non-theistic. Are you anti-theist? Do you think actively trying to change peoples positions to a form of non-theism would make for a better world?
N/A
4) Do you share the same religious position as your parents? If not, when/why did you decide upon your particular viewpoint?
No. I do not. I have decided on Christianity for a variety of reasons, one, because it is accepted under Buddhist belief, therefore I'm not really GOING AGAINST! my parents or anything, and two it is what I've chosen to believe in, because it is what I believe is true.
=]
Other thoughts? I don't believe in evolution and natural selection as the sole driving force. And I really hate when "atheists" have no idea what they're talking a bout, and just like to argue their point, I have respect for knowledgeable atheists who chose not to believe, and understand why some people wouldn't but there are those people who are just ignorant... I also have a lot of respect for the Muslim community, and am learning more about the religion...
Edit: I also believe while the Church may have good intentions or w/e it's corrupt and Catholicism is sort of of crazy and absurd. That's not to say I don't have respect for Catholics, I just don't agree with many of their practices. Much like the atheists who are clueless, clueless Christians tick me off as well...
Edit: I don't attend church. But I do private study and prayer of the Bible. (sometimes in churches) But for me I don't feel it is necessary, sometimes if I have questions I will go and seek guidance etcetcetc. though. -
Date: Mon, Apr 12 2010 04:20:56
Cool, the numbers seem to be about even, but I suppose this survey is selecting for those who use the Serious Discussion forums.....
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Date: Mon, Apr 12 2010 05:44:10
1.) Non-theist
- I do not believe there is a god. I believe our currently logic system will never allow us to understand our true existence. The brain cannot compensate for the impossible. It was in that notion the idea of a "God" was created by men who realized this principal to give people hope for something past dying. However organized religion twisted that feeling of hope and turned it into a controlling factor.
2) Have you ever had any doubts about your position?
- None.
3) I do not believe in making other people see as I do. I'd be no better than organized religion trying to say you're better than another for believing in this religion/God.
4) My mom is Christian and my dad is an agnostic atheist. I do not share either because I don't believe there is something out there of GRAND proportions that we can single-handed accept as the sole proprietor in our existence. My mom tried raising me Christian; went to church every Sunday for 15-16 years. Didn't work. I've never accepted it. My dad simply told me to be a free-thinker and not accept everything people tell you. -
Date: Mon, Apr 12 2010 16:02:49QUOTE1.) Non-theistic Atheist
Is the opposite of that a theistic atheist?
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Date: Mon, Apr 12 2010 16:20:34QUOTE (Josh_man @ Apr 11 2010, 05:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>What i mean is that i believe in a God and that Jesus died on the cross but i see so much hypocrisy in the church that i like to stay away from it.
1 Timothy 4:1-3
1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
Exactly what I mean. People mix-up christianity with catholicism so much.
If anyone would be interested I could try to make an anti-catholic post all-based on the quotes of the bible, few photos and facts of history. There is no way it would turn atheist into a christian, but I think it would turn a catholic into a christian. So if anyone would be interested, write here, because I don't want to bother writing a long post if no one is interested. -
Date: Mon, Apr 12 2010 21:14:37QUOTE (Tim @ Apr 12 2010, 11:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Is the opposite of that a theistic atheist?
wow typo on my part LOL. Didn't even think about it. nice catch XD -
Date: Tue, Apr 13 2010 02:14:40QUOTE (Raem @ Apr 12 2010, 11:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>1 Timothy 4:1-3
1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.
Exactly what I mean. People mix-up christianity with catholicism so much.
If anyone would be interested I could try to make an anti-catholic post all-based on the quotes of the bible, few photos and facts of history. There is no way it would turn atheist into a christian, but I think it would turn a catholic into a christian. So if anyone would be interested, write here, because I don't want to bother writing a long post if no one is interested.
Just be sure to try to debate your religious position in another thread mate =)...... -
Date: Wed, Apr 14 2010 02:48:45
OK so technically I'm a lutheren (which is a kind of Christianity). My dad was raised Baptist my mom, Catholic. We picked our church because we liked it and it was near our house. So basically were just Christian, with a mix of demominations (spelling?). I have the same "beliefs" as my parents because I was brought up in a Christian house. ALthough, I don't believe in God. I go to church every sunday, practice holidays, etc. But deep down, I don't believe. Some things just don't add up (but some things in the evolution theory don't add up eaither). I don't try to convert anybody to any religion and and I don't try to convert anyone to Atheism.
I dont beleive because:
1. I've never seen any signs of a "higher" being.
2. God supposedly knows everything before it happens, so why pray for help for up coming events
3. We have artifacts from millions of years ago and God suppodely created the world like 10,000 years ago.
I just don't understand how 72% of the world is just wrong...... -
Date: Wed, Apr 14 2010 04:06:33
1. Agnostic atheist
2. Yes, but a lot less lately.
3. No, if I was I would be a hypocrite.
4. My mom is lightweight Buddhist and I believe my dad is atheist. My parents didn't raised me as a religious person, so that's how I turned out. -
Date: Wed, Apr 14 2010 05:13:22
I am Deist....
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Date: Sun, Apr 18 2010 04:52:21
1) Are you theistic or non-theistic? Specifically what would you consider yourself
Non-Theistic
2) Have you ever had any doubts about your position?
No
3) if non-theistic. Are you anti-theist? Do you think actively trying to change peoples positions to a form of non-theism would make for a better world?
I'm pro-theist atheist.
4) Do you share the same religious position as your parents? If not, when/why did you decide upon your particular viewpoint?
no. Because what they say are contradictive.