re: #232 GeneJockey

I disagree. Atheism is the belief that there is no god or gods.

Since most atheists are rational, they admit the possibility of the existence of a god or gods, just as a rational person admits the possibility that Evolution (for example) could be superceded by a better explanation.

Agnosticism is saying you don’t know if there’s a god or gods. I used to call myself an agnostic, until I realized that I just did it to avoid offending believers.

Just a drive-by to say that’s why we need to standardize these terms. Agnosticism can mean that one doesn’t know if God exists or that the nature of God is unknowable. Atheism can mean one doesn’t believe or it is often taken to mean you firmly believe there is no God.

I’m a bit unusual for my generation, but there are more and more people like me. I was raised in a totally nonreligious household. No church, no Sunday school, no prayer or moment of silent reflection. I’m old enough that we said grace before snacks in kindergarten (a practice which seriously confused me.)

I don’t believe in God the same way I don’t believe in my ability to time travel, or that there is a unicorn in my living room. I can’t prove a negative, but until there is some actual evidence, I’m not going to worry about it. I am, however, open to that evidence, and I have no desire to change other people’s beliefs as long as they don’t try to impose them on me.

I really don’t think that in any way fits the description of a faith on my part.

Happy Thanksgiving, lizards!