If I do not believe that God does not exist...would I be rightfully labeled as an unbeliever?
2006-09-21 07:25:03 · 24 answers · asked by Guvo 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Interesting responses, and mostly anticipated. This was something of a test to see who would reply with an answer that is "in the box" and who would reply with an answer "out of the box". Many of you caught on to the double negative (though I am not sure how many thought I made a mistake and how many knew I did so intentionally). Most seem to hold a certain view of the word unbeliever, but I wanted to show that we are all believers and unbelievers. It merely depends on the subject that we are talking about. When a question comes up that says "to all unbelievers" what does that mean? Unless the position of belief is stated, and the question is formed toward those who do not believe according to the stated viewpoint, the question is to all. Now believers...unbelievers...we may not be all that different afterall.
2006-09-21 07:45:17 · update #1
YES
2006-09-21 07:26:50 · answer #1 · answered by erfan912 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No. Your statement merely eliminates 'strong atheist' as a label for your position. That still leaves open the weak atheist position, the various agnostic positions, theism and deism. The statement "I DO NOT believe that god DOES exist" is still viable, and consistent with your assertion. You have not given sufficient information to determine whether you are a 'believer' or an 'unbeliever'.
Thanks for the great question. I find it very enlightening to see how many 'religious' folks are unable to parse a simple sentence and extract its logical content. This is entirely consistent with my observations pertaining to the inability of the religious mind to think critically.
2006-09-21 14:36:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
An unbeliever is a person who does not accept any, or some particular, religious belief. So if you beleive in something, than you are a believer of something.
The sentence : If I do not believe that God does not exist....
is the same as saying...if I beleive that God exists.....the hole double negative thing.
2006-09-21 14:30:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Perhaps.
One can believe in God and not be associated with any of the commercialized religions.
Go outside, look at a leaf, then at a bird and ask yourself if these things sprang into existence at random. OR might there be something guiding the evolutionary process, using it as a tool?
2006-09-21 14:29:10 · answer #4 · answered by Gaspode 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Since you are using a double negative, this means that you believe God exists.
2006-09-21 14:29:58 · answer #5 · answered by Preacher 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No, you are a believer. If you DO NOT believe that God DOES NOT exist, then you DO believe that God DOES exist.
Remember the double negative rule.
2006-09-21 14:40:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you don't believe in God or a Higher Power then yes I would say you are an unbeliever.
2006-09-21 14:29:57 · answer #7 · answered by vanhammer 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
well the way you've worded your question it sounds like you have a double negative which makes it sound like you do believe.
but not believing in god does mean non-believer/unbeliever.
2006-09-21 14:29:18 · answer #8 · answered by mimi 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you really believe that, why ask?
But, since you did ask, you probably are or in the process of becoming a believer. Your question is a bit like whistling past the grave yard. What are you afraid of?
2006-09-21 14:29:04 · answer #9 · answered by Bruce 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
This is a trick or what?? You use a double negative--do not, does not , you should be labeled a believer.
2006-09-21 14:29:03 · answer #10 · answered by POPPY 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Your grammer in your statement contains a double negative, and therfore you are stating that God does exist in your opinion.
2006-09-21 14:26:56 · answer #11 · answered by NOIZE 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋