Am I an Atheist? If not, what?

Question

I certainly don't believe that an invisible being exists who constantly watches us and judges our behavior. I don't identify with any organized religion. In fact, in my idealized version of the future, no particular organized religions would exist.

At the same time, I am open to the idea that perhaps there is more to reality then we as humans are able to precieve. Perhaps we all are connected in some way. Perhaps everything is the same thing, everything is divine. Maybe something does happen to you after you die, maybe nothing does. Perhaps it's another step in nonsupernatural evolution. I don't know.

I am open to these things. While I don't believe in an all powerful diety, which, by definition, I believe makes me atheist, I do believe in the possibility of something more. What's the correct why to describe my belief system?

I am serious, I am not looking for "hell bound non-believing heathen" or "lost sheep ready to be accpeted back into the fold" from some Christian.

Answer 1

Why do you need a label to define what you are? Everyone is so different in what they believe, even among deity believers and even among those in the same religions. It's stupid to label it because it really tells us nothing about that person so we end up seeing them like all others in that label.

Answer 2

Of the labels that I've come across, I'd call you a 'weak atheist'. This label implies that while you don't believe there is a god, you also don't have a belief that there is no god. Some would also call this agnostic, though 'weak atheist' kind of specifies which direction you're leaning. 'Strong atheists' _would_ believe that there is not god.

Basically what this is saying is that you don't know. I applaud this approach. I believe it is the scientific approach to the god question. There isn't any useful way to prove the nonexistence of something. And you're apparently don't feel that the existence of a deity or deities has been proved. I also feel this way.

As far as I'm concerned, the most honest approach we can take is to admit that we don't know, and remain open to further developments. WHat does this make you? An atheist, an agnostic, or free-thinking seeker? I think any of these terms fit the bill. Good luck!

Answer 3

Agnostic ? You sound like a person on the fence. You want to believe, but have found nothing worthy yet. I will suggest looking harder, especially at the Bible. There are a lot of powerful things said in it. A lot of prophesies and predictions, written when they were that would have been very confusing. Yet now, they all seem to make sense. How about Israel, Gods chosen people, living a life of wandering and persecution, only to be back in their promised land ? The very beginning of the eternal fight between the Jewish faith and Islamic beliefs, the fight for the piece of land that is worthless except for religious significance. How about the book of Revelations ? Wars and rumors of wars . Earthquakes and disasters that are coming into play right now. How about the mark of the beast ? No man may buy or sell without the mark. A mark that will be in their forehead or hand. This is so possible and probable now because of counterfeiting and identity theft. Would this have made any sense when it was written ? But now the technology and need are there. The reference to flying scorpions with stingers in their tails, to huge percentages of the population being wiped out with great explosions and numerous other things is a good point to make. The people of the bible had nothing in their minds to compare these visions and dreams to. They did the best that they could in describing things. Great hail from the sky, boils on the skin and people melting on the spot. Sounds like a nuclear explosion to me. Do you know of ANY religion or Person who can date things that far back ? With any validity ? I truly believe in what I say. It was not drilled into my head, nor was I forced. I believe because of the investigating that I have done. Mostly, I believe in my heart.

Answer 4

I would say that yeah, you are atheist, but it seems you yourself are not convinced of it. You're open to the idea that maybe there is more to reality than we as humans are able to percieve, and that tells me that you are aware of your own spiritual need. May I ask what convinces you that there is no God? Did you know that if the earth were even less than an inch further away from the sun, we'd freeze to death; and if we were even less than an inch closer to the sun, we'd all burn? When a new house is built in the neighborhood, but you didn't see who built it do you just assume it just somehow got there? Most likely not, you know there was a creator even though you don't know who it was. You just know it didn't get there by accident. So how about our earth-- the fact that we breathe in what plants breathe out-- the fact that our hearts beat without our assistance or mere thought. Doesn't it all seem too perfect? If you really think about it, all of our problems somehow stem from human actions.

I think you're athiest; you just feel that there's something more in your heart. Maybe you should go with that, and listen to your heart. Are you open to learning more? Are you open-minded enough to re-consider a possible creator and god? I'm a Christian but I'm being serious too because I once felt the same.

Answer 5

"While I don't believe in an all powerful diety, which, by definition, I believe makes me atheist,"

not so. monotheism has no monopoly on theism. There are many paths, some without gods at all; while other perceptions of a single or multiple gods differ greatly from the invisible judge.

"Perhaps everything is the same thing, everything is divine. Maybe something does happen to you after you die, maybe nothing does. Perhaps it's another step in nonsupernatural evolution. I don't know."

This reminds me of where I was when I began my spiritual journey, some 15-16 years ago. You have to find your own way.

Ask questions. It's about thinking about questions; the answers shift in the sand and help us ask new questions.

Bon voyage! It's a great journey. Welcome it!

Answer 6

You sound like a normal, healthy consciencious human being. Don't confuse organized religion with spirituality. You sense your connection with something greater but you are right to be sceptical of any organization that claims to have all the answers. They don't.
I have found it a good practice to read a variety of teaching and find the common thread. The teachings of Jesus, the teachings of Buddha, Tao, Hebrew all have great insights into the questions you are asking but beware of anyone who tells you they have the answers. My opinion.

Answer 7

You're an atheist, no question. The word means disbeliever in a God and you clearly don't believe in a personal God. It doesn't say anything about any spiritual beliefs etc. Buddhists for example believe in all kinds of metaphysical things involving spirituality and souls etc. but they are still atheists because for them there are no deities.

Answer 8

The real question is NOT whether you believe...because the Devil believes, but it isn't going to change his outcome. The real issue is "WHO IS GOING TO HAVE THE LAST WORD" about the issue of an invisible being...GOD... who constantly watches and judges our behavior. I'm voting...it's definately NOT going to be YOU!

Answer 9

You could either consider yourself Atheist but declare your not closed minded, to call yourself Agnostic and believe 'God' or some higher being is beyond Human understanding

Answer 10

Sounds more like an Agnostic than Atheist mind-set to me