My crazy mother didn't know whether to be atheist or agnositc- but I know darned well that there's a nasty taste to the word "athiest".
Think about this- I dson't believe in a personified entity, but I have strong spiritual beliefs and honor the mystery of Universe, and sometimes it is best expressed through Taoism.
But I do not adhere to any one system.
I refuse to be called an atheist, because of its connotation.
Are there any words for this in English?
2007-02-08 04:36:54 · 12 answers · asked by starryeyed 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You are a theist. One who accepts the concept of a power greater than yourself, but who refrains from personalizing it.
You would be a deist if you not only accepted the concept of the aforementioned power, but gave it personhood although without naming any specific characteristics or names.
Some of the Founding Fathers of the USA were deists. Most were Christians, however. They managed to agree on a great many philosophical points. Lucky us!
2007-02-08 04:44:10 · answer #1 · answered by Granny Annie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are wrong to deny the word atheist because it means you have subscribed to the definitions of that word given to it by your enemy. It is in the nature or oppressive ideologies to reconfigure language to confer negative qualities on what opposes it. It is the duty of counter-ideologies to reclaim language for its own purpose and shift the mindset that accepts what is negative about what is not. Atheist has no negative connotations where I come from. Take my definition to them, don't budge to suit their prejudices.
2007-02-08 04:43:14 · answer #2 · answered by Bad Liberal 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spiritualist, Religious Seeker, Agnostic, Pagan(Many Pagans have alot to do with Taoism)
2007-02-08 04:41:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know of anything at the level of the universe but at the level of the earth you might try Gaian. I would also suggest that the Taoists would probably not be offended if you labeled yourself Taoist.
2007-02-08 04:44:53 · answer #4 · answered by Dave P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, should you care about your beliefs and feelings, or about the title? If your state of mind is so unique that there is no word for it, think it over: what would you say if you were asked about your beliefs?
2007-02-08 04:42:38 · answer #5 · answered by Uros I 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
Take comfort in your ability to think freely and don't worry about what to call it.
2007-02-08 04:44:46 · answer #6 · answered by Murazor 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Realist.
2007-02-08 04:46:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Taoist.
2007-02-08 04:39:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Agnostic is a good word, it means you don't claim to "know" the truth. (that's what it means to me) Another good word might be "Spiritualist", or perhaps more accurately "Agnostic spiritualist".
2007-02-08 04:41:16 · answer #9 · answered by Jessy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take pride in yourself and be an Atheist.
2007-02-08 04:40:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋