I know agnostic is when someone is undecided but what is it when someone has no religion? I thought atheism but they have such a bad name and reputation. I have no religion but I'm not against religion. In some cases, I support religion because it gives weak people ethics and morals to go by. (not everyone though)
2007-02-12 13:56:14 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't know why the word ATHEIST is considered such a bad thing...we really have to change that reputation.
Some people are calling people who don't believe in religion or religious beings "Brights"...what do you think of that term?
Openminded is the best description.
2007-02-12 13:59:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Here's the classification system I like to use:
If you think the chances of God's existence are greater than 50%, you're a theist. If you think the chances are exactly 50%, you're agnostic. And if you think the chances are less than 50%, you're an atheist.
As to your statement that religion gives people morals, this is demonstrably false. Think about the bible for a second, sure, it gives us lots of good advice like the 8th and 9th commandments, but what about the parts condoning genocide, rape, and racism? Surely no one in this day and age thinks these things are moral, and that's exactly my point; We cherry pick through the Bible and decide what is good advice and what isn't. Which means that our sense of moral right and wrong are already programmed into us, and certainly don't come from religion.
I recommend reading Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion", or Sam Harris' "Letter to a Christian Nation" for more information about atheism and the problems with fundamentalist religion.
Also, if you dislike using the word "atheist", you might use the term "naturalist", "rationalist", or, more recently, "Bright".
2007-02-12 22:09:49 · answer #2 · answered by SomeGuy 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i think it is called " apheist". It mean a person who doesn't believe in religion, and doesn't believe in Hell or Heaven. I'm a Baptist, I chose my religion when I was 13 and I'm 15 now. I fight my religion all the time. I don't stand up for it. I believe you should stand up for what you believe but here I haven't. I believe there is a hell and I believe there is a Heaven, I know I'm going to heaven 'cause I have eternal life through God. If you are confused ask someone not on the internet and talk to them.
2007-02-12 22:16:49 · answer #3 · answered by TinkerBell_Lover 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Just because atheists have no religion, doesn't mean they are completely against religion. They have no problem with others believing in it. The atheists you've come across were just bad apples. There are bad apples in every bunch, in every religion, in every race, and each gender.
You are an atheist. Don't be ashamed, just because others have a bad wrap.
2007-02-12 22:22:43 · answer #4 · answered by Abby C 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I correct term is Atheism. I know it comes with a stigma, but that is the right word.
Atheism:
-A belief that there are no gods. Greek "a-theos": without-god
-the doctrine or belief that there is no God
-a lack of belief in the existence of God or gods
2007-02-15 10:39:00 · answer #5 · answered by NJ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since when did atheism get a bad reputation? I'm proud to say I am a free-thinking atheist.
2007-02-12 22:02:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Well, I call myself an atheist (people who assume we're bad people are themselves bad people), or, when feeling ornery, "godless" -- just for fun.
There's a bit of a movement afoot to use the word 'bright' as a noun to refer to people who don't believe in any gods.
"I'm a bright; we're brights" etc.
I don't much care for it myself -- I mean, I know we're smarter to not believe, but don't think we should label ourselves as such.
;-)
They argue that gays changed the meaning of 'gay' so they can change the meaning of 'bright'.
Try using your favorite search engine for Richard Dawkins + bright.
He's a proponent of the term, and you'd get to relevant web pages.
But 'atheist' is a perfectly good word (as is 'godless' as far as that goes).
I don't see why we need another.
2007-02-12 22:31:58 · answer #7 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The most appropriate answer is "Freethinker." It encompasses Atheism, Agnosticism, and all other non-theisms. Basically, it's a person who is free to think what they want and one who isn't bound by a specific religion or god. It's what I consider myself to be.
2007-02-12 22:03:02 · answer #8 · answered by greecevaca 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Atheism.
2007-02-12 22:01:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
Disbeliever
2007-02-12 22:02:51 · answer #10 · answered by ReDWiNe 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋