People are trapped in the theist-atheist dichotomy. Isn't there a third (and happier) alternative?

Answer 1

one can be spiritual without being theistic, the best alternative i have found is rational buddhism, buddhism is non-theistic.. the question is considered unimportant.. what is important is leading a good life and having compassion for others, it is as simple as that.. but the question of god is still interesting, even if it it does not effect me

Answer 2

I myself am an agnostic. I became so after examining both sides of the theist/atheist dichotomy and coming to the realization that neither side could prove conclusively that its position was correct.

One of the old names for God was "The Unknowable." I believe this name arose out of the perception that whatever divinity or unity there existed did so beyond the comprehension of the human mind.

I think that what most religions do is attempt to reduce the Unknowable to the knowable. To place limits on the infinite, so as to make it more comfortable and less frightening to contemplate.

The world is a complex and random place, and as such, generates a lot of anxiety. People look for certainty to alleviate the anxiety. Religion gives them a sense of certainty, but because the certainty is based on something unknowable, it tends to generate more anxiety. The result is that people are inclined to cling more desperately to their "certainty" regarding other "certainties" as an attack.

Uncertainty, or agnosticism, tends to make one a great deal less "positional."

Answer 3

Kind of hard to think of a third alternative. I mean, either there is a God or there is not. What would be the third choice? He is only there on weekends?

Answer 4

Pantheism, God is the Universe. Einstein's search for the unified field, Spinoza and eastern philosophic religions all talk about the combination of energy and matter

Answer 5

the third happy alternative is called self awareness and tolerance.

ya know, i love knowing that i have made sense/ found order in my life. glad you found something that does the same for you.

oh, and i think the guy above me meant agnostic. i'm all for egnosic though. sounds like code for we all like to argue, but it would be more fun with some eggnog!

Answer 6

What would a compromise between existence and non-existence. I am inclined to agree with Aristotle regarding the excluded middle.

Answer 7

well, if it is really a dichotomy, obviously not.

And why would it not be a third (but worse) alternative?

Answer 8

yes it is called egnostic. They are not sure what to believe because you cannot prove the existance of god. Or you can believe in scientologist the most messed up religion(srry if you believe in it, but its messed up!!!!!!!)