I consider myself agnostic. I guess that I look at religion with an open mind. If I considered myself atheist then I would no longer have an open mind, would I?
2007-05-28 05:50:02 · 26 answers · asked by Douglas G 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Oh so I have a closed mind simply because I've concluded that the possibility of gods existing is virtually zero? No evidence for =no belief in. Simple as that. Are we supposed to withhold judgment on everything that hasn't been proved definitively?
Sure, nothing is certain, but atheism is most likely closer to the truth than theism. Especially fundamentalism, which takes as literal truth books that are thousands of years old.
Seems to me like you are trying to claim some sort of higher ground because you're an agnostic.
2007-05-28 06:05:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 0⤋
Given that it's really improbable, and that there's no evidence or reason to believe in a higher being, and a lot of reason to doubt it, I feel that the "burden of proof" as it were, is on believers.
I mean, should you think a really crazy thing is possible, just because others believe it, even though there is NO evidence or any reason to think it's so?
That just doesn't make sense to me.
A person can be open-minded without accepting the possibility of any and every statement.
If I gave you a long explanation about how everything really falls up, but only seems to fall down, would you allow it was possible?
Wouldn't that be a bit nutty of you?
I suppose you could say I'm closed-minded on that one question, but that doesn't mean I'm closed-minded about everything.
What's important is reason and evidence. It's not closed-minded to respect them, and not respect mere assertion or the belief of others.
2007-05-28 14:26:12 · answer #2 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a weak agnostic atheist, I qualify for both weak atheism and weak agnosticism.
I think strong agnosticism is as good as saying the supernatural exists, as their position is no matter what we uncover we can not understand the supernatural.
I think we now have a clear picture of the evolution of religion from polytheistic to monotheistic, and most organized religions disprove themselves. I don't see any evidence to give deities any other more thought than any other archetype that could come out of the human mind.
I think while strong atheism is not a illogical as claiming a deity as fact, it uses the same false logic.
2007-05-28 12:58:34 · answer #3 · answered by Starvin' Marvin 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I keep my mind open to the possibility. But I really don't believe it. That's why I say I'm atheist as opposed to agnostic. I won't say that by being atheist my mind is closed. It's just what I believe and feel right now. If I'm proved wrong I see nothing wrong in changing my view.
2007-05-28 12:56:24 · answer #4 · answered by punch 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Sure. Come up with some evidence, and I'll listen to it. But since there's been no evidence presented ever, I see no reason to believe. But I'm perfectly willing to reconsider. But not without a good reason.
Being atheist doesn't mean you're not open to the possibility. It just means that based on the current evidence, you see no reason to believe.
2007-05-28 12:57:23 · answer #5 · answered by eri 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am Atheist but I would not have a closed mind if evidence were offered regarding proof of some sort of higher power. I do not find it completely impossible that there is a higher power but I do not believe that this higher power has human attributes and emotions. I suppose I really refer to this 'higher power' as nature and I do not think that it is completely inexplicable. I do believe that we do not yet understand it but that someday, we will.
2007-05-28 12:57:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Are we trying to recruit atheists into agnosticism? Your questionning suggests that you're not any clearer on the fact that people have different beliefs. How small in difference it may seem to be to yours, one can easily see you're a fence sitter (and there's nothing wrong with that). But you're accusing atheists of being close-minded because they can't fathom the thought ("slight possibility") of a supreme being.
ahem...
2007-05-28 13:04:36 · answer #7 · answered by The one with a tail... 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sure. I don't deny there could be other beings out in the universe who have developed to higher levels than us on earth.
But there is a difference between a "higher being" and a "divine being." A higher being would need to have evolved from a "lower point" like we did first. I don't believe a divine being, perfect since before time is very likely
2007-05-28 12:57:22 · answer #8 · answered by K 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I have an open mind to all things... If you claim that a certain proposition is true, I will gladly examine your evidence. Absent verifiable evidence, I'll have to pass on your proposition.
Now then, what incontrovertible evidence do you present in favor of a "higher being"?
2007-05-28 13:02:37 · answer #9 · answered by BobAndrews 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If there was a being (or beings) of higher existence, I seriously doubt that any society on Earth knows much about it. So, why trouble myself over it? Also, I really doubt that an all-powerful being would care on whether or not I worshipped it, or whether or not I kept to a set of rules.
2007-05-28 12:58:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋