Am I right?

Question

Athiests want to convince the religions that their belief is wrong, and Christians want to convince everyone that their belief is wrong. Pagans have doubts, but think that being a pagan is better than being a christan. And the agnostics are just along for the ride. Yes? I think I hit the major groups in this room.

What am I? Undefinable. I'm not a religion. I'm not a non believer. I'm not a drifter either. Hmmmm..... you tell me. I know what I am not.

Answer 1

Noble effort, but I can't really agree.

I'm an agnostic and an atheist. I'm not out to convert people to my way of thinking, I don't think answering questions on the internet is going to do that. I'm not even out to convince theists that they are wrong. I'm more in the game to a) show that a lot of stereotypes about agnostics/atheists and what we believe are wrong; b) give a reasonable defense of what I do believe; c) get an idea of what others believe (ok, I know it's hard to accept that anyone around here REALLY wants to do that, but I do, I swear); and d) verbally spank some of the more offensive people out there.

None of the various groups are homogenous. Everyone's got their own motivations. Some Atheists, Christians, pagans, etc. have the same motivations I do. Some just want to annoy or mock those who believe differently. Some want to convert the world to their ideas.

[in brief- atheist AND agnostic?!? Yep. Atheists come in 2 flavors. Those who deny there are any gods and those who don't believe in any gods. All of the former are the latter, only some of the latter are the former.

Agnostics (classic agnostics, there are lots of others who use the word) don't see enough objective evidence to know there is or isn't a god, and won't claim to know without such evidence. Some agnostics also think there never will be such evidence. Agnostics don't believe in any gods, so by that definition we are Atheists. But we don't claim to know there are no Gods, so if you define atheism as denying that there are any gods then we aren't atheists. From T.H. Huxley, the first person to use the word Agnostic, on, many Agnostics are very opinionated, strong willed scrappers who love a verbal tussle, we aren't the weak kneed, indecisive pushovers some think we are.]

Answer 2

Alright. we have poked the bears long enough, le us recognize that people embrace their religious beliefs or non-religious beliefs because that is what helps them to deal with their fears about who they are, what they are, and why they are. That is religion in a nutshell. Atheists are into believing that everything starts with man, all thoughts, all realities, everything. Most religions believe everything starts with God, Pagans are no exception. A God by any name is still a God. Agnostics are on the fence so to speak not willing to commit one way or the other, which by the way is where you fit into this equation. An agnostic does not necessarily not believe in God but then again does not necessarily believe in God. You are free to explore the possibilities. You get to sample from the all you can eat buffet of religions and never gain an inch so long as you stop off at the bathroom and purge yourself of any ideas that require commitment. Being an agnostic is like being a fashion model only people it won't get you out of any parking tickets. There. Now I have labelled you like coffee. You can go to Starbucks and order your half-caff-caramel-macciado and think you are a half-Cath-Pagan-Episcopalean. What ever floats your boat. For the rest of you day you are going to be thinking of people in terms of coffee and salad bars. BTW, you forgot the Satanists.

Answer 3

Nope. Insecure people want to convince others that their beliefs (the beliefs of the aforementioned insecure people) are right. Regardless of what those specific beliefs are. Those of us who are secure in our beliefs only really bother meddling with the beliefs of others when a) others attack us, or b) others try to use their beliefs to manipulate and/or abuse people, in some manner.

Some agnostics may be "just along for the ride", I can't deny that. However, agnostics like myself, are realistic enough to understand that given the information currently at our disposal, we cannot know whether or not God exists. It isn't indifference, it's refusal to jump to a conclusion on the grounds that we personally favor it and mangle our perception accordingly.

Added: I'm laughing my @$$ off, at Emmanuel. Dude, you could have summed all of that up in one word: Yes.

Answer 4

Close - pagans know what we believe, we just don't think that we have the exclusive lock on the truth. My personal belief is that the gods know we're all unique, with unique needs, and therefore they have provided us with many paths to the Sacred. For some people it's Christianity, for others it's paganism, etc etc.

Answer 5

I am Pagan/Wiccan and I have no doubts! Hard to believe, isn't it? Actually I have been both beliefs in my lifetime. If someone is Christian, then for them that is best. Or athiest, muslim, buddist, ect. then good for you! I am Wiccan and that works for me. Imagine someone other than a Christian being at peace with God and having a personal relationship with God. Wow! What a miracle!

Answer 6

Well, no doubt there is a lot of truth in that. Personally, as an atheist myself who has belonged to churches while being an atheist, and intends to do so again, I have no problem with someone believing in something. What I do have a problem with is someone believing in something and assuming that they thereby have the right to dictate what others can and cannot do in matters of what is really (from a societal viewpoint) innocuous behavior.

Answer 7

I don't think agnostics are "just along for the ride." Agnostics may be here to learn, question, explore, etc. I think it's detrimental to generalize because it perpetuates the negative attitudes so many people espouse on this forum.

Answer 8

I think that most groups whatever you believe, believe in you truth we are to show each other love and I believe that this thing about disagreeing with other peoples points of view is a way to keep us from finding peace

Answer 9

Christians want to convince everyone that Christianity is the only way to God. "No man come to the Father but by Me".
I like your Zebra name. Best wishes for a successful eternity.

Answer 10

I am sure that in your narrow mind you think you are clever and logical, but that isn't it at all. Not even close. I have doubts about nothing, and I do nothing because I "think" it is better than something else - I choose my path because i research and study, find what fits how I already feel, and thus makes me complete - clueless. I am strong enough in myself and my beliefs I need none of what you think to be my truth.