What am I?

[DEXMachina]

I have been grappling with this question for a long time, and I am hoping you guys can give me some insight:

I know that I am not religious: I do not believe in any of the mainstream gods (or any mystic power, for that manner).
I know that I am not atheist: While I do not believe in god's existance, I cannot absolutely say that god does not exist.
I know that I am not agnostic: While I agree that we currently do not know if god exists or not, I disagree with the agnostic belief that we will never know if god exists or not.

So, I am a non-religious being who believes that the human race currently does not know whether or not god exists, but I do believe that at some point in the future, we will be able to prove god's existance/non-existance.

What am I?

 

[masterjedijared]

Atheist.

Atheism doesn't assert the non-existence of gods. It is just the statement that you don't believe in any.

If you wanted to be more specific, it sounds like you may like to consider igtheism/ignosticism.

 

[Lurking_Logic]

I'm sure others can give a more in depth explanation but I could tentatively say you are an Agnostic Atheist

You don't believe in God
This makes you an atheist
Atheism doesn't require that you know absolutely that there is no God only that you hold to the position of non-belief

However the uncertainty can still be held as an agnostic position on the subject of your Atheism (ie the sureity that God does/doesn't exist)

So I think an Agnostic Atheist is your position (Or if you prefer weak Atheism)

 

[DEXMachina]

Atheism doesn't require that you know absolutely that there is no God only that you hold to the position of non-belief

I guess to clarify, I should have said, I don't believe that god exists, but I don't believe that god does not exist either. I am more on the fence with this issue.

 

[Andiferous]

You are YOU!

You are nothing more, nothing less, and nothing lacking.

if you really feel like debating people and labeling yourself you could say you're a weak atheist or something.

But I think lots of "atheists" feel the same as you do.

Do you feel like defending your position, or do you care?

 

[DEXMachina]

Do you feel like defending your position, or do you care?

I feel like I want to do something to improve this world, and I know I probably can't do anything meanful alone, hence my looking for a group to be a part of.

 

[TheFearmonger]

speaking technically, you are a writing technique often used to conveniently save a hero at the last minute and such as that.

But more broadly, you are agnostic atheist, if you are the sort that likes labels. Agnostic is not a belief so much as a side of belief, opposed to gnostic. Gnostic means know, and this is the typical theist who asserts they know that a god exists and they believe in them, or the atheist who proclaims knowledge that there is no god at all. Agnostics on each side rather say, "I do not know for 100%, but i chose to believe (or not). This is most atheists, since we simply don't accept any of mankinds attempts at proving god. An agnostic theist would be your spiritual type people or your more moderate people who admit unknowingness, but chose to believe for reasons of their own.

Also, you are a human (i assume), and probably cool. SO, from now on, what you are is this; an agnostic cool human atheist's writing tool.

That work?^

Also, you can be part of our group, unless you are the type to take the last soda in the cooler. Otherwise, have at it, friend!

 

[Andiferous]

::thumbs up:: Fearmonger

Do you feel like defending your position, or do you care?

I feel like I want to do something to improve this world, and I know I probably can't do anything meanful alone, hence my looking for a group to be a part of.

My point mainly is that you choose your label. Even within labels, everyone has different beliefs. This needn't be defined by what works for other people. Honestly, I always feel a bit icky if I fit in too much. It makes me think I must be overlooking something. If something resonates for you use it... if you need it. But logic doesn't require definitions. Critical thinking speaks for itself, and doesn't depend on the atheist club. And being in the atheist club doesn't magically make you not a theist, either.

If these labels are important to you, I know folks around here can direct you to a lengthy descripion of terms, from which you can choose the best fit for you.

Or maybe you're like me.

Simplistically, if you don't believe, you're an athiest, whether or not you can "prove it." I find that encouraging critical thinking is the best bet for helping people see your point of view... and many Atheists argue that critical thinking may be the best way to address arguments on the topic of religion. I'd rather be a critical thinker anyway, and as a bonus, doing so makes you more secure in your position, anyway.

Take this with a grain of salt, though. As the majority of people don't agree with me, either.

 

[Anachronous Rex]

Atheism doesn't require that you know absolutely that there is no God only that you hold to the position of non-belief

I guess to clarify, I should have said, I don't believe that god exists, but I don't believe that god does not exist either.

Again, you're not required to. Atheism really is nothing more then the lack of theism, really, that's it. It can be more then that, in the same sense as a rectangle can be a square, but it is not required.

i.e. if I believe "there is no god" I am an atheist because I do not accept theism. If I believe that "no argument has ever been advanced in favor of theism without convincing rebuttal" I am also an atheist because I do not accept theism. If I "don't give two shits one way or the other" I'm an atheist because I do not accept theism.

However, if you find the word troublesome, as I often do for the very reason that I must constantly explain it as above, I recommend you call yourself Igtheist or Ignostic - the position that it is impossible to say whether you are a theist or not until god is properly defined.

I feel like I want to do something to improve this world, and I know I probably can't do anything meanful alone, hence my looking for a group to be a part of.

I know this is a powerful temptation, but resist it. Do not reduce yourself to a moniker, it encourages dogmatism and discourages critical thinking, and I cannot abide such people. You're better than that, or at least you are if you try to be.

 

[ImprobableJoe]

I guess to clarify, I should have said, I don't believe that god exists, but I don't believe that god does not exist either. I am more on the fence with this issue.

You're an atheist.

 

[ImprobableJoe]

I feel like I want to do something to improve this world, and I know I probably can't do anything meanful alone, hence my looking for a group to be a part of.

You're an atheist... and we don't have "a group." Join whatever group(s) supports specific things you are passionate about.

 

[DEXMachina]

speaking technically, you are a writing technique often used to conveniently save a hero at the last minute and such as that.

I am not entirely sure what you mean by that, mind elaborating?

Also, you can be part of our group, unless you are the type to take the last soda in the cooler. Otherwise, have at it, friend!

Thanks, and don't worry, I don't really like soda. (all that sugar reeks havoc on my guts)

I know this is a powerful temptation, but resist it. Do not reduce yourself to a moniker, it encourages dogmatism and discourages critical thinking, and I cannot abide such people. You're better than that, or at least you are if you try to be.

I have no intention of discouraging critical thinking, but I do certainly like to think I can make some influence on the world around me, (mainly with critical thinking).

Thanks for the input guys, you have given me more insight than I expected, I really appreciate it.

 

[Andiferous]

I didn't say that. But obviously, you've understood most of my point.

 

[mirandansa]

I know that I am not religious: I do not believe in any of the mainstream gods (or any mystic power, for that manner).
I know that I am not atheist: While I do not believe in god's existance, I cannot absolutely say that god does not exist.
I know that I am not agnostic: While I agree that we currently do not know if god exists or not, I disagree with the agnostic belief that we will never know if god exists or not.

So, I am a non-religious being who believes that the human race currently does not know whether or not god exists, but I do believe that at some point in the future, we will be able to prove god's existance/non-existance.

What am I?

You are what you have described. But evidently your real question is: "What's the name of my position?"

Many people seem fond of having a static named position and display it. Do you? What for? When would you use that? Would you like your position to be static? Would you like to think as an ist, or as a, well, thinker?

You need no label in order to think and speak. If a Christian asks you "Do you believe in God?", you can just say "I don't believe in your God." And if the Christian further asks you "You believe our God doesn't exist?", you can just say "No, I cannot absolutely say that".

Actual dialogues can help disambiguate things that otherwise would remain ambiguous and as sources of confusion. Putting on labels can cause unnecessary and unwelcome prejudgement, misunderstanding, and antagonism. People might even decide not to talk to you upon finding your set label. Is that a good thing? I don't think so. Dialogues are more important. It is more constructive for both sides. Instead of being a defendant of a position or an ideology, you would more likely be motivated to act as a neutral observer of ideas. The flow of information would be less compromised.

"theism', "atheism", "agnosticism"... these terms are defined varyingly. Some people think "atheism" is the affirmation of the non-existence of all gods, and others think it's a lack of belief in any god. "Atheists" define these terms as they see fit, and "theists" have their own definitions as well. Depending on that, the "the(os)-" in "theism" can include notions of God that are other than supernatural "Creator". The God in "pantheism" and "panentheism" are typically of that sort. Some people include these two in "theism", and some don't.

These terms are slippery. I personally can identify with both "atheism" and "theism". I am an "atheist" in relation to pretty every known monotheistic religion, and i am a "theist" in relation to non-religious non-supernatural "pantheism" and "panentheism". My "atheism" and "theism" are situational and contextual. It is determined by the definition of God itself in a given dialogue. And there is a term for such a stance: ignosticism. When i have to, i opt for "ignostic atheist/theist". But i'm not very fond of using these terms in the first place. Many people have never heard of "ignosticism" at all; and when i say "theism", the intended meaning is bound to be misunderstood by both monotheists and atheists.

In your case, and if you have to use only one word, i suggest "atheist". But there is no reason to be sticky with it. You would be intellectually better off without the assumption that you an ist of "no theism".

 

[TheFearmonger]

speaking technically, you are a writing technique often used to conveniently save a hero at the last minute and such as that.

I am not entirely sure what you mean by that, mind elaborating?

Deus ex machina? oops, i may have misunderheard your user name :lol:

 

[Commander Eagle]

Atheism doesn't require that you know absolutely that there is no God only that you hold to the position of non-belief

I guess to clarify, I should have said, I don't believe that god exists, but I don't believe that god does not exist either. I am more on the fence with this issue.

Yep. You're an atheist.

Atheists do not claim that God does not exist. Well, they can, but that's about as relevant to the definition of atheism as saying that some atheists wear tuxedos on a regular basis. The definition of "atheist" is simply "not theist". You do not espouse belief in a god, so you are not a theist. You are an atheist.

You are a gnostic atheist, actually, since you believe that God's existence can be proven or disproven (in future, anyway). You are a non-theist who believes that we can know the truth of the matter eventually.

 

[DEXMachina]

Deus ex machina? oops, i may have misunderheard your user name

Ahh, yes. I felt that "Deus Ex Machina" would be too long-winded for a username.

 

[greggrthomas]

I have been grappling with this question for a long time, and I am hoping you guys can give me some insight:

I know that I am not religious: I do not believe in any of the mainstream gods (or any mystic power, for that manner).
I know that I am not atheist: While I do not believe in god's existance, I cannot absolutely say that god does not exist.
I know that I am not agnostic: While I agree that we currently do not know if god exists or not, I disagree with the agnostic belief that we will never know if god exists or not.

So, I am a non-religious being who believes that the human race currently does not know whether or not god exists, but I do believe that at some point in the future, we will be able to prove god's existance/non-existance.

What am I?

You're a tall blond with great legs and a body created by the god of Fantasy...oops wrong thread. :lol:

I don't like labels.
I can't be an Atheist without defining Theist and I can't define Theist without defining the core theme held by a Theist, and no one is able to define the core theme. So the word Theist is nonsensical to me, the word "fool" seems to fit better. But I don't think I will add an A to the front and go around calling myself "Afool".

I don't have a fitting label, I thought about "Realistic Absolutist" but I'm not real absolute about it.

BTW there are no gods.

 

[Yfelsung]

Atheism doesn't require that you know absolutely that there is no God only that you hold to the position of non-belief

I guess to clarify, I should have said, I don't believe that god exists, but I don't believe that god does not exist either. I am more on the fence with this issue.

What you defined is the position known as agnostic atheism, or weak atheism.

It is the position the majority of atheists hold.

Very few atheists make the concrete statement that "god doesn't exist".

Most of us just say "I don't believe in god(s) due to lack of evidence."

Don't worry, it's okay to be an atheist, most of the negative stereotypes associated with the word are either lies or representations of a very small and nearly insignificant minority of the atheist community.

 

[Nashy19]

Atheism doesn't require that you know absolutely that there is no God only that you hold to the position of non-belief

I guess to clarify, I should have said, I don't believe that god exists, but I don't believe that god does not exist either. I am more on the fence with this issue.

You're definitely an Atheist since you do not believe in God.

I suppose you mean you are not highly certain of the things non-existence, otherwise it's a contradiction (if you are aware of 'the thing')