What Type of Theist or Atheist are You?

[ynot]

Okay, let's remove "faith."

Faith doesn't belong with know, and evidence doesn't belong with believe.

The last two are there to cover ignostics and apatheists. Are they maybe too small groups to split out?

Well you have to draw a line somewhere for a forum poll. As I said, I think your E and F are statements of attitudes rather than than types of atheists. Any type of atheist could say "I don't care until you define god better" or "I don't care at all, ever; it makes no difference". As an Atheist type C, I'm sure I've said similar to both at some time.

 

[Elagabalus]

Knowledge is only as certain as current best evidence. If a god shows up then that new evidence would provide new and improved knowledge that would replace the old. "I know" doesn't mean (or have to mean) forever.

Whew! Looks like I dodged a bullet. I can continue to know that we* are alone in the universe.


*we =inhabitants of Earth™

 

[ynot]

Whew! Looks like I dodged a bullet. I can continue to know that we* are alone in the universe.

*we =inhabitants of Earth™

Our current knowledge is that "we"are the only life in the Universe. We can and many do reasonably assume we aren't however. If and when we find other life in the Universe our knowledge about life in the Universe will change/improve.

 

[ynot]

Interesting that (as in my other poll) theist are conspicuous by their relative absence. Wonder why that is? I know there are less theists than atheists on this forum but I don't think the number of theist members is reflected by the number of theist poll voters. Perhaps they're too busy playing a better game?

 

[Seismosaurus]

Count me as another atheist who thinks this poll is oddly worded. I therefore didn't vote, but Atheist type A probably comes closest.

To self describe, I would say I lack belief in god or gods, and am therefore an atheist. With regards to that subset of belief that we call knowledge, I do not know if god or gods exist or not.

So I am an agnostic atheist.

 

[ynot]

Count me as another atheist who thinks this poll is oddly worded. I therefore didn't vote, but Atheist type A probably comes closest.

To self describe, I would say I lack belief in god or gods, and am therefore an atheist. With regards to that subset of belief that we call knowledge, I do not know if god or gods exist or not.

So I am an agnostic atheist.

You've negated Atheist type C, but you didn't clarify whether or not you believe god(s) don't exist. If you do then your an Atheist type B. If you don't why isn't it reasonably obvious that you're an Atheist type A?

It's not like this poll is attempting to put people on Mars

 

[Seismosaurus]

You've negated Atheist type C, but you didn't clarify whether you believe god(s) don't exist or not.

I lack any belief that god does not exist.

If you do then your an Atheist type B. If you don't why isn't it obvious that you're an Atheist type A?

Huh? Atheist type A refers to belief in god existing, not to the belief that god doesn't exist.

It's not like this poll is attempting to put people on Mars

Sorry, I don't know what that means.

 

[ynot]

I lack any belief that god does not exist.

So you're not an Atheist type B then.

Huh? Atheist type A refers to belief in god existing

Not correct. Atheist type A specifically refers to having NO belief in a god existing. And to having NO disbelief (unbelief if anyone prefers) in a god existing. In other words, lack of belief (aka “no belief”) in a god existing, and lack of disbelief (aka “no disbelief”) in a god existing. Doesn't that sound more than a little bit like a description of your atheism? You lack belief in a god because you have neither a belief nor a disbelief in a god.

"Atheist type A – I neither believe nor disbelieve a god actually exists"

not to the belief that god doesn't exist.

I didn't say it did. And that's why you're an Atheist type A and not an Atheist type B.

Sorry, I don't know what that means.

And I'm the Tooth Fairy.

 

[Thermal]

Were subatomic particles once thought to be supernatural?

Fair point, the analogy was flawed. Only intended to demonstrate that we can theorize what is not yet observed in nature.

Googling definitions for supernatural, didn't see anything about it meaning impossible or not existing. From Merriam-Webster: of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe, from the Latin supernaturalis, meaning beyond nature (am newbie, can't link yet). What definition are you using?


You said: "Supernatural isn't just 'unobserved', it is incompatible with Nature. A god that is observed in Nature becomes a part of Nature and therefore is not supernatural - and not a god!" (haven't figured out how to insert quotes yet). That's the point, a god hasn't yet been observed; at such time as one is, it would be part of our understanding of nature, assuming we could comprehend it in some meaningful way. But untill then, it is not categorically incompatible with or excluded from nature, but is characterized as beyond nature.

Re: alien example, I absolutely agree. Hard evidence trumps any supernatural explanations.

"God isn't just 'unobserved' in nature', he is impossible" ( I really gotta take a minute to figure out quote insertion). Not by any definition or even logic that I can see. May I as by what means you can remove such a critter from the realm of possibility? Not probability or reasonable conclusion from evidenced observation, but pure possibility.

 

[Thor 2]

Interesting that (as in my other poll) theist are conspicuous by their relative absence. Wonder why that is? I know there are less theists than atheists on this forum but I don't think the number of theist members is reflected by the number of theist poll voters. Perhaps they're too busy playing a better game?

One reason could be that theists don't want to be counted among other theists of a different color. A WASP for example would not like to be counted in the same bunch as Muslims or perhaps even worse Catholics!

I have a born again nephew who objects to being called religious. As far as he is concerned what he believes is simply the truth.

 

[Thermal]

Oh, yeah! And the dictionary. 'Cause when I want to learn very well what justice, god, democracy, efficiency, contract and other thousand concepts are, I go to the dictionary (and to round up my phD, I go to Wikipedia ).

You do understand that you can't have a meaningful discussion/debate/argument if you are making up the meanings of words on the fly, right? The dictionary is an authoritative starting point; you can tweak meanings by consensus if needed. No one expects to gain insight into complex abstractions through the dictionary, as you imply. Just a starting point, scooter.

 

[David Mo]

I know that the word "god" has no meaning. What is my place in the poll?
Signed: A. J. Ayer.

 

[ynot]

I know that the word "god" has no meaning. What is my place in the poll?
Signed: A. J. Ayer.

"god" = no meaning = no god = Atheist type C – I know a god doesn't actually exist = obvious.

If not that then - Left right out.

 

[LarianLeQuella]

I am between Atheist Type B and Type C.

For the gods claimed so far by mankind that you see in bibles, myths, and legends, I am a Type C. These gods have been given testable characteristics, and they have failed them all spectacularly. However, for the sort of deist (or other type) of untestable god(s), well, then you just gotta say that you don't know. Of course, for the uninvolved, untestable god, it's sort of a moot point isn't it?

EDIT: I picked Type C Atheist since the gods claimed that are testable seem to way outnumber the ones who are irrelevant.

 

[Seismosaurus]

So you're not an Atheist type B then.

Okay.

Not correct. Atheist type A specifically refers to having NO belief in a god existing. And to having NO disbelief (unbelief if anyone prefers) in a god existing.

Is having no disbelief in god existing the same thing as not having the belief that god doesn't exist?

Doesn't that sound more than a little bit like a description of your atheism? You lack belief in a god because you have neither a belief nor a disbelief in a god.

Depends on the above.

And I'm the Tooth Fairy.

Now I'm even more confused.

 

[Slowvehicle]

...And I'm the Tooth Fairy...

This would explain much, including your propensity to argue against atheist's own self-descriptions. Not everything is as simply taxonomized as are teeth and pillows.

 

[ynot]

Is having no disbelief in god existing the same thing as not having the belief that god doesn't exist?

Yes. A person that neither believes nor disbelieves is either belief neutral (doesn't have a belief either way), or belief has been made redundant by knowledge. Important thing is that this person doesn't HAVE a belief that a god exists, so is an Atheist (not Theist).

Some people believe a god exists and some claim they know a god exists. These people are Theists (type A and B in my poll).

Some people believe a god doesn't exist, some claim they know a god doesn't exist, and some neither believe nor claim they know a god doesn't exist (or does exist). These people are Atheists (types A, B an C in my poll).

Now I'm even more confused.

Hint - "It's not like this poll is attempting to put people on Mars" = “It's not rocket science” - http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/it-s-not-rocket-science.

"And I'm the Tooth Fairy." = I don't believe you.

 

[JoeMorgue]

I find this whole thing hilarious.

We could take any question and split the hair to this degree we just don't.

Why is the distinction between strong and weak denial, passive and active statements of belief, and other minutia so vitally important in the question of the giant invisible sky wizard but no where else?

 

[ynot]

I find this whole thing hilarious.

We could take any question and split the hair to this degree we just don't.

Why is the distinction between strong and weak denial, passive and active statements of belief, and other minutia so vitally important in the question of the giant invisible sky wizard but no where else?

It seems some Atheists are as “precious” about their lack of belief as some Theists are about their belief.

 

[Seismosaurus]

It seems some Atheists are as “precious” about their lack of belief as some Theists are about their belief.

It's a desire for accuracy.