What Type of Theist or Atheist are You?

[ynot]

Not sure if anybody has said this previously, but my option isn't listed: I don't believe that there is a god, rather than believing a god doesn't actually exist. Is that different aside from semantics? I think so.

If by "I don't believe that there is a god" you mean the same as "I have no belief in a god' then the option is covered by "Atheist type A – I neither believe nor disbelieve a god actually exists". It's not covered by "Atheist type B – I believe a god doesn't actually exist".

However, "I don't believe that there is a god" could be read to mean either "I believe that there is no god" or "I know that there is no god".

 

[ynot]

I'll not get involved in a poll in which the options are entirely around belief. "I believe......" plays no part in my atheism.

Apparently you missed the two "I know" options and the "I neither believe nor disbelieve" option. Half the options provided don't require anyone to have belief.

 

[ynot]

Well I think the wording was fine ynot.

The problem is atheists are a most difficult bunch - they don't like to be labeled.

Didn't somebody say once that getting atheists to move together was like herding cats?

Thanks. Before starting the poll I actually considered start a pre-poll thread to get feedback on the best way to word the options. Wonder if the naysayers and nit-pickers would've even bothered to offer any suggestions? Might test this if I start another poll.

 

[ynot]

I'm the kind of atheist that considers the whole premise of even bothering to have an argument about God, completely moot and pointless, given that a) There are infinite kinds of ways to define "God" according to each individual, and b) At the end of the day, none of the practical, daily important issues (such as the economy, education, global warming, etc etc) are affected in the least by such pointless discussion

Hmmmm. How would that option be worded? . . .

Atheist type X – I'm an atheist that enters the religious section of a forum, then a thread/poll in that section that's about what type of god-believers or non-god-believers people are, and argue that that all god based arguments are completely moot and pointless.

 

[MikeG]

Apparently you missed the two "I know" options and the "I neither believe nor disbelieve" option. ......

No, I didn't miss them. But the "I believe" options for non-believers skews the questions, not giving me any option I am comfortable with.

 

[3point14]

"Atheist type C – I know a god doesn't actually exist"

Could we have a definition for the word 'know' before I make a choice?

 

[ynot]

Another option is an "apathetic atheist", or "apathist". I don't know, and what's more I don't care.

"Apathetic" would be a "why" reason to be an atheist that would fit with "Atheist type A – I neither believe nor disbelieve a god actually exists".

But you don't care so why did you even post?

 

[ynot]

"Atheist type C – I know a god doesn't actually exist"

Could we have a definition for the word 'know' before I make a choice?

Sure. "Know" by way of the complete lack of any empirical evidence when such evidence would be expected if it were true.

Could include lack of scientific method by which a god could exist , and lack of scientific reason why a god should exist.

 

[ynot]

Good to see all the semantic and pedantic nit-picking hasn't put all people off voting.

 

[3point14]

Good to see all the semantic and pedantic nit-picking has put all people off voting.

Well, it's tricky.

I know there's no such place as Hogwarts. Can I prove it? No.


Some would therefore say that I can't 'know' that there's no Hogwarts.

I 'know' there's no god in the same way that I know there's no IPU.

I can't prove it, but then, I can't prove I'm not a brain in a jar either, so some would say I don't 'know' but simply believe. At that point all knowledge becomes belief.

All of the above, I'm sure, is not news to you

 

[ynot]

No, I didn't miss them. But the "I believe" options for non-believers skews the questions, not giving me any option I am comfortable with.

There is only one (1) "I believe" option for atheists. So far the "I believe" atheist option has received the most votes.

Rather than just complain, you provide your wording for the option that you believe isn't provided and that you would be comfortable with. Make sure it can fit inside a poll option box.

 

[ynot]

Well, it's tricky.

I know there's no such place as Hogwarts. Can I prove it? No.

Some would therefore say that I can't 'know' that there's no Hogwarts.

I 'know' there's no god in the same way that I know there's no IPU.

I can't prove it, but then, I can't prove I'm not a brain in a jar either, so some would say I don't 'know' but simply believe. At that point all knowledge becomes belief.

All of the above, I'm sure, is not news to you

Don't know why you would have any problem saying that you know a fantasy character in a fictional story is not real. Would you have the same problem with fantasy characters like Superman, Mickey Mouse or Santa?

 

[HansMustermann]

Well, I don't see the option I want: I KNOW the Norse gods are real, but I don't BELIEVE in them. Belief just encourages them, you know?

 

[ynot]

Well, I don't see the option I want: I KNOW the Norse gods are real, but I don't BELIEVE in them. Belief just encourages them, you know?

Humour aside (I hope it was), if you know the Norse gods are real then the option to believe they're real is redundant.

 

[ynot]

"Atheist type C – I know a god doesn't actually exist"

Could we have a definition for the word 'know' before I make a choice?

Sorry I forgot to say - Thanks for asking rather than complaining

 

[3point14]

Don't know why you would have any problem saying that you know a fantasy character in a fictional story is not real. Would you have the same problem with fantasy characters like Superman, Mickey Mouse or Santa?

For me, god, mickey and santa are all fictional characters, the product of someone's imagination.

The trouble arises when debating with those that don't understand that things like 'know' need a definition - When I state I 'know' god doesn't exist, that can be jumped on by the ardent theist with 'you can't know that, I win, I win', which is grating.

So, yes, in as much as I 'know' anything, I know god (Thor, Zeus, that evil scifi bloke from scientology) does not exist.

 

[ynot]

For me, god, mickey and santa are all fictional characters, the product of someone's imagination.

So why do you have any problem saying you know they aren't real?

The trouble arises when debating with those that don't understand that things like 'know' need a definition - When I state I 'know' god doesn't exist, that can be jumped on by the ardent theist with 'you can't know that, I win, I win', which is grating.

The misunderstandings and irrational arguments of others are in no way my problem.

So, yes, in as much as I 'know' anything, I know god (Thor, Zeus, that evil scifi bloke from scientology) does not exist.

So you will have no problem with voting for "Atheist type C – I know a god doesn't actually exist" then? (no pressure )

 

[sphenisc]

One wonders how you, personally, would react to irrefutable, empirical, non-anecdotal evidence of the existence of the Tooth Fairy.

If I had a dollar for every time someone provided evidence of the Tooth Fairy...

 

[ynot]

If I had a dollar for every time someone provided evidence of the Tooth Fairy...

Very funny - thanks

 

[3point14]

So why do you have any problem saying you know they aren't real?

Because I've been here before and choose my words with care.

The misunderstandings and irrational arguments of others are in no way my problem.

I think, from a theological point of view, you've begged a couple of questions there

So you will have no problem with voting for "Atheist type C – I know a god doesn't actually exist" then? (no pressure )

For a given value of 'know', yes.