What Type of Theist or Atheist are You?

[Slowvehicle]

If I had put “Atheist type A - "No belief in a god"” (as I did initially when constructing the poll) then some would have complained “What about a choice for those that don't have a disbelieve in a god?”. By changing it to “I neither believe nor disbelieve a god actually exists” it covers both “I don't have a belief in a god” and “I don't have a disbelief in a god” without one negatively affecting the other. This is the default atheist position that all people are born with. Default atheism isn't just no belief in a god, it's no disbelief as well.

In your opinion it "covers both". The two positions are not the same, and ought not to be amalgamated.

 

[Slowvehicle]

Would it be less polarizing to return to using Agnostic as the middle ground of beliefs, leaving Theist and Atheist as the extremes of belief?

"Agnostic" properly refers to the ability of a claim to be known--for instance, the position that humans cannot know whether there is, or is not, a 'god' is the "agnostic" position. "Agnostic" is not a point on the spectrum between "Theist" and "a-theist".

 

[Slowvehicle]

Sarcasm - One wonders how you, personally, would react to irrefutable, empirical, non-anecdotal evidence of the existence of a god.

In other words, what a silly thing to wonder. If irrefutable, empirical, non-anecdotal evidence of the existence of the Tooth Fairy was presented I would have to accept it. Same for a god or FSM.

No, it was not, in fact, sarcasm, despite your attempt to dismiss it so. As far as "silly", it is, after all, your poll. The two entities are precisely analogous--implausible, human-invented, & unevidenced.

If I were, in fact, presented with irrefutable, empirical, non-anecdotal evidence of the existence of a 'god', I would, in fact, have to examine my position--and would either have to accept a change in my belief, or a change in my understanding of the word, 'god'. That, in fact, is why I also reject the label, "agnostic".

 

[Slowvehicle]

Too late to edit it now but my definition of "atheist" in the OP should more correctly read . . .

"Atheism = No belief in a god or gods, and no disbelief either"

To categorise your atheism simply as "No belief in a god or gods" doesn't define whether there is any disbelief.

...and that is exactly the point. "Lack of belief" is not "disbelief".

(It might be labeled "unbelief", but not "disbelief".)

 

[Slowvehicle]

I'd hate to say that I "know" anything for certain. I believe there is no God. What I do know, however, is that I have never seen a self-consistent working definition of "God," I've never seen any evidence of the existence of anything one might call a god, and I've never seen anyone imagine a proper falsifiable test for the same.

I certainly respect your position, but, while some would try to lump us together, your position is not mine.

You "believe there is no 'god' ".
I do not believe there is a 'god'.

The difference may be subtle (too subtle, for some), but it is real--and is worthy of distinction.

 

[ynot]

In your opinion it "covers both". The two positions are not the same, and ought not to be amalgamated.

If you say "I have no belief in a god", how does anyone know whether or not you have a disbelief in a god?

 

[ynot]

"Agnostic" properly refers to the ability of a claim to be known--for instance, the position that humans cannot know whether there is, or is not, a 'god' is the "agnostic" position. "Agnostic" is not a point on the spectrum between "Theist" and "a-theist".

At least we agree on one thing.

 

[Slowvehicle]

How's about:

1. Atheist: No belief at all, lacking any demonstrable proof of any divine being
2. Soft Atheist: No active belief, but open to possibility
3. Agnostic: No faith or disbelief in god
4. Soft Theist: Sure seems nice...heaven sounds swell...
5. Theist: Was beaten mercilessly when I questioned why the Almighty didn't let my team win the baseball game

Your (1) and (2) are not distinct from each other.

 

[Slowvehicle]

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.

That is what I have, in fact, been saying; I am glad to see that at least one other poster understands the difference between:

"I do not believe that 'Squatch exists."

and

"I believe that 'Squatch does not exist."

 

[Slowvehicle]

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".

...only if you continue to presume to ignore the patient explanations you have been offered.

 

[Slowvehicle]

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.

Alternatively, a bit of reading would have shown you that this is an issue that has been discussed, along the very same lines you wish you could dismiss as "naysaying" and "nitpicking", before, on this very forum.

 

[Slowvehicle]

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.

It's been done--and you have dismissed it as "semantics", "naysaying", and "nitpicking".

What is the sound of one sidelined "gotcha"?

 

[Thor 2]

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.

No problem, the nit pickers will always be there.

Just wondering why the option that I picked was in italics?

 

[Slowvehicle]

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

Inorite?

 

[Belz...]

No, you omitted an entire definition, and its omission makes the poll ridiculous.

I would've thought we'd all know the definition of "atheist" by now. I think the options in the OP are poorly worded for Atheist B, but since I'm a C, it doesn't change my answer.

 

[ynot]

...and that is exactly the point. "Lack of belief" is not "disbelief".

(It might be labeled "unbelief", but not "disbelief".)

But "Lack of belief" doesn't necessarily mean the atheist doesn't also disbelieve in a god.

Lack of belief in a god and no disbelief in a god is default atheism.

Lack of belief in a god and disbelief in a god is proactive atheism.

 

[Slowvehicle]

If you say "I have no belief in a god", how does anyone know whether or not you have a disbelief in a god?

That is precisely why your attempted conflation is improper, despite your attempts at well-poisoning.

"I ~[beleive] x" is not the same as, "I [beleive] ~x".

 

[Slowvehicle]

I would've thought we'd all know the definition of "atheist" by now. I think the options in the OP are poorly worded for Atheist B, but since I'm a C, it doesn't change my answer.

If "we" all knew the definition of "atheist", "we" would be more careful to be accurate and precise in setting up our polls...

 

[ynot]

No problem, the nit pickers will always be there.

Just wondering why the option that I picked was in italics?

I was wondering that as well. I think it indicates which option you voted for. Others that voted differently would see their choice in italics.

Slanted eyes, that's Italians, Oops, sorry, that's italics.

 

[ynot]

It's been done--and you have dismissed it as "semantics", "naysaying", and "nitpicking".

What is the sound of one sidelined "gotcha"?

Please link to the post or posts where "it has been done".