An Atheist By Any Other Name . . .

Catholic Scisentist writes: But if you look at the wiki page on atheism, you'll find that it can mean a lot more than just that. quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A diagram showing the relationship between the definitions of weak/strong and implicit/explicit atheism. Explicit strong/positive/hard atheists (in purple on the right) assert that "at least one deity exists" is a false statement. Explicit weak/negative/soft atheists (in blue on the right) reject or eschew belief that any deities exist without actually asserting that "at least one deity exists" is a false statement. Implicit weak/negative atheists (in blue on the left) would include people (such as young children and some agnostics) who do not believe in a deity, but have not explicitly rejected such belief. (Sizes in the diagram are not meant to indicate relative sizes within a population.)

Phat writes: One only hedges a bet if one is intent on "knowing" the outcome. I prefer asking questions. Whether or not I turn out to be right or wrong is irrelevant to me.

Percy writes: Yes, if we accept your incorrect definition of "hedging your bets," then atheists who do not unambiguously believe there is no God are hedging their bets.

Percy writes: But in reality the term "hedging your bets" has not changed its definition and still, in this context, refers to those who are not sure whether there is a God but devoutly practice a religion anyway just to be safe. Now, which religion to choose. You don't happen to know which is the one, right and true religion, do you?

Modulous writes: And if it is hedging, could you explain why hedging might be a problem?

hooah212002 writes: Why? Of what use are beliefs if they do not align with evidence, data or fact? Moreover, of what use are beliefs in general? It is you, the believer, the theist, who puts stock in belief, not the atheist.

Modulous writes: What's surprising about it exactly? As I said, it's the very minimal amount of hedging that it's possible to have. The same kind of hedging that I partake in when I say there is (probably) no CIA base on the moon that reads my thoughts and mind-controls my family.

Taq writes: If not, then why should atheists feel compelled to believe in your deity for the same reason?

Taq writes: If someone arrives at the belief that the Hindu pantheon really does exist after a lifetime of study, mediation, introspection, and life experiences would you feel compelled to believe in the Hindu pantheon as well? If not, then why should atheists feel compelled to believe in your deity for the same reason?

Perdition writes: Is that not the case for you? Is there anything that could possibly prove to you that god doesn't exist?

Taq writes: It would appear that study, mediation, instrospection, and life experiences are not acceptable to you, either.

Taq writes: That is a bit like trying to analyze the golf swing of a non-golfer. Atheism is defined by a LACK OF belief. "Atheist beliefs" is an oxymoron.

crashfrog writes: Question: if you know the reasons that you believe in God wouldn't be sufficient to convince anybody else, then why did you allow them to convince you?

Taq writes: "If someone arrives at the belief that the Hindu pantheon really does exist after a lifetime of study, mediation, introspection, and life experiences would you feel compelled to believe in the Hindu pantheon as well?" Your answer in message 97 was "No". So it would seem that a lifetime of study, mediation (meditation?), introspection, and life experiences is not acceptable to you, either.

Taq writes: I think you answered your own question. From you in message 71: "Yes, it is I the theist, who after study, mediation, introspection and life experiences does come to a belief. Is that something the atheist cannot accept?"

Taq writes: Can you accept the fact that after study, introspection, and life experiences that someone can come to a belief in the Hindu pantheon?

Rahvin writes: I just don;t necessarily accept that your beliefs are correct, or that those beliefs are rational