What are you? Religious, Atheist, Undecide, or Other

I want to know the general consensus of the people here.

It really all depends on how people will react when I tell them what I am. Because if they snap at me and turn this into a religious debate, I'll just say that I don't exist. [spoiler] A'ight, in all seriousness I'm a Luthern. [/spoiler]

I happen to be an atheist.

I'm extremly offended that you included Atheists and Agnostics on the same line. They are vastly different. So, I was forced to choose other. I might as well align my self with budhism at this point.

I see we have a mostly Christian viewing audience.

I'm atheist.

I believe in a god, but not Christianity, if that makes sense.XilePrincess

i consider myself an atheist but i don't totally doubt there is some kind of "higher power."AshZombiee

[QUOTE="XilePrincess"]I believe in a god, but not Christianity, if that makes sense.Pyro767

I like where this is going. :D

[QUOTE="Pyro767"][QUOTE="XilePrincess"]I believe in a god, but not Christianity, if that makes sense.dracula_16

I like where this is going. :D

i consider myself an atheist but i don't totally doubt there is some kind of "higher power."AshZombiee

Then you are not an Atheist. Agnostic I would think.

I'm other. I believe what I want to believe.

I'm a Christian here.

I'm other. I believe what I want to believe.

Gaming-Planet

I'm extremly offended that you included Atheists and Agnostics on the same line. They are vastly different. So, I was forced to choose other. I might as well align my self with budhism at this point.

EMOEVOLUTION

[QUOTE="AshZombiee"]i consider myself an atheist but i don't totally doubt there is some kind of "higher power."FamiBox

Then you are not an Atheist. Agnostic I would think.

[QUOTE="EMOEVOLUTION"]

I'm extremly offended that you included Atheists and Agnostics on the same line. They are vastly different. So, I was forced to choose other. I might as well align my self with budhism at this point.

Dylan_11

i probably should say it here cuz i might regret it................... but i kind of hav my own religion. i believe i am every thing and every thing and every body is just my own thoughts. its really hard to explain.Mc_Surly

Agnostic Catholicbluezy

[QUOTE="Mc_Surly"]i probably should say it here cuz i might regret it................... but i kind of hav my own religion. i believe i am every thing and every thing and every body is just my own thoughts. its really hard to explain.Pyro767

[QUOTE="Pyro767"][QUOTE="Mc_Surly"]i probably should say it here cuz i might regret it................... but i kind of hav my own religion. i believe i am every thing and every thing and every body is just my own thoughts. its really hard to explain.Mc_Surly

TC you left out Buddhism on your poll...

and I'm a lay-Buddhist at that

[QUOTE="Mc_Surly"][QUOTE="Pyro767"]Do tell. You have peeked my interest.Pyro767

I have to go with "other" despite "non-religious" being an option. My position is very "unique" and requires an in-depth response that I wrote a little while ago and will re-post here.

I believe that it is impossible for anything "supernatural" to "exist," since everything contained within our universe is what is "existence." Everything exterior to that existence, does not "matter" nor can have any effect on this existence. I also find the concepts of omnipotence, omniscience and other divine "powers" that are usually associated with "God" to be incredibly unfounded and almost nonsensical (a discussion for another time).

I described my beliefs about our universe and my own existence as "naturalistic non-theistic monism." Which can be broken down as follows:

1) Naturalistic: I believe that everything in the universe, is what is the universe. Nothing "outside" the universe (i.e. the supernatural or metaphysical) is "the universe." It can't be. It is not of this universe. For it to exist, it has to exist "within" the confines of the universe. However, that doesn't mean that it will be entirely confined to the laws of what we know about the universe currently. There may be a particular level of existence within the universe that is different from our current line of existence (i.e. subspace in Star Trek).

2) Non-theistic: I find both the terms "atheist" and "agnostic" (along with "agnostic atheist") to not describe what I believe well enough, nor do I find that they are represented properly among the general public. Both terms carry heavy stigmas attached to them. "Atheists" are generally seen as "heathen sinners" that will burn in Hell for all eternity (like what my girlfriend's mother thinks)... and not someone who lacks a belief in a God, gods or the supernatural. "Agnostics" are generally seen as "fence-sitters" and the term is usually confused as a belief, and not a position on a belief. Since "lacking knowledge" about religion, isn't a belief, it is a lack of knowledge. Also, I like the term "non-theist" because it gets across my point more emphatically: I refuse to ackowledge that anything supernatural could even exist.

3) Monism: Monism is the idea of "unification" within a given field of inquiry. Whether that be a philosophy, religion or academic study. I define my "monist" ideal as something similar to Brahman in Hinduism. Except, I don't apply a supernatural, transcendental or divine nature to it. I believe that the universe is all the same "thing" and all stemmed from the same source. All the duality and differentiation we see is just an illusion. We are all made up of the same "substance" (not to suggest that we all stem from hydrogen, though) and are only slightly different from everything else, in a way that makes us believe we are actually, fundamentally different... which isn't the case. In Hinduism, this idea is referred to as "Advaita" or "non-dual." i.e. we are not "different" from Brahman, only a slightly varied manifestations of the same whole (while the "Dvaita" or "dualistic" opposite, would claim that we are fundamentally different from Brahman).

I would also like to point out in reference to monism... that I am not referring in any way to pantheism (which implies the use of the term "God" and carries even more confusing labels along with it). Which is specfically why I chose to include "non-theistic." "Brahman" to me is not "God" nor is a supernatural being, essence or consciousness. Brahman is just the universe, Brahman defines what the universe was before the big bang, what it is now, and what it will continue to be indefinitely. Aham Brahmasmi. I am Brahman. You are Brahman. Everything is Brahman.I

I have to go with "other" despite "non-religious" being an option. My position is very "unique" and requires an in-depth response that I wrote a little while ago and will re-post here.

[quote="I"]I believe that it is impossible for anything "supernatural" to "exist," since everything contained within our universe is what is "existence." Everything exterior to that existence, does not "matter" nor can have any effect on this existence. I also find the concepts of omnipotence, omniscience and other divine "powers" that are usually associated with "God" to be incredibly unfounded and almost nonsensical (a discussion for another time).

I described my beliefs about our universe and my own existence as "naturalistic non-theistic monism." Which can be broken down as follows:

1) Naturalistic: I believe that everything in the universe, is what is the universe. Nothing "outside" the universe (i.e. the supernatural or metaphysical) is "the universe." It can't be. It is not of this universe. For it to exist, it has to exist "within" the confines of the universe. However, that doesn't mean that it will be entirely confined to the laws of what we know about the universe currently. There may be a particular level of existence within the universe that is different from our current line of existence (i.e. subspace in Star Trek).

2) Non-theistic: I find both the terms "atheist" and "agnostic" (along with "agnostic atheist") to not describe what I believe well enough, nor do I find that they are represented properly among the general public. Both terms carry heavy stigmas attached to them. "Atheists" are generally seen as "heathen sinners" that will burn in Hell for all eternity (like what my girlfriend's mother thinks)... and not someone who lacks a belief in a God, gods or the supernatural. "Agnostics" are generally seen as "fence-sitters" and the term is usually confused as a belief, and not a position on a belief. Since "lacking knowledge" about religion, isn't a belief, it is a lack of knowledge. Also, I like the term "non-theist" because it gets across my point more emphatically: I refuse to ackowledge that anything supernatural could even exist.

3) Monism: Monism is the idea of "unification" within a given field of inquiry. Whether that be a philosophy, religion or academic study. I define my "monist" ideal as something similar to Brahman in Hinduism. Except, I don't apply a supernatural, transcendental or divine nature to it. I believe that the universe is all the same "thing" and all stemmed from the same source. All the duality and differentiation we see is just an illusion. We are all made up of the same "substance" (not to suggest that we all stem from hydrogen, though) and are only slightly different from everything else, in a way that makes us believe we are actually, fundamentally different... which isn't the case. In Hinduism, this idea is referred to as "Advaita" or "non-dual." i.e. we are not "different" from Brahman, only a slightly varied manifestations of the same whole (while the "Dvaita" or "dualistic" opposite, would claim that we are fundamentally different from Brahman).

I would also like to point out in reference to monism... that I am not referring in any way to pantheism (which implies the use of the term "God" and carries even more confusing labels along with it). Which is specfically why I chose to include "non-theistic." "Brahman" to me is not "God" nor is a supernatural being, essence or consciousness. Brahman is just the universe, Brahman defines what the universe was before the big bang, what it is now, and what it will continue to be indefinitely. Aham Brahmasmi. I am Brahman. You are Brahman. Everything is Brahman.foxhound_fox

I consider myself a Christian. But I imagine that many if not most Christians would disagree. So I will put myself down as "decline to state". :P

[QUOTE="bluezy"]Agnostic CatholicLJS9502_basic

I believe now days youth doesn't belief in what our parents or our grandparents did. Science has move Religion so far away that it's almost imposible to belief in some things bible says for example.

I don't believe in a God as as the most powerful being in the universe, but some state people might get... What I'm trying to say is that people can become "Gods" like IN MY OPINION Budha or Jesus became. Is not infinite power, just a better state of mind a different view of this reality.

In my opinion, I don't belive in God as most people do. I don't believe in Christianity or any other religion as well. But I think Budhism has some cool things to say.

I think the category for you is "confused". gamerlifegrace

I'm a Christian.

Christian

I dont think you understand ther term Agnostic.
Atheist and Agnostic dont belong on the same poll option.

I'm Agnostic in any case.

Edit: Thinking on it, I guess they do, but its just not the same thing. Whatever, either way I think Agnostic and Atheist should have had their own poll option.
To me Agnostic is more like the Nuetral option that you gave than Atheist.

I believe in a god, but not Christianity, if that makes sense.XilePrincess

if you believe in God, (and im assuming you believe in the Christian God, and you believe he has the power to send you to hell and you believe everything like that) why would you not be a Christian?

--on topic--

Im Christian btw

[QUOTE="XilePrincess"]I believe in a god, but not Christianity, if that makes sense.Noskillkill

if you believe in God, (and im assuming you believe in the Christian God, and you believe he has the power to send you to hell and you believe everything like that) why would you not be a Christian?

--on topic--

Im Christian btw

i probably should say it here cuz i might regret it................... but i kind of hav my own religion. i believe i am every thing and every thing and every body is just my own thoughts. its really hard to explain.Mc_Surly

interesting. i used to kind of consider that as being a possibility. i have rejected it in my mind, but i think that i couldnt ever imagine being someone else besides myself, and i am the only real person, all others are animated and not living for real. but this is just what i used to think. but the dumb part is that i would think that when i die, the world flickers out and there is some guy who says,"well done, you have completed your simulation" and he will slowly clap. and i will go into a room with the others who passed the sim.

i dont know what happens from there. again, this is what i used to THINK could be true