Atheists & Agnostics

Voltaire2

(14,719 posts)

13. Claims about physical reality are not

Thu Apr 18, 2024, 05:29 AM

Apr 2024

binary propositions. They are probabilistic claims. An agnostic atheist generally is asserting that she cannot know with certainty that no gods exist, but instead thinks it is vastly improbable.

Theists can escape empiricism by claiming revelatory knowledge. They know a god exists without having to point at that god in the universe. For them the god proposition is binary. They are not making empirical claims.

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A or not A in regards to theism [View all] FreeState Apr 2024 OP

I reply to those pressuring me "None of the above." GreenWave Apr 2024 #1

See that's where I get stuck FreeState Apr 2024 #4

To wear the term Atheist is a commitment that some folks are afraid to make. Chainfire Apr 2024 #2

I definitely get that FreeState Apr 2024 #5

I absolutely don't believe there is a "god". I don't care if others do or don't believe. erronis Apr 2024 #3

I generally don't care either FreeState Apr 2024 #6

I err on the side of believing there is a god TexasDem69 Apr 2024 #7

Pascal's wager never worked for me FreeState Apr 2024 #9

I tend to look at it the other way. willamette Apr 2024 #12

It's worse than that. Voltaire2 Apr 2024 #14

When I became an atheist at 14 years old, I was very gung-oh about it and considered myselt to be a Militant Atheist. spike jones Apr 2024 #8

I've always been under the impression that... Think. Again. Apr 2024 #10

The agnostic position is that the question Voltaire2 Apr 2024 #15

Yes, that's always been my impression. Think. Again. Apr 2024 #16

Hold my beer, Agnostic Dear_Prudence Apr 2024 #11

Claims about physical reality are not Voltaire2 Apr 2024 #13

You write... Think. Again. Apr 2024 #18

That position describes the basis of philosophical skepticism since descartes. Voltaire2 Apr 2024 #20

Ok, so would that be an "Agnostic Theist"? Think. Again. Apr 2024 #21

Ah I misunderstood your question. Voltaire2 Apr 2024 #22

Ah, so Yes. Thanks! Think. Again. Apr 2024 #23

Agnostic means you dont believe we can know IbogaProject Apr 2024 #17

Yes, and only speaking for myself.... Think. Again. Apr 2024 #19

I don't think you understand the meaning of "agnostic." Martin68 Apr 2024 #24

A or not A in logic are the only options FreeState Apr 2024 #25

Yes. But not all statements are 'logical propositions'. Voltaire2 Apr 2024 #28

well then there's 3 distinct questions... Think. Again. Apr 2024 #30

Whatever. You obviously have a strong opinion on the matter. Martin68 Apr 2024 #34

I am a non practicing Christian because I don't want to be associated with the evangelical type of Christianity kimbutgar Apr 2024 #26

The Christian religion is based on what many people came to believe two thousand years ago. Midnight Writer Apr 2024 #27

My response is simple PJMcK Apr 2024 #29

But the fact that our knowledge IS ever-expanding.... Think. Again. Apr 2024 #32

Exactly so... CCExile Apr 2024 #38

Agnostic Wifes husband Apr 2024 #31

Well said. Think. Again. Apr 2024 #33

i think i am a brownist. raised liberal lutheran. i read about them in a 1871 encyclopedia brittanica. pansypoo53219 Apr 2024 #35

This is really all about interacting with other people and neither... NNadir Apr 2024 #36

My agnosticism was the off ramp to atheism Stuckinthebush Apr 2024 #37

I claim the label 'agnostic atheist' hurl Apr 2024 #39

Your definition of gnostic is a big part of my definition of the terms wysimdnwyg Apr 2024 #40

You are correct Farmer-Rick Apr 2024 #41

You asked the wrong question. AZ8theist Apr 2024 #42

Perfectly reasoned, perfectly said. Red Raider 85 Aug 2024 #45

If you define "God" vaguely enough ... Sean Andalou Aug 2024 #43

It's like a light switch, which is either "on" or "off." There is no inbetween. Red Raider 85 Aug 2024 #44

No, agnostic atheist is the precise term Zoomie1986 Aug 2024 #46