Poll; theist, atheist or agnostic

Mod poses an interesting question. Where would Taoist or Buddhist "fit"? We had a Buddhist at one point on the forum (briefly IIRC). Neither of these two philosophies contain any theistic elements as we have more or less accepted the term. Pagan, neopagan, Wiccan, etc also pose similar problems - although I haven't seen any of those floating around here. Maybe an "Other" category (although that's probably not really satisfactory either)?

Or as an agnostic if you remain undecided. You let me know and we'll mark you were you want it be.

THEIST
1. Nemesis Juggernaut
2. Faith
3. Mjfloresta
4. Catholic Scientist
5. Percy
6. Iano
7. Arachnophilia
8. Buzsaw
9. Phat
10. Jazzns
11. Trixie
12. Tal
13. GDR
14. Anglagard
15. PurpledawnAGNOSTIC
1. Creavolution
2. Omnivorous
3. Schrafinator
4. MangyTiger
5. Rail Bird
6. Rick JB
7. Inflixion
8. Tusko
9. Ekman
10. ReverendDG
11. U can call me Cookie
12. Wounded King
13. Fragallrocks
14. CodegateATHEIST
1. Robinrohan
2. Ramoss
3. Subbie
4. Annafan
5. Chronos
6. Corpagyps
7. Randy Feagley
8. Crashfrog
9. Mutty6969
10. CK
11. Chiroptera
12. Michael
13. Nighttrain
14. NosyNed
15. Jaderis
16. Parasomnium
17. Quetzal
18. NeuroCycle
19. Mick
20. Minnemouseus
21. Kalimero
22. Sidelined
23. TS
24. KisimonsNONE OF OUR BUISNESS
1. DrJonesRINGO-- IN A CLASS BY HIMSELF
1. RINGO (there can only be one Ringo to rule them all)

I wrote that I could 'accurately be listed under Agnostic, Atheist, and Theist simultaneously.'Parasomnium requests:

You'd have to explain how, because although it's obvious to me how one can be an agnostic and an atheist at the same time, or an agnostic and a theist (one can at the same time believe something without knowing it for certain, or not believe something without being certain it is not so), I fail to see how one can be an atheist and a theist all at once.[/i]

There are many gods. No one believes in all of them. And it's possible to respect almost any image of the sacred while embracing none blindly.One can easily be an atheist by one criterion and a theist by another.I don't have a dog--or a god--in this fight. I am answering a question I was asked according to categories I did not choose. One wants to help, but there's no point in being misleading. Paradox seems the best way to go forward. And paradox is allowed.Science is accomplished through clear categories and either/or reasoning. This is as it should be.Our present discussion, though, deals with a subject that lies outside the boundaries of science--as scientists often point out. We are now in a realm where truth is neither proven nor disproven. Here one question yields multiple equally valid answers. Here art speaks as compellingly as mathematics and all our categories give way to metaphors. In this place, [i][b]both/and[/i][/b] is as valid a way to proceed as either/or. And it is often more productive.

Once the whole is divided, the parts need names.
There are already enough names.
One must know when to stop.
Knowing when to stop averts trouble.

​

Lao Tsu
Tao Te Ching

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Archer

Thanks. As I said, it's fine by me to sit this one out.

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Archer

As I sifted through the verbal detritus, I could not see an answer to your paradox. What's your answer, Nietzsche?

This poll is not about what one respects. It's about what one believes.

Not a problem. Others have opted out as well. Its not as if this poll has any real reflection on anything. It was spawned out of curiosity and nothing more.

Born-Again AtheistBrian.

Brian is an atheist theologian and football hooligan on the side.

robinrohan writes (lovin' that alliteration!):

This poll is not about what one respects. It's about what one believes.

Indeed. I tried several verbs in that spot and never really got one that caught it. By 'respect' I meant more than a kind of cosmopolitan politeness. I mean that it is entirely possible to find something true, something honorable, something just, something pure, something wise, something commendable, something excellent or praiseworthy--something to be believed, in other words--in many images of the sacred. When that happens, one does well to believe the truth one finds.Images of deity--whether visual or literary--are always attempts to represent in material form something that defies material representation.It's all art, you know.

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Archer

What's your answer, Nietzsche?Behold, I give you the Superman.Playing at a theater near you.

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Archer

I really like the way you express yourself, even if sounds sometimes rather ambiguous to me. But it's very well-written. Now that sounds atheistic.Edited by robinrohan, : No reason given.

Can't be a hooligan when you have been born-again Brian.

quote:

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As for us atheists our partners say enough for the both of us that we can remain silent.

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Who can utter anything sensical at such a moment, anyway?