As an agnostic person, I don't know. And won't find out until death.
Do you believe in a higher being?
09/19/2012
Quote:
This!
Originally posted by
Pudyqat
agnostic -- I'll believe it when I see it. But as long as others don't force their beliefs on me, I respect what they believe.
09/19/2012
I am wiccan, so I only believe in the things that are around me.
09/19/2012
I'm very much open to the idea, but I wouldn't definitively say I believe. I am a firm believer in many scientific concepts (such as evolution), but I will agree that it's possible that a higher being set the universe in motion.
I am most comfortable with the idea that, if there is a higher being, then he/she/it/them merely produced the raw materials (and perhaps the method) by which the universe was created, and left it to its own devices after that. I would hope that this being or beings is, at most, an observer of the universe, and plays no active part in it. There's also the interesting alternative of the universe being a sentient organism in and of itself, which I am also quite comfortable with.
Generally, so long as no one tries to force me to agree with their beliefs, or talk about them endlessly (especially if they're giving off an air of, "I'm right and you're all wrong"), I won't judge others based on their religion.
I am most comfortable with the idea that, if there is a higher being, then he/she/it/them merely produced the raw materials (and perhaps the method) by which the universe was created, and left it to its own devices after that. I would hope that this being or beings is, at most, an observer of the universe, and plays no active part in it. There's also the interesting alternative of the universe being a sentient organism in and of itself, which I am also quite comfortable with.
Generally, so long as no one tries to force me to agree with their beliefs, or talk about them endlessly (especially if they're giving off an air of, "I'm right and you're all wrong"), I won't judge others based on their religion.
09/19/2012
People can believe whatever they want to believe, fine. I just have problems if:
1. You try and put it in a school or public forum
2. You shove it down mine, or a child's (that's not yours) throat.
3. You use it as a way to justify hate
These are my big three. I also think it's unfair to indoctrinate children with religion. I think they should decide for themselves instead of being fed it by authority figure(s) from birth. But that's my opinion, and people have the right to share (and in some cases indoctrinate) their children with their beliefs.
"Scientific" apologia makes me want to pull out my hair. Again, believe what you want, but you have to separate theology from science. It is not fair to the furthering of mankind to disregard science because your religious paradigm doesn't work out.
In reality, religion is what is called Terror Management. Because people are so afraid to die, they try and grasp on to the idea of an afterlife for comfort. Whatever makes them sleep at night (google if interested, it's very well studied in psychology).
As Neil Degrasse Tyson says, "God is an ever-receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller and smaller as time goes on."
1. You try and put it in a school or public forum
2. You shove it down mine, or a child's (that's not yours) throat.
3. You use it as a way to justify hate
These are my big three. I also think it's unfair to indoctrinate children with religion. I think they should decide for themselves instead of being fed it by authority figure(s) from birth. But that's my opinion, and people have the right to share (and in some cases indoctrinate) their children with their beliefs.
"Scientific" apologia makes me want to pull out my hair. Again, believe what you want, but you have to separate theology from science. It is not fair to the furthering of mankind to disregard science because your religious paradigm doesn't work out.
In reality, religion is what is called Terror Management. Because people are so afraid to die, they try and grasp on to the idea of an afterlife for comfort. Whatever makes them sleep at night (google if interested, it's very well studied in psychology).
As Neil Degrasse Tyson says, "God is an ever-receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller and smaller as time goes on."
09/19/2012
Quote:
Yes, I do.
Originally posted by
Zandrock
Why or why not?
09/19/2012
Quote:
I like that
Originally posted by
Sammi
I've always thought this was a good quote, and pretty well sums it up for me:
“I would rather live my life as if there is a god and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is.” ..Albert Camus
“I would rather live my life as if there is a god and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is.” ..Albert Camus
09/20/2012
No, not at all
09/20/2012
Quote:
I like that quote.
Originally posted by
Sammi
I've always thought this was a good quote, and pretty well sums it up for me:
“I would rather live my life as if there is a god and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is.” ..Albert Camus
“I would rather live my life as if there is a god and die to find out there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is.” ..Albert Camus
09/20/2012
Unsure
09/20/2012
I believe
09/20/2012
Cat E.
I do not believe in a higher being.
10/02/2012
Kinda sorta, but mostly not. I am a spiritual person and I'm a firm believer that we all exchange energy together. So, a higher power? Not really.
10/02/2012
No, I'm an atheist.
10/02/2012
I believe and its really eye opening to hear from some of the "open minded" people here.
10/02/2012
Quote:
I'm in love with Neil Degrasse Tyson.
Originally posted by
Mwar
People can believe whatever they want to believe, fine. I just have problems if:
1. You try and put it in a school or public forum
2. You shove it down mine, or a child's (that's not yours) throat.
3. You use it as a way to ... more
1. You try and put it in a school or public forum
2. You shove it down mine, or a child's (that's not yours) throat.
3. You use it as a way to ... more
People can believe whatever they want to believe, fine. I just have problems if:
1. You try and put it in a school or public forum
2. You shove it down mine, or a child's (that's not yours) throat.
3. You use it as a way to justify hate
These are my big three. I also think it's unfair to indoctrinate children with religion. I think they should decide for themselves instead of being fed it by authority figure(s) from birth. But that's my opinion, and people have the right to share (and in some cases indoctrinate) their children with their beliefs.
"Scientific" apologia makes me want to pull out my hair. Again, believe what you want, but you have to separate theology from science. It is not fair to the furthering of mankind to disregard science because your religious paradigm doesn't work out.
In reality, religion is what is called Terror Management. Because people are so afraid to die, they try and grasp on to the idea of an afterlife for comfort. Whatever makes them sleep at night (google if interested, it's very well studied in psychology).
As Neil Degrasse Tyson says, "God is an ever-receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller and smaller as time goes on." less
1. You try and put it in a school or public forum
2. You shove it down mine, or a child's (that's not yours) throat.
3. You use it as a way to justify hate
These are my big three. I also think it's unfair to indoctrinate children with religion. I think they should decide for themselves instead of being fed it by authority figure(s) from birth. But that's my opinion, and people have the right to share (and in some cases indoctrinate) their children with their beliefs.
"Scientific" apologia makes me want to pull out my hair. Again, believe what you want, but you have to separate theology from science. It is not fair to the furthering of mankind to disregard science because your religious paradigm doesn't work out.
In reality, religion is what is called Terror Management. Because people are so afraid to die, they try and grasp on to the idea of an afterlife for comfort. Whatever makes them sleep at night (google if interested, it's very well studied in psychology).
As Neil Degrasse Tyson says, "God is an ever-receding pocket of scientific ignorance that's getting smaller and smaller and smaller as time goes on." less
10/02/2012
I wouldn't say any "being" is "higher" than any other, no. I certainly don't believe in god(s) at this point in my life. I admit I am very at odds with many religious teachings (not just talking about Christianity here), as well as angered by them, for the restrictions they have placed on my life and the lives of others (to put it VERY mildly), but I don't see the point in lashing out against the people with whom I don't agree. Lashing out certainly isn't going to bring anyone to my side.
I do understand, though, why people may be driven to lash out, given the frustration I endure exhibiting myself as a conservative Christian among my family members. I, as a queer, polyamorous, pro-choice, pro-consenting adult marriage, evolutionist genderqueer, am frequently saddened by the things that the people I love believe. However, I refrain from sharing my beliefs with them because 1) I'm afraid of how they'll treat me 2) I'm afraid of sounding unintentionally condescending to them and 3) I'm not going to sway their beliefs, so what's the point?
I do understand, though, why people may be driven to lash out, given the frustration I endure exhibiting myself as a conservative Christian among my family members. I, as a queer, polyamorous, pro-choice, pro-consenting adult marriage, evolutionist genderqueer, am frequently saddened by the things that the people I love believe. However, I refrain from sharing my beliefs with them because 1) I'm afraid of how they'll treat me 2) I'm afraid of sounding unintentionally condescending to them and 3) I'm not going to sway their beliefs, so what's the point?
10/02/2012
yes
10/02/2012
Hell no!! Haha
11/18/2012
Quote:
I used to. Now I am not so sure.
Originally posted by
Zandrock
Why or why not?
11/18/2012
I do!
11/18/2012
I believe there's a higher power or powers. Something more powerful than us. Not saying it had anything to do with us, just something out there.
I'm Jewish though. But I still get to believe what I want. I like my community and I like being what I am. Also, I don't really believe the question was strictly about religion. It's just your belief.
I'm Jewish though. But I still get to believe what I want. I like my community and I like being what I am. Also, I don't really believe the question was strictly about religion. It's just your belief.
11/18/2012
You need an "other" option for Buddhists. (Sorry if the joke offends anyone)
I do, however, as much as that means a whole lot to me, I'm not going to shove him/her down anyone's throat. You have your light/higher being, and if we end up talking about my God, we can chat a whole long while about how wonderful I find him, but I am not out to slam you with what you already know.
I do, however, as much as that means a whole lot to me, I'm not going to shove him/her down anyone's throat. You have your light/higher being, and if we end up talking about my God, we can chat a whole long while about how wonderful I find him, but I am not out to slam you with what you already know.
11/18/2012
I believe in God, not in religion.
11/18/2012
no i do not
11/18/2012
I do believe in a higher power... I just don't know what it is..
11/19/2012
there is something out there I believe
11/19/2012
I don't believe
02/26/2013
No personally its hard for me to believe in a higher being
05/05/2013
Quote:
yes zeus
Originally posted by
Zandrock
Why or why not?
05/05/2013