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Well whether that is the case or not, depends on how you would answer the following questions?Regarding the existence or non-existence of God...
I used to think:
I don't know... but yes
I am now beginning to think:
I don't know... but no
Does this mean I am turning into an Atheist?
I did used to be one, from childhood into early adulthood
I don't really think there are any good reasons, so I must be some sort of atheistIf your answer is "that there is no good reason for it" then you are an atheist as well.
Regarding the existence or non-existence of God...
I used to think:
I don't know... but yes
I am now beginning to think:
I don't know... but no
Does this mean I am turning into an Atheist?
I did used to be one, from childhood into early adulthood
In that case you are an atheistI don't really think there are any good reasons, so I must be some sort of atheist
But of course, there could be a God even if there are no good reasons for him to exist
But what do we puny humans know about anything????
Agnostic to me is such a weird position and simply causes confusion I think.Dont know is more agnostic
A person does not become an atheist -- not in the context of what a person is. An atheist chooses whether to be a theist or not. Theism is like a muscle that must be exercised. It is a choice, just like morality is a choice. It is also like riding a bicycle in that you don't instantly lose your ability to do it. Its also like cussing, something you can do absentmindedly when you are used to doing it.Does this mean I am turning into an Atheist?
Agnostic to me is such a weird position and simply causes confusion I think.
Either God(s) exist or God(s) don't exist.
There is no middle ground and atheists, whether you are strong or weak doesn't change this or whether one think you can know or not know about the existence of God(s) is irrelevant.
That is why I would put agnostics in the theist category as you also state, but honestly I would rather have it completely removed, because it really isn't a sound position as I see it.
But in that case one is an atheist in my opinion. Agnostics would probably claim that this question is unknowable and therefore weight both options as equally likely. But in that case their default position has to be that God exist, because again, either they do or they don't, there is no middle ground in this question.I would say agnostics are fence sitters and can jump either way, there are many people who simply don't know sitting on the fence waiting for evidence either way.
Does this mean I am turning into an Atheist?
Agnostic to me is such a weird position and simply causes confusion I think.
Either God(s) exist or God(s) don't exist.
There is no middle ground and atheists, whether you are strong or weak doesn't change this or whether one think you can know or not know about the existence of God(s) is irrelevant.
That is why I would put agnostics in the theist category as you also state, but honestly I would rather have it completely removed, because it really isn't a sound position as I see it.
Regarding the existence or non-existence of God...
I used to think:
I don't know... but yes
I am now beginning to think:
I don't know... but no
Does this mean I am turning into an Atheist?
I did used to be one, from childhood into early adulthood
But in that case one is an atheist in my opinion. Agnostics would probably claim that this question is unknowable and therefore weight both options as equally likely. But in that case their default position has to be that God exist, because again, either they do or they don't, there is no middle ground in this question.
And atheism hold the default position that they don't until demonstrated.
Just to avoid confusions, I in general don't care a lot about what people identify themselves as, im much more interested in what they think, rather than whatever label they tag on themselves. The labels to me are just a quick way of knowing where a person stand.If you read what I just wrote, I consider myself both an atheist because I have no god belief, and an agnostic because I consider the question of the existence of gods unanswered. They have neither been ruled in nor out, and I don't have a need or reason to guess which it is, so I don't guess. Would you still say that I am not agnostic, or that agnostics align with theists? I don't.
Its the opposite in my opinionThe middle ground is don't know. There is no accounting for human belief
But you are correct that atheiem is the default state
I don't really think there are any good reasons, so I must be some sort of atheist
But of course, there could be a God even if there are no good reasons for him to exist
But what do we puny humans know about anything????
Not a lot, I'm sure
Personally, I came to believe in God because I believed he was communicating with me
After I stopped believing this I still maintained a belief in God
So for a long time now I have been believing in God for no good reason
I'd say you got to start with the question: What do you mean by God?Regarding the existence or non-existence of God...
I used to think:
I don't know... but yes
I am now beginning to think:
I don't know... but no
Does this mean I am turning into an Atheist?
I did used to be one, from childhood into early adulthood
Agnostic doesn't lead anywhere in my opinion, as of post #14, but should it, it would be theism. But all atheists are also agnostics by default. Its a bit confusingIMO, being agnostic leads to being a soft atheist.
Agnostic, lacking knowledge about God, of course dismissing claims made by folks claiming to be prophets.
Atheist, basically choosing not to invest in any particular belief about God lacking any "valid" knowledge to base a belief on.
Hard atheist are those denying any God exists.
Agnostic doesn't lead anywhere in my opinion, as of post #14, but should it, it would be theism. But all atheist are also agnostics by default. Its a bit confusing
But if I told you about a something called "Trovmar" and you said, I don't believe that exist. Then you are by default also Agnostic about it, because it should hopefully also be considered impossible for you to believe that you could obtain knowledge about something that you don't think exist to begin with.
Theism is just the term we use about those that believe in God, I don't think the approach would matter or do you mean something else?Perhaps theism is not the only approach available in considering a God.