Desert Snake
Veteran Member
Atheists only vote
Were you once a Theist?
Were you once a Theist?
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Atheists only: were you once a Theist?
- Thread starter Desert Snake
- Start date
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
Yes. I used to believe god as a separate spirit. I'm only an atheist because I found out god is not an separate being but an active spirit in each person. God is an experience rather than a being or person. I don't use god but when I did believe, the closest I got to him being a being was believing he was christ. When I found out christ was not god, then I found out, I didn't believe in god.
Ironic way of realizing I'm an atheist.
No. I suspect I am literally unable of ever being or becoming a theist.
Troubles me none.
I have created deities on occasion as a pastime. It may be useful as an exercise. But to actually believe in their existence? No, not me.
Troubles me none.
I have created deities on occasion as a pastime. It may be useful as an exercise. But to actually believe in their existence? No, not me.
I haven't voted (yet) since I need clarification. I don't ever remember believing, but I was christened and attended church when young. Should I answer yes based on that?
I voted yes, in that I identified as a theist. But I never felt any 'spiritual presense,' not for lack of dedicated trying, seeking, researching. So I stopped trying to be something I arguably was not.
Satans_Serrated_Edge
Deicidal
I remember as a small boy of 5 or 6 a kid in my class got yelled at and scolded by our teacher for speaking to his imaginary friend, yet we were made by that same teacher to recite the lords prayer each morning.
Even at that age, I could smell the BS.
I honestly think some minds are just weaker in some way and vulnerable to it while others are not. Evolution I suppose.
Even at that age, I could smell the BS.
I honestly think some minds are just weaker in some way and vulnerable to it while others are not. Evolution I suppose.
Rote learning of any kind always kinda freaked me. Times tables seemed like a first step to the Nuremberg Rally...lol
Jeremiahcp
Well-Known Jerk
It was not until I was twelve that I even realized other people thought God was real, the concept of God being real never occurred to me naturally. As a child I just assumed it was a made up story.
Desert Snake
Veteran Member
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
No. I'm not a pantheist. Atheist do not believe in deities/gods. The word god means object and/or person of worship. Any person or object of worship (or worship of any kind) I don't do. It's just not a part of my being.
Everyone has their own definitions of atheism. I'm just the textbook definition. I know deities do not exist.
Nothing special.
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
My "theist" journey
Started off atheist (never believed in god/deity)
Five years ago, found out god was a person called jesus
Learned about jesus through the sacraments, people, and worship
Learned jesus was not god but a human
Found out god did not exist once jesus was a human again
The only "god" I knew was the human form of jesus. Take away jesus, I know no god.
Started off atheist (never believed in god/deity)
Five years ago, found out god was a person called jesus
Learned about jesus through the sacraments, people, and worship
Learned jesus was not god but a human
Found out god did not exist once jesus was a human again
The only "god" I knew was the human form of jesus. Take away jesus, I know no god.
Desert Snake
Veteran Member
Well, there really is a logical definition though. Ideas of "worship"aren't really relevant.
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
God just means an object or person of worship by technical definition. The dictionary mentions a monotheistic god yet polytheist would differ. Yet, they are both theists.
I never knew what god was in the first place; so, the closest I was a "theist" is when I was taught jesus was god. Now that I know that he is not, there is no god left to believe. Back to square one. Nothing special.
That the argument is even logically possible shows how vague and questionable the core concepts of "deity" and "theism" are.
Desert Snake
Veteran Member
It is a broad definition. Otherwise, many theists, would erroneously be labeled as atheists.
I'm not exactly sure how to answer.
I was raised in a theist household and generally trusted the adults around me as a child. I even remember praying and hoping for some sort of response. But I think I believed then as any child believes in Santa Claus. I remember thinking in Sunday and Wednesday school (at church) that the stories were similar to Aesop's fables: little morality tales but not *real*.
Ever since I was 10-12 years old, I have thought of myself as an atheist.
So, do I answer yes or no?
I was raised in a theist household and generally trusted the adults around me as a child. I even remember praying and hoping for some sort of response. But I think I believed then as any child believes in Santa Claus. I remember thinking in Sunday and Wednesday school (at church) that the stories were similar to Aesop's fables: little morality tales but not *real*.
Ever since I was 10-12 years old, I have thought of myself as an atheist.
So, do I answer yes or no?
But with it so broad, are any atheists being labeled as theists?
Desert Snake
Veteran Member
Desert Snake
Veteran Member
Atheism I would say
Desert Snake
Veteran Member
Ie, "no"