Richard Dawkins sums up religion

I have yet to formulate a valid, coherent definition for what constitutes God...therefore I neither believe nor disbelieve...the question has no meaning until a valid coherent and universal definition is presented.

You are an atheist then, at least by the definition used by most atheists. Whether some philosophers would regard your position as distinct is not relevant to a simple discussion.

Whether academically correct or not, a majority of atheists believe that atheism is the oposite of theism and it is a completely binary label.

Theism is the belief in the existence of a God, whatever that is. Atheists simply don't have that belief.
 
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To put it as simply and succinctly as possible...Without a coherent universal definition, the question is meaningless..it assumes too much to be objectively answered...therefore I expressed no definitive position...therefore I am neither Atheist or Theist.

This is my position. Take it or leave it.



Perhaps this will give you more insight into the position

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theological_noncognitivism

To quote:


Therefore I have not expressed anything that could be defined within the parameters of Theism or Atheism. Which is not surprising as I am neither.


That definition of theological non-cognitivism is virtually the same as any atheist's position.

The word 'God' is completely ill defined but theists believe in whatever personal God they imagine. Atheists simply don't have that belief, maybe especially because it is not well defined.
 
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there's no evidence either way that i've seen yet, until the whole faster than light speed, properly understanding the phycis of a singularity, then there will be more answers and probaly more questions. but until then anyone who = god for an answer to an unknown question, is imho mental delusional and should be sectioned indefinetly under the mental health act.
 
You are an atheist then.

No I'm not. My position is quite distinct from the commonly accepted forms of atheism. I fundamentally do not have a 'lack of belief in a Deity", the basic premise of atheism is either the rejection or lack of that belief...I have not formulated my position on whether I lack, reject or accept such a belief..the concept is meaningless...therefore I am not an atheist. People can call me what they like...but that doesn't make them correct.

It is amusing that in these debates, I am labelled an atheist by some, a theist by others and a fence sitter by still others, given that such labels are essentially self defined by their own beliefs I find that ironic.
 
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That definition of theological non-cognitivism is virtually the same as any atheist's position.

Not any atheist I know, even the Apatheists I know, are all knowledgeable enough to know the fundamental difference between what their position and mine, Atheism (like Theism) by definition give s meaning to the term "God Exists" in order to reject or conclude they lack such beliefs..I see no such meaning in the term as the term God has no coherent presented form God may or may not refer to an extant concept, essentially in its most simplistic form, An atheist would say, 'I don't believe God exists'; an agnostic would say, 'I don't know whether or not God exists'; and an ignostic would say, 'I don't know what you mean when you say, "God exists".


...I am not an atheist..it's as simple as that.
 
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I believe (correct me if I'm wrong here) the key distinction is that while I for example reject the assertion that a god/gods exist (due to a combination of lack of evidence, poor definitions & implausibility) - you reject the question entirely "Does a god/gods exist" due to no adequate definition being presented to reject in the first place.

This is in part why I reject the assertion (in most cases it's incoherent), but use rejection to mean (do not accept the assertion) - it's a slight difference in perspective but based upon the weak/strong/implicit/explicit definitions I don't believe you would fit any of them.
 
I believe (correct me if I'm wrong here) the key distinction is that while I for example reject the assertion that a god/gods exist (due to a combination of lack of evidence, poor definitions & implausibility) - you reject the question entirely "Does a god/gods exist" due to no adequate definition being presented to reject in the first place.

This is in part why I reject the assertion (in most cases it's incoherent), but use rejection to mean (do not accept the assertion) - it's a slight difference in perspective but based upon the weak/strong/implicit/explicit definitions I don't believe you would fit any of them.

Essentially that is correct. You are also correct in that I don't fit the definitions of atheism.
 
Then the question is still equally meaningless...you are asking me to invent my own proposition (and now introducing artificial limitations on how I can express that proposition) and then answer it.....:eek:

Let me put it this way, if you asked me do I believe that Roswell Style aliens live on Mars by answer would be no. If however you asked 'do you believe life exists somewhere in the universe' I would answer 'yes'. So in some form I believe in aliens and thus I'm not an 'A-extraterrestrialist'.

I'm proposing a similar question with God to you which you keep avoiding. I don't have any concept of what an alien life-form may take, but I don't need to have that knowledge to answer the questions above. I don't need to run around saying the question is meaningless because of the limitless possibilities etc etc.

So if I can answer the question regarding aliens, why can't you answer the same question about God?

Essentially that is correct. You are also correct in that I don't fit the definitions of atheism.

Except the one that many people keep posting here, i.e "Not a theist".

Why do you keep denying that is a valid definition of an atheist despite numerous people here claiming that is how they would define it. You keep referring to other philosophical positions as if they are mutually exclusive from atheism and will even refer to definitions of the word taken from 'people you know' but not from the people in this thread.
 
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Blimey, you lot are mad! Probably more arguments between those that don't believe in God on here than between those that do and those that don't!

Someone who believes in God, like myself, just laugh at those that bang on about no God etc etc. Guys, you won't convert me!! I love God. End of. You can argue all you like. We just don't care about what you think. To love God is awesome. To feel that love is awesome. Believe me, you will be able to feel that love. Just accept god into your lives.

If you don't want to then so be it. No use trying to argue against God to a strong believer, whatever your arguments.
 
Let me put it this way, if you asked me do I believe that Roswell Style aliens live on Mars by answer would be no. If however you asked 'do you believe life exists somewhere in the universe' I would answer 'yes'. So in some form I believe in aliens and thus I'm not an 'A-extraterrestrialist'.

The term 'Alien' have a universal and coherent definition...The term 'God' does not.

I'm proposing a similar question with God to you which you keep avoiding. I don't have any concept of what an alien life-form may take, but I don't need to have that knowledge to answer the questions above. I don't need to run around saying the question is meaningless because of the limitless possibilities etc etc.

The term Alien has a defined universally coherent definition. What form an Alien life-form may take is immaterial.

If you are asking 'do I think God (as in a yet undefined concept) could exist?'

Then the answer would have to be yes...as God could be defined as anything at all, including an Alien life-form . (Thus why the question has no meaning).

If you are asking if I think that the question 'Does God(s) Exist' then I have to ask you to present a coherent, universal definition of God before I can answer.

Therefore I am not an Atheist.

So if I can answer the question regarding aliens, why can't you answer the same question about God?

Obviously because Alien has a coherent, universal definition.

Except the one that many people keep posting here, i.e "Not a theist".

Why do you keep denying that is a valid definition of an atheist despite numerous people here claiming that is how they would define it. You keep referring to other philosophical positions as if they are mutually exclusive from atheism and will even refer to definitions of the word taken from 'people you know' but not from the people in this thread.

I'm not denying anything (you are denying my right to self define my own position, while imposing others self definition on me..hardly consistent), I have clearly stated you are free to believe whatever you wish....What I am telling you that I am not "not a theist" in any meaningful way the term can be presented....I might well be a Theist if a coherent proposition of God is presented...I may not. The question currently has no meaning, therefore I am not an Atheist as an atheist, and a theist (and agnostic) accepts the validity of the proposition in the first instance...I don't.

Essentially to be completely clear....I do not accept the premise or validity of the question, so any answer I give would be as meaningless as the proposition. Effectively you are asking me to create the definition of the proposition and formulate the question myself and then answer my own question...meaningless! As was proven when you asked me the question initially, then altered the parameters of the question when you didn't like the answer...

Theodore Drange said:
Since the word "God" has many different meanings, it is possible for the sentence "God exists" to express many different propositions. What we need to do is to focus on each proposition separately. … For each different sense of the term "God," there will be theists, atheists, and agnostics relative to that concept of God.

So depending on the definition of the proposition, I could be a theist, atheist or agnostic. As regard the broad question "Does God exist?" I am none of those things.

You better learn to live with it estebanrey...because it isn't going to change, unless a coherent, universally validated proposition for the definition of God is presented, of course.
 
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I'm not quite sure of what to make of Prof Richard Dawkins?, he is either a very brave man or a powerfull man or perhaps both?, or maybe neither and just plain ordinary?, but without doubt he must be a massive thorn in the side of Christians, i mean, here we have a man who mocks the God of the Bible, ridicules God and basically calls God all the (not very nice) names under the sun. Richard Dawkins is living proof that there is no need to fear the God of the Bible in any way shape or form, in fact he makes Christians and the Bible look stupid. Prof Richard Dawkins makes lots of money, he allways looks happy and content whenever i see him, he is no doubt living a comfortable life, he is popular and has many followers. I'm simply astounded.
 
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Blimey, you lot are mad!

Bit ironic, but I see your point. :p

Someone who believes in God, like myself, just laugh at those that bang on about no God etc etc. Guys, you won't convert me!! I love God. End of. You can argue all you like. We just don't care about what you think.

I think most know that people won't be converted by forum posts made by strangers on the internet but it's interesting finding out how people justify and substantiate their beliefs...

To love God is awesome. To feel that love is awesome. Believe me, you will be able to feel that love. Just accept god into your lives.

It's really not that easy though, try it the other way around... Can you stop yourself believing in God, just like snapping your fingers?

If you don't want to then so be it. No use trying to argue against God to a strong believer, whatever your arguments.

As above, it doesn't really have anything to do with what people want, people don't really get a choice. If you want to prove me wrong, change your mind and stop believing in God.. Simple, right? :p
 
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I'm not quite sure of what to make of Prof Richard Dawkins?, he is either a very brave man or a powerfull man or perhaps both?, or maybe neither and just plain ordinary?, but without doubt he must be a massive thorn in the side of Christians, i mean, here we have a man who mocks the God of the Bible, ridicules God and basically calls God all the (not very nice) names under the sun. Richard Dawkins is living proof that there is no need to fear the God of the Bible in any way shape or form, in fact he makes Christians and the Bible look stupid. Prof Richard Dawkins makes lots of money, he allways looks happy and content whenever i see him, he is no doubt living a comfortable life, he is popular and has many followers. I'm simply astounded.

I know. Excellent, isn't it. Someone has to stir the hornet's nest.

So, how did you find my evidence for evolution?
 
Yes they do, they may be limited or difficult perhaps but most normal everyday folk can make choices and make choices for themselves.

Don't really know why I'm bothering replying to this..

Ok kedge, change your mind and stop believing in God, if you can... If you truly have free will, you should be able to change your mind and stop believing in God, but I bet you can't because you don't have free will.
 
Ok kedge, change your mind and stop believing in God, if you can... If you truly have free will, you should be able to change your mind and stop believing in God, but I bet you can't because you don't have free will.
I have free will and i can make choices etc, knowledge and truth is what leads me to a cause such as a God, why should i change my mind and ignore the truth (as i see it) i don't worship the God of the Bible like a true Christian does but i believe the universe and everything within our known universe had to have had a causation so i believe the logical explanation of such things was caused rather than produced by random chance processes.
 
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