Here are my simple definitions for atheism and agnosticism:
Atheism is a lack of belief in all things supernatural including gods and goddesses.
This definition answers the questions of belief and faith not of knowledge.
Example: Do you believe in god or a higher power?
Agnosticism is a lack of knowledge on whether the supernatural, including gods and goddesses, can be objectively known.
This definition answers the question of if god or other supernatural beings can actually be objectively known.
Example: Do you know if there is a god?
Faith communities who believe that their religion holds the absolute truth are atheistic toward other faith communities. They lack belief in a competing communities religious ideas.
Example: Christians lack belief in the teachings of Islam because their doctrine denies the divinity of Jesus. Christians believe in the divinity of Jesus.
Example two: Muslims lack belief in the teaching of Christianity because their doctrine teaches God as a triune being. Muslims believe in the singleness of God.
However, Christianity and Islam both lack belief in the many gods and goddess of the Hindu religion, personified as Brahma.
Ergo, when folks ask the question, "Do you believe in god? My answer is, I don't know what god you are talking about. People have believed in countless numbers of gods since time immemorial. Which one created the universe?
I believe in now and making the most out of this opportunity in front of me.
"Atheism is a lack of belief in all things supernatural including gods and goddesses."
ReplyDeleteAll things supernatural? This is why I don't call myself an atheist. I don't believe in gods, however, I do feel that there is some kind of connection that exists in nature.
Think about it, have you ever met someone and felt like you "connected". Ok, maybe a poor example, but there are "connections" between people.
If that is supernatural, then I am not an atheist.
H.
We know through the study of the sciences, especially biology and chemistry, that all life is connected. I agree that there are people that we feel connected to even after a short time. I just don't believe that the significant connection we have with those special individuals is supernatural in origin. Some folks click and some don't. Is it a supernatural connection that causes some folks to click and a lack of a supernatural connection when some folks don't?
ReplyDeleteHmm, maybe supernatural is the wrong term.
ReplyDelete"We know through the study of the sciences, especially biology and chemistry, that all life is connected."
Exactly. I think that all these things, biology, chemistry, astronomy, nano physics, are a part of Nature. Or, perhaps better stated, a part of the Universal knowledge.
So, perhaps there is a natural connection between everything. Or is that too New Age? :-)
H.
Not New Age at all, hindu and buddhist philosophy have alleged that for centuries. There are natural connections(DNA) that allows knowledge, skills, and instincts to pass from generation to generation. There is also in humans a natural ability to transmit orally and well as verbally from generation to generation. Right now all of the accumulated knowledge of the world and what we know about the universe is accessible through the internet, no supernatural power required. :)
ReplyDelete