Do you believe in God?

You're aware there's a such thing as an agnostic atheist and an agnostic theist, right?

Agnosticism is an epistemological position. That is, a position dealing with the knowledge of metaphysical claims (usually). Atheism and theism are positions of belief. There's a distinct difference. If you don't believe in a God, you would be considered atheist, regardless if you believe it's possible a God exists.

Thanks Zetherin, I've tried to get this important point across so many times I've virtually given up. It's a very important distinction; yet time and time again I see people mix the two up. What ends up happening is we have lots of folks running around preaching misinformation about atheists.

An atheist just doesn't happen to believe; that designation, in itself, speaks nothing to claiming any absolute knowledge.

Thanks again

"Anyone to believe there is nothing higher than self, will always be a loner in search for something and never find it".

William

Those who can't face up to reality tend to invent invisible friends to keep themselves company.

The notion of god is an anachronism.

I firmly believe that if you could conduct an experiment whereby people were born into this age of science, as normal, but it was somehow possible that religion and all established notions of a creator were able to be withheld from them, none of them would consider it for a moment, it would not enter their heads. The concept of god dates back to primitive times, pre-science, pre-technology; god is just a simple explanation for the universe, thought up by very simple, unadvanced minds. Information has progressed somewhat since then. People should really be more discerning in what they give their assent to.

gogo, Scientist have also discovered most primitive societies in remote issolated groups have some kind of belief system of non-physical energy. These people didn't learn it from outside society, because they were never in touch with any. I 100% agree there is no god out there controlling things, but there seems to be a universal energy that we are all a part of.

Thanks Zetherin, I've tried to get this important point across so many times I've virtually given up. It's a very important distinction; yet time and time again I see people mix the two up. What ends up happening is we have lots of folks running around preaching misinformation about atheists.

An atheist just doesn't happen to believe; that designation, in itself, speaks nothing to claiming any absolute knowledge.

It's actually one of the most common misconceptions I've ever seen. The majority of people I come across don't realize the distinction, and moreover, many, as you noted, begin spreading misinformation regarding atheism. It seems to me many only address atheism these days in terms of the modern atheist movement, which is a grave, grave error. But that's a whole other discussion.

You're aware there's a such thing as an agnostic atheist and an agnostic theist, right?

Agnosticism is an epistemological position. That is, a position dealing with the knowledge of metaphysical claims (usually). Atheism and theism are positions of belief. There's a distinct difference. If you don't believe in a God, you would be considered atheist, regardless if you believe it's possible a God exists.

gogo, Scientist have also discovered most primitive societies in remote issolated groups have some kind of belief system of non-physical energy. These people didn't learn it from outside society, because they were never in touch with any. I 100% agree there is no god out there controlling things, but there seems to be a universal energy that we are all a part of.

Obviously I have no proof, but I strongly feel people born in isolation of any form of spirituality, they will intuitively sense that there is more to their lives than just the physical. And they will probably distort their feelings in some kind of religion that the rest of society may accept.
I don't think it would matter if they were born in a technological society, void of any sense of spirituality, they would sense there is more.

gojo wrote, "Yes, you said it - primitive societies.

What I'm saying is that if people were born into advanced societies, but with all notions of religion/god somehow withheld from them, in this day and age, they wouldn't think of it. At least, if they did, of their own volition, they would not take it seriously.

My very argument is that god is a product of primitive curiosity."
Obviously I have no proof, but I strongly feel people born in isolation of any form of spirituality, they will intuitively sense that there is more to their lives than just the physical. And they will probably distort their feelings in some kind of religion that the rest of society may accept.
I don't think it would matter if they were born in a technological society, void of any sense of spirituality, they would sense there is more.

Please vote above.

Please tell me if you believe in God or don't believe.

Perhaps you could give some explanation or reason for your position?

Thank you
--Pythagorean

First of all, my intuition tells me there is a Supreme Creator (helps to define what I mean by God). I also think this God is omniscient and omnipotent ... whether this God is also omnibenevolent, well ... I'll leave that rest.

Why?

I can't see the universe as being the result of an accident. That's the best science has as an explanation for its existence, and my own.

An accident that would be even less likely to occur: Drop a bunch of nails from the Empire State Building. You take the elevator down to inspect what became of them on the street. What happened? They formed themselves into a Corvette, with Elvis Presley strumming a guitar in the back seat. You think I'd believe that could happen? No. But what of the universe happening as an accident ... despite the second law of thermodynamics? What should really have happened, given no Designer, is the fireball that expanded as the big bang, should have vaporized into nothingness.

Strike a match and what does it do?

It turns into a cinder, not a box of matches.

Kick a bunch of mud and sand around and what happens?

The mud and sand remain mud and sand. The mud and sand doesn't, over time, take on life, and through some equally miraculour processes, turn into intelligent life, no matter how much kicking and messing around you might do.

I agree with your intelligent design approach. It's a no-brainer as far as I am concerned. To have complexity there is a need for complex origin.