@WithoutReason,
Outstanding question, Thank you.
I'll apologize now for the length of this post, but I think it important to share the genesis for our particular orientations as humbly and honestly as possible. This is important: I believe our
concept of self as a 'being' lies at the foundation of almost everything else we adhere; most-certainly at the basis of our theology. Built on top of this self-concept is nearly every philosophical view we hold; turn this "dial of theology" but just a smidge and the entire kaleidoscope of philosophical thought changes vastly; subtley in some ways, but widely nonetheless.
WithoutReason wrote:My question is are there any agnostics/atheists out there who, while finding it unlikely that God or any sort of higher power exists, find that probability undesirable and would rather that a higher power did exist?
Well, to start out, I'll state that I'm neither glad nor sad, overall, that I'm an atheist; it's just one part of who I am. In any case, your question asks for a simple answer and I don't think there is one. If you put a gun to my head and bade me answer simply, I'd have to say "Yes, I wish I did". But I think
it's more complicated than that.[INDENT]
For Me and My own Emotional Happiness: Absent of Other Considerations: Absolutely, unequivicably, wholeheartedly and without reservation,
Yes, I wish I believed! But I fear that many atheists haven't pondered this through to it's logical permutation (perhaps they have, this being only my perception). But what I believe is that
there is a 'private pain' within each considered soul that yearns for something more (both in terms of "what there is" as well as an externally-imposed, quasi-objective 'meaning'). This is the part of me that to the question: "Is this all that I am?" answers, "Yes it is; accept it and through it be the best you can".
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For my Intellect: Without any shadow of a doubt, "
No, I'm very glad I don't believe". Now, I have to be careful here, because this particular view is exclusively 'me'. I'd not impose this judgement upon others since its complexity and diversity are endemic to the mind who's thinking it. I value those few "things" that I can say "I know" and believe the number of such tidbits to be few and far inbetween. For those things I think I DO know, out of critical thinking, they are just so because I have evidence and/or reason to account for them; I see no evidence or reason that leads me to this place, at all. What's more, I believe the intellect that admits its gaps in knowledge is better postured to seek such answers. Further, I believe (and could
almost say "I know) that any human's best condition is that which accepts their condition; then proceeding from there and tries to understand it. My intellect tells me that we are unique on this planet - to be sure - but are still, at our core, just another inhabitant with a mental 'uniqueness' that's enabled our continued existence.
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For My Self Respect:
No, because I need to be true to what I can reasonably believe. If I had a basis;
any basis that I saw as valid, I'd be equally dishonest to try and assert otherwise. "And above all else, to thine ownself be true"; I may not succeed at this bidding, but falsely "trying" to believe (or saying I do, when I don't) is self depricating.
[/INDENT]As far as agnosticism goes; to me this is a funny animal. To say I am "without knowledge" strikes me as a "no-duh"; I believe
virtually all of us are without knowledge. But theism/atheism speaks not one bit to
knowledge, it simply asks "do
one believe?". And yes, I'm well aware that some fine people profess their theism/atheism as "I know". I make no claim to absolute knowledge here.
WithoutReason wrote:Some even state that religion is primitive falsehood that we as humanity need to overcome in order to improve the condition of the world, and many have suggested they would force theists to give up their beliefs (if it were possible, but at least they'd ban public expression of religion). The morality and consequences of banning religion might be interesting to explore, but perhaps we should save that for another thread.
Yea, you're quite right. I think many overtly-vocal atheists come in this flavor. This is where I get to admit to my own faults: I've come around on this issue over the years to a place that's more complicated than I thought: Everyone has an innate human right (woops, there's that term again) to worship
or not as their conscience dictates; this must be. On the other hand,
- I do believe that there exists the potential for better cooperation and harmony among humans were there no religion;
- Yes I believe humans might focus on each other more, were our most deeply-held affections and hope not directed 'elsewhere'
- And yea I do believe there is some measure of polarization that we could do without
...but this is a pipe-dream and I know that now. It won't happen and that's ok; not only that, depending on how one views "humanity's worth" it could reasonably perceived as
better.
In any case, I feel strongly that
the need to reach for something more, to have faith is a deeply personal and precious part of our humanity. Yes I think we
could be better off without it -
but no, I wouldn't take it away if I had the power. Given these strange bedfellows of thought, there exists but one solution left:
Tolerance.
WithoutReason wrote:Given my overall personality, I believe that I should be a spiritual person, but somehow I've become lost along the way and can no longer bring myself to believe. Like many agnostics/atheists, I was a believer (in my case, Christian) for an extended period of time.
Wow, I love the honesty. I feel often, on forums like this, most don't ascend to such deep-expressions for fear of getting their neck's chopped off or being perceived as 'weak'. Salute!
But yea, I know what you mean. Sometimes I feel the morose black-sheep among the smiling, happy crowd. At other times I stand amongst the crowd and want to yell, "Maybe we'd be a little nicer to each other were we not waiting for godot!" I do; however, have a suggestion: Pray. I hear that for some, some sort of answer comes; for me, there's been only the stare of my 'reality' looking back with a face that says: Deal with it, it's part of the human condition.
WithoutReason wrote:Are people in my predicament simply people who are not strong enough to accept the reality that we are alone and responsible for our own destinies rather than trying to find comfort in a higher power who watches over us and ensures our immortality? Or are we people who so much want to have power over our own lives that we reject God and the responsibility that comes with believing in him? Or are we something else entirely?
Again; Capital questions! I think each person - regardless of where they stand this day - owes it to themselves to ask such questions. The fact that you've the personal fortitude to honestly ask says that, towards whichever destination of comfort, you're virtually there.
I'll apologize again for the long response; hoping its well received.
Thanks