Originally posted by @chaney3Not so. I am an "implicit atheist". In so far as I have been "moving" in the last 15-20 years, I have stopped being a Christian, "moved" away from it completely, and I have "moved " towards being an "explicit atheist".
You're getting closer to something, and moving away from atheism....so it seems.
16 Sep 18
Originally posted by @fmfAbout a month or two ago, in a thread name I cannot remember, you said you were keeping the "God option" open.
Not so. I am an "implicit atheist". In so far as I have been "moving" in the last 15-20 years, I have stopped being a Christian, "moved" away from it completely, and I have "moved " towards being an "explicit atheist".
It had something to do with the way the brain works, and that's when you said you were an agnostic atheist.
You have your moments when God seems possible.
16 Sep 18
Originally posted by @chaney3I am an atheist. I subscribe more or less to the wiki definition of "agnostic atheist" or an "implicit atheist", as opposed to an "explicit" one. I spent a long time as a Christian but I am not one anymore. I cannot imagine ever being one again.
About a month or two ago, in a thread name I cannot remember, you said you were keeping the "God option" open.
It had something to do with the way the brain works, and that's when you said you were an agnostic atheist.
You have your moments when God seems possible.
16 Sep 18
Originally posted by @fmfOkay. It is interesting how you were a Christian for so many years, are not one now, but still claim to follow the teachings of Jesus.
I am an atheist. I subscribe more or less to the wiki definition of "agnostic atheist" or an "implicit atheist", as opposed to an "explicit" one. I spent a long time as a Christian but I am not one anymore. I cannot imagine ever being one again.
Since we've argued a lot in the past, you may take that statement the wrong way. Don't. I just find your situation interesting.
16 Sep 18
Originally posted by @chaney3A few things he purportedly said coincide with my outlook. There are some interesting and persuasive things that Buddhists say too. But I am not a "follower" of Buddha. The extent to which Christian and Muslim ideas about family, community, charity and behaviour resonate with me does not make me a Christian or a Muslim... or a deist for that matter.
Okay. It is interesting how you were a Christian for so many years, are not one now, but still claim to follow the teachings of Jesus.
16 Sep 18
Originally posted by @chaney3You think I said "It had something to do with the way the brain works"? I think you may be getting me mixed up with someone else.
About a month or two ago, in a thread name I cannot remember, you said you were keeping the "God option" open.
It had something to do with the way the brain works, and that's when you said you were an agnostic atheist.
16 Sep 18
Originally posted by @fmfNo, it was you.
You think I said "It had something to do with the way the brain works"? I think you may be getting me mixed up with someone else.
Something about the brain and how humans think. There was a name for it, but I can't remember.
Originally posted by @chaney3I think you've got it wrong or misunderstood or it was someone else. I think religious belief is a natural and unsurprising product of the human condition and has been throughout human history. I don't think it's due to different brains or how the brain works differently or anything like that. Religious beliefs are just opinions about the universe and opinions about the people [who hold those beliefs] with regard to themselves e.g. "saved", "reincarnated", "sinful", "immortal", animated by spirits etc.. My brain generates opinions about me and life and my surroundings too. Such opinions are also a natural and unsurprising product of the human condition
No, it was you.
Something about the brain and how humans think. There was a name for it, but I can't remember.
17 Sep 18
Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeOne need not be deist to have that freedom.
I think if we can have 'Agnostic atheist' we can certainly have 'Christian deist.'
A possible advantage of being a Christian deist would be the freedom to dismiss the creation account of Genesis and embrace scientific explanations.
17 Sep 18
Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeNot sure about this. I don't see a problem fitting evolution in its entirety (micro and/or macro) into a God created universe.
I believe you take on board the 'micro' processes of evolution as they fit in with your religious outlook, while dismissing the 'macro' (and far more significant) processes of evolution because they don't.
17 Sep 18
Originally posted by @suzianneAgreed, if one were to totally abandon any 'literal existence' of Adam and Eve. (Mankind being a long-term plan of creation, not an instantaneous act).
Not sure about this. I don't see a problem fitting evolution in its entirety (micro and/or macro) into a God created universe.
17 Sep 18
Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeFor a God who could speak into existence things previously not there and maintain it all by the power of His Word, why would He do that?
Agreed, if one were to totally abandon any 'literal existence' of Adam and Eve. (Mankind being a long-term plan of creation, not an instantaneous act).