Casual conversation about being pro-social and atheist at the same time

[Scot Dutchy]

All labels given by the religious. We are simply the default and they are the exception. I dont have a label.

[JimC]

In the strict philosophical sense, it is not possible to be 100% certain about anything, given that our brain is merely constructing models of what external reality might be like (in concrete situations, most of the time those models are quite good)

However, if I were to describe myself as an agnostic, it would not involve any consideration of the existence of supernatural beings of any description. Such religious thinking has no part in my life whatsoever.

[Scot Dutchy]

In the strict philosophical sense, it is not possible to be 100% certain about anything, given that our brain is merely constructing models of what external reality might be like (in concrete situations, most of the time those models are quite good)

However, if I were to describe myself as an agnostic, it would not involve any consideration of the existence of supernatural beings of any description. Such religious thinking has no part in my life whatsoever.

Exactly Jim. I am quite amazed that so many so called "intelligent" people accept these labels. Well I suppose they make a good living out of them.
They are the ones that do the religious thinking.

[rainbow]

All labels given by the religious. We are simply the default and they are the exception. I dont have a label.

...yet you're happy to label all African as corrupt.

[rainbow]

I don't believe in Atheists.

Would you please expand on that?

Secular Agnostics is what they are.

Agnostic atheists?

I've said this before, though - there is also a z-axis.

This depends on whether one is Evangelist, or Secular.

Dawkins would be an example of an Evangelist Agnostic, and there are many secular, but privately religious people.

[Hermit]

I don't believe in Atheists.

Would you please expand on that?

Secular Agnostics is what they are.

Agnostic atheists?

I've said this before, though - there is also a z-axis.

This depends on whether one is Evangelist, or Secular.

Dawkins would be an example of an Evangelist Agnostic, and there are many secular, but privately religious people.

Sure. I would name it activism, though.

One can also add axes displaying political / social / economic / moral views or whatever other properties with which one wishes to grade people. Relevance varies, of course, but the two in the above diagram are the most essential on the topic of belief in a god-thingy.

As for me, my activism depends on circumstance and who I am interacting with. Unless the other person(s) bring(s) religion into the conversation I am usually happy to leave well enough alone. This changes the moment they want to bless me (except when it is an automatic response to a sneeze), say they will pray for me or something else, or ask me to pray. Also, when the interlocutor is a demonstrative member of the clergy or my brother - a very fundamentalist Baptist.

[rainbow]

my brother - a very fundamentalist Baptist.

Don't knock it till you've tasted it.

[laklak]

Spitbraai.

[Scot Dutchy]

All labels given by the religious. We are simply the default and they are the exception. I dont have a label.

...yet you're happy to label all African as corrupt.

[rainbow]

All labels given by the religious. We are simply the default and they are the exception. I dont have a label.

...yet you're happy to label all African as corrupt.

Dutch hypocrisy is the best hypocrisy.

[Scot Dutchy]

Unsupported claim as always.

[rainbow]

Unsupported claim as always.

Absolute data, as always.

[Scot Dutchy]

A un-unsupported claim.

[Svartalf]

I never have that problem except once with a roommate who started playing reli-rock and this was in the days of pre-headphones so 30 years or more ago. He came from the bible belt but we had a typical Dutch polder discussion and reached an agreement. If I was not in the room he could play it. My office was on the edge of the bible belt back then and we had a few nutters but nothing serious. It petered out in a few years.

Dutch bible belt is better than US bible belt?

[Svartalf]

P.S. I use non-belief and atheism in a sloppy manner intended to be inclusive of the breadth of nonbelievers and unitarians and secular humanists kinds of people.

I don't believe in Atheists.

normal, you Africans are 50% christian, 50% muslim, and 100% traditional religionists.