religion what part are you from and why?

[insanityfair]

If you follow any religion then tell about it, for instance i am a Buddhist i believe that their way of peace is a better way of life. Buddhism involves peaceful thought, meditation, pro-activity and attempts to rid its followers of the lust for power and that ever persistent greed.

[Willie]

Hi Jesse. I'm not trying to sound picky; I just wanted to clarify terminology. An atheist is a person who whole-heartedly believes there is absolutely no god or afterlife. You said, "I don't know what happens after we die. I have never died before, so I couldn't possibly know." These statements fit the definition of agnosticism. Agnostics, like you said, simply don't know. They're considerably more open minded than atheists. As an agnostic, I don't like it when Christians try to shove Jesus down my throat. Similarly, I don't support atheists who insist that they KNOW there is no god. We haven't died, so we can't know. Even those who claim to have had near death experiences didn't really die.

[jesse vigilante]

Not necessarily. The word "agnostic" was first used by people who fence sitting and didn't have the courage to stand up to the religious crowd and call themselves atheists. Often time people who would call themselves "agnostic" would also call themselves "moderates", whatever the word means. Although that is not the context of the word agnostic today, it was originally just a pretentious way of being an atheist. And just like the word agnostic, the most commonly interpreted definition of the word atheist has also changed. Being an atheist does not entail knowing for sure what happens after death, whatever Bill Maher says. It simply means that one does not follow or believe in any religious doctrine.

By the first definition of the word atheist, I would consider modern agnostics to be atheists. There are lots of atheists who admit to not knowing.

[Willie]

The reason that some "atheists" choose the term agnostic is that we want a clear differentiation from those who take it a step further than simply not following or believing in any religious doctrine. Essentially, we're arguing syntax and semantics here; it makes for great discussion over beers, but please don't take offence. I agree with you in the basic definition of atheism. I'll even agree that agnostics, by technical definition, are atheistic. So as far as that goes, maybe my definition of atheism was a bit narrow-minded. The problem then, is that calling someone an atheist is an oversimplification that could cause confusion. Simply put, I don't want to be lumped into the same category with those who try to shove their godlessness down the throats of the "Godly." I'm very tolerant of religious people and nonreligious people. I don't even laugh out loud when people talk about their bible. (At least I try not to) I'm agnostic; if atheism is the basis for that, so be it.

[jesse vigilante]

Haha! No offense was taken. Right on, continue being agnostic. I just see a wider spectrum within Atheism that most do. And I do consider agnostics to be atheists. We're on the same side, brother. :)

[Andrew C.]

Torturing Jews has brought the peoples of the world together for thousands of years. :P

But I agree with the idea that most of us would act pretty much the same to others without religion. Scientologists, Christians, Jews, Muslims....It's all an excuse to be an asshole to everyone else and block out all rational thought from what's left of your mind.

And this may not make great amounts of sense - it's still early.