Agnostics.

[Aeson]

From Dictionary.com - agnostic

ag·nos·tic Pronunciation Key (g-nstk)
n.

1. One who believes that it is impossible to know whether there is a God.
2. One who is skeptical about the existence of God but does not profess true atheism.
3. One who is doubtful or noncommittal about something.

If I were to decide that it was it was impossible to know whether there is a God or not, wouldn't that be a valid reason (personally) to discontinue research on the subject?

And isn't that decision an opinion as well?

[Caligastia]

I think definition #3 is what Sloww is getting at.

[Aeson]

Yes, but he didn't qualify his statements about agnostics. He lumped them all together. If he had said 'some' agnostics there wouldn't be any need for conversation on the subject. If he would like to qualify his statements now with 'some' then he could claim #3 was what he meant. Otherwise he's still calling all agnostics 'fence sitters', 'pansies', and whatever other terms he's used.

[Caligastia]

true

[SlowwHand]

3 is closest to my complaint I guess.
If you research and still say you can't decide, you really have decided.
Again, I personally don't care if one is a Believer or not. I'm just not that nice a guy, quite honestly.

[Aeson]

And honestly, #3 describes me best, though if I wasn't such a 3 I'd be a 1. Or maybe I just apply the basic theory behind 1 towards 1... if that makes any sense

I enjoy my view from the fence!

[Ethelred]

If you research and still say you can't decide, you really have decided

I did decide. I decided not to go on belief so I am Agnostic.

[SlowwHand]

What agnostics fail to recognize, is that being on the fence isn't really being on the fence at all. It's a decision in the negative, they just don't have the balls to accept it.

[Aeson]

And from the opposite viewpoint, those who need to narrowly define their existance do so out of fear of change. (ie. lack of balls)

[Ethelred]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
What agnostics fail to recognize, is that being on the fence isn't really being on the fence at all.

I am not on any fence. You are a believer. I am not.

It's a decision in the negative, they just don't have the balls to accept it.

You don't have the cajones to admit you are just another believer.

[SlowwHand]

[Aeson]

The tinting of the skin is a little off... I'm more of a light tan/yellow... with a dream of someday gaining a nice healthy orange glow

The hair is completely wrong, and no glasses needed

But yes, the pose is very close, especially after the last 10 hours of reading through D3D source files (the posting on Apolyton is refreshing though!)

[SlowwHand]

That was me, tired. You're wearing me out.

[Aeson]

At least I stopped asking questions.... right?

[SlowwHand]

True.

[S. Kroeze]

Originally posted by Aeson
To answer without properly understanding the question would be dishonest regardless of what answer was given.

The term agnostic is made up of the prefix 'a-" and the term gnostic. 'A-' means without, and gnostic is greek for knowlege. An agnostic is one who admits to not knowing. I consider myself an agnostic because I don't believe any knowlege is absolute, regarding God or otherwise. I admit my beliefs are not knowlege, therefore I do not know.

"I don't know" is a valid answer to any question where the answer is not known. Giving this answer doesn't mean the question is being dodged. Often people are unsure about their own beliefs, so even asking "do you believe" doesn't require a definitive answer.

Only an omniscient being could be unconditionally considered "waffling" by giving such an answer. If you atheists are suggesting agnostics are omniscient you are wrong. (but we appreciate the sentiment)

BRAVO! , Aeson, I 'believe' I agree with everything you said.

Unfortunately many people are too pusillanimous to admit doubt.

Now let us discuss another 'simple' question:
Do you believe in %b&@#Zq?

[Aeson]

I am a very devout %b&@#Zqist

[Wraith]

--"Agnostics are dodging a simple question. The question is "Do you believe in the existence of a supernatural being (or a group of supernatural beings?""

How are we dodging this question? My answer is simple. No, I do not believe in the existence of a supernatural being. This is because I am opposed to the concept of belief. I accept this a posibility, however remote, and am open to actual facts on the matter, but I do not "believe".

--"Such basic beliefs include assumptions such as:"

Please consider your terminology. Assumptions are self-evident, they just can't be proven within the system they are assumption for. Beliefs are neither self-evident nor provable, within or outside the system.

Wraith
"Respect the gods, but have as little to do with them as possible."
-- Confucius

[Caligastia]

Agnostics smell like old toenails.

[Ethelred]

I will defer to your expertise on old toe nail sniffing.

But not on Agnostics. Sometimes I smell like sweat for instance.


Do you get a high sniffing old toenails? What is the attraction in the endeavor? Does it pay well?