Number of Theist/Atheist/Agnostic People on boards

24-09-2013 07:20PM

FFS how are people still talking about being either atheist or agnostic!?

Artful_Badger · 24-09-2013 07:29PM

Geomy wrote: »

That's why anyone with common sense will sit on the fence and have a laugh at the militants on either side, or be glad you're neither religious or atheist.

I think there's a discussion on the A+A forum about the word 'Atheism' and the goal posts are going from one end of the pitch to the other.

I don't like the fact that Atheists use homosexuality and the fact that religion is against it in a lot of their discussions, its not fair on the gay community.

I know a lot of Gay, Bisexuals and Lesbians who are spiritual and believe in a spiritual relm.
They get a lot of comfort from positive affirmations they read in new age spiritual books.

Agnosticism makes more sense to me, some atheists will say they don't believe in the sky gods but are not sure if there's a god, higher power or not.
More atheists just won't budge, and say there is no God or spiritual relm....

Common sense is what got us into this mess. If people actually looked at it in a rational way they would see the question itself is based on superstition, myth and ignorance and would dismiss it until evidence arose to warrant it being taken seriously. Without that evidence then god doesnt exists the same as I'd say the Klingons dont exist as a species in outer space. You on the fence about that one too ?

Geomy · 24-09-2013 07:34PM

Artful_Badger wrote: »

Common sense is what got us into this mess. If people actually looked at it in a rational way they would see the question itself is based on superstition, myth and ignorance and would dismiss it until evidence arose to warrant it being taken seriously. Without that evidence then god doesnt exists the same as I'd say the Klingons dont exist as a species in outer space. You telling me you're on the fence about that one too ?

You see you're post is even delusional, coming to the conclusion I believe in Klingons.

You made that up in your head and believed in it, doing someone else's thinking for them is a form of insanity.

I didn't post to judge any one but your on the defence mode, that's ok....

Jimoslimos · 24-09-2013 07:35PM

Seachmall wrote: »

I've said twice, I think, in this thread that I don't know, can't know and make no claims to know.

That's exactly my point; it is impossible to know.

Therefore everybody is an agnostic. Regardless of whether they can bring themselves to admit it or not.

I think even Richard Dawkins, about as close as anybody is to being gnostic atheist said that technically he would consider himself agnostic atheist.

Geomy wrote: »

That's why anyone with common sense will sit on the fence and have a laugh at the militants on either side, or be glad you're neither religious or atheist.

In a week where over 50 people have died in an incident involving religious extremists I don't much care for "having a laugh". But please, feel free to laugh at the equally dangerous atheist militants.

And for the last time, agnosticism doesn't mean neither religious nor atheist.

seanie_c · 24-09-2013 07:36PM

Artful_Badger wrote: »

Common sense is what got us into this mess. If people actually looked at it in a rational way they would see the question itself is based on superstition, myth and ignorance and would dismiss it until evidence arose to warrant it being taken seriously. Without that evidence then god doesnt exists the same as I'd say the Klingons dont exist as a species in outer space. You on the fence about that one too ?

The universe undermines the human belief something cannot be true and false at the same time or is that irrational also?

Artful_Badger · 24-09-2013 07:37PM

Geomy wrote: »

You see you're post is even delusional, coming to the conclusion I believe in Klingons.

You made that up in your head and believed in it, doing someone else's thinking for them is a form of insanity.

I didn't post to judge any one but your on the defence mode, that's ok....

I said and think nothing of the kind. I am actually assuming you dont believe in Klingons and dont even entertain it something to be for or against.

Why then are you on the fence when it comes to something else that was entirely invented by mankind without a shred of evidence to suggest these stories and inventions could have been right ?

View · 24-09-2013 07:38PM

cletus van damme wrote: »

How can one be atheist AND agnostic?

my understanding is that one believes in something but the other believes in nothing (in terms of higher powers )

i seek enlightenment.

That would be Buddhism, wouldn't it? :-)

Geomy · 24-09-2013 07:39PM

Jimoslimos wrote: »

I think even Richard Dawkins, about as close as anybody is to being gnostic atheist said that technically he would consider himself agnostic atheist.

In a week where over 50 people have died in an incident involving religious extremists I don't much care for "having a laugh". But please, feel free to laugh at the equally dangerous atheist militants.

And for the last time, agnosticism doesn't mean neither religious nor atheist.

Thanks for bringing the latest news into this, im sorry I didn't mean the militants fighting war's.

I should have explained myself better, I mean the people who discuss and debate on whether there's a God or not.

There's no such thing as a militant Atheist

Pherekydes · 24-09-2013 07:40PM

I'm atheist. And not a little bit agnostic about it. I know god doesn't exist, because she told me herself.

Geomy · 24-09-2013 07:45PM

Artful_Badger wrote: »

I said and think nothing of the kind. I am actually assuming you dont believe in Klingons and dont even entertain it something to be for or against.

Why then are you on the fence when it comes to something else that was entirely invented by mankind without a shred of evidence to suggest these stories and inventions could have been right ?

Ok I know what you mean now, I have nothing against people who are good people and get peace out of their beliefs or non belief's.

I know loads of people who meditate and pray and feel good about it, I even know atheists who don't believe in God but use positive affirmations that they read in new age spiritual books.

Even Atheists in 12 step programmes use their recovery group as a higher power, as in consider the love and support as something positive as what helps them.

Some are sober or abstinent for decades. ...

You are right those holy books show no evidence that supports the belief that they try to put out there. ..

Zirconia · 24-09-2013 07:47PM

seanie_c wrote: »

What about Astronomy? Studying the cosmos.

Atheism is dogmatic when it uses dodgy science as evidence to prove a God doesn't exist when there really is no way of knowing right now for certain.

It just comes down to what you believe.

But no doubt Atheists will disagree with me . . .;)

I don't know about the rest of your comment, but what the heck has that line got to do with the question? I'm pretty sure the cosmos exists, and most people, theist, atheist or agnostic, who aren't high on something also believe it, since we and everything we know are part of it?

Reindeer · 24-09-2013 07:48PM

seanie_c wrote: »

Yep, and scientists are not infallible.

Scientists once thought the milky way was our entire universe and they were wrong.

Our models of the universe and its origin are only as good as our knowledge of it today and I'm so sorry If I don't accept the dogmatic beliefs of some Atheists being absolute fact.

Scientists are using primitive instruments to read the universe and then pretend to have an answer how it was created. It's silly.

Yup, just a primitive instrument.

http://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/

http://lambda.gsfc.nasa.gov/product/map/current/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilkinson_Microwave_Anisotropy_Probe

Legs.Eleven · 24-09-2013 07:53PM

I don't believe in anything but don't class myself as anything. I genuinely couldn't give a ****e about it all.

EuropeanSon · 24-09-2013 07:54PM

Galwayguy35 wrote: »

When you hop down of that high horse you might realise that you can't say for certain that there is no life after death either.

People can spend their whole life arguing about it but the reality is none of us know.

You haven't understood his point about what gnosticism and theism are.

Agnosticism is not knowing whether or not god exists. One can believe in god without knowing for certain that it exists. Unless god itself has appeared to someone, they cannot know its existence is certain.

seanie_c · 24-09-2013 07:57PM

Zirconia wrote: »

I don't know about the rest of your comment, but what the heck has that line got to do with the question?...

You can't rely on common sense when understanding the universe.
It's logical to most people heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects but that's not always true, is it?

Czarcasm · 24-09-2013 08:02PM

Online polls such as the one in the OP are meaningless in terms of statistical comparisons and trying to say that the Census figures are wrong.

So many times on Boards we see posters inquire "Have you got any statistics to back up your assertions?", posters seem to LOVE statistics, almost taking them as gospel (if you'll pardon the use of the phrase).

But here's a statistic from the CSO (Remember that misinformation on your Census form carries a fine of €25k), and yet, the same posters that put their faith so to speak in logic and statistics as defined fact, are the very same people who will scream "That's unpossible! There must be some mistake!".

It's something I noticed too in the "So what's your MBTI type?" thread - an abundance of INTJ personality types, even though statistically we only make up 2% of the general population. One might be given to believe the figure was higher than 2% reading that thread.

I see posters who identify as atheist claim that church attendance is dwindling among young people or that the church is only popular in isolated areas of the country. Those people making such spurious claims would do well to stand outside any church on a Sunday morning in the city. They're packed! There's enough people in attendance for two and even three services on the one Sunday alone, not including Saturday night services, and if I was pushed to hazard a guess at the demographics within the church I myself attend on a Sunday, 12 o clock mass, the numbers of young, middle aged and old people, there are definitely more people in the 15 - 25 age category than there are in the 50+ age category (I'm purposely being generous in leaving the older category open ended).

I also attend an Abundant Life service (Christian theology) beforehand on a Sunday and their services too are packed out (I attend the 10am service, but there's one after at 12pm).

So I would surmise, based on my own anecdotal evidence (equal to that of the individual atheist anecdotal evidence), that the official Census figures may not be as far out as some posters on Boards seem to think they are.

When you're looking at statistics and demographics, it's important to look at the bigger picture given by all the other statistics involved, which will give you a better understanding of where that one statistic comes from. It's not just because granny was at home that night filling out the census form for the whole household.

Ghost Buster · 24-09-2013 08:06PM

seanie_c wrote: »

Thanks for calling me stupid, Atheist.

Shouldn't that be ironic instead of illogical?
Another fine misuse of logic by an Atheist.

I don't believe in any religions/cults and that includes Atheism.
So sorry.

Called your posts stupid. You can tell by the way i said your posts are stupid. Similar to smoking is stupid isnt saying smokers are stupid.
I dont think you are stupid . Just easily confused.

seanie_c · 24-09-2013 08:09PM

Ghost Buster wrote: »

Called your posts stupid. You can tell by the way i said your posts are stupid. Similar to smoking is stupid isnt saying smokers are stupid.
I dont think you are stupid . Just easily confused.

LMAO.

Heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects.

Is that statement true or false?

Geomy · 24-09-2013 08:10PM

Ghost Buster wrote: »

Called your posts stupid. You can tell by the way i said your posts are stupid. Similar to smoking is stupid isnt saying smokers are stupid.
I dont think you are stupid . Just easily confused.

Attack the post and not the poster. ...

Great excuse I see here quite a lot tut tut....

Jonny7 · 24-09-2013 08:11PM

Czarcasm wrote: »

Online polls such as the one in the OP are meaningless in terms of statistical comparisons and trying to say that the Census figures are wrong.

So many times on Boards we see posters inquire "Have you got any statistics to back up your assertions?", posters seem to LOVE statistics, almost taking them as gospel (if you'll pardon the use of the phrase).

But here's a statistic from the CSO (Remember that misinformation on your Census form carries a fine of €25k), and yet, the same posters that put their faith so to speak in logic and statistics as defined fact, are the very same people who will scream "That's unpossible! There must be some mistake!".

It's something I noticed too in the "So what's your MBTI type?" thread - an abundance of INTJ personality types, even though statistically we only make up 2% of the general population. One might be given to believe the figure was higher than 2% reading that thread.

I see posters who identify as atheist claim that church attendance is dwindling among young people or that the church is only popular in isolated areas of the country. Those people making such spurious claims would do well to stand outside any church on a Sunday morning in the city. They're packed! There's enough people in attendance for two and even three services on the one Sunday alone, not including Saturday night services, and if I was pushed to hazard a guess at the demographics within the church I myself attend on a Sunday, 12 o clock mass, the numbers of young, middle aged and old people, there are definitely more people in the 15 - 25 age category than there are in the 50+ age category (I'm purposely being generous in leaving the older category open ended).

I also attend an Abundant Life service (Christian theology) beforehand on a Sunday and their services too are packed out (I attend the 10am service, but there's one after at 12pm).

So I would surmise, based on my own anecdotal evidence (equal to that of the individual atheist anecdotal evidence), that the official Census figures may not be as far out as some posters on Boards seem to think they are.

When you're looking at statistics and demographics, it's important to look at the bigger picture given by all the other statistics involved, which will give you a better understanding of where that one statistic comes from. It's not just because granny was at home that night filling out the census form for the whole household.

Yup boards isn't an accurate cross-section

I mean reddit is 70-something % male which is extraordinary for such a large site

clairefontaine · 24-09-2013 08:14PM

I'm in the its not that important if there's a god or not, stop making such a big stink about it camp.

Ghost Buster · 24-09-2013 08:16PM

Geomy wrote: »

Attack the post and not the poster. ...

Great excuse I see here quite a lot tut tut....

seanie_c wrote: »

What about Astronomy? Studying the cosmos.

Atheism is dogmatic when it uses dodgy science as evidence to prove a God doesn't exist when there really is no way of knowing right now for certain.

It just comes down to what you believe.

But no doubt Atheists will disagree with me . . .;)

The bit in bold is stupid, incorrect and misleading.

Artful_Badger · 24-09-2013 08:17PM

seanie_c wrote: »

LMAO.

Heavier objects fall faster than lighter objects.

Is that statement true or false?

It can be true or false depending on the conditions. Whats your point ?

Ghost Buster · 24-09-2013 08:18PM

Artful_Badger wrote: »

It can be true or false depending on the conditions. Whats your point ?

Something about atheists being scientists who insist the big bang theory is definitely true there fore there is no god...or something!

Geomy · 24-09-2013 08:25PM

Ghost Buster wrote: »

Something about atheists being scientists who insist the big bang theory is definitely true there fore there is no god...or something!

The thing I find sceptical is who was there to hear the big bang, and who'll be there to feel the big crunch ?

frozenfrozen · 24-09-2013 08:33PM

accidentally voted agnostic, but I hold very atheistic views so pretend there's one less vote for agnostic and one more vote for atheism

Zen65 · 24-09-2013 08:36PM

seanie_c wrote: »

Yep, and scientists are not infallible.

Scientists know they are not infallible. In fact they relish that.

As Daire O'Briain once said, "if science had all the answers, it would stop"

AudreyHepburn · 24-09-2013 08:37PM

Christian/Catholic and Agnostic in so far as I don't KNOW that God exists but I BELIEVE that He does.

To be honest though I could care less what anyone believes or doesn't believe. Nor do I care what people think of my beliefs.

Live and let live I say.

Militancy and aggression does neither side any favors.

wretcheddomain · 24-09-2013 08:40PM

We were all born atheists, forced to be Catholics, and then the intelligible ones return to the natural atheist state with time.

Benny_Cake · 24-09-2013 08:42PM

Czarcasm wrote: »

I see posters who identify as atheist claim that church attendance is dwindling among young people or that the church is only popular in isolated areas of the country. Those people making such spurious claims would do well to stand outside any church on a Sunday morning in the city. They're packed! There's enough people in attendance for two and even three services on the one Sunday alone, not including Saturday night services, and if I was pushed to hazard a guess at the demographics within the church I myself attend on a Sunday, 12 o clock mass, the numbers of young, middle aged and old people, there are definitely more people in the 15 - 25 age category than there are in the 50+ age category (I'm purposely being generous in leaving the older category open ended).

I also attend an Abundant Life service (Christian theology) beforehand on a Sunday and their services too are packed out (I attend the 10am service, but there's one after at 12pm).

So I would surmise, based on my own anecdotal evidence (equal to that of the individual atheist anecdotal evidence), that the official Census figures may not be as far out as some posters on Boards seem to think they are.

I don't think the census figures are quite as far off as people think. Sure, almost certainly many parents put their (grown) kids down as Catholic or whatever religion they themselves happen to be, but you could make the point that in most cases those kids probably aren't too bothered about it either way and might even describe themselves as Catholic, even if they don't care too much about any of that "God stuff". Ultimately, you can only go on the information that people provide on the form, and I'd say the same goes for most countries. Personally, I'd imagine the much touted 84% figure is overstated by about 10% or so. I've pulled that figure out of my backside but as Homer Simpson said "Aw, people can come up with statistics to prove anything, Kent. Forty percent of all people know that".

Anecdotally, the profile of people who attend services seems to vary from place to place. In the last Catholic church I attended, it was largely the elderly and families with young children. I currently attend a Quaker meeting and the bulk of the people there are in their 40s and 50s, with some younger people coming along occasionally (I'm 34, so that probably doesn't count!). That said, membership figures, which are something which Quakers keep meticulous records of, have been stable for at least the last 20 years, and a lot of people seem to get involved as they get a bit older.

Given the tone of most of these discussions on Boards, I suspect I know what the result will be!

Number of Theist/Atheist/Agnostic People on boards

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