I have bern an "atheist," not an agnostic for 46 years. I had no questions or hesitations when I made my decision and declaration. I am still absolutely sure without hesitations. Call me pretentious for my assurity, and it ain't no bs.

Sorry you feel that way.

Agnostic generally refers to the idea that it can’t be known one way or the other. Atheism refers to the rejection of all asserted gods (because there is no evidence).

Sounds like your problem, not mine ~

Well...at least you admit you don't really know anything.
Recognizing the problem is the first step in over-coming the problem...

I agree, I don't like the word, either. The word gets often used to describe someone who firmly disbelieves in God, and even sometimes to describe someone who has no belief in anything that might be considered divine or spiritual. If it gets used this way enough, it shapes how one thinks of an atheist. Atheism becomes a pejorative word. As some people pointed out, you shouldn't really need a word to describe a lack of belief in something, but due to the nature of the topic, we currently do.
I prefer to call myself a Pantheist. It is a more precise word to represent my spiritual beliefs, and most people haven't heard of it, which gives me the opportunity to clarify where I stand and why. I think Dillahunty identifies as a secular humanist (although also as an atheist). Using more precise words to describe oneself in this context can go a long way in avoiding the stigma held against atheism. And it is not dishonest to call yourself an atheist to one group and an agnostic or believer to another so long as you understand what each group would infer that to mean. Strangely, audiences can alter a word's meaning as much as literal context.

Funny that you say that as that is kind of what my mom thought. Generally when I whip out that I am Atheist it is to shut some religious person down. I think the word can have a negative connotation even amongst Agnostics (Such as yourself). Some always want to leave a little doubt so they claim Agnostic status.

Though I am Atheist I do have a spiritual side. It is hard to live where I live and not have a spiritual side as nature is in full bloom all around me. I was urged by my mom just to let people know (if asked) that I am spiritual... And let it go at that. Sometimes I do that... Depending on the situation.

But I always want to tell them that their religion most likely wouldn't even be here if it weren't for a mentally ill Roman emperor. Nero.

Welcome, don't sweat the small shit....some just have a hard time adjusting to us dumb-ass Texans...after getting to know us....and our opening mouth and inserting foot ways, they come to accept that we are great people that just have back-ground and culture flaws.....or they block us.... in the meantime, breathe, walk slow and drink alot of water, and converse with some really super people....they'll come around.

Okay...thanks for all the good advice, and my apologies to offend anyone with my belief.

I was so giddy about this place for the last few days, thinking to myself finally I've found a place I can be me and be accepted without judgement..

I just need a place to vent... My thoughts aren't always coherent or cohesive, off the bat. I'm gonna hit a foul ball or two, before I get on base, but I certainly didn't come here to insult anyone.

Had any of you thought so taken the time to read my bio, I believe you'd see thats the case.

Again, just warming up, it's only the first inning.

Peace

Hello and welcome to the site. You seem a bit angry if your first sentence to us is any indicator of how you feel in general. The whole thing about not having a religion is that we can call ourselves anything we wish, unlike those who follow a creed. I am both an atheist and an agnostic, no contradiction by being both, and sometimes I say I am a nonbeliever or a nontheist. Above all I am a freethinker, and that is most important to me....anything else is just a label. You won’t find many people here disagreeing with your assertion that you don’t know anything, we are all in the same boat , looking for answers. The one thing we do agree on is that there is no evidence of a god or gods. Browse the site and take a look at the groups, you will probably find a few that appeal to you, and then just join in the craic! Above all, enjoy.

well at least you spelled it right! that's a start )

i am sorry you hate it. i don't claim to know anything unusual, but neither am i in particular doubt. it seems sufficiently unlikely that for all practical purposes there are no gods. i mean if one is hiding somewhere, i really don't care, but i can't say i think it's any more likely than that a sprite will emerge from my nose and hand me a million bucks. so i can't call myself an agnostic. i spent no time or energy doubting that gods are every bit as imaginary as the tooth fairy (who owes me a quarter, by the way). therefore i have to call myself an atheist, when i bother labeling myself. it's a convenient enough label but it's certainly not my only descriptor. i don't think i am pretentious and i don't think i reek of much bullshit.

g

I don't think it's pretentious, not where it relates to me at any rate, I consider myself to be an atheist solely because I see no evidence for the existence of any god, anything divine or anything supernatural. It's not a lack of belief it's just non belief, there's nothing, that I can see, to believe in. I don't define myself by the term and it certainly isn't the most important thing in life to me.