As I have said in previous posts, I am new to atheism and to this forum.It's been about a week since I've come here. I thank all of you who have welcomed me, into this community.
Still, there are some basic questions gnawing at me. What exactly is an atheist? Does being an atheist demand and require the unbending belief that no God exists?
I consider myself an atheist because I categorically reject the idea of a personal God, based upon my life-experience and my observations of a corrupt and manipulative Christian institution. In fact, I see that all religions seek to put individuals into a non-thinking state of servitude to a god of ignorance.
But, intellectually, for myself, I must allow for the possible existence of a God. I guess I could identify myself as an agnostic, but I prefer to consider myself a thinking atheist. Let me present an example for thought-fodder.
The one thing we know about ourselves is that we self-consciously exist. There is no atheist explanation for why we exist. In fact, I was told, on this forum, that we shouldn't even ask the question why we exist I reject that thought-binding position.
Now, we self-consciously exist on a minuscule planet called earth, in a minuscule solar system, in a galaxy of seemingly infinite galaxies. Does it seem reasonable or logical that we are the only self-aware beings, in all of the entire universe?
The factors, whatever they are, that brought us into our self-aware existence, here on earth, must assuredly exist in other parts of the universe. It's seems supremely arrogant to think that we are the only self-aware beings in all of the infinite universe.
No matter what the odds are for our self-conscious existence in an infinite universe may be, it seems to me, there must be other self-aware beings somewhere out there, perhaps thousands, perhaps tens of thousands, perhaps more.
If that is true, there could be self-aware beings a thousand years in advance of us or a hundred thousand years, in advance of us. Perhaps, there is some self-aware beings, in a far-distant solar system, who have an understanding of God that is far beyond anything we're presently capable of comprehending.
As I write this a thought came to me. Suppose an astronaut was to contact a self-aware being, from a distant earth-type world. And, suppose the astronaut asked this self-aware being: "Do you believe in God?" And, this self-aware being answered: "God is infinite energy, and each one of us is a self-aware individualization of that infinite energy."
Now, my question is: Does my thinking upon such a scenario, as described above, prohibit me from identifying myself as an atheist? If you struggled through this post, atheist blessings.
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4 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Since there's such a wide divergence as to what exactly "atheist" and "agnostic" mean, much less their literal definitions, what really matters is what these terms mean to you, including whatever connotations you associate with them. So really it comes down to what you're comfortable with in labeling yourself. What feels right? Or more right?
If you are not entirely comfortable with self-identifying as an atheist -- and from your post, this seems to be the case -- then don't. As insightful as it might be to get the opinions of others as to how you should identify yourself, don't let others pin labels on you. Don't let others tell you that your meaning of the word -- and I'm not talking about literal definitions here -- including those pesky connotations, is wrong. Self-identify with what feels most comfortable... to you.
bingst
Level 8
Nov 22, 2017
1
Tomm:
Thank you for responding to my post with your thoughtful advise, I appreciate it.
To me, it is the belief that the man-made definition of God/s that control and demand worship and obedience are to the benefit of people in the position of power and not to an entity that may be responsible for our universe and what may lay beyond.
As to whether there are other life forms in the universe...maybe, does that affect my life, beliefs, and choices? NO
Now for your question. In my opinion, having an open mind does "not" prohibit you from identifying as an atheist or anything else you may want to explore.
(Fun or silly thought)...If a God needs worship and total obedience, then didn't he/she/it miss out on all the other life form on this planet. 
Betty
Level 8
Nov 22, 2017
2
Tomm:
Thank you for your interesting response to my post. To amplify on your observation, If a God exists and demands worship and obedience, why doesn't He or She only create individuals who will use their free will to worship and obey Him or Her, and not bring thinking-unbelievers into existence at all? Hello God, if you're out there, none of asked to be created!
@Tomm In my opinion if a god exists then that god would be outside of our universe, why would that god care about worship and obedience?
So let's say there is a god...What is with all the wars fought in his/her/its/their name/s over many millennia? Are we a video game?
The only gods we know of are the ones that men have written about (fiction). The motive? To get groups of people to conform to a set of rules for the benefit of the ones in power.
Free Will: It is a misnomer. If you chose not to conform to their rules and doctrine you were punished in some form or fashion, ie labeled as an agent of evil.
Atheism does not imply certainty, and one should not infer that from the word. The label merely means that we do not actively believe in a god. It doesn't mean that we believe that no god exists or can exist. There are some people who do think that, and this is why the website has added the category of "antitheist". Atheists can range from people who are completely certain there is no god, to those who are wavering but just about come onto the side of not believing in a god.
I myself am almost entirely sure that there is no god. Almost. Intellectually, I recognise that I must allow for the possibility, however remote.
JosephHarrison
Level 7
Nov 22, 2017
1
Tomm:
Thank you for responding to my post. Your response was intelligent and logical. I don't relate to definitive and non-provable statements by anyone. To me, the best we can do is use the logic we have to make some sense of the non-understandable.
Atheist simply means lack of a belief in a god, or gods. It does not claim to know there is no god, or being in the universe that we would call god. I am an agnostic atheist . I do not believe there is a god, or are gods. I see no evidence for, or need for, a god. So, in this sense, I am 100% atheist. However, I am also agnostic as I accept that I do not have all of the knowledge of the universe...and agnostic means "without knowledge." It is possible that a creator god exists; but, until I see evidence of its existence, I will not believe it does. Now, when it comes to specific, man-made, gods--I am certain they don't exist.
Joanne
Level 7
Nov 22, 2017
3
Tomm:
Thank you for responding to my post, you and others help me see that it would be more appropriate for me to identity as an agnostic atheist, than to consider myself just an atheist. Thanks again, I now identify myself as an agnostic atheist.
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