Agnostics

I would say Buddhist. Mr. Meowgi sayings are teachings of the Dharma.

 

I am just messing with MR. MEOWGI where he said :


"Supernatural Being" is also a metaphor, a symboland I don't think all Gods are beings. We have to say it is a being because it's the best we can do. It is all concepts. The ultimate reality trandcends all notions and concepts. It really can't be talked about. How do tell someone what strawberry tastes like? You can't. Each individuals's God is unique. Strawberry, choco, and every other flavor imaginable

His statement coincide with the very first phrase in the book of Tao Te Ching that roughly translated to " The Tao that can be told of is not the absolute Tao. Don't become a victim of the words. Remember the wordless. Remember that which cannot be communicated through language, through words."

 

The topic is on agnostics.

An agnostic would agree with this. But would add that one can't say w/ 100% certainty that it DID. So a true agnostic would not attempt to forcefully disprove Christianity. Instead would simply acknowledge it as a posibility and move on.

An athiest simply does not beleive god exists in any form.

 

That's how I've always understood it. And I keep moving on. Still makes for interesting reading, however.

 

fair enough. but we act on faith all day long. drive over the 610 loop recently? how about beltway 8 at I-10? i'm always struck by how much faith i put in people i never met when i'm there high in the air trapped in my car.

 

One could easily argue that we are born agnostic.

...if the definition is one who does not beleive or disbeleive in god.

The philosophical question might be in reverse. How long did it take you to be a Christian, Muslim, Hindu, etc.? Then you might find your answer.

 

That's good. But I'm a little lost by what you are trying to express.

Are you saying we drive not knowing if that bridge will support us?

Well, the brain operates by reinforcement. Firstly, I've seen many other people go over first. Secondly, I've subsequently driven over it before. I continue to drive over 610 (and many similar structures) repeatedly without problems. My brain is now conditioned to go over tall bridges w/out pause...but I do understand the slight possibility that the bridge could fail...and am willing to take that risk.

It is exactly this diferentiation that seperates secular faith from religion based faith...direct experience.

 

wow...i wish i could express in words how wrong i feel this statement is. i don't mean that to sound sarcastic. i'm completely and totally honest. God is experential....relationship is experential....theology is academic/detached.

 

Well, there you have it. I suppose you and I just cut straight to the chase about how people approach the subject differently.

The statement "God is experential" is an opinion, IMO.

I feel very certain that driving over 610 has quantifiable characteristics. That I am a living being is quantifiable. These are things I can directly see. I cannot see or touch God. I have no way to use a tape measure (or any other device) to calculate something (anything) quantifiable as it relates to God. This does not mean that god does NOT exist...just that it is something that I am incapable of knowing.

 

Move on to the next subject.

Since the existance of a God cannot be proved/disproved, there really isn't much to say about the subject.

 

Through life, with an open mind, I hope, but without losing sleep over not believing in a "supreme being". It doesn't mean you don't have "faith"... there are lots of things I have faith in, this just doesn't happen to be one of them. I think the fact that others do is wonderful, as long as they don't try to force me and my own to believe what they believe or use their faith for violence against others. I only ask that they respect my choice as well. And if my children, who have been exposed to religion, choose to practice it, they have my blessing. So does my wife, if she becomes a practicing Catholic again. I just want the freedom to go my own way... and I have it.



edit: I'd disagree with krosfyah that there is nothing to discuss... it would depend on where your interests are. I wouldn't be surprised to run across an agnostic with a deep interest in religion, like they might with any other subject... the sciences, science fiction, history, literature, politics and so on... and some people are very passionate about what they believe in those subjects.

 

Good point. I actually am interested in religion outside of whether I personally beleive in the existance of a God. I find each of the subjects you mention that surround religion as extremely interesting. It provides great insight into humanity.

But the simple question about God, this is a debate that few people can have objectively. I think that it is an interesting question...but purely academic...since humans are incapable of providing a definative answer. Hense, move on.

 

i have discussions about God with people all the time. on here and in real life.

 

I think what krosfyah and I are try to say is one does not talk about "God" because it is better to break apart one's preconceptions of the divine and build wisdom through meditative reflection rather than theological propositions. The miracle of the divine is here to experienced. All concepts are futile.

 

I don't know if this was directed at me or someone else. If it's me, then I'd say to read my post again.