How religious are you?

[Ziggy Stardust]

But ... but ... theism does require Gods.

If someone believes in "The Force" he's not necessarily a theist, if someone does not believe in the Force, not necessarily an atheist. Theism and atheism is about Gods. Nothing more.

 

[Camikaze]

Who said 'God' is an old man with a white beard? 'God' doesn't have to be some Santa Claus figure, 'God' can be a feeling, a force of some kind, etc.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

That's why I was careful saying: not necessarily a theist.

God can be a feeling or a force, but a feeling or a force doesn't have to be a god. Depends on what kind of religion you are talking about. But I should have been boring and just have countered with Buddhism, which most certainly is a religion, and most certainly has no gods.

 

[Camikaze]

Ok, I getcha. Couldn't you argue, however, that if someone believes in a Force, it is different to someone believing in a force? With the former of the two designating some sort of religious/theistic belief? Petty, I know.

 

[Winner]

But ... but ... theism does require Gods.

If someone believes in "The Force" he's not necessarily a theist, if someone does not believe in the Force, not necessarily an atheist. Theism and atheism is about Gods. Nothing more.

That's kinda like nitpicking. YES, you're right that in the strict sense, atheism is an opposite to theism.

In the sense atheism is widely understood today, however, it is the opposite of religous belief, no matter what form does the religion take. I am pretty sure most atheists aren't animists or something like that.

So, to reiterate, atheism as I see it is a lack of religion (and faith in the supernatural) of any sort.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Ok, I getcha. Couldn't you argue, however, that if someone believes in a Force, it is different to someone believing in a force? With the former of the two designating some sort of religious/theistic belief? Petty, I know.

I s'pose you could. As I said, depends entirely on the religion. And I should not have capitalised "gods" in post 163.

I'm guessing you'd refer to Yoda's "The Force" as "a force", which is where capitalisation goes bananas.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

It is not only possible to be both atheistic and religious, it is also possible to be theistic and not at all religious.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Something like: "There's a god, so what?"?

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Or, "there's a God, but no one else but me really knows what He/She/It/They is like." Either works.

 

[Dachs]

I'm religious enough for my purposes!

 

[Phlegmak]

Jesus did not came to abolish the OT, he came to fulfill them (or whatever the expert Christians; MobBoss, Classical Hero. Said)

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. (Matthew 5:17)

Sounds like the OT is still in full swing.

I think I'm going to ask a theologian

That is correct. No need to ask a theologian in my opinion.

Also, as anecdotal evidence: Christians love the 10 Commandments for some reason. Therefore, Old Testament stuff is important.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Jesus mentioned most of the 10 Commandments on the Sermon on the Mount.

 

[Phlegmak]

Jesus mentioned most of the 10 Commandments on the Sermon on the Mount.

More evidence the Old Testament is important!

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I am pretty sure that every Christian who has ever lived has had a slightly different opinion of the importance of the Old Testament . . .

 

[LucyDuke]

That's kinda like nitpicking. YES, you're right that in the strict sense, atheism is an opposite to theism.

In the sense atheism is widely understood today, however, it is the opposite of religous belief, no matter what form does the religion take. I am pretty sure most atheists aren't animists or something like that.

So, to reiterate, atheism as I see it is a lack of religion (and faith in the supernatural) of any sort.

The opposite of the religious fanatic is not the fanatical atheist but the gentle cynic who cares not whether there is a god or not.

 

[warpus]

That's kinda like nitpicking. YES, you're right that in the strict sense, atheism is an opposite to theism.

In the sense atheism is widely understood today, however, it is the opposite of religous belief, no matter what form does the religion take. I am pretty sure most atheists aren't animists or something like that.

So, to reiterate, atheism as I see it is a lack of religion (and faith in the supernatural) of any sort.

Most Buddhists are atheist. I suppose you could say that they aren't religious...

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Actually, when someone talks about the difference between atheist and non-religious, Buddhists are the first group I think of.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Most religions are the cultural manifestations and/or social organization of a particular brand of theism.

 

[Winner]

Most Buddhists are atheist. I suppose you could say that they aren't religious...

Did you read my post? I clearly said that atheism is understood in a broader meaning - so it's not just an antithesis of theism, but also of religion in general. Buddhists certainly believe in many supernatural things and "revealed truths", ergo they cannot be atheists other than in the strict sense.

Why do you want to argue about semantics? You know perfectly well what I mean and I clearly explained my position.

 

[holy king]

Or, "there's a God, but no one else but me really knows what He/She/It/They is like." Either works.

being religious doesnt necessarily require being in a religious organisation.