milk jug [#1173]

[DL]

genius my friend, absolutly genius. good job. though i hope you dont consider your self and atheist or agnostic, because along with god, are also imaginary. if you dont believe in god, you simply dont believe, no use in identifying yourself with that "group" if it doesnt really exist. hope to hear back from you, and continue this conversation. great video by the way

[Fridge]

The term still applies whether you know it or not, it is a default stance. You probably don't know it, but you're an aleprechaunist, aunicornist, etc. It doesn't say anything about whether god does or does not exist, it only describes what you believe. I don't see how a term denoting a position of belief is imaginary.

[Hermes]

though i hope you dont consider your self and atheist or agnostic, because along with god, are also imaginary. if you dont believe in god, you simply dont believe, no use in identifying yourself with that "group" if it doesnt really exist.

While I agree with Sam Harris that the word atheist is meaningless, the fact is that the aggressive theists (mostly Christians and Muslims in my area of the world) are quick to belittle anyone who doesn't share their narrow religious beliefs.  Time and time again, the rabid hate filled groups and individuals in the Christian and Muslim camps deride any group that does not follow them exactly -- often searching out anyone they disagree with so they can label people as somehow subhuman.

Because of that, I've decided to take a stand and choose.  Just as the homosexuals reclaimed the word gay, I claim both atheist and agnostic.  The words themselves don't say who I am, only who I'm not.  Yet, much is often assumed by people who are moderately to highly religious.  Making a point that their assumptions aren't valid has value.

For more information, take a look at the poll I'm running here;

http://whywontgodhealamputees.com/forums/index.php?topic=833

[Hermes]

For what it's worth, here is Sam Harris talking on the issue;

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLosRxbnf5g[/youtube]