Religions/Beliefs of Browncoats
POSTED BY: EngineAngel
UPDATED: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 01:24
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PAGE 6 of 16
Quote:
Originally posted by Tristan:
Causal, interesting atheist definitions. Not sure what you mean by faith in that context, though. I have faith in things, even without having a god to base the faith on; faith in myself and faith in others. Dogmatic atheist may not be the best way to describe those of us who do not believe there is a higher power, although it is kind of funny!
Tristan, Indigo--
Good quibbles; let me address what I mean.
First off, faith. Faith is too much associated with religious--and especially Christian--sentiments. While that is one of the definitions of faith (2a1 and 2a2, http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/faith ), I like 2b1 best, because it is more broadly applicable: "firm belief in something for which there is no proof" (where proof is something like empirical evidence or a deductively sound argument). Now, if we grant that the premiss "There is a God" is non-falsifiable and non-provable, the corresponding "It is not the case that there is a God" is also non-falsifiable and non-provable (because if it were provable and proven, then the premiss "There is a God" would be effectively falsified). So if one believes that it is not the case that there is a God, they believe something for which there can be no proof. And if someone believes something for which there is no proof, then they have faith, according to the definition that I'm working with (just like the Theist who believes that it is the case that there is a God, in spite of a lack of proof). I'd like to avoid making "faith" be anything more mystical than it has to be--both the theist and the dogmatic atheist have faith, on these terms.
And on to the whole "dogmatic" thing. I use the term dogma according to defintion 1a: "something held as an established opinion" ( http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/dogma ); and dogmatic defintion 2 is simply "of or related to dogma". If one believes that it is not the case that there is the God, in spite of the lack of deductive or empirical truth--if one takes on faith that there is no God--then this has become something held as an established opinion. Again, the word dogma is very much attached to religious beliefs, but that is not the full scope of the word.
In any event, I use the terms "faith" and "dogma" to distinguish between mere philosophical atheism (which holds that there can be no proof of God) and the stronger position that holds that there is, in fact, no such entity.
Hope I did not offend.
(btw, thanks to all for the great conversation!)
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I wish I had a magical wish-granting plank.
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Born-again Pagan fits me quite well, if I may steal the phrase. I do have a loving appreciation for Christ's message, especially the part about how we are each 'the child of God' and responsible for our own salvation. I like that its up to me to live a good life, take care of those that need a little help and teach my children to do the same.
That's really what it's about, isn't it?
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Whats up M4P? Been a while.
I do see how religion does keep order in society through fear. I think alot of folks will agree with that. M4P brought up a good point. People shouldn't have to agonize over their beliefs. They should be able to walk throughout the day without fear of retribution from either their god or society. Maybe thats why religion doesn't work for some. But good teaching is applied rather than repeated. When people need constant reminders of what to do and what not to do, they get tired of hearing it.
But maybe what should be taught is morals. Seems alot of them are being lost.
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I'm an atheist.
Actually, i guess you could say i am almost a holdover from the Enlightenment. Humanist, rationalist, think science and technology can solve our problems; etc. Love reason and rationality, science, technology, and human potential/intelligence. Very Enlightenment-y. Except unlike many from the Enlightenment i am full on atheist, not Deist.
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Causal, no offense at all! Having been raised with the definition of "dogma" as church-related, I thought the concept of a dogmatic atheist as a bit odd! 
Faith to me does not just hold to religion...I like your choice of definition.
I, too, am enjoying this thread. Glad we can all do this without name-calling!
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I think almost all religions have the right idea and the wrong implementation. I believe in god, I believe he is good and loving, and I believe that with that love he can accept anyone any and any way of belief so long as the person held true to what they believed in ( practice what you preach)
I choose to rise instead of fall- U2
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Tristan,
The Mabinogian is actually full of pagan references.There is a rather good guide book called -Mabon and the Mysteries of Britain: An Exploration of the Mabinogion-By Caitlin Matthews.It sort of helps you read into it.
Oh and btw -love the browncoat,you make a shiny Mal.
Bryce
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I swallowed a bug
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Science and math are as abstract as God and Allah. Yet we put so much stock in 2+2 and E=Mc2. But I guess abstract tools work better than sticks and stones, (I love primative tools). If people could use the abstract tools with everything you mentioned in mind, the world would be free of disease and war. Problem is that humans had squabbles and turned their tools to weapons, gods to demons, and faith to tyranny.
And I do think of many atheists as worthy of heaven just as I think of many Christians as worthy of hell. Not that I believe in atheist or Christian or heaven or hell. But if I did, that would be my way of thinking.
Alright, brain is tired. Talkin' out my ass so I'll shut up now. Y'all have been great. Much more civil than some of the RWED's. Now thats hell.
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Quote:
Originally posted by nvghostrider:
Y'all have been great. Much more civil than some of the RWED's. Now thats hell.
I agree wholeheartedly!
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Go to http://richlabonte.net/tvvote/ and vote Firefly!
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Quote:
Originally posted by yinyang:Quote:
Originally posted by nvghostrider:
Y'all have been great. Much more civil than some of the RWED's. Now thats hell.
I agree wholeheartedly!
I actually ended up taking a 2 month break from fff.net because of RWED. I spent a lot of time there and couldn't stand to hang around the people in there any longer.
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