Me? I'm agnostic. I don't have the hubris to think I've got the final answer. I'm still watching and waiting, and I'm keeping an open mind -- to all sides of the question.
Atheism is a lack of belief based on lack of evidence. I do not know a single atheist who wouldn't change his or her mind in a heartbeat given credible, reproducible evidence for the existence of god(s). This does not make them agnostic; it makes them realistic. I for one have actively sought such evidence because I am extremely eager to change my mind. I have prayed to any god(s) who might listen to ease my existential crisis — with no answer. We all routinely exercise a lack of belief in a variety of things for which there is a lack of evidence: dowsing, ESP, ghosts, telekinesis, UFOs, the list goes on. Only lack of belief in god(s) is ever made into an issue because the notion is so offensive and unpalatable to a large portion of the population. The existence of atheists is threatening to many religious people whereas psychics and ghost hunters are used to dealing with skeptics and disbelievers.
Sadly, it means I don't get to be nearly as smug as certain theists or atheists. But don't worry about me. I usually find something else to be smug about.
Oh, I wouldn't say that. You're doing a pretty good job here.
no subject
Atheism is a lack of belief based on lack of evidence. I do not know a single atheist who wouldn't change his or her mind in a heartbeat given credible, reproducible evidence for the existence of god(s). This does not make them agnostic; it makes them realistic. I for one have actively sought such evidence because I am extremely eager to change my mind. I have prayed to any god(s) who might listen to ease my existential crisis — with no answer. We all routinely exercise a lack of belief in a variety of things for which there is a lack of evidence: dowsing, ESP, ghosts, telekinesis, UFOs, the list goes on. Only lack of belief in god(s) is ever made into an issue because the notion is so offensive and unpalatable to a large portion of the population. The existence of atheists is threatening to many religious people whereas psychics and ghost hunters are used to dealing with skeptics and disbelievers.
Sadly, it means I don't get to be nearly as smug as certain theists or atheists. But don't worry about me. I usually find something else to be smug about.
Oh, I wouldn't say that. You're doing a pretty good job here.