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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Have discussions on this religion forum influenced you either away from or towards religion? If away, how? And if towards, which religion and why?
[/quote]

Yes, I have always been agnostic; however this forum has really confirmed my beliefs that atheists are among the most insufferable of all beliefs.

The only more insufferable group I have come across are fundamentalist Muslims; who are truly brain dead.

Previously I considered switching from agnostic to atheist but both IRL and on the internet these people are so tedious and lack any understanding of evolution and history. No thanks. [/quote]

Any believers are braindead, hence why they still believe in myths and fairy tales. [/quote]

Way to underscore PP’s point

“Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.” - Voltaire. 
[/quote]

Aren't religious people certain that there is a God?[/quote]
PP is agnostic, so probably takes issue with certainty about God just as much as certainty about no God.[/quote]

Athiests are [u]not[/u] people who are [u]certain[/u] that there is no God.  They are people who [u]do not believe[/u] in God.  They are a-thiests, that is, Not theists.

Also, adult believers only believe in God and not any other supernatural beings, like fairies or Santa Claus.  Fairies and Santa are considered childish, but God is not.
[/quote]
What's the difference between atheist and agnostic then?[/quote]
Merriam Webster has this useful context under its definition of atheist: 
"How Agnostic Differs From Atheist
Atheist and agnostic appear in the same contexts but are distinct in meaning. Atheist refers to someone who does not believe in the existence of a god or any gods. Agnostic has two relevant meanings: it can refer to someone who holds the view that any ultimate reality, such as God, is unknown and probably unknowable, or it can refer to someone who is not committed to believing in either the existence or nonexistence of God or a god."
I get the impression that a lot of atheists on this forum are actually agnostic.[/quote]

The fact of the matter is that "agnostic" sounds softer than "atheist" and thus is easier to call yourself publicly.   People often feel sorry for agnostics - assuming they are trying to believe, or want to believe, while the term atheist seems harsher.

How do I know?  Just a guess.  I've noticed that people are put off by atheists.  Agnostics get pity and atheists get anger.  I don't like either reaction.[/quote]
I don't think agnostics are pitied. IME, self-described agnostics are much more understanding of a wide range of beliefs. It's hard to be judgmental of others when your own worldview is "we don't know." There's a live and let live attitude. Self-described atheists, on the other hand, often want to argue about God and "prove" religion wrong. It's antagonistic.[/quote]

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