God, defined.

[Undertoad]

But Joe's challenge is why, a few years back, I had to admit I was agnostic rather than atheist.

There is no doubt in my mind that all religious texts are the superstitious bullshit of a backwards people trying vainly to describe their world. As Penn Jillette says, reading the bible is the easiest way to become an atheist. But just because those guys in the desert got it wrong, doesn't mean that there's some form* that kicked this all into motion. That, I have no way of knowing; and so the answer has to be I Don't Know and not only that but I Will Never Know.

So, even though I will only believe in things that are directly observable and provable, doesn't mean I can say there is definitely no God, whatever that word might represent.

The fact that the universe is pretty much incomprehensible is not an argument for OR against a God.



*The superstitious people wanted that form to be semi-human, to have human shape, human thinking. We all want our God to be describable in human terms. It may not be.

[Happy Monkey]

Originally Posted by Undertoad

But Joe's challenge is why, a few years back, I had to admit I was agnostic rather than atheist.

You can be both. Most atheists* are agnostic. If an omnipotent being wanted to hide, it could. But just because it's theoretically possible doesn't mean it's worth believing.

*ETA: I suspect that many theists are, as well.
Do you believe? Atheist or Theist
Can you be 100% certain? Agnostic or Gnostic